DIY Inverter tutorial - Arduino or 555

Best & Fast Prototype ($2 for 10 PCBs): www.jlcpcb.com
Thanks to JLCPCB for supporting this video.
In this video I show you how a very basic inverter works, how to build one using arduino adn also using a 555 timer for the square signal. We obtain 220V AC from 12V DC voltage. The circuit is low power so don't use it with high tech adn power electronics. It is perfect for mobile and laptop chargers or low power light bulbs.
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SCHEMATICS
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Inverter with Arduino: www.electronoob...
Inverter with 555 timer: www.electronoob...
555 for square wave: www.electronoob...
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[@ELECTRONOOBS]

I hope that you enjoy this small tutorial. It is very basic. Want to support my workshop: www.patreon.com/ELECTRONOOBS Thank you very much!

[@florinbaciu2325]

Electronoobs you buy the scope or you win from scopemonth?

[@donaldchila991]

Hi my inverter packed up 5kva hybrid pure sine what is the first things i should look out for when i get it open your thanks

[@tinchofiuba]

thanks u a lot! a clear explanation. Do u know if i can use the same timer and irf mosfet if i want to creat an AC signal of 3khz? or may be ill need another mosfets? tks!

[@dhawalsonar6379]

how did u connect the huge capacitor can you explain pls

[@BegovNorbert]

The way that you explain it is simple and amazing. Found you in a GreatScott comment, instantly subscribed, and as we speak it is my duty to view every single video of yours. As an electronics hobbyist, you make my LED glow. Greetings from Romania!

[@ELECTRONOOBS]

Merci frumos. Mă bucur. :)

[@kedarprabhudessai]

Next time try full bridge inverter circuit.🙂

[@critycal1611]

Hey, nice video as always! I like how you always add graphics to give the viewer a better understanding of your progress. What I missed in the video is the lack of information and importance about the flyback diode. Also, to simplify the arduino circuit, you could replace the IRFZ44N with IRLZ44N, they are logic level MOSFETs and can be controlled directly by the arduino itself. You wouldn't need the BJTs anymore. Have a nice week!

[@ELECTRONOOBS]

Thank you very much. Very useful information. Keep up!

[@GRBtutorials]

No, you can actually control an IRFZ44N with the Arduino directly, the problem is that MOSFETs can’t switch a higher voltage than the one applied to the gate. If you have 5 V at the gate, you can switch 5 V, but not 12 V. Or at least that’s what I understand.

[@critycal1611]

That's not true. You can switch up to the maximum VDSS (Drain-to-Source Breakdown Voltage), which you can find in the datasheet. In this case 55V. The supplied gate voltage only determines the level of resistance. The more voltage at the gate, the lower the resistance from Drain to Source.

[@a1nelson]

True, I agree. The only hitch is that the IRF variant is much more readily available - especially for hobbyists & experimenters. IMHO, this circuit is still pretty simple and shows how to do bootstrap FETs, and that’s a useful bit of knowledge (and experience to build) unto itself.

[@vinitshandilya]

Beautifully explained! Adding a Schmitt trigger at the output of BD139 would give a precise square inverted signal.

[@a1nelson]

True - that would reduce the FET switching time, and thus reduce the resistance and undesirable thermal effects from switching losses. I could definitely be mistaken here, but I believe the design goal (aside from simplicity) was to create an “imperfect” square wave - something a bit more sinusoidal by rounding off the edges - even if only slightly.

[@bxeagle3932]

When we have greascott and electronoobs Its awesome

[@keithking1985]

really love the 555 inverter with the BJT.. seen this video a few times now but still love it..

[@Elitesniper257]

What could make it better is also output feedback for higher loads so it changes its input for that, great video like always

[@ELECTRONOOBS]

True! That's for a future video. Thank you!

[@Ziplock9000]

7:50 Looking at the data sheet for the IRFZ44N, the Vgs(th) to turn on the MOSFET is only 2v so an Arduino should be more than enough for this without a transistor.. what am I missing?

[@hassankhurramtech]

IRFZ44N needs 10v to fully turn on. it will start conducting current at 0.7v but it will heat up as it is not fully saturated, if you want arduino to turn on the mosfet at 5v, use logic level mosfets, they turn on fully saturated at 5v like IRL540.

