What is an Inverter?

An inverter converts the DC voltage to an AC voltage. In most cases, the input DC voltage is usually lower while the output AC is equal to the grid supply voltage of either 120 volts, or 240 Volts depending on the country.

The inverter may be built as standalone equipment for applications such as solar power, or to work as a backup power supply from batteries which are charged separately.

The other configuration is when it is a part of a bigger circuit such as a power supply unit, or a UPS. In this case, the inverter input DC is from the rectified mains AC in the PSU, while from either the rectified AC in the in the UPS when there is power, and from the batteries whenever there is a power failure.

There are different types of inverters based on the shape of the switching waveform. These have varying circuit configurations, efficiencies, advantages and disadvantages

An inverter provides an ac voltage from dc power sources and is useful in powering electronics and electrical equipment rated at the ac mains voltage. In addition they are widely used in the switched mode power supplies inverting stages. The circuits are classified according the switching technology and switch type, the waveform, the frequency and output waveform.