An oscillogram, also known as an oscilloscope trace, is a graphical representation of a voltage signal over time. It is created by plotting the voltage on the vertical axis and time on the horizontal axis.
RMS (Root Mean Square) voltage is a measure of the effective or average voltage of an alternating current (AC) signal. It is calculated by squaring the voltage values, taking the mean, and then taking the square root of the result.
An oscillogram shows the changes in voltage over time, whereas a voltage measurement only gives a single value at a specific moment. An oscillogram provides a more detailed understanding of the voltage signal, including the amplitude, frequency, and any fluctuations or anomalies.
RMS voltage is significant because it is the standard method for measuring AC voltage. It represents the effective voltage that produces the same amount of power as a DC voltage of the same value. It is also used to calculate the power and energy of an AC circuit.
To calculate RMS voltage from an oscillogram, the voltage values are squared, the mean is taken, and then the square root of the result is calculated. This can also be done using specialized equipment, such as an RMS voltmeter, which directly measures the RMS voltage of an AC signal.