Power Inverters: Theoretical concepts and experimental demonstration

Abstract

Power inverters are electrical circuits capable of transforming direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC). Currently, due to the growing trend to replace combustion engines with electric motors and also for the production of residential solar electric power, power inverters are playing a fundamental role in mediating electricity generating sources with different types of loads, which include domestic applications, automotive and industrial. In this work, we intend to explore basic theoretical concepts on the operation of power inverters and demonstrate their principle of operation through simplified experiments. These experiments have an analytical character and can be introduced in undergraduate courses with specific practical subjects for students in physics or engineering courses.

Keywords:
Power inverters; full-bridge; PWM technique; didactic experiments