[@mahekshah9337]

The circuit is nice but there is no protection to high voltage spikes created by the primary coil

[@oggamez5735]

You're very brave touching the high voltage output.

[@keithking1985]

You can make the 555 provide a sine wave with some extra little circuitry. Or even a triangle wave!! Brilliant vision of an invertor and a class video... I will be making this now... thanks.

[@Enigma758]

Typically, the 220v transformer is step down. Are you reversing the connections on this transformer to make it a step up?

[@Zebra_Paw]

What about IRF3205 (better than IRFZ44)? It will get less hot! And for the pull up resistor, it's better to do the opposite with pull down resistors and PNP BJT, because if the oscillation circuitry fails then you completely kill the mosfets! You also didn't talk about reverse diodes to get rid of the inductive spikes, but that is a very important point and you used them! Finally, seeing the output waveform of the transformer on the oscilloscope seems quite impressive, given that those transformer use to work with sine wave! I would expect some distortion while using them with a square wave! Otherwise i would say good job and i am going to build my own from a 200W transformer inspiring myself from your circuit!

[@varunsontakke9810]

Awesome dude ur explaination process is very friendly . I love Ur chanel . plZ make video on mini drone with Arduino and coreless motors.

[@mr.amp0076]

You forget about the diodes.... Otherwise mosfets are frying.... High inrush current of the inductor in transformer....

[@ELECTRONOOBS]

The circuit dose have diodes! Have a nice day!

[@mr.amp0076]

Ya... Nice video & explanation

[@rtechlabs]

I think IRFZ44n has internal diodes. At least that's what is shown in the datasheet.

[@frustratedgamer5131]

@@rtechlabs they are not Schottky diodes And will heat up the mosfet

[@rtechlabs]

@@frustratedgamer5131 I didn't say anything about Schottky diodes. Check datasheet for IRFZ44n there is a diode inside.

[@kedarprabhudessai]

Awesome video like as always 👍👌👌. Btw... JLC pcb is everywhere these days from great scott, electronoobs ... Everywhere 😃..

[@ELECTRONOOBS]

Thank you. And yes they are.

[@fmdj]

Very cool thx, clear explanations. I don't know if it's that specific design that I will build, I still need to study up some more about the subject of inverters, but I need an inverter and I sure ain't gonna pay for it 😂 I'd gladly share the video with my friends, unfortunately I fear that none of them would be interested 😅

[@vishva8kumara]

You could add some delay between switching from one FET to the other - so that there is some time with no current delivered to the primary. This way you can get a modified sine wave.

[@FlatFace986]

This is only usable for lights. An inverter should have a sinusoidal output, if you want to use it as mains. If you are using an arduino already, its not that hard, they work similar to class D amplifiers, you just apply high frequency square wave to the high side FETs in an H bridge, the duty cycle is proportional to the voltage the wave should have. Then you filter the output with LC filter, which have low losses. It still wont be perfect sine, but will look much nicer than the square wave. Also for higher currents mosfet drivers should be used, to lower the switching losses. Great video though, and I would be happy if you'd improve it.

[@ELECTRONOOBS]

Thank you very much! I'll probably make one with full bridge!

[@scroft469301]

Awesome! Always learn something new and very informative video. Great job!

[@QasimIbrar]

Hi, @Electronoobs I was looking such a simple and efficient small inverter on the internet for quite a while, then I found this amazingly explained tutorial, I have one question here if I don't possess the oscilloscope then how should I tune my potentiometer to 50 or 60Hz without the scope?

[@DimitriPappas]

some multimeters have Hz function which would work for this. a "soundcard oscilloscope" could also work as the frequency is low enough to be captured

[@Ziplock9000]

9:17 Using the delay function for accurate timing is not recommended unless you turn off background interrupts and other background processes on the Arduino. You might get away with it, but for the sake of a few extra lines in Setup() it's better to do it that way :)

[@a1nelson]

Totally agree. The standard delay can also be inaccurate, depending on the Arduino platform used. More importantly, the function doesn’t offer fine control/resolution at these frequencies. It’s obvious in the video that he wasn’t able to achieve a proper 60 Hz. Maybe it was done this way to make it easier for beginners to understand and/or to make the explanation of the code itself simpler.

