Re: FAQ questions...

To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
Subject: Re: FAQ questions...
From: DamDeName-at-aol-dot-com
Date: Tue, 9 Jul 1996 15:31:12 -0400

In a message dated 96-07-09 08:37:40 EDT, you write:

> Is a watt in AC roughly volts*amps?  I believe that a watt is VA in
>     DC, and if you are dealing with RMS Volts and amps, does that make it 
>     true for AC?
>  
     Hi Chip ,

           RMS volts is equal to DC volts .
I know this sounds goofy when simply stated this way .
RMS has to do with the area "under the sine curve"
   If one were to rectify the sine wave so all the peaks
were on top --- then stomp 'em flat --- (keeping the "volumes" of 
the individual peaks constant)     the remaining height would be 
representative of the available value of the DC
            One Volt DC = 1.414 volts AC (peak )
When measuring the mains voltage (120 VAC) WITH A V.O.M.
one is actually measuring the DC value -----the heating value 
---when considering power ---- watts 
--- The actual voltage peak is 1.414 times that value (the value to which 
a capacitor will charge)
     So the 120 vac measurement if expressed in peak to peak terms
would be 120 * 1.414 * 2 or abt 340  volts---(as seen on the o-scope)
      Hence  RMS (DC value) = .707 peak 
                   
  hope this helps

Sandy