

In a step-up transformer (increasing the voltage) the secondary coil has a higher wiring density than the primary one. The wiring density of the two coils controls the output voltage. In the end, the two coils are not in contact and the current is transferred from one to another via electromagnetic induction. Schematic representation of a transformer from 12V to 230V The low voltage current enters through the primary coil and the high voltage current exits out of the secondary coil. It is an electromagnetic device, made of an iron core wrapped with two coils of copper wire: the primary and secondary coil. The second step is to increase the voltage of the pure sine wave current. Pure sine wave AC How Do Pure Sine Wave Inverters Increase Voltage?

It takes a bit more electronic circuits to smoothen the square into a nicely defined sine wave. However, it is still the shape of a square. Now, you have a periodical current flowing in both directions. The speed of the rotating disk will determine the frequency of the alternating current. This can be illustrated as a rotating disk with criss-cross connections. To make the current flow in both directions, you would need a kind of automated switch that will alternatively flip the incoming direct current back and forth by reversing the contact. Ok, now you have a periodical current but not flowing in both directions and still very far from a sine waveform. Switching the DC current periodically will give you a squared shape current alternating between zero (switch Off) and maximum value (switch On). The challenge is to turn a straight line (DC) into a wave (AC) in which the current flows periodically in both directions. In this section, a simple working principle that illustrates how pure sine wave inverters work will be provided: From Direct Current (DC) To Pure Sine Wave Alternating Current (AC) Let’s detail those two steps performed by a pure sine wave inverter. Previously, we saw that pure sine wave inverters first convert DC into AC, and then increase the input voltage (12V, 24V, 48V…) to reach an output voltage of 230V (transformer), usable by all our household appliances. Now that you know what a pure sine wave inverter is, let’s see how it works. They raise the input DC voltage to a much higher AC voltage – e.g., 12V to 230V. In addition, pure sine wave inverters are also transformers. Deliver high quality electric current similar to utility standards (voltage: 230V, frequency: 50/60hz).Produce alternating current (AC) from a direct current (DC) source.To overcome the compatibility problem between DC and AC, electrical engineers created a device that converts DC into AC, and alternatively AC into DC if needed – this is whats known as the inverter.Ī pure sine wave inverter, will, therefore: Now that you understand AC and DC are different in their nature, it is recommended that you do not ever connect an AC appliance to a DC power source, it will be irreversibly damaged. It can be pictured as a sine-wave current over time. On the other hand, with AC, electrons flow alternatively in both ways in a periodic cycle. It can be represented by a straight and continuous current over time. With DC, electrons flow in one way, from the negative electrode to the positive electrode. Now that some historical context has been provided, you may still be wondering what the main differences between AC and DC are?įirst of all, electricity is a flow of electrons. Finally, you will be shown why you should equip your electrical system with the latest pure sine wave inverter technology. Then, a brief comparison will be made between the two main inverter technologies. In this article, pure sine wave inverters and how they operate will be discussed in detail. They raise the input DC voltage, for example, 12V, to a much higher AC voltage, for example, 230V. You might then ask yourself, are they any good? And what exactly is a pure sine wave inverter?Ī pure sine wave inverter will transform direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC) which can then be used to deliver high-quality electrical current (similar to utility standards, voltage: 230V, frequency: 50/60hz) to all sorts of home appliances. Pure sine wave inverters are up to 2 times more expensive than a modified sine wave inverter. If you have already done some research, chances are you’ve read about the two main inverter technologies: pure sine wave and modified sine wave.
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If you are trying to understand what a pure sine wave inverter is and how it works, you are likely already looking into installing a solar system with batteries for your RV, or for your home.
