Peak-to-Peak

What Does Peak-to-Peak Mean?

Peak-to-peak (pk-pk) refers to the difference between the highest positive and the lowest negative amplitude in a waveform. For an alternating current (AC) wave in the absence of a direct current (DC) component, the pk-pk amplitude is double the positive peak amplitude. In the case of an AC sine wave having no DC component present, the pk-pk amplitude is equal to approximately 2.828 times the root-mean-square amplitude.

Advertisements

Techopedia Explains Peak-to-Peak

Peak-to-peak is the amplitude of a waveform that is measured from the crest (top of the waveform) to the trough (bottom of the waveform). Peak-to-peak values are normally used to measure current, power and voltage. The pk-pk amplitude of a signal is sometimes confused with peak amplitude. The two are different, as peak amplitude only gives the maximum positive peak of a waveform, whereas pk-pk amplitude describes the total difference between the top and the bottom of the wave under observation.

Advertisements

Related Terms

Related Reading

Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…