AC vs Inverter Sine wave

[emma]

In an Alternating Current system, the electrons oscillates back
and forth. In Power Inverters (where you convert DC to 110
volts AC), the output is just a sine wave.. meaning the
electrons don't really oscillate back and forth but only vary
in intensity in time. What is the effect of either on the load? Are
their Power Inverters where the electrons can also
oscillates back and forth like in the AC?

emma

 

[CWatters]

In an Alternating Current system, the electrons oscillates back
and forth. In Power Inverters (where you convert DC to 110
volts AC), the output is just a sine wave.. meaning the
electrons don't really oscillate back and forth but only vary
in intensity in time. What is the effect of either on the load? Are
their Power Inverters where the electrons can also
oscillates back and forth like in the AC?

I think for your purposes you can assume there is no real difference between
the AC you get from a wall socket and that produced by a mains inverter. The
electrons behave similarly for both.

Some mains inverters don't produce very pure (smooth) sine waves and that
can cause problems for sensitive equipment like radios.

 

[emma]

I think for your purposes you can assume there is no real difference between
the AC you get from a wall socket and that produced by a mains inverter. The
electrons behave similarly for both.

Some mains inverters don't produce very pure (smooth) sine waves and that
can cause problems for sensitive equipment like radios.

What do you mean the electrons behave the same. In the Alternating
Current. It goes forward and backward in time, while in the Inverter,
it goes forward only. Isn't it.

The drift velocity of the electrons are slow. In AC, how can it
have enough time to go forward and backward.

emma

 

[CWatters]

What do you mean the electrons behave the same. In the Alternating
Current. It goes forward and backward in time, while in the Inverter,
it goes forward only. Isn't it.

No a Mains Inveter (if thats what you mean) is a device that converts 12V DC
to 110V AC to provide power for tools etc when you don't have a wall socket
handy (eg in the middle of a field). In other words it's output is similar
to what you get from a wall socket.

The drift velocity of the electrons are slow. In AC, how can it
have enough time to go forward and backward.

Because they don't move very far. They mostly just sit there and vibrate.
It's like the air in a room - it doesn't move much when you play the radio.
The sound waves and their energy go through the air but the air molecules
just vibrate.

 

[Bill]

No a Mains Inveter (if thats what you mean) is a device that converts 12V DC
to 110V AC to provide power for tools etc when you don't have a wall socket
handy (eg in the middle of a field). In other words it's output is similar
to what you get from a wall socket.


Because they don't move very far. They mostly just sit there and vibrate.
It's like the air in a room - it doesn't move much when you play the radio.
The sound waves and their energy go through the air but the air molecules
just vibrate.

My understanding is that a typical DC to AC power inverter produces something
more like a square wave than a sine wave. In fact, I have an inverter and the
picture they show of the output is just like that except there are little gaps
"between the squares." You can buy more expensive ones that produce a shaped
output that looks more like a sine wave. But in addition to costing more, you
lose more power in the conversion.

Most devices - e.g. computers and light bulbs - respond perfectly well to the
inverter. But some motors generate more heat because of the shape of the wave
and you have to be careful.

Bill