A vibrator is an electromechanical device that takes a DC electrical supply and converts it into pulses that can be fed into a transformer. It is similar in purpose to the solid-state power inverter.
A pair of Heathkit-brand vibrators manufactured by James Electronics, with octal bases. The one on the right has been stripped of the aluminum cap so the inner components can be seen.
An electro-mechanical vibrator from the Grass Instrument Co. Used as part of a chopper amplifier in polygraph input amplifier.
Schematic diagram of a typical circuit to convert low voltage DC to high voltage DC
A power inverter, inverter, or invertor is a power electronic device or circuitry that changes direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC). The resulting AC frequency obtained depends on the particular device employed. Inverters do the opposite of rectifiers which were originally large electromechanical devices converting AC to DC.
An inverter on a free-standing solar plant
Overview of solar-plant inverters
Inverter designed to provide 115 V AC from the 12 V DC source provided in an automobile. The unit shown provides up to 1.2 amperes of alternating current, or enough to power two 60 W light bulbs.
Internal view of a solar inverter. Note the many large capacitors (blue cylinders), used to store energy briefly and improve the output waveform.
