On Sun, 09 Jan 2005 18:26:15 -0500, Spehro Pefhany
vaguely proposed a theory
.......and in reply I say!:

remove ns from my header address to reply via email

I am not a great quoter, but this guy saves me some time.

http://www.bcae1.com/voltages.htm

"RMS Voltage:
RMS voltage is absolutely the most common way to measure/quantify AC
voltage. It is also the most useful. ........ Its voltage level
can be plugged directly into the formulas for power (on the Ohm's law
page) and you will get an accurate image of its ability to do work.
RMS voltage will give you the same ability to predict how much work
will be done by an AC voltage."

"For the Purists...

RMS Power (PRMS):
Throughout this site I will use the term 'RMS power'. Technically, as
far as I know, there is no such thing as 'RMS' power. This section
will help clarify and define a few terms. I will define RMS power as
the power that's calculated when using an RMS voltage or current into
a resistive load. Other ways to quantify power...

Average power (Pave):
Average power is defined as the RMS voltage multiplied by the RMS
current.

Peak power (Ppeak):
Peak power is defined as the peak voltage multiplied by the peak
current. "

So we appear to be straining at gnats. Terminology. I am actually not
sure how the arguiment started. There is no RMS power in physics. But
there is RMS volts, and if you divide the square of that by the
resistive load, you get a power figure by which things can be
compared. It is _accepted_ to be "RMS power" in name. No harm done. It
measures work and provides a standard.