Parameters of Periodic Wave Forms -

GATE Study Material in PDF

These free GATE Notes 2018 deal with Parameters of Periodic Wave Forms. Concepts
like Peak Value (Amplitude), Average Value, RMS Value, Form Factor, and Peak Factor
are some of these Parameters of Periodic Wave Forms. Understanding these is
important to completely understanding Network Theory.
This GATE study material is useful for GATE EE, GATE EC, IES, BARC, BSNL, DRDO and
other exams. These GATE Study Notes may be downloaded as PDF to help ensure that
your exam preparation is made easy. Just make sure that you have read all the topics
mentioned in the recommended reading list before you start off with Parameters of
Periodic Wave Forms.
Recommended Reading –

Basic Network Theory Concepts

Source Transformation & Reciprocity Theorem

Kirchhoffs Laws, Node and Mesh Analysis (EE)

KCL, KVL in Electrical Networks (EC)

Nodal & Mesh Analysis (EC)

Voltage Division in Series Circuit (EE)

Voltage and Current Division, Star to Delta Conversion (EC)

Thevenin Norton Equivalencies (EE)

Thevenin, Norton & Tellegen Theorems

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 Superposition Theorem

Maximum Power Transfer Theorem

Network Theory Revision Test 1

Periodic wave forms can be represented by

f(t) = f(t + nT)
where n is an integer
and T is the time period
These periodic waveforms can be characterised by the following values.

Peak Value (Amplitude)

It is the maximum value of the wave during either positive or negative half cycle.

Here Vm is the peak value

Average Value
The average value of a periodic function x(t) can be represented as
1 T
xav = T ∫0 x(t) dt

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Where T is the period of the function.
Ex: In case of sinusoidal wave, the average value can be represented as
1 π
Vav = π ∫0 Vm sinωtd(ωt)
1
= π [−Vm cosωt]π0
2Vm
= π

Here the average value of sinusoidal voltage wave is computed for half cycle as the
average value of the sine wave for full cycle would be zero.

RMS value (Root Mean Square Value)

As the effective value of a sine wave is zero for the entire cycle hence in order to get the
effective value, we compute the capability of the sine wave in terms of heating power.
This is represented by the root mean square value, and also known effective value. It
can be represented by
1 T
xrms = √T ∫0 [x(t)]2 dt

Where T is the period of the function

For a sinusoidal voltage wave

1 2π
Vrms = √2π ∫0 (Vm sinωt)2 d(ωt)

1
2 [ 2π 1−cos2ωt
= √2π ∫0 Vm ] d(ωt)
2

Vm
=
√2

Form Factor
It is defined by the ratio of RMS and average values. The form Factor of a sinusoidal
voltage wave is given by
Vm
Vrms √2 π
Form Factor (FF) = = 2Vm = 2√2 = 1.11
Vav
π

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Peak Factor
It is defined by the ratio of maximum value and RMS values for sinusoidal voltage wave.
V Vm
Peak factor = Vmax = Vm = √2
Rms
√2

If the voltage is given in mathematical form, i.e.

V = V0 + V1 sin ωt + V2 sin 2ωt + ⋯
Then average value = V0

V 2 V 2
RMS value = √V02 + ( 1 ) + ( 2 ) + ⋯
√2 √2

Example 1:
If the current flowing in a 5 Ω resister is given as
I(t) = 6 + 3 sin2t + 4sin3t
Then the power loss is-

Solution:
2
Power loss = Irms .R

3 2 4 2
Irms = √(6)2 + ( ) + ( )
√2 √2

9 16
= √36 + 2 + = √48.5
2

2
⇒ Power loss = Irms . R = (48.5)(5) = 242.5 W

Example 2:
The voltage across a 4 Ω resistor is given as shown in the figure. Find the power loss.

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Solution:
V2rms
Power loss = R

We have to calculate the value of Vrms in order to calculate power loss

1 T 2
Vrms = √T ∫0 (V(t)) dt

here, T = 5
0 < t < 2, V(t) = 5t
2 < t < 4, V(t) = 10
4 < t < 5, V(t) = -10t + 50
2 1 2 4 5
Vrms = [∫0 (5t)2 dt + ∫2 (10)2 dt + ∫4 (−10t + 50)2 dt]
5

1 200 100
= 5[ + 200 + ] = 60V
3 3

V2rms (60)2
Power loss = = = 900 W
R 4

Note:
Vm Vm
i. For Half Rectified Sine wave Vavg = and VRMS =
π 2
2Vm Vm
ii. For Full Rectified Sine wave Vavg = and VRMS =
π √2
A A
iii. For Half Rectified square wave Vavg = and VRMS =
2 √2
iv. For Full Rectified Square wave Vavg = A and VRMS = A
A A
v. For Half Rectified triangular wave Vavg = and VRMS =
4 √6
A A
vi. For Full Rectified triangular wave Vavg = and VRMS =
2 √3

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 1
vii. In general for a specified input, RMS of Half wave = × RMS of Full Wave
√2

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