[@Rajiveee]

Quality of your videos is really amazing...

[@ELECTRONOOBS]

Thank you!

[@rajutharigoppula2890]

Great explanation each and every component in the circuit

[@a1nelson]

I must admit, i’m a bit perplexed by the bulk capacitance on the 12 V rail. The output impedance of a 12 V lead acid battery, such as the one shown in the video, should already be very low. Presumably, the wires connecting the battery to the MOSFETs are also heavy enough to provide a low impedance path. Also, the 12 V input is way, way above the drop out for the regulator on the microcontroller, and the 120 Hz frequency is low enough to allow the regulator plenty of time to respond effectively. Conversely, I would have expected some capacitance on the output from the MOSFETs - doing a little bit to make the output _somewhat_ more sinusoidal. Am I missing something important here? I am quite curious. Great video, by the way. Super useful and practical, with a nice clear explanation, as usual. Keep it up. Thanks.

[@Ziplock9000]

Your explainations are first class.

[@sindabeckett3003]

thanks lots bro i built it exact to yours thanks to you....tell me how can i make it never stop working .....any extra safety features that i could add to extend its life ...please let me know soon bro thanks.

[@KuntalGhosh]

problem is that there is no feed back voltage to have some type of pwm and control output voltage as if u put a load it will drop down voltage and low power loads will go over 240v!! and that is not safe for most chargers and stuff!! .... and I would use the Arduino and not the 555timer cuz I don't have oscilloscope , also with Arduino I can change frequency and other parameters very easily with just one click of my computer!! ....

[@25tabinqadri70]

would be please make an Inverter circuit with H-Bridge Configuration ! in all your inverter videos you used the HALF-Bridge Configuration..

[@ufohunter3688]

Isn't the output supposed to be 220V RMS (~310V P-P)?

[@ELECTRONOOBS]

True. My bad not saying that. 220RMS or 310pp. at 13:15 you can see a 37 amplitude, that's because the oscilloscope is set to 1:10. So we have around 370Vpp or 260RMS. As I say in the video, this circuit is not perfect at all. Have a nice day!

[@mrjohhhnnnyyy5797]

Nope, my friend, it is not 260V RMS. That would be right if it was a sinewave. But yours is a squarewave, RMS of a square wave that goes positive and negative is equal to the peak voltage (Vpp/2), 185V RMS is what you have. For it to be 230V RMS you need to see 460V peak-to-peak.

[@aspboss1973]

Simple....explained everything.....thanks man....

[@abhinandt.b8364]

Can I use a BC 547 instead of bd139 ??

[@DIYwithBatteries]

A Complete and perfect Explaination i never saw like this before. Really great Sir. 🤓👍 keep up the good content this is going to be great Sir.

[@lorenzomanoel710]

Amigo gostei muito do seu proje muito top . amigo qual seria a disponibilidade de o senhor disponibilizar o codigo do arduino para 60HZ ENVEIS DE 62HZ fico grato pela sua atençao e desde já ganhou mas um incrito.

[@proyectosledar]

Que hace esa banana? Jajaaj abrazo

[@ELECTRONOOBS]

Banana for scale como siempre. LOL

[@beauclark2199]

This is a simplified concept of a Vs (sustain voltage) circuit that most plasma and lcd TVs use.

[@belleluze]

So to get the turns you divide 12/220=0.055 then the 100 turns divided by that ratio correct? 100/0.055 = 1,818 sec turns.

[@sargismartirosyan9946]

Oh go damn I like your video and I really really extremely really want that transformer that you have I want it to us in my projects it's perfect 👍🤟🤟

[@tamarathompson9418]

Great video . Inspired , amazing quality , Sharp editing skills .

[@ELECTRONOOBS]

Thank you very much!

[@hemantmundhe6662]

Nice video & nice demonstration.such a very helpful guidance for build investor thanks bro.

