AC Peak, RMS, and Phase Measurement
Aims:
x To become familiar with the oscilloscope and what it does.
x To learn how to use the various controls on the oscilloscope.
x To identify the characteristics of basic non-sinusoidal waveforms.
Background & Theory:
The Oscilloscope is a device for observing and taking measurements of electrical signals and
waveforms.
The analog oscilloscope consists of a cathode ray tube (CRT) which displays a graph, primarily
voltage versus time. It also has one or more amplifiers to supply voltage signals to the CRT and
a time base system for generating the time scale. Some of the modern digital oscilloscopes use a
liquid crystal display screen for the same purpose.
Sine Wave
The sine wave is a common type of alternating current (ac) and alternating voltage.
Fig 1: Graph of one cycle of a sine wave
1
For the wave in Figure 6-1:
x Time period = T
x Frequency f = 1/T
x Y 9VLQSIW 9VLQ ʌ7 W
Period of Sine Wave
The time required for a sine wave to complete one full cycle is called the period (T).
x A cycle consists of one complete positive, and one complete negative alternation.
x The period of a sine wave can be measured between any two corresponding points on the
waveform by any of the three methods.
i) The period can be measured from one zero crossing to the corresponding zero crossing
in the next cycle.
ii) The period can be measured from the positive peak in one cycle to the positive peak in
the next cycle.
iii) The period can be measured from the negative peak in one cycle to the negative peak
in the next cycle.
Frequency of a Sine Wave
Frequency (f) is the number of cycles that a sine wave completes in one second.
x The more cycles completed in one second. The higher the frequency.
x Frequency is measured in hertz (Hz)Relationship between frequency ( f ) and period (T) is:
f = 1/T
Electronic Signal / Frequency Generators
In the lab, we usually use a signal generator to produce a variety of waveforms at a wide range of
frequencies.
x An oscillator in the signal generator produces the repetitive wave.
x We are able to set the frequency and amplitude of the signal from the signal generator.
Instantaneous Values of Sine Waves
The instantaneous values of a sine wave voltage (or current) are different at different points along
the curve, having negative and positive values.
Instantaneous values are represented as:
v and I
Peak Values of Sine Waves
The peak value of a sine wave is the value of voltage or current at the positive or negative maximum
with respect to zero.
Peak values are represented as:
VP and Ip
Peak-to-Peak Values
The peak-to-peak value of a sine wave is the voltage or current from the positive peak to the
negative peak.
The peak-to-peak values are represented as:
Vpp and Ipp
Where:
Vpp = 2Vp and Ipp = 2Ip
2
Effective Value
Effective (rms) values of ac waveforms are given as:
்
ͳ ܸ
ܸ ൌ ඩ න ݒଶ ݀ ݐൌ (For sinusoidal wave)
ܶ ξʹ
்
ͳ ܫ
ܫൌ ඩ න ݅ ଶ ݀ ݐൌ (For sinusoidal wave)
ܶ ξʹ
These values are directly measured in ac voltmeter / ammeter and can be used in power calculation
as:
True /Average Power P = VI.CosT W or P=I R W
Apparent Power P$ = VI VA
Reactive Power P5 = VI.SinT VAR
where T is phase difference between voltage and current.
Average Value
Average values of ac waveforms are given as:
்
ͳ
ܸ ൌ න ݐ݀ݒൌ Ͳ (For sinusoidal wave)
ܶ
்
ͳ
ܫൌ න ݅݀ ݐൌ Ͳ (For sinusoidal wave)
ܶ
Phase Difference:
Figure 2. Two sinusoidal waves with phase difference
The phase of a sine wave is an angular measurement that specifies the position of a sine wave relative
to a reference. When a sine wave is shifted left or right with respect to this reference, there is a phase
shift or phase difference.
3
Phase difference between two ac sinusoidal waveforms is the difference in electrical angle between
two identical points of the two waves. In Figure 6-2, the voltage and current equations are given as:
ݒൌ ܸ ܵ݅݊ሺʹSȀܶሻݐ
ଶS
݅ ൌ ܫ ܵ݅݊ ቀ ் ቁ ݐെ T
Expressions for Shifted Sine Waves
x When a sine wave is shifted to the right of the reference by an angle f, is is termed lagging.
x When a sine wave is shifted to the left of the reference by an angle f, is is termed leading.
Figure 6-3(a) Figure 6-3(b)
Impedance:
Relation between the voltage across and the current through any component of an ac circuit is given
by impedance. For the voltage and current waveforms in Figure 6-2, the corresponding impedance Z
is given as:
Z =Vm / Im∠θ) =Vrms / Irms∠θ
RMS Value of a Sine Wave
The rms (root mean square) value of a sinusoidal voltage is equal to the dc voltage that produces the
same amount of heat in a resistance as does the sinusoidal voltage.
Vrms = 0.707Vp
Irms = 0.707Ip
Average Value of a Sine Wave
The average value is the total area under the half-cycle curve divided by the distance in radians of the
curve along the horizontal axis.
Vavg = 0.637Vp
Iavg = 0.637Ip
Angular Measurement of a Sine Wave
A degree is an angular measurement corresponding to 1/360 of a circle or a complete revolution.
A radian (rad) is the angular measure along the circumference of a circle that is equal to the radius of
the circle.
There are 2S radians or 360° in one complete cycle of a sine wave.
