All sound is measured and delivered as a wave form. "Peak Power" refers to the amount of power used when reproducing the highest point (or peak) of each wave. This number will always be higher than the RMS power, which is the total amount of power delivered continuously. Many multimedia speaker manufacturers now heavily market and promote "Total Peak Power" specifications as the primary measure of speaker system power. However, comparing RMS power between systems (as required by the FTC) is the most meaningful way to compare system performance.
Power generated by a utility unit that operates at a very low capacity factor; generally used to meet short-lived and variable high demand periods.
The maximum value of the transmitted pulse.
Peak power is used by manufacturers in an attempt to "look better" in print and has no bearing on the actual performance of a product. Usually peak power works out to be twice continuous power. Some of these same manufacturers have come up with yet another power term referred to as "Instantaneous Peak Power," which is a further inflated and equally meaningless specification. Amplifier power should be judged on an equal basis when comparing one amplifier with another. Disregard "ad copy" such as that just described.
The absolute maximum output power that a power supply can produce without immediate damage. Peak power capability is typically well beyond the continuous reliable output power capability and should only be used infrequently.
A measure of amplifier power based on the amplitude rise above ground plane or 0 volts.
The maximum wattage an amplifier can deliver in a brief sound burst during dynamic passages. The RMS Power figure is a more relevant power rating for amplifiers and receivers.
The maximum power delivered. If this is in the form of a pulse, the peak power will be much greater than the average power.
Peak voltage x Peak current. Used to specify maximum power a suppressor will handle in Watts.
The maximum instantaneous power of a signal.
PV modules are rated by their total power output. The peak power is the amount of power output a PV modules produces at Standard test conditions (STC) of a module operating temperature of 25 degrees Celsius in full sunshine (irradiance) of 1 000 watts per square meter. This is a clear summer day with sun approximately overhead and the cells faced directly towards the sun. Unit: Watt (W), also wirtten Wp by professionals in the field.
the recommended highest power capacity of an amplifier or speaker.
the maximum rate of energy output available for a sustained period of time, typically 10 to 30 seconds.
(pulse energy)/pulse width (units in W).
Power generated by a utility to meet short-term high demand, usually from turbines normally on stand-by most of the time.
Current produced by a module or array operating at the maximum power point of the module. (See Maximum Power Point Tracking)
Amplifier power in watts available for a short time when needed to reproduce loud, sudden bursts of sound.
Peak or Surge power is the highest output, in watts, that the inverter will "surge" to under startup conditions.
Highest instantaneous power level in a pulse.
Amplifier power in watts available for a short time when needed to reproduce loud, sudden sounds (transients).
The absolute highest output power that a power supply can create without immediate damage. Typically, peak power is much higher than the continuous reliable output capacity and ought to be utilized rarely.
1. The power averaged over that carrier-frequency cycle that occurs when the power is maximum (usually one-half the maximum instantaneous power). In radar, the transmitted power averaged over one cycle of the carrier at the position in the pulse where the power is at a maximum. For typical weather radars, the peak power is in the range from several kilowatts to a megawatt.