How Does an Inverter Generator Work?

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If you’re shopping for a portable off-grid generator or home backup power solution, you’ve probably heard of inverters.

Inverters are an essential component in solar power systems and are also used to improve numerous aspects of engine generators that burn gas or other fossil fuels.

Like traditional fossil fuel generators, an inverter generator burns fossil fuels like propane and gasoline with an engine and uses an alternator to produce electricity.

Unlike older engine generators, Inverters convert the alternating current (AC) produced by the mechanical generator into direct current (DC) and back to AC again for output.

The conversion process provides numerous benefits, which we’ll explore below.

How Do Inverter Generators Work?

Inverter generators use the same basic principle as traditional fossil fuel generators — and, at a larger scale, the steam, gas, and wind turbines that provide most of the world’s electricity today.

(Source: Royal Institution Great Britain. Photo by Paul Wilkinson)

The first electric generator was invented in 1831 by Michael Faraday.

Faraday discovered the principle of electromagnetic induction — the relationship between magnetism and motion known as Faraday’s Law — which all turbines and generators (except solar and fuel cell) use to produce electricity.

According to the Royal Institute of Great Britain:

“Virtually all electric power is produced using Faraday’s principles, no matter whether the prime source of energy is coal, oil, gas, nuclear, hydro, or wind: all these fuels are used to drive a generator (or turbine) which generates the electrical current.”

Solar panel systems are different and convert sunlight into electricity using the photovoltaic effect.

Portable engine generators that burn fossil fuels — including inverter generators — produce electricity the same way and share many similar components.

Let’s take a closer look.

The Core Components

All standalone gas, propane, and diesel generators require fuel, an engine, and an electromagnetic alternator to produce electricity.

Inverter generators need all three, plus additional components that process and condition alternating current (AC) electricity to achieve the desired benefits.

Here’s what’s under the hood.

Fuel Source (Gas Tank)

Portable gas generators store fuel — such as gasoline, propane, or diesel — in a tank for consumption.

Standby generators may use natural gas lines from a utility company instead of relying on a tank for storage.

Regardless, conventional gas and inverter generators won’t run without fuel.

Starter

A starter is required to provide a short burst of electricity — a spark — to ignite the fuel for a gas generator’s internal combustion engine.

Once the combustion — or burning — process has started, the generator should run until it runs out of fuel.

Traditional generators relied on a manual starting process, such as a pull cord or recoil rope.

You can still purchase manual start generators today, but most inverter generators have digital or automatic starters.

Internal Combustion Engine

An engine is essential to all conventional and inverter generators that burn fossil fuel.

The internal combustion engines found in electric generators are similar to engines in gas-powered automobiles.

The starter and engine convert the chemical energy from burning fuel into mechanical (potential + kinetic) energy.

A rotating engine shaft (prime mover) produces mechanical energy and passes it through an electromagnetic field (alternator), inducing alternating current (AC) electricity.

The speed at which the prime mover rotates determines the current’s output frequency.

Alternator

The alternator in an engine generator is sometimes referred to simply as the generator and the combination as a gen-set.

An alternator comprises two parts, one stationary (stator) and one that rotates (rotor).

The rotating magnetic field produced by the rotor induces an AC voltage in the stator’s stationery wire, as proven by Faraday’s Law.

Voltage Regulator (AVR)

The raw AC electricity produced by an engine and alternator fluctuates widely — it’s too inconsistent to power devices and appliances safely.

In modern portable generators, an automatic voltage regulator (AVR) ensures the AC output is suitable for use.

Inverter*

Even with an AVR, conventional fossil fuel generators produce “dirty power.”

In this context, “dirty” doesn’t refer to the toxic and greenhouse gas emissions produced by burning fossil fuels.

Instead, it refers to electrical fluctuations and surges that damage sensitive electronics.

The “noise” in AC output is measured as total harmonic distortion (THD).

Traditional fossil fuel generators produce AC output with up to 25% THD — far too “dirty” for digital devices — let alone computers and hard drives.

That’s where an inverter comes in.

Inverter generators use a rectifier to convert raw AC power into direct current and back to AC for output, significantly reducing THD.

Conventional inverter generators can reduce THD to 1%, resulting in much cleaner power and additional benefits outlined below.

* Only used in inverter generators

Power or Control Panel

Traditional gas generators skip the additional processing and power conditioning an inverter provides.

After passing through the automatic voltage regulator — and potentially other power conditioning components — alternating current is output for use.

Depending on your chosen model, you can plug appliances directly into the generator or integrate the generator with your home circuitry using a transfer switch for backup power during blackouts.

Most modern generators — with or without an inverter — offer a power panel that allows you to control certain operations, such as a timer and automatic shutdown.

What are the Main Differences Between an Inverter Generator and Traditional Generators?

Traditional and inverter generators have far more in common than many people think.

Both rely on an engine that burns fossil fuels like gasoline, diesel, and propane to convert chemical power into mechanical power and an alternator to produce alternating current (AC) electricity.

Inverter generators have additional components and add at least one step to the AC output process.

By converting AC to direct current (DC) electricity and back to AC for output, inverters differ from conventional generators in the following ways.

Fuel Efficiency

Traditional fossil fuel generators only run at full speed.

A 2000W gas generator consumes enough fuel to produce 2000W AC output whenever it’s running — regardless of how much electricity you consume.

