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I was thinking today about a whether it would be feasible to implement an inverter using a simple sine wave oscillator (perhaps op amp based or a Wien bridge implementation), a power amplifier stage and a step-up transformer. The more common simple circuits online use a 555 or a 4047 and as such the inverter has a square wave output as well.

However I'm sure I'm missing something here because an implementation would surely exist if it were plausible. So what are the limitations of using the the setup I mentioned earlier?

PS: I understand that buying an inverter would be more efficient and more cost effective. Just wondering if what I'm talking about would actually work at all.

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2 Answers 2

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To be efficient, the output amplifier has to be switching (Class D), but other than that you're not missing anything.

It's easier to do this with a microcontroller synthesizing the class-D drive signals directly (which become sine waves after filtering) than with an analog oscillator (which won't run at a crystal-controlled frequency without more parts, and requires AGC to get a stable low-distortion output level), so that's generally how it's done.

I would expect you might find some very old designs (when microcontrollers and microprocessors were relatively expensive) using just that method.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Thank you for replying. Using a microcontroller makes more sense. I spent some more time on this and it seems like amplifying the output with a class D with logic level mosfets, level shifting and then stepping up to line voltage would work out fine. However wouldn't the filter (the LPF) be too wasteful for higher power applications? \$\endgroup\$
    – Ammar
    Feb 23, 2014 at 13:38
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    \$\begingroup\$ Think of an L-R filter with the R as the load. The loss in the inductor can be quite small. \$\endgroup\$
    – Spehro Pefhany
    Feb 23, 2014 at 14:28
  • \$\begingroup\$ If the R is the load, then wouldn't the cutoff frequency become load dependent? If I were to assume the inductor were connected directly to the step up transformer, the reflected impedence would be quite small though, which means it might work. I'm afraid I might be missing something obvious.. \$\endgroup\$
    – Ammar
    Feb 23, 2014 at 16:28
  • \$\begingroup\$ Usually some C as well with this particular type of setup. theengineeringprojects.com/2012/11/… \$\endgroup\$
    – Spehro Pefhany
    Feb 23, 2014 at 16:37
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The efficiency of a class AB power output stage is theoretically about 65% when delivering a sinewave at the maximum voltage level it can. A class AB power stage would deliver a relatively clean sinewave because it overcomes cross-over distorton. If you could live with a class B output stage (cross over distortion) you can get up to 78% power efficiency.

With class D (PWM switching), efficiency is theoretically 100% but you can easily lose up to 10% in the extra filtering and high-speed switching losses.

So if you want a 1000W output invertor you'd be wasting: -

  • Class AB - 538W
  • Class B - 282W
  • Class D - 111W

Another benefit of class D is that lowering the output amplitude to the 90% level doesn't incur hardly any further loss in efficiency compared to the linear types - the linear output stages have maximum efficiency at maximum power delivery. See this for a comparison: -

enter image description here

The graph is for a class D audio amplifier but the principle is exactly the same.

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