– how is DC current converted to AC current, for instance power from solar panels being converted to AC? I know how it can be done mechanically but that must be inefficient.

Question

– how is DC current converted to AC current, for instance power from solar panels being converted to AC? I know how it can be done mechanically but that must be inefficient.

In: Physics

Answer 1

There are two different types of inverters (DC to AC) one uses digital switching to rapidly* increase and decrease the voltage in steps to create an alternating current. In a pure wave inverter, the steps are smoothed out into a pure sine wave or curve from positive to negative an back again.

Some machines like lights and heating elements work fine on a stepped AC signal, but more sensitive equipment such as microwaves and computers, require a pure sine wave signal to operate.

*50 times a second in Europe, and 60 times a second in North America