What is an inverter?

An inverter is a device that converts battery power (DC) into alternating current (AC) of a higher voltage. DC-to-AC inverters have been around for a long time. Energy loss in this conversion process at first was very high: the average efficiency of early inverters hovered around 60%. In other words, you would have to draw 100 watts of battery power to run a 60-watt bulb.

A new way to build inverters was introduced in the early 1980s. These fully solid state inverters boosted efficiency to 90%. Sophisticated Field Effect Transistor (FET) circuitry are used to convert the batteries' DC voltage (usually 12 or 24 Vdc) into AC. The resulting low voltage AC is then transformed into a higher voltage, usually 120 or 220 Vac. All of the power shaping - conversion to AC - and waveform shaping takes place on the low voltage side of the transformer.

One note of caution: when connected to an electrical grid, it's easy to be casual about electrical consumption. As long as you can afford it, the thinking goes, the utility company probably won't run out of power. With a battery, however, the quantity of electrical power is finite. You need to calculate and monitor your electrical consumption if you don't want to run the battery(s) down.

Sine Wave

The output wave form of an electric generator or utility. A smooth wave going above and below zero is created. This wave form is also produced by sine wave inverters such as the Trace SW and CO-Sine series.

Surge Capacity

The amount of current an inverter can deliver for short periods of time. Most electric motors draw up to three times their rated current when starting. An inverter will "surge" to meet these motor-starting requirements. Most Trace inverters have surge capacities at least three times their continuous ratings.

Transfer Switch

A switch designed to transfer electricity being supplied to loads (appliances etc.) from one source of power to another. (A transfer switch may be used to designate whether power to a distribution panel will come from a generator or inverter.)

Overload/Overcurrent Protection

A control circuit designed to protect an inverter or similar device from loads exceeding its output capacity. (A fuse, for example, is an overcurrent protection device.) All Trace inverters have internal circuitry to protect themselves from overload/overcurrent conditions.