Pure and Modified Energy Conversion - Inverter Knowledge

What is an inverter?

An inverter is a power converter consisting of a semiconductor device that converts direct current (DC) energy into alternating current (DC to AC mode). DC power generally includes batteries, car batteries, solar panels, etc. AC power is generally AC220V 50/60Hz, or AC110V/60Hz.

There are many kinds of inverters, which can be classified according to different methods.

1、According to the frequency of the inverter output AC electric energy, it can be divided into industrial frequency inverter, medium frequency inverter and high frequency inverter.

2、According to the number of phases of the inverter output, it can be divided into single-phase inverter, three-phase inverter and multi-phase inverter.

3、According to the direction of the inverter output power, it can be divided into active inverter and passive inverter.

4、According to the inverter output voltage or current waveform, can be divided into pure sine wave inverter and modified sine wave inverter.

Below we will focus on the distinction between pure sine wave inverters and modified sine wav.

What is a pure sine wave inverter?

This type of inverter produces very precise frequencies and voltages. It outputs a waveform that is essentially the same as, if not better than, that of the mains grid, and is therefore theoretically suitable for all AC load applications within the power range.

What is modified sine wave inverter?

Modified sine wave is generated by iterating the square wave voltage in steps. Modified sine wave inverters have been widely used in user groups that do not have very high requirements on the quality of power consumption, and it can satisfy most of the needs of power equipment.

However, it has poor ability to carry inductive loads and is not suitable to carry pure inductive loads, the noise will be a little bit bigger when working and easy to be damaged.

Modified Sine Wave or Pure Sine Wave inverter, which is better?

Cost

Pure sine wave inverter can provide high quality AC power, suitable for most of the electrical equipments, with high requirements on control chip and maintenance technology, and higher cost.

Efficiency

Modified sine wave inverters have a time interval between the positive maximum and negative maximum of the output waveform, which is an improvement in use, but the corrected sine wave is basically made up of dashes, so this inverter has less continuity and is not as efficient as a pure sine wave inverter.

Interference

Modified Sine Wave inverter meets the needs of most electrical equipment, but it still has 20% harmonic distortion, which can cause problems when running precision equipment, and it can also cause high frequency interference with communications equipment.