What is peak voltage?

Peak voltage refers to the maximum voltage level that occurs in an alternating current (AC) waveform or the maximum voltage attained during any cycle in a circuit. When measuring peak voltage, it is typically referenced from the zero voltage point, indicating the highest instantaneous voltage value that the waveform reaches during its cycle. This is significant in various applications, such as in power systems or signal processing, where knowing the extremes of voltage can influence performance, safety, and design.

Understanding peak voltage is essential for analyzing electrical circuits because it helps in evaluating the capacity of components like capacitors, diodes, and other devices that may operate under varying voltage conditions. While average voltage and voltage across components are important concepts, they do not define the peak amplitude of a waveform, which specifically highlights that maximum point from rest.