The peak-to-peak voltage of an alternating current (AC) waveform is the difference between its maximum positive voltage and its maximum negative voltage during one complete cycle. In other words, it is the total vertical distance between the highest and lowest points of the waveform.
For a sinusoidal AC waveform, the peak-to-peak voltage can be calculated using the peak voltage (also known as the amplitude) as follows:
Peak-to-Peak Voltage = 2 * Peak Voltage
Mathematically, if V_peak represents the peak voltage, then the peak-to-peak voltage (V_pp) is given by:
V_pp = 2 * V_peak
For example, if the peak voltage of a sinusoidal AC waveform is 10 volts, the peak-to-peak voltage would be:
V_pp = 2 * 10 volts = 20 volts
The peak-to-peak voltage is an important parameter in AC circuits, especially when considering the voltage capabilities of devices and safety limits for electrical equipment.