DC-AC Power Inverters
A DC-to-AC power inverter converts Direct Current (DC) to Alternating Current (AC). The input voltage, output voltage, frequency and overall power handling depend on the design of the specific device or circuitry. An Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) is a typical example of an DC to AC inverter. It provides an alternate electric power supply for connected electronic equipment when the primary power source is not available. There are three types of UPS systems, depending on how the electric power is being stored and relayed to the electronic device connected to them:
- Offline UPS, often called standby UPS
- Line-interactive UPS, also known as continuous UPS
- Online UPS, frequently called double conversion UPS
A typical UPS for computers protects against four types of power events:
- Power surges
- Voltage shortages
- Complete power failures
- Wide variations in the electric current frequency
This reference design is based on the dsPIC33F “GS” series of digital-power Digital Signal Controllers (DSCs). It demonstrates how digital-power techniques, when applied to UPS applications, enable easy modifications through software; the use of smaller magnetics; intelligent battery charging; higher-efficiency, compact designs; reduction in audible and electrical noise via a purer sine-wave output; USB communication and low-cost overall Bill of Materials.
Would you like to learn more about the advantages of switching to digital power supplies? Click on the link below to download our white paper on the features, value and benefits of digital control for power supplies.
DC-AC Power Inverter Designs Made Easy
MPLAB® PowerSmart™ Development Suite
Accelerate the development of your DC-AC power inverter designs designs with the MPLAB PowerSmart Development Suite, a user-friendly design ecosystem that eliminates the need to manually write DSP-specific code for dsPIC33 DSCs.
