If you are interested in learning about the different types of power inverters, modified sine wave and pure sine wave, it is safe to say that you are looking to power your electronic devices or commercial equipment in a remote location where utility companies do not provide service to. The idea behind a power inverter is straightforward yet immensely helpful for applications such as RV, marine, fixed off-grid, fleet, and commercial job sites. In this blog post, we will discuss what an inverter does, the different types of power inverters, and potential use cases for each of these two types of power inverters. If you are in the market for a new modified sine wave or pure sine wave power inverter, then read on.
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Before discussing the differences between pure sine wave inverters and modified sine wave inverters it is important to first establish what an inverter is and how it fits into an electrical system in an RV, boat, off-grid cabin, truck fleet, etc. Inverters play a significant role in any scenario that requires you to power any home appliances or commercial equipment as they invert or convert the direct current (DC) output into alternating current or AC power, which is required to operate all appliances that are used in residential or commercial applications. The process of converting DC power to AC requires an inverter to take the constant DC voltage from a battery bank and change it to a sine wave curve, as shown below, which goes above and below 0 volts.
The left image shows that a modified sine wave inverter converts the DC input in multiple steps to mimic a true sine wave curve. This process is done much more smoothly in a pure sine wave inverter as indicated in the other image. As a result of the difference in how smoothly power conversion happens, there are some performance discrepancies that need to be discussed to fully understand which inverter might be the better solution for your power conversion needs.
Due to their low level of design complexity, modified sine wave inverters can be used to deliver AC power to less sensitive electronic devices such as old tube TVs or devices that don&#;t use a non-variable speed motor. Modified sine wave inverters are smaller in size and an affordable power conversion product suitable for applications that don&#;t require pure sine power &#; they will provide reliable power to your toaster, kettle, and water heater with no problem. Samlex&#;s modified sine inverters are compact and lightweight, and our 100-800 watt SAM Series inverters include a 2.1 Amps USB charging port, which is ideal for charging the newest smartphones and tablets.
That said, if you are aiming to power delicate medical equipment, a laptop, or other devices that require clean AC power to function properly, the safest option is to go with a pure sine wave inverter, which produces a near-perfect replica of true sine wave AC power. Check out this blog post which shows how Thin Air Web, a web and software development agency, found using a modified sine wave inverter made their modern electronics &#;grumpy&#;. They swapped their original modified inverter out for a Samlex EVO- pure sine wave inverter/charger to power their business equipment with zero downtime, and fulfill their dreams of spending months at a time off-grid.
Even if it appears that your device is working well with a modified inverter, under the hood, it may be running hotter than normal, which equates to less power efficiency and more power consumption. As a result of this excessive heat, using modified sine wave inverters can negatively affect the lifetime of your devices. Additionally, you could encounter a buzzing or humming noise when using modified inverters to power your AC devices. This is because pure sine wave inverters have relatively low harmonic distortion whereas modified inverters have high harmonic distortion, hence the buzzing sound during the operation as a result of this interference.
Because of their less advanced technology, having fewer internal components, and overall relatively low complexity to produce and manufacture, modified sine wave inverters can range from 40-75% cheaper in comparison to pure sine wave power inverters of the same power output. However, while the initial cost of purchasing a pure sine inverter is typically higher, given the lower efficiency of a modified sine inverter, in the long run, it might prove more cost-effective to go with a pure sine wave inverter. Additionally, Samlex&#;s robust and heavy-duty line of pure sine wave power inverters come with additional battery protection features and a wide operating DC input range. All Samlex power inverters, whether modified or pure sine wave, come with a minimum 2 year warranty, are safety certified, and industry-proven to stand the test of time.
Ultimately, the decision to purchase which inverter comes down to your budget and specific use case. All electronic devices sold on the market are designed for a pure sine wave system, so if your budget allows for it, Samlex suggests to always go with the safe option of purchasing a pure sine wave power inverter for the following reasons:
Now that you have a better idea of which type of inverter might fit your power conversion needs, it is time to determine the approximate capacity you&#;d want your inverter to have in order to power all of your electronic devices, whether you are preparing your off-grid home or equipping your remote job site.
TRY OUR RUN-TIME CALCULATOR
By using our easy-to-use inverter calculator you are able to visualize your potential power consumption based on the type of devices that you will be using as well as the number of your batteries. With this information, Samlex&#;s inverter run-time calculator will recommend a couple of inverters that will be able to meet your power conversion needs.
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding modified and pure sine wave power inverters and potential use cases for each type of inverter:
A modified sine wave inverter is a reliable and affordable power conversion product that is ideal for use cases that don&#;t require pure sine wave power. For instance, here is a short list of devices you can power with a modified sine wave inverter:
According to Lifewire.com, you should try to stick to pure sine wave inverters if you are aiming to power delicate or sensitive medical equipment as well as appliances that use AC motors, such as digital clocks, timers, refrigerators, and microwaves. Here are some examples of devices that may not work properly with modified sine wave and may also get damaged are given below:
For more information on this topic, give this application note a read.
One of the main advantages of using a pure sine wave inverter is that its output wave-form is a sine wave with very low harmonic distortion and clean power like utility supplied electricity. This type of clean power is ideal for powering sensitive medical equipment and appliances that require clean power such as:
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If you&#;re still unsure as to which option might be a better solution for your needs, please feel free to contact our expert sales team by or to receive more customized support based on your specific situation.
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Most electronic devices can work without a pure sine wave inverter, but there are some important points to consider before buying one. It's helpful to know why the differences between pure sine wave inverters and modified sine wave inverters might matter.
The two main concerns are efficiency and unwanted interference from the extra harmonics in a modified sine wave. A pure sine wave inverter is beneficial because it:
Understanding these benefits can help you choose the right inverter for your needs.
Do You Need a Pure Sine Wave Inverter?
Some useful questions to ask yourself to determine if you need a pure sine wave inverter include:
If you answered yes to either of the first two questions, you may need a pure sine wave inverter. If you answered yes to either of the second questions, then you may be fine without one.
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When a Pure Sine Wave Inverter Is Necessary
A modified sine wave inverter will work for most situations, but there are some cases where it might cause damage or be less efficient. Devices that use AC motors, like refrigerators, compressors, and microwave ovens, tend to run more efficiently with a pure sine wave inverter. They can still function with a modified sine wave, but it might lead to inefficiencies, excess heat buildup, and potential damage.
If you use a CPAP machine, especially one with a heated humidifier, it's a good idea to use a pure sine wave inverter to avoid damaging the unit.
Always check the manufacturer's recommendations, but most CPAP manufacturers suggest using a pure sine wave inverter.
When a Pure Sine Wave Inverter Isn't Necessary
If your electronic devices use rectifiers to convert AC to DC, you probably don't need a pure sine wave inverter. Don't be mistaken, it will still work just fine with these devices. However, if you have the budget and want extra peace of mind or to future-proof your setup, a pure sine wave inverter is a good choice. It will work well even in situations where you don't need one.
However, most electronic devices run well on a modified sine wave. For example, laptop computers, chargers, and all other equipment that uses a rectifier or AC/DC adapter to take an AC input and output DC to the device will typically work fine without a pure sine wave inverter.
With many of those devices, you can cut out the middleman and use a DC-to-DC converter that steps the 12V DC from a truck's electrical system either up or down, without first converting it to AC before converting it back to DC. This is the more efficient route to take, so it might be worth looking into if a 12V adapter is available for any of your devices.&#;
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