Types of Inverters
There are basically three types of inverters based on the output. They are as follows:
1. Sine wave
In this type of inverter, the output produced is a sine wave. Since AC current adheres to sinusoidal waveform, this is the most commonly used inverter. It is useful in all expensive electronic devices. Since sine waves reduce distortion, the circuitry is complex. The main advantage is it produces clean output.
2. Modified Sine Wave
Modified Sine waves is a combination of sine wave and square wave. It uses series of steps to approximate the sine wave. This inverter is most commonly used in household applications. The circuitry is less complex as compared to sine wave. However the drawback is it does produce noise and distortion.
3. Square Wave
Square wave produces basic AC output. The curve ranges between positive and negative values. It has a straight forward circuitry. However the output does not comply with the sine wave. Hence it is susceptible to harmonic noises and distortion. These inverters are cheap and have short lifespan because they tend to get heated easily.
4. Grid Tied Inverters
Grid Tied Inverter is a type of inverter that converts DC to AC which can be in turn injected in the electrical grids. They are useful in solar panels, turbines etc. In this solar energy is fed into the panels and accordingly the power is generated.
5. Three Phase Inverters
These types of inverters are used in industrial as well as commercial areas. They convert the DC power to AC power. This AC power is useful in motors, pumps etc. It is to be noted that three phase AC power is generated by these inverters.
Introduction to Inverters
Current is defined as the flow of electrons. It is denoted by I and the SI unit of current is Ampere. There are mainly two types of currents: Alternating Current (AC) and Direct Current (DC). In general AC is used to travel over long distances and users require DC.
So, there are many devices that are used to convert incoming Alternating current to Direct Current. Examples include SMPS, Power Adapters, Chargers etc. But we also need devices that convert Direct Current to Alternating Current.
Table of Content
- What is an Inverter?
- Components of an Inverter
- Types of Inverters
- How does an inverter work?
- Characteristics of Inverter
- Applications of Inverter
- Advantages and Disadvantages of Inverter
- Precautions for using an Inverter