How do I determine what an RMS watt rating is?

Answer by  Att4372 (1704)

RMS (Root Mean Square) is the heating equivalent for comparing AC and DC. 110 AC is actually 175 volts peak. For a given current (amp) level, What DC voltage would produce the same heat output as an AC line? RMS watts also depends on AC wave (50 cycle, 60 cycle)

Answer by  Brandon55 (1719)

Root Mean Square (RMS) is a fancy way of saying average wattage output from an amplifier. There is no exact calculation, however, the best way to look at it is with an oscilloscope. Drive the amplifier and see what the peak wattage out of the amp is without distortion. That is a truer rating of what the amplifier can output.

Answer by  jimbob11 (195)

RMS is the continuous mean value of a sine wave, as experienced in sound systems. The RMS wattage is the maximum continuous power output a device can supply, or handle.