Inverters can be classified in several ways, mainly including: 12
Based on the frequency of the output AC power: Power frequency inverter (50~60Hz), medium frequency inverter (400Hz~kHz), high frequency inverter (kHz~MHz).
Based on the number of output phases: Single-phase inverter, three-phase inverter, multi-phase inverter.
Based on the destination of the output electrical energy: active inverters and passive inverters.
Based on the form of the main circuit: Single-ended inverter, push-pull inverter, half-bridge inverter, and full-bridge inverter.
Based on the type of main switching device: thyristor inverters, transistor inverters, field-effect inverters, and insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) inverters, etc.
Based on DC power supply: Voltage source inverter (VSI) and Current source inverter (CSI).
Based on the waveform of the output voltage or current: Sine wave output inverter, non-sine wave output inverter.
According to the control method: Frequency modulation (PFM) inverter and pulse width modulation (PWM) inverter.
Based on the operating mode of the switching circuit: resonant inverter, fixed-frequency hard-switching inverter, and fixed-frequency soft-switching inverter.
According to the commutation method: Load-commutated inverter and self-commutated inverter.
In addition, inverters in the photovoltaic industry are mainly divided into centralized inverters, string inverters, distributed inverters, and micro inverters.
An inverter is a converter that transforms direct current (DC) energy (from batteries or storage batteries) into constant frequency and voltage alternating current (AC) or frequency and voltage regulated alternating current (typically 220V, 50Hz sine wave). It consists of an inverter bridge, control logic, and filter circuits. It is widely used in air conditioners, home theaters, electric grinders, power tools, sewing machines, DVDs, VCDs, computers, televisions, washing machines, range hoods, refrigerators, video recorders, massagers, fans, lighting, etc. When driving to work or traveling, an inverter can be connected to a battery to power appliances and tools. Car inverters with output via the cigarette lighter socket are available in power ratings of 20W, 40W, 80W, 120W to 150W. Higher power inverters require connection to the battery. Connecting household appliances to the output of the power converter allows for the use of various electrical appliances inside the car. Available electrical appliances include: mobile phones, laptops, digital video cameras, cameras, lighting, electric shavers, CD players, game consoles, handheld computers, power tools, car refrigerators, and various travel, camping, and medical emergency appliances.
An inverter is a DC-to-AC transformer; it essentially performs a voltage inversion process, similar to a converter. A converter transforms the AC voltage from the grid into a stable 12V DC output, while an inverter transforms the 12V DC voltage output from the adapter into high-frequency, high-voltage AC. Both components utilize pulse-width modulation (PWM) technology. Their core component is a PWM integrated controller; the adapter uses the UC3842, while the inverter uses the TL5001 chip. The TL5001 operates within a voltage range of 3.6–40V and internally includes an error amplifier, a regulator, an oscillator, a PWM generator with dead-time control, low-voltage protection circuits, and short-circuit protection circuits. 1. Based on the frequency of the AC output power, inverters can be classified as low-frequency inverters, medium-frequency inverters, and high-frequency inverters. Low-frequency inverters operate at 50-60Hz, medium-frequency inverters typically operate at 400Hz to kHz, and high-frequency inverters typically operate at kHz to MHz.
2. Based on the number of phases output by the inverter, it can be divided into single-phase inverters, three-phase inverters, and multi-phase inverters.
3. Based on the destination of the output electrical energy, inverters can be divided into active inverters and passive inverters. An inverter that transmits the output electrical energy to the industrial power grid is called an active inverter; an inverter that transmits the output electrical energy to a certain electrical load is called a passive inverter.
4. According to the form of the main circuit of the inverter, it can be divided into single-ended inverter, push-pull inverter, half-bridge inverter and full-bridge inverter.
5. Based on the type of main switching device, inverters can be classified into thyristor inverters, transistor inverters, field-effect inverters, and insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) inverters. They can also be categorized into two main types: "semi-controlled" inverters and "fully controlled" inverters. The former lacks self-turn-off capability; the device loses its control function after being turned on, hence the name "semi-controlled." Ordinary thyristors belong to this category. The latter possesses self-turn-off capability, meaning that the on and off states of the device can be controlled by the control electrode, hence the name "fully controlled." Power field-effect transistors and insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) belong to this category.
6. Based on the DC power supply, inverters can be divided into voltage source inverters (VSI) and current source inverters (CSI). The former has a nearly constant DC voltage and outputs an alternating square wave voltage; the latter has a nearly constant DC current and outputs an alternating square wave current.
7. Based on the waveform of the inverter's output voltage or current, inverters can be divided into sinusoidal output inverters and non-sinusoidal output inverters.
8. According to the inverter control method, inverters can be divided into frequency modulation (PFM) inverters and pulse width modulation (PWM) inverters.
9. According to the working mode of the inverter switching circuit, it can be divided into resonant inverter, fixed-frequency hard-switching inverter and fixed-frequency soft-switching inverter.
10. According to the inverter's commutation method, it can be divided into load-commutated inverters and self-commutated inverters.
Classified by application field
(1) Solar photovoltaic power generation inverter: An inverter specifically designed for solar photovoltaic power generation systems, which can convert the direct current generated by solar panels into alternating current to supply household or industrial electrical equipment. Solar photovoltaic power generation inverters typically have high conversion efficiency and good power quality.
(2) Wind power inverter: An inverter specifically designed for wind power generation systems, which converts the direct current generated by the wind turbine into alternating current to supply the power grid or users. Wind power inverters typically have high reliability and stability.
(3) Electric vehicle charging inverter: An inverter specifically designed for electric vehicle charging equipment can convert AC power to DC power to charge the electric vehicle battery pack; or convert DC power to AC power to provide power to the electric vehicle. Electric vehicle charging inverters typically have high conversion efficiency and good power quality.
Classification by control method
(1) Single-phase inverter: An inverter with only one AC output terminal, usually used for single-phase loads such as household appliances and power tools.
(2) Three-phase inverter: An inverter with three AC output terminals is typically used for three-phase loads such as household appliances and industrial equipment. A three-phase inverter can output AC power in different phases according to the needs of the load.
