# Finding Peak-to-Peak Voltage of a Square Wave Using a Multimeter?

Discussion in 'General Electronics Chat' started by TheLaw, Jan 1, 2012.

1. ### TheLaw Thread Starter Member

Sep 2, 2010
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Hello,

How can I find the peak-to-peak voltage of a square wave produced by a function generator when I only have a True-RMS multimeter?

I'm new at this so if someone could dumb it down for me, I'd appreciate it.

Is it possible? Thanks.

2. ### thatoneguy AAC Fanatic!

Feb 19, 2009
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jaygatsby likes this.
3. ### MrChips Moderator

Oct 2, 2009
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and hence the peak-to-peak voltage would be twice the RMS reading.

4. ### TheLaw Thread Starter Member

Sep 2, 2010
228
2
No 50% duty is all I need. It says positive square wave. I forgot to mention that it is a +/- square wave equally bipolar. So if it was 10Vpp, it would be +5, -5V...if that makes sense.

Is duration (T) one period?

Thank you.

5. ### TheLaw Thread Starter Member

Sep 2, 2010
228
2
The reading of a multimeter is RMS, but since it's meant to give the RMS value of a sine wave, wouldn't it screw something up when its a square wave?

6. ### thatoneguy AAC Fanatic!

Feb 19, 2009
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Yes, T is usually the period, or $\frac{1}{f}$ where f is frequency.

7. ### thatoneguy AAC Fanatic!

Feb 19, 2009
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If the meter is TRUE - RMS and marked that way, then it will give you the correct RMS voltage of any waveform (up to the frequency ability of the meter)

If the meter cost under $40-$50 or so, it is probably only True RMS for sinewaves, and the actual voltage of a different waveform is anybody's guess in the case of an Sine RMS only meter.

8. ### MrChips Moderator

Oct 2, 2009
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The RMS value is what constant DC voltage will give the same heating effect as the signal of arbitrary wave form. Hence mathematically, you have to compute the integral of the square of the amplitude and then take the square root. So when you square the negative portion, it is the same value as the positive part. Hence the RMS is the same as if the square wave was a constant DC signal of half the peak-to-peak voltage.

9. ### TheLaw Thread Starter Member

Sep 2, 2010
228
2
http://www.amprobe.com/amprobe/usen/Multimeters/Industrial-Multimeters-/AM-270.htm?PID=73125

I'll have to look at the datasheet for my meter then.

Thank you.

10. ### thatoneguy AAC Fanatic!

Feb 19, 2009
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That meter is a True RMS meter, meaning it will give you the RMS value of any waveform.

It may also give you the peak voltage if you set it to peak record.

11. ### TheLaw Thread Starter Member

Sep 2, 2010
228
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I got the first part about the heating. (Actually learned that in school!). Second part not so much..Let's see. I'll read it again.

12. ### MrChips Moderator

Oct 2, 2009
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Draw a square wave centered above and below 0V. So in your example of 10V p-p, you end up with 5V above and 5V below.
Now flip the negative portion to the positive side. You end up with a DC voltage equal to 5V, half the peak-to-peak value.

A true RMS reading voltmeter would give the same reading as the 5V DC voltage if they were to have the same heating effect.

13. ### bountyhunter Well-Known Member

Sep 7, 2009
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Be careful. Most modern "true RMS meters" do some kind of integral approxination and are only accurate on signals with a crest factor less than 3. The phrase "True RMS" must be taken with a grain of salt, unless it is a thermal meter and they are rare and very expensive.

14. ### crutschow Expert

Mar 14, 2008
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The crest factor of a square-wave is 1, so that should not be a problem for the meter.

15. ### bountyhunter Well-Known Member

Sep 7, 2009
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The other problem is bandwidth limitation. The leading edges of a square wave have very high frequency content. It would be like using a scope with a bandwidth of about 50 kHz to look at a square wave. The vertical edges would be "leaning" more like a triangle wave.

Apr 30, 2011
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I'm going to have to try that with my meter sometime. It's a true RMS with min, max and average (Fluke 89 IV). I know that mathematically a 10Vpp square wave of 50% duty cycle should read 5Vrms, min = -5V, max = 5V and average = 0V but it would be interesting to verify.