How Does an Inverter Work

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Benefits of Using an Inverter During Loadshedding

Having charged batteries at your disposal will prove to be indispensable when the power goes out whether you run a small business or for your home. 

These batteries will produce alternating current to power your office or home so that when the UPS is supplying energy, the batteries will pump DC through an inverter to produce alternating current (AC). 

Inverters function by using unidirectional DC power sources to mimic an alternating current power source. Electronic inverters are essentially oscillators that rapidly switch the polarity of the DC power which creates a square wave. 

Since most consumer electronics require something similar to a true sine wave, most inverters include additional components that create either a modified or pure sine wave. 

A common question asked is – what is an Inverter 

  • An inverter is an electronic device that changes direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC) 
  • The input voltage, output voltage, frequency, and total power handling depends largely on the design of a specific device and the circuitry 

How does an inverter work? 

  • An inverter converts direct current (DC) from your batteries into alternating current (AC)  
  • This is done via an inverter 
  • The inverter, in turn, supplies your business or house with 110/220V alternating current 

There is a difference between AC and DC power

What is the difference between AC and DC? 

  • In direct current (DC), the electric current flows in one direction 
  • Electric charge is alternating current (AC), on the other hand, changes direction from time to time 
  • The voltage in AC circuits also periodically reverses because of the current changes direction 

 You can get different types of inverters 

  • There are three types of inverters: 

Sine wave also referred to as a “true” or “pure” sine wave  

Modified sine wave 

A square wave 

When purchasing an inverter for your small business or your home, you need to ensure the current wave is as “true” or “pure” as possible.