For example, if you only use 1000W of AC output at any given time, half of the electricity the 2000W generator produces goes to waste.

Inverter generators, on the other hand, throttle up and down based on your electricity consumption.

If you frequently use a generator at less than its maximum output capacity, an inverter generator can significantly reduce fuel consumption and costs.

For many people, fuel efficiency is the#1 reason they opt for an inverter generator over conventional gas.

“Cleaner” Power

The electricity produced by traditional generators is often referred to as “dirty” power.

Not because of greenhouse gas emissions or toxic fumes…

Thanks to better efficiency, inverter generators may produce slightly less of each, but they still burn fossil fuels like gas or propane.

In this context, the “cleaner” energy that inverters provide isn’t about fuel.

It’s about AC output quality.

By skipping the inversion process, traditional generators send largely unprocessed AC power to the outputs or transfer switch.

This results in electricity that varies in voltage and current and that’s prone to surges.

The “dirtiness” of electric current is measured by total harmonic distortion, which can reach 25% or higher in conventional generators.

Harmonic distortion — particularly power surges — makes many conventional generators ill-suited or even dangerous for use with sensitive electronics.

Computer servers and hard drives are often cited as particularly prone to damage from dirty power.

However, many household appliances, medical devices, and personal electronics are susceptible to harm from fluctuations and surges in power.

Inverter generators minimize THD and produce cleaner electricity by converting raw alternating current produced by the engine and alternator to DC electricity and back to AC for output.

Reduced Toxic and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Unlike solar generators, inverters still rely on burning fossil fuels to produce electricity.

However, because inverter generators throttle up or down based on consumption, they produce less toxic and greenhouse gas emissions than conventional generators under light and medium load conditions.

Additionally, many inverter generators use propane (LPG) as fuel.

LPG burns significantly cleaner than gasoline and diesel and is less harmful to the environment.

It’s essential to note, however…

No generator that burns fossil fuels can be operated indoors.

Improper use of gas generators — including inverters — poisons thousands of people each year with carbon monoxide, many of whom die.

Parallel Compatibility

Generally, inverters offer lower power output than traditional gas or diesel generators.

Most inverter generators sold provide from 1500W to 3500 watts of AC output.

This has traditionally meant that inverters are used for portable applications while traditional generators are used for high-wattage applications like standby and whole-home backup power.

One way to circumvent inverters’ output limitations is to chain multiple units of the same size and type together in parallel.

For example, if you chain two 2200W inverter generators together following the manufacturer’s instructions, you can double your rated power output to 4400W.

Hybrid inverter generators that offer battery storage and multiple charging options — including gas, propane, solar, and AC power — are an even better option for portable and high-wattage applications.

Portability

Inverter generators tend to be more lightweight and compact than conventional gas generators.

Increased portability makes them a solid choice for relatively low-wattage off-grid and RV applications where ease of transport is a factor.

(Source: Hearing Health Foundation)

Quieter Operation

Inverter generators are significantly quieter than traditional gas and diesel generators, partly because they don’t always run at full throttle.

Closed-frame inverter generators can operate at under 60 decibels.

However, they remain significantly louder than portable power stations, like EcoFlow’s DELTA 2 Max, which operates at only 30dB, equal to average room noise.

The Pros and Cons of Inverter Generators

Inverters have numerous advantages over conventional gas generators — especially in light electrical loads and portable applications.

But they do come with some drawbacks.

Read on to find out more about the pros and cons of inverter generators.

Pros

Lower Fuel Consumption: The primary advantage of inverters over traditional fossil fuel generators is their ability to throttle up and down based on electricity consumption. If you frequently run devices and appliances that operate less than your generator’s maximum output capacity, you’ll see improved fuel efficiency and spend less on propane or gas.
Less “Dirty” Power: If you’re using a generator for power tools and other mechanical devices, how “clean” the AC output is may not make much difference. However, power surges and high total harmonic distortion (THD) can damage your valuable equipment if you are charging or operating sensitive electronics and digital devices. By converting AC to DC and back to AC again, inverters can produce output with minimal THD. Some inverter generators can achieve pure sine wave output — the gold standard of AC electricity.

Quieter Operation: Conventional generators are extremely loud. Inverters can operate up to 20dB lower than traditional gas and diesel generators. If you are using a gas generator at campsites or other communal areas, noise will likely prevent you from running it at night. Inverter generators and portable power stations are better suited to low-noise applications.

Cons

High Cost: Inverters require additional components that traditional gas generators don’t and tend to have a higher sticker price. However, reduced fuel costs under light loads can save you money in the long run.
Unsafe for Indoor Use: No generator that burns fossil fuels — including inverters — can be used indoors. If you need off-grid electricity that you can use indoors, a portable power station or solar generator is the best choice.
Limited AC Output Wattage: Inverters have limited AC output wattage compared to conventional generators. You can get around this limitation by chaining inverters in parallel, but that will increase your costs.

How to Choose the Right Inverter Generator

There is no “one-size-fits-all” answer to the question of which inverter generator is best for you.

It really does depend on your use case.

Here are the essential factors to consider before making a purchase decision.

AC Output: Calculate the total starting and running wattage of all the appliances you want to operate simultaneously in watts or kilowatts. Make sure the AC output of the generator exceeds that total by at least 10%
Electricity Consumption: Once you’ve determined which devices and appliances you want to run, you need to estimate their running time. Electricity consumption over time is measured in watt-hours (wH) and kilowatt