FAQ: What is the difference between the voltage P-P noise and RMS noise specifications?

Both Vp-p and Vrms measure unwanted AC components of DC output. Peak-to-peak noise is measured from the highest voltage point on the waveform to the lowest voltage point. This measurement is particularly important for applications where noise spikes could degrade accurate measurements on a sensitive load, such as RF circuitry.

The abbreviation rms stands for root mean square, and its accurate measurement requires a true rms responding voltmeter. This measurement is not an ideal representation of DC power supply noise because fairly high output noise spikes of short duration could be present in the ripple and not appreciably increase the rms value.

Applies to: All models

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