inverter

noun in·vert·er \ in-ˈvər-tər \

|Updated on: 24 Jun 2018

Definition of inverter

1 : one that inverts

2 : a device for converting direct current into alternating current

Recent Examples of inverter from the Web

Borkowski said the site will have a landscaped buffer and the inverter, which produces about 65 decibels of noise at its source, will be 1,000 feet from the nearest home, and quieter than the traffic on Route 50.

— susan demar lafferty, Daily Southtown, "Will County residents weigh in on proposed solar farms," 14 June 2018
What’s more, much of that rooftop solar cannot be tracked or controlled by the utility (particular smart inverters are required to link a system to the larger grid), so the net effect could be a shakier grid, at least in the short-term.

— david roberts, Vox, "California will require solar panels on all new homes. That’s not necessarily a good thing.," 15 May 2018
Either way, the temperature inside the inverter can rise rapidly.

— The Economist, "Do electric cars dream of software fixes?," 22 Apr. 2018
The problem with the Priuses, which affects models years 2010 to 2014, is that the car's inverter could overheat.

— CBS News, "Calif. dealer won't sell some Priuses, citing safety concerns," 5 Apr. 2018
Power generated from rooftop solar panels is routed to this inverter, where it is converted into AC current in Lisa Hecht’s East Boise home.

— rocky barker, idahostatesman, "Regulators OK Idaho Power's 1st step toward changing how it charges solar users | Idaho Statesman," 9 May 2018
To replace the inverter can cost up to $3,000 each.

— CBS News, "Calif. dealer won't sell some Priuses, citing safety concerns," 5 Apr. 2018
Long's husband, Marlin, suspects the car lost power because of an inverter failure.

— ralph vartabedian, latimes.com, "Electrical defects cause Priuses to stall; Toyota may be bracing for a legal fight as safety worries grow," 23 Apr. 2018
Both use permanent magnets embedded in their rotors and both need inverters.

— The Economist, "Do electric cars dream of software fixes?," 22 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'inverter.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of inverter

1611

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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