What is the effective value of AC voltage and current commonly referred to as?

The effective value of AC voltage and current is commonly referred to as the RMS (Root Mean Square) value. This value represents the equivalent direct current (DC) that would produce the same amount of heat in a resistive load as the alternating current does over a complete cycle.

The RMS value is crucial in electrical engineering because it allows for the accurate measurement of power when working with AC circuits, accommodating the fluctuations of the waveform. Since AC voltage and current continuously change, the RMS calculation essentially provides a stable way to understand their impact on energy consumption and heating.

The other terms mentioned do not accurately describe the effective value of AC. Average value refers to the mean of the values over time and does not account for the power delivered in an AC circuit as effectively. Equivalent value is a more general term and isn’t specific to AC analysis, while IMS value is not a standard term used in electrical engineering. Thus, the RMS value stands out as the recognized term that provides a clear and practical understanding of AC voltage and current.