Xantrex Technology RV2012 - Manual (Page 9)

Xantrex RV Series Inverter/Charger Owner’s Manual
4
Theory of Inverter Operation
Waveform
The output waveform of the inverter is referred to as a modified sine wave. This waveform is
suitable for a wide variety of applications—induction motors (such as in refrigerators and drill
presses), resistive loads (such as heaters and toasters), universal motors (such as in hand tools
and vacuum cleaners) as well as microwave ovens and computers.
Comparison of Output Waveforms
The waveform could be more accurately described as a pulse width modulated square wave. The
illustration above shows the relationships between square wave, sine wave and modified sine
wave formats.
Regulation
The inverter is RMS voltage regulated. RMS regulation ensures that resistive loads will always
have the same amount of power delivered to them as battery voltage changes. Regulation is
achieved by varying the width of each pulse. Peak voltage is the product of the battery voltage
times the turns ratio of the inverter’s power transformer and is therefore not actively regulated.