What is a Power Inverter?

Put as simply as possible, a power inverter converts power from a DC source to an AC supply for use with standard household appliances and electronics. Without getting into electrical theory and circuit design, DC stands for ‘direct current’ and is the output of such power supplies as batteries and some generators. AC stands for ‘alternating current’ and is the output of power outlets in the common household.

So why are there two different standards for electricity? Well, because DC was invented first and widely popularized. Upon the advent of AC, society was too attached to their portable batteries to make DC obsolete. Power inverters have turned out to be a ‘fix’ for this problem. With the correct type, you can take your large screen television and PC/Laptop with you on a road trip, camping trip, or boating adventure.

As complicated as the choice for your purchase may seem, it is actually fairly simple. Find all of the electronics and appliances that you’ll want to run simultaneously and add up their running wattages. Once you have this number (barring some minor details below), all you have to do is purchase one with a wattage rating higher than that number.

Here come the minor details. Very high end appliances as well as oxygen concentrators, fax machines, laser printers, high voltage cordless tool chargers, variable speed motors, electric razors, and garage door openers will most likely need what is called a ‘true sine wave’ power inverter. These will run significantly higher in price than ‘modified sine wave’ inverters, or square wave power inverters, but have added flexibility and will allow most appliances to run more efficiently.

Advice for choosing your power inverter: decide how much you are willing to spend and buy the best power inverter that you can for that price. Why? Well…just because your 45″ 1080p flat screen television will run on a 500 Watt ‘modified sine wave’ power inverter does not mean that the picture would not look better on a ‘true sine wave’ power inverter. Plus, if you want to charge your digital camera battery while watching the beautiful TV you may have wished you purchased that 600+ Watt power inverter. Please make your own decision here, but realize that once you’ve purchased it you will be limited in your usage by the capability of the unit that you decided on.