You need power to run your electronic devices, but you’re away from an outlet or there’s been a power failure. A DC to AC power inverter, or DC to AC converter, converts direct current from a battery or other source into alternating current to power what you need when the main power goes out.
A DC-AC power inverter can be a printed circuit board or card mount unit, laboratory bench or portable configuration, rack mount, DIN rail mount, wall mount, standalone or tower mount unit. The most common input voltages are 12-volt and 24-volt DC, but 48-volt, 110-volt, 125-volt and 250-volt units are also made. Inverter interfaces include panels and switches, parallel and serial computer interfaces, and monitoring software.
Power inverters deliver power in one of four waveform patterns:
1. Pure sine-wave, mimicking a normal alternating current. This is the best waveform, but requires expensive components to produce.
2. Square wave, which approximates a sine wave with sudden half-cycle shifts from negative to positive and back again.
3. Stepped wave, a typically inexpensive inverter which uses a stepped waveform to imitate either the sine wave or square wave by abruptly switching from zero to maximum voltage, then to zero voltage, then maximum negative voltage and back to zero.
4. Triangular, or saw-toothed, wave.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Power your business with industrial power inverters
Business' increased use of technology means an increased need for power to run that technology. Industrial power inverters offer that power, either for mobile businesses with high power demands or as a backup system against power interruptions.
I recommend: MDS Power offers Major Series and MajorSine industrial power inverters for sale for utility and telecommunications applications.
Inverters R Us sells the 7000-watt, 24-volt Industrial Grade Modified Sine Wave Power Inverter able to power job sites, camping areas and even small houses.
Mobilize your power with car power inverters
With laptops and cell phones permitting people to work anywhere, the car has become a mobile office and its cigarette lighter plug an outlet for productivity when connected to a DC-AC power inverter.
I recommend: Power Systems Direct stocks 12-volt power inverters from Xantrex, Whistler, Cobra, Sima and Vector. Power inverter manufacturer
Tripp Lite makes both straight inverters and inverters with built-in chargers that can be used for either mobile or stationary applications, and also offers an
online guide to selecting the right DC to AC power inverter.
Think green with a solar AC power inverter
A solar DC to AC inverter converts the DC current from a solar panel into AC current, providing environmentally-responsible independence from power grid fluctuations.
I recommend: Mr. Solar.com carries solar power inverters from MA PV, Outback, Xantrex, Heart, Statpower, Exceltech, Fronius and Morningstar.
Top Sales Depot sells 3000- and 3600-watt Power Express photovoltaic power inverters, which you can connect to either solar panels or wind-turbine generators.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Always buy power inverters whose ratings are greater than or equal to the wattage of the devices they will power. If a device is rated by its current draw in amperes, find the wattage by multiplying the amperage by the voltage of the current that powers it normally. For a drill with 2.5 amp current draw running on a 120-volt AC line, 300 watts are necessary to power it (2.5 x 120 = 300).
- A 12-volt car battery can handle car power inverters up to 300 watts, enough to power a small TV, laptop or cell phone, although some car cigarette lighters can't handle inverters over 200 watts. More powerful inverters require a deep-cycle battery, the kind used to run golf carts and trolling motors; if necessary, several deep-cycle batteries can be wired in parallel for added capacity.
The official source of Power Inverters is the Power Inverters page at Business.com
Featured Vendors
Martek Power: DC-AC InvertersDesigns and manufactures standard, modified standard and custom power supplies, power inverters and DC/DC converters for multiple industries.
www.martekpower.com
Power Inverters ResourcesFind Power Inverters. Search listings and reviews of retailers, specialists and services in your local area now.
JustClickLocal.com
GlobalSpec.com: Power InvertersProvides database of suppliers for Power Inverters. Browse catalogs and view technical information.
www.globalspec.com
Find Power Supply Manufacturers at IQS® DirectoryBrowse Our Comprehensive List of Leading Power Supply Manufacturers with Information, Preview Ads, Links and Request for Quote Tool.
IQSDirectory.com/Power-Supplies
Related Resources from Business.com
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