What is an inverter?

An inverter and battery setup can be incredibly helpful during power cuts, keeping your essential appliances running when the lights go out. But what exactly is an inverter and how does it work?

Lately, inverters have become a must-have in many homes, offering a reliable backup to keep the power on against unexpected electricity disruptions. So, to better understand how it all works, let’s break down what an inverter is and how it functions.

What is an inverter?

In a nutshell, an inverter is a device that converts electrical power from direct current (DC) electricity into alternating current (AC) electricity. While DC power flows in a single direction, AC power alternates back and forth, which is what most of our household appliances and electronics need to work. During a power cut, an inverter converts the stored DC power from a source like a battery, solar panel, or rectifier into AC power that can be then used by your appliances like a refrigerator or TV.

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In practice, inverters play a key role in several areas. For solar power systems, they convert the DC electricity generated by solar panels into AC power that your home can use. Meanwhile, Uninterruptible Power Supplies or UPS provide power backup by converting stored DC power from batteries into AC power during outages. In vehicles, they turn DC power from batteries into AC power to run electric motors. Inverters are also used in welding machines, audio amplifiers, and motor control systems.

How an inverter works

So, how does an inverter work? Simply put, it converts DC power into AC power via a sophisticated process involving rapid switching of electrical currents. This process consists of several steps to generate a usable AC output. Here’s a quick breakdown of how an inverter works:

1. Receiving DC power

The process starts when the inverter receives DC power from a source like a battery, solar panel, or rectifier. DC power flows in a single direction and this is where the transformation begins.

 2. Switching the current

Inside the inverter, electronic switches (such as transistors) quickly turn the DC power on and off. This rapid switching is important because it starts to transform the steady DC power into something that can mimic AC power.

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3. Creating an AC waveform

By carefully controlling the timing of these switches, the inverter generates an AC waveform that alternates between positive and negative values, simulating the behaviour of AC power that most home appliances require.

4. Smoothing the output

The created AC waveform then passes through filters that smooth out any irregularities or fluctuations. This filtering process makes sure that the final AC output is clean and stable, ready to power your devices without causing any issues.

Lastly, the quality of the final AC output will depend on the inverter’s design. High-quality inverters produce a waveform that closely resembles the pure sine wave of grid power, which is ideal for keeping sensitive electronics running smoothly.