peak-to-peak (pk-pk)

Peak-to-peak (pk-pk) is the difference between the maximum positive and the maximum negative amplitudes of a waveform, as shown below. If there is no direct current ( DC ) component in an alternating current ( AC ) wave, then the pk-pk amplitude is twice the peak amplitude.

peaktope.gif (1899 bytes)

For an AC sine wave with no DC component, the peak-to-peak amplitude is equal to approximately 2.828 times the root-mean-square amplitude. Peak-to-peak values can be expressed for voltage (the usual case), current , or power .