How Does a DC to AC Power Converter Work?
• Basics and Definitions • There are two basic types of electricity: alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC). AC switches directions dozens of times every second, going from negative to positive and back again. DC, by contrast, always flows in the same direction. Power plants produce alternating current or AC electricity. This electricity is sent through the power grid into houses, businesses and other buildings. Batteries, solar panels and certain other power sources use DC electricity. Home appliances are designed to use AC, since AC flows into the home. A DC to AC power converter lets you use a DC source to power one of these appliances. • Making the AC • Image Courtesy of: http://www.panelectron.hu/webshop/sinewave_inverter.html Early DC to AC converters used a mechanical switch that would flip back and forth very quickly. This would generate pulses of positive and negative current. Modern AC converters use two or more electric switches called transistors. A computer first
