As more and more people are trying alternative methods of generating electricity the need to know about the technology needed to do so becomes more important. One important piece of equipment besides the power generator is the Off-Grid Inverter. Whether the generator is solar, wind or some other method, an Inverter is necessary to change the voltage from Direct Current, or DC, to an Alternating Current, or AC.

There are two different types of Off-Grid Inverters, and the difference is in the way they convert the power into a sine wave form. All electricity from the power companies are transmitted in a wave form to your house. The current alternates from 170 volts positive, to 170 volts negative at 60 cycles per second. Mathematically this comes out to 120 volts as the current goes from 0 to 170 positive then down to 170 negative and back up to 0.

The Difference in Off-Grid Inverters is in how the sine wave form is generated. A pure sine wave is formed when you spin magnets around a fixed coil of wire. This generates a curved waveform that gradually rises and falls. A device called an H-Bridge generates a modified Sine wave. The current is passed through a coil of wire first one way then the opposite way. This creates a squared off wave, which is made smoother by adding more H-Bridges to the Inverter.

The more H-Bridges that a Inverter has, the pricier it becomes. Deciding on which Inverter also depends on what type of equipment you will be operating. Appliances and tools that use Silicone Controlled Rectifiers or SCRs such as a dimmer switch or variable speed drills, may not function correctly. The modified sine wave inverter can also cause things such as fluorescent lights and stereos to hum or buzz.

Another feature of some Off-Grid Inverters is the ability to charge batteries for reserve power. If the Inverter were for use in a house, then it would be best to get one with battery charging capability. If it is for a workshop that sees only occasional use then a non-charging Inverter should do.

It is important to research and ask the opinions of others when shopping for an Off-Grid Inverter. You must plan ahead so that you get an Inverter that fulfills your needs.