What Are Inverters?
An inverter is a device that converts battery power (DC) into alternating current (AC) of a higher voltage. This means that most inverters are installed and used in conjunction with a battery bank of some sort – a common set up in off grid solar installations. Batteries are the heart of an inverter-powered electrical system, storing power for use on demand. The most basic way to draw electrical power from a battery is direct current (DC) at the nominal voltage of the battery. Your car radio, for example, uses 12 volts DC (12V DC), the same voltage as your car battery. Many off-grid electrical systems (those not powered by electricity from a utility company) use 12-volt DC power to run simple loads such as lights. (Any consumption of electrical power is called a load.) Such systems are commonly referred to as low-voltage DC systems. Powered by a 12-volt DC system, you can enjoy the benefits of electric lights, entertainment systems, laptop computers, and other devices that can be operat