[@SamuelGirma-fp6sm]

10:38 you tried higher power bulb but it did not work i have 12v by 26Ah battery but the the inverter can not turn on 100 watt bulb how can i creat higher watt inverter

[@krishnawa_]

In 12:38. Why you use diodes across the MOSFETs

[@revolution5547]

Because primari coil of transformer creates high voltage peaks who can destroy mosfets(sorry about my english)

[@ramast4881]

This kind of lamps actually require DC voltage input not AC. There is a full bridge rectifier inside the lamp's circuit to rectify the AC to DC. A fan would've been a better example/demo since AC fan's motor won't work with DC

[@madhukeshnp]

Please make a tutorial on pure sine wave inverter using arduino

[@ajeethsuryash5123]

How to make higher power circuit without increasing input voltage. Use transformar with lower coil resistance??

[@hannnnn310]

It's finally here! Great video!

[@neail5466]

What about a descriptive video on each type of transformers??? 🍌 Is a powerhouse 😋( of glucose and potassium).... Great as always....

[@tamquang6214]

Thank you for your amazing project.

[@Dc_tech386]

My scope don’t show the pwm sine wave like a square wave is very back looking like a z upside down so you have any idea why is this I use 0.1 uf capacitor so I don’t get it why the wave isn’t squared

[@sagargupta7564]

Sir, can we use pwm in order to get RMS voltage of square wave equals to RMS voltage of sinosudial wave

[@huzaifaali5829]

thank you sir this video is very efficent and clear my concept

[@jensschroder8214]

Use a PNP Transistor instat of the BD139 make it better, cause the N-Channel MOFET needs +12V for on

[@foco5657]

Can you use a transformer without center tap?

[@rakeshsawant5175]

thanks for easy learning....👍👍👍

[@aslamchumroo8571]

There will be shoot through issue since there is no deadtime implemented. The mosfet will fry with power hungry load.

[@dvaVivy]

Hello, why do you need an additional 12V supply and the bjt npn transistor to control the mosfet ? and not just use the arduino 5V to control the mosfet?

[@satviksharma1146]

thanks

[@philipradan1312]

We're did u get that breadboard with voltage connections already on board?

[@speakersr-lyefaudio6830]

I want to make one that’s not clipped, have you made one like that?

[@SR-bq1di]

Can you make sine wave inverter using CD8038 ic a triangle wave, square wave and sine wave signal function generator instead use of arduino?

[@mohamedtawakol5689]

why do i have to connect the mosfets through another transistor as a driver ? why can't we just connect from the arduino directly to the irf mosfets ?

[@multitroniktechnology3012]

I like your Vidio. I also like to assemble inverters

[@Dc_tech386]

I built this circuit exactly the same but the I had only 20 volt gate mosfet but they or logic mosfet but the 2 won’t stay cool burn up as they or on so I don’t understand why the mosfet is burning up I try all 60 pieces and all burn up in 30 seconds the transformer was on buzzing but no high voltage in the second wire the transformer is a big 120 volt microwave transformer I rewind 27 turn by 27 turn which give me 28 volt when the transformer is on but I realize the irfz44n work a very low voltage to gate because I can turn them on with my finger and I can’t with the irf44n and irf 840 and IRf740 and irf540n they won’t turn on with your finger

[@VeryMuchBlessed]

Super good information. Thanks for this video!

[@herok4306]

Pls make a video on how to create sine wave inverter

[@bitsurfer0101]

Could you use a sine wave oscillator which would be fed to a transformer?

[@guitarguy3688]

can anyone please tell me that why many circuits use transistor to switch a mosfet on/off when a signal can be directly applied to the gate of the mosfet so why need a extra transistor please help

[@dramundurichard1537]

Hello thanks for the video but I try to simulate the final circuit in Circuit wizard just the way you presented but the output is 1V and 1 FET seems only active.

[@panotngernyingsuk6389]

can I use UPS tranformer for making inverter

[@atul2048]

How do i modify the code to produce a frequency greater than 125 HZ (Around 2 KHz) with control on the duty cycle.

[@yashasranjan8497]

At 1:35 I see that is a Brushed Flight Controller Circuit. When will you upload that video of that project? I am freaking excited for that project!!!

[@electronresonator8882]

13:05 I see, that banana is for size comparison, just my opinion you can use 600 ml plastic bottle cap as well, most likely they're the same size across the world, and they're cheap, people throw plastic bottle away almost like garbage

[@ELECTRONOOBS]

True, we should care more about the enviroment!

[@et.sachin]

What would be the efficeincy of theasr inverters ?

[@chloemcholoe3280]

why no pwm on the Arduino it wouldn't be really hard right? it would make it slightly better also don't capacitors pass AC trough them? wouldn't the output short?

[@saadamiens]

Can you explain what is the difference when you have 15V from your power source with 2A and 15V with 0.1A I really struggle with Volts and Amps

[@panelmojo]

What is the diode significance

[@kmnatarajan7633]

Nice work 👌

[@jamest.5001]

couldn't you also use the arduino for the safety functions ? over volt and amp? and shut off if the parameters are exceeded?

[@abeljerson9360]

Hello electronoobs, I have a doubt if we use PWM of the arduino can we make pure sine wave inverter..... If possible please reply thanks

[@ziadfawzi]

Thank you.

[@shehryarshaheen7115]

Dear please make it pwm controled with arduino because the output voltage will change with different loads. Thinx

[@RNA0ROGER]

Without proper isolation that is extremely dangerous.

[@florinbaciu2325]

Yeyy videoclip nou!!!

[@jahangeersoomro]

Thank you for uploading such nice and informative video. being power electronics teacher we can teach such things in lab to students, can u please suggest where can we buy this transformer that steps up the ac voltage to 220 v as shown. can u share the link to order online

[@bdbasic7647]

Hello sir I don't have oscilloscope so please can you tell what is the perfect value of resistor that will give me 60hz . Replace of 200k potentiometer of 555 timer ic? Please reply ..

[@SamirAmmarcha]

I like your vidéo explaining

[@Aum-003]

Would like to ask for your yout expert opinion, could you guide me and my team to design and build a 220vdc input and 220vac output at 50hz

[@VictorC173]

an egs002 board takes 380v DC to 220ac, it's the last stage of most sine wave inverters, and it's only need (isolated) 12v and 5v supply (that can be achieved by a simple small 12v power supply and 78l05), look for circuit and schematics

[@sefalibhakat143]

what is the resistance of the pot at 50 to 60 Hz

[@konainhaider2397]

Can i use ferrite core transformer?

[@ELECTRONOOBS]

Yes, that's even better!

[@konainhaider2397]

Which transformer you had used in this circuit

[@ManofCulture]

Ferrite is good for high frequency

[@raymondmichael4987]

Electronoobs, better say ferrite will not work using those parameters, as it require several kHz, yours operates at domestic Hz 50/60

[@RNA0ROGER]

You can quite easily but you will require a much higher frequency. But the ferrite core will handle many times more power than the iron one.

[@fikrialvian8098]

How can to build pure sine wave?

[@vuongnguyen1201]

Can you make a 3d graphic mouse product using arduino.thank you !

[@RobertSampson-h8k]

Excellent

[@johndah4x0r21]

I have an idea for making it better: Modified sine wave.

[@daskasspatzle2396]

How is the power consumption with the NE555 compared to the arduino?

[@jonahswain]

You should use IRLZ44N FETs because you can drive their gates with 5v

[@sadecemuhendiss]

Thats true but not always. If you check out the datasheet you find some graphics about that and finally you can understand why you can not drive 12V (normal gate voltage) or above efficiently with a logic level gate drive power mosfets. IRLZ44N are not described as a logic mosfet. Itis only able to drive with limited parameter with 5V.

[@incxxxx]

Is there any conection between line going from mosfet sourse to GND and the line with diodes 1N4001 ??? Sometimes you use points, sometimes not, to designate conection. (time 12:39).

[@SuperPezzata]

Well are they connections ... two years later yet the same questions.

[@andrewel5383]

Could you do a video on msofet driver ica like the tc4420

[@naomi10260]

awesome video :) very useful and i learned something :D

[@ELECTRONOOBS]

Thank you very much!

[@diamony123]

Great tutorial , great job

[@Mazel_Tov_888]

does jlc sell boards to make pure sine wave inverters?