DMX Power Catalog
Waveforms explained
The difference between pure sine and modified sine wave power, and which one your equipment needs.
The two waveforms
What does your AC voltage look like?
Every device with a three-pronged plug is engineered to run on pure sine wave, utility-grade power. An inverter turns the DC energy in your batteries into AC — and like any product, inverters come in a range of price and quality.
Modified sine wave
- Less expensive. A cost-effective choice for equipment that tolerates power fluctuations — lights, heaters and some tools.
- Not for sensitive electronics. Computers, audio and video gear, battery chargers and variable-speed motors may run poorly or be damaged, because the supply cannot filter the distorted AC.
- Often carries no UL listing. The output is altered by wave-shape distortion (total harmonic distortion), so check the listing before buying.
Pure sine wave
- Utility-grade power. The same waveform as the grid, so tools and computers run cooler and more efficiently.
- Runs any device. Audio and video stay clean, cordless tool chargers will not damage their batteries, and variable-speed motors and communications equipment work as intended.
- Costs more. The trade-off for a waveform every device is built to expect.
About
Which DMX Power inverters use each waveform?
The catalog keeps these lists current, so they always match what is actually available.