Root Mean Square (RMS)
The Root Mean Square (RMS), statistically speaking, is the square root of the mean square. It’s the arithmetic average of the squares of a set of values. RMS is sometimes referred to as the quadratic mean, and it’s a specific case of the generalized mean where the exponent is 2. In practical terms, RMS is used to find an effective, or “average,” value for a set of varying data points, typically in the context of electrical or waveform analysis. It’s based on the integral of the squares of instantaneous values during a cycle or time period.