Crest factor is the ratio between the instantaneous peak current required by the load and the RMS current (RMS stands for Root Mean Square, which is a type of average). Most common electrical appliances exhibit a crest factor of 1.4 (1.4 is the ratio of the peak value of a sine wave to its RMS value). Computers and IT equipment with Power Factor Corrected power supplies exhibit a crest factor of 1.4. Personal computers and stackable hubs exhibit a crest factor of 2 to 3.

sqrt(2)

The vertical curves at crest is an important factor to be considered in design of summit curves.

The crest.

Family crest

Bird's crest