An inverter changes direct current (DC) power to alternating current (AC) power. Thus, inverters perform the opposite function of a rectifier.

 

Inverters will start to become more important as increased demand for alternative energy becomes prevalent. Major sources of alternative energy produce current in DC (solar panels, fuel cells). Currently, our power infrastructure is solely AC. If alternative power sources are to be utilized on a mass-scale, it must then be converted, or "inverted," to AC power.

 

Less expensive inverters produce AC power that is expressed as a square wave function. Simple AC devices (motors, non-signal processing devices) can accept this sort of power, but more complex devices (computers, televisions, even AC clocks) are dependent upon the sinusodal form that AC power is normally expressed in.