Power inverters can be used in many different applications to convert DC power to AC Current.
Smaller models up to 200 watts are often used in car cigarette lighters to give quick access for charging Cell Phones or running other small electronics.
Medium Sized inverters from 200 to 1000 watts maybe used for camping, on boats or in remote locations where a DC power source is available but AC is not.
Larger inverters over 1000 watts may be found in home power generation systems such as converting solar or small windmill DC power to AC for use in your home. They are also used to power some scientific or medical devices such as road signs or critical care devices that must run even when the power goes out.
Although there are a variety of different sizes there are two basic types of inverters Pure Sign wave and Square or Modified Sign wave. The difference is in the quality of the electricity that results after conversion.
Pure Sign wave is the better of the two and closely matches the same electricity that you get out of your wall outlet in your home. Many people have seen a Sign wave on an oscilloscope probably on tv. They look like a small box with an S on its side. In a pure sign wave pattern you see a smooth S shape.
Square Sign wave is your discount type Inverter that can operate a number of devices without problem for short periods of time but can cause problems for motors, chargers, televisions and medical devices to name a few. In a Square Sign wave you see flat tops on the signal due to the method of conversion.
In a simple way you can think of it like this a 1,000 watt Square or Modified Inverter may cost you less then a 1,000 watt Pure Sign wave Inverter but just like a pizza you don’t want bites taken out of it before you open the box. Sure you could still eat it and it may fill you up but thinking about those bites being taken out you might just barf it right back up. Similarly using a square sign wave inverter may run your $600 toy for a few days while you are camping but it might also burn it out. So, when you can pay a little extra and don’t buy the discount pizza.
Power Consumption
Understanding just how much power you need and how much your inverter can provide is very necessary when you shop for an inverter. You should check the devices you need to power for peak power consumption and some devices may require extra electricity when they start. Tvs and Motors especially compressors always need a good kick to get going.
Runtime is another consideration. Inverters are really only to be used for temporary situations unless they state that they are for long run use. Inverters can also get hot and in some cases catch fire if they are not rated for your application.
The YouRepair Store has a full line of DC Power inverters for every application.