How does a Generator Inverter work
iTechworld Generator Inverter how it works
The iTechworld inverter generator combines the efficiency of DC power generation with a controlled DC to AC inverter to provide clean electrical power similar to the power produced by electric utilities or larger standby home generators. Its efficiency saves fuel, lowers emissions, and reduces noise levels, all of which make it suitable for use in places like campsites and caravan parks. It is also used to power sensitive electronic equipment such as air conditioners, laptops, induction cooktops and other household appliances.
SHOP: Our latest petrol inverter generator, the Redback RB4.5 4.5kVA genset
AC Power
The electrical power we are all familiar with in our homes is alternating current, or AC, which means the current flow alternates direction rapidly. The standard is fifty times per second in Australia and most of Europe however in the USA it’s 60 times per second. As the current changes directions, the voltage rises and falls to provide an average voltage 240 volts.
The power the electric utility companies supply to homes and businesses is usually very clean and if viewed on an oscilloscope―a device for viewing electrical signals―it appears as a very smooth and consistent sine wave also knows as Pure Sine Wave.
DC Power
Direct current, or DC, is the type of current supplied by a battery. It is very steady, doesn’t fluctuate much under a constant load, and is very efficient. It does not change direction and there is no rising or falling of the voltage level. Viewed on an oscilloscope, it appears as a straight line.
DC current cannot be used on appliances or motors that require AC current, but a device called an inverter changes DC current into AC current. A cheap electronic inverter can approximate an AC signal but doesn’t do it very well and even the power supplied by some other generators isn't really as clean as it should be. All iTechworld Generator Inverters are controlled by a microprocessor, this does a much better job and the converted signal appears as a near-perfect sine wave.
Generator Inverter
An iTechworld Generator Inverter creates AC power through a two-step process. In the first step it generates DC power and then the second step it converts it to AC using a microprocessor controlled inverter.
This method of power production has several advantages.
The generation of DC begins almost as soon as the engine begins turning the generator. As the engine increases in speed, the DC voltage rises. As the load increases, the voltage will fall. The microprocessor controlling the inverter compensates by sensing the AC output voltage of the generator and adjusts the speed of the engine to keep the voltage at a consistent level. This saves fuel since the engine only turns as fast as necessary instead of at a constant high speed.
As demand increases, the microprocessor speeds up the engine and power production increases, but the AC signal does not change. The result is a very clean, efficient and consistent AC Pure Sine Wave signal no matter how much power is drawn, up to the generator's capacity.
Since the engine runs at the lowest possible speed necessary to meet the power demand, an iTechworld Generator Inverter is much quieter during periods of low demand than a conventional generator and uses less fuel to produce clean power.
Article author
Ian
ian@itechworld.com.au