Voltmeter Calibration Most dc voltmeters measure the average value of the applied signal. A dc meter that measures the average value can be adapted to indicate the rms value of an ac signal. The input is passed through a rectifier circuit.
The rectifier output is the absolute value of the input and is applied to a dc meter whose deflection is proportional to the average value of the rectified signal.
The meter scale is calibrated to indicate the rms value of the input signal.
A calibration factor is needed to convert the average absolute value into the rms value of the ac signal. What is the required calibration factor for a sinusoid? Would the same calibration factor apply to a square wave?