Inverter facts for kids
An inverter is an electric device that changes direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC). Think of it like a translator for electricity! DC power comes from things like batteries and solar panels. AC power is what usually comes out of wall sockets in your home.
Inverters are super useful because they let you use DC power sources to run everyday household items. For example, if you have solar panels, an inverter helps them power your lights, microwave oven, or other electric machines.
Sometimes, an inverter also makes the electricity's voltage higher. When the voltage goes up, the electric current goes down. This means an inverter might use a lot of current from the DC side (like a battery) to produce a smaller amount of current on the AC side (for your devices).
Inverters come in many different sizes. Some are small, like 150 watts, which is enough for a few small gadgets. Others are huge, like 1 megawatt (that's 1 million watts!), used for big solar farms or industrial needs.
Types of Inverters
There are different kinds of inverters, each producing a slightly different type of AC power:
- Sine wave inverters create very smooth and clean AC power. This is similar to the electricity you get from the power grid. These inverters are usually more expensive.
- A modified sine wave inverter produces AC power that isn't as smooth. It's a bit "rougher" and can sometimes cause issues with sensitive electronics. However, these inverters are often cheaper.
Images for kids
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Overview of solar-plant inverters
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Waveform produced by a cigarette lighter 12 volt DC to 120 V AC 60 Hz inverter
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Inverter designed to provide 115 V AC from the 12 V DC source provided in an automobile. The unit shown provides up to 1.2 amperes of alternating current, or enough to power two 60 W light bulbs.
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Internal view of a solar inverter. Note the many large capacitors (blue cylinders), used to store energy briefly and improve the output waveform.
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Top: Simple inverter circuit shown with an electromechanical switch and automatic equivalent auto-switching device implemented with two transistors and split winding auto-transformer in place of the mechanical switch.
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Square waveform with fundamental sine wave component, 3rd harmonic and 5th harmonic
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H bridge inverter circuit with transistor switches and antiparallel diodes
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Three-phase inverter with wye connected load
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3-phase inverter switching circuit showing 6-step switching sequence and waveform of voltage between terminals A and C (23 − 2 states)
See also
In Spanish: Inversor (electrónica) para niños
