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Depends on the device. For instance almost all laptop power supplies use a international (aka universal) switch mode power supply. They don't care about modified sine wave output at all!

Almost all low-cost inverters use a step-wave output that approximates a RMS sine wave (like wall voltage). This is a double square wave with a gap between the negative going and positive going squares. The inverter companies call this "modified sine" which is kind of a misnomer used as a marketing term. The more expensive inverters use a high-frequency Class-D amplifier to produce a more accurate approximation of a sine wave. It's usually not "pure", as it has some amount of harmonic distortion, but for marketing reasons they try to distinguish their product from the "modified-sine" by using the "pure sine" misnomer.

The front end of all switch-mode power supplies rectify the incoming AC into DC as a first step in conversion. Step wave rectifies just as well as a normal sine wave! The ONLY reason to run "pure sine" inverters is if you are running sensitive audio gear with linear power supplies, as step-wave will induce a buzzing noise in the audio signals whereas the smoother approximation will not.

Don't believe the hype that the "pure sine" inverter companies promote, it simply isn't true. The only things that are dangerous to run on step-wave are things with triac devices or capacitor-based power supplies. This includes things like Dewalt power tool chargers, light dimmers, etc. If it's extremely light (feels like there's nothing in it), and/or it has a 120V rating only, then it's probably not safe for step-wave use. Dewalt chargers have been known to fail and overheat on step-wave!

If your power supply has a wide input voltage, such as almost all laptop supplies (100-240v), it is a universal switch mode supply and therefore safe. This includes most small electronics chargers, like for phones, iPods and cameras. If the voltage requirement reads only 120V and it's NOT a heavy "wall-wart" type supply, it's probably not safe. Check your nameplates!

If your device has sound such as a TV or Stereo and it emits a buzzing sound out of it's speaker when you run it on step-wave, then that's not harmful, but is an annoying side-effect. You can buy the more expensive "pure-sine" model if this is undesirable.

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Q: Is square wave inverter harmful to electronic devices?
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Explain about multi-step inverter?

An inverter is designed to provide an AC voltage from a battery or DC supply. The AC voltage provided varies in waveform makeup from a square wave to a true sine wave. In between the two extremes are the multi step devices that have as many steps in their modified sine wave as they have switching devices needed to provide each step. Multi step inverters with as many as 48 steps have been manufactured to produce a relatively clean AC waveform.


How can two square waves be combined in an electronic circuit?

If they are the same voltage a logic gate could combine them in various ways. A ring modulator fed from two square waves would make interesting sounds. An op-amp would combine the waves. A single fet would combine them. One signal flowing from source to drain modulated by the second frequency applied to the gate.


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Related questions

What is Quasi Square wave or Modified Square wave Inverters?

Quasi Square Wave or Modified Square Wave actually mean the same thing. Modified square wave is the actual wave form. Quasi Square Wave is a marketing term used by many low cost inverter manufactures. Inverters convert Direct Current DC to Alternating Current AC. Old obsolete inverter technology created square wave output. As stated by the name the wave form is square not sinus as required to have pure sine wave AC. Modified square wave has a step or dead space between the square waves. This reduces the distortion or harmonics that causes problems with electrical devices. Modified Square Wave inverters will work fine for pure resistive loads, like lamps or heaters. It will also work well with pure inductive loads, like universal motors in mixers and blenders. If these devices have electronic speed control this could be damaged. Devices that have transformers in their power supplies, Microwave Ovens, TVs, Computers etc. will run hotter and less efficient. These devices will not last as long as the would on pure sine wave inverters. For the money the modified square wave inverter will cost more in the long run by reduced efficiency and possible damage to appliances. I highly recommend that you use a pure wave inverter it will cost less by increased efficiency, problems and possible damage to your appliances.


Is square wave inverter harmful to tvs?

The square wave inverter can be harmful to any device that has an AC to DC power supply, which almost every device does, because the slope of the incoming waveform is higher than usual and the interception point of the ripple waveform with the incoming waveform when the diode turns on can can high current transients in the diode. The can be minimized somewhat by using a series inductor to filter the high current transients.


When was Square Electronic Arts created?

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Explain about multi-step inverter?

An inverter is designed to provide an AC voltage from a battery or DC supply. The AC voltage provided varies in waveform makeup from a square wave to a true sine wave. In between the two extremes are the multi step devices that have as many steps in their modified sine wave as they have switching devices needed to provide each step. Multi step inverters with as many as 48 steps have been manufactured to produce a relatively clean AC waveform.


What are types of inverters?

Basically there are three types of inverters 1) Square wave Inverters 2) Quasi Square wave or Modified Square wave Inverters 3) True/Pure Sine wave Inverters The emerging trend among Inverters could be titled to Multi-Level Inverters which aim at the Increasing of Inverter Efficiency along with reduced Inverter Cost


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What is an audio oscillator?

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How is it possible to to from 110 volt to 277 volt?

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How an inverter invert DC to ac?

There is more than one technique. The most common is to use an electronic switch to convert the DC into a square wave, the square wave is filtered to make it a (rough) sine wave. This can then passed through a transformer to the desired voltage. The advantage of this system is that it is very efficient, the disadvantage is that the sine wave produced isn't all that good a sine wave and some devices (AC motors, for example) sometimes have problems when being powered by inverters. An alternative is to use an oscillator to produce the sine wave. This produces a better sine wave, but is less efficient.


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