Peak Voltage

Introduction guide to peak voltage for AC and DC

The flow of current and voltage across a circuit is dynamic and has many functions. One major factor that comes into play in the supply of electric energy is the voltage within the circuit and a less common factor that is sometimes overlooked is peak voltage.
 
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Peak voltage is a factor that affects various functions of current flow from a power source to a receiving appliance. In this article, we’ll be discussing what, how, and why understanding the peak voltage of a system is crucial to maximize energy transfer efficiency.

What is a peak voltage

Peak voltage is defined as a maximum excursion or deviation from the zero reference point of a waveform either in a negative or positive direction. This voltage function commonly applies to an AC waveform such that AC moves in both the positive and negative direction simultaneously in contrast to DC which only moves in one direction at a time.

In other words, the peak voltage is the maximum voltage wavelength a circuit can and will achieve. The peak voltage function is usually defined by a standard “Vp” sign and can be calculated using different methods and equipment.

How do you read peak voltage

Reading the peak voltage of your circuit can be done in several ways most of which depend on the power source( either battery or power grid) and the available equipment.

Using the manual approach, you can simply calculate the peak voltage using a simple formula which is;

(VP= √2 × Vrms)
where Vp= Peak Voltage.
Vrms= Root Mean Square Voltage.

So, using a multimeter to get the RMS voltage(most multimeters read in RMS unless otherwise stated) you can simply apply the formula to get the peak voltage.
For instance,

Vp = √2 × 75V
VP = 106V.

Subsequently, you also can measure the Peak voltage of a lithium-ion battery by simply using a piece of equipment called a ” Peak Voltage Adapter”. This device would read the peak voltage of your battery and display the value on the screen.

How do you read peak voltage

How does a peak voltage adapter work

Since the waveform of an AC current alternates between opposite ends of the terminal in milliseconds, it is extremely hard to capture the individual peak voltage pulses by simply using a Multimeter or Voltmeter.

But a peak voltage adapter is designed in such a way that it captures and records the peak voltage pulses of an AC waveform or current, such that it is displayed on the device screen long enough for the user to view the value.

Is the maximum voltage the same as the peak voltage

The term peak voltage is commonly used interchangeably with maximum voltage and both terms don’t always mean the same thing.

Peak voltage mainly applies to AC wavelengths which have fluctuating current movements and voltages, while Maximum voltage can be used to denote the highest unidirectional movement of a DC voltage.

In official voltage and current measurements, the term “maximum voltage” isn’t commonly used or recognized because it doesn’t encompass the fluctuating millisecond movement of the actual AC voltage.

Is the maximum voltage the same as the peak voltage

What is the difference between rated voltage and peak voltage

Peak voltage as we’ve established denotes the highest point on the waveform of an AC voltage which means it shows the voltage peak of the power source which could be a lithium-ion battery or a power grid-generated source.

A rated voltage on the other hand denotes the maximum voltage range with which the device or appliance being powered is designated to use by its manufacturers. This rated voltage is the maximum voltage level recommended for the safe thermal conductivity of such a device or appliance. So peak voltage and rated voltage are difference.

What is the peak voltage for a 12v lithium ion battery

A standard 12v lithium ion battery is made up of 4 individual cells all with the same nominal and maximum voltage ranges. Generally 12v lithium-ion battery is 12.8v, according to the formula mentioned above

Vp = √2 × 12.8V
VP = 16.97V

So generally the peak value of 12v lithium ion battery is 16.97v.

What is the highest voltage you can charge a 12 volt battery

The maximum voltage with which a battery can be charged depends on the type of battery.

For instance, a 12V LiPoFe4 battery can be charged as high as 14.3-14.8V, and this is when you buy a lithium-ion battery, the odm lithium ion battery pack manufacturer will provide a specification that includes the maximum charging voltage.

What is peak voltage in AC

Peak voltage as we’ve stated is a term specifically used in describing the highest voltage point an AC Power source can achieve or supply.

This is specifically used for AC power sources because an AC flow alternates between the negative and positive ends, each of which can reach a peak voltage multiple times in a second.

What is peak voltage in ac

Is 220v peak voltage

220v is the rms value in AC, not generally as a household AC voltage, not a peak value. Most voltage ratings stated are measures using conventional devices like Multimeters and Voltmeters which commonly display voltage in RMS. Hence, this would need to be converted to get the true peak voltage of a circuit.

Therefore, a 220V voltage source would have a peak voltage of 311V using the peak voltage formula.

Can peak voltage be negative

Indeed, peak voltage can either be negative as well as positive. The very definition of peak voltage states that it is the highest or maximum deviation from a zero reference point either in the “positive” or “negative” direction of the waveform.

In this regard, a peak voltage can be either positive or negative but there is a constant rule that the value of a negative peak voltage would equal the value of a corresponding positive peak voltage. Hence, a positive peak of 15V would also have a negative peak of 15V as well.

What happens if a lithium ion battery is over voltage

Overcharging a lithium-ion battery above the rated maximum voltage level can cause some damaging effects on the battery as a result of the excess current. Affects chemical reactions inside the battery and leads to a reduction in the capacity of the battery and may even cause a short circuit in the battery.

This is why lithium-ion batteries need a BMS to protect the battery, prevent overcurrent and overvoltage, cause damage to the battery, and improve user safety. If you want to know BMS related industry information, please refer to top 10 battery management system suppliers.

The peak voltage of a circuit is important. When we use the battery, we need to pay attention of maximum and minimum, in order to use the battery more safely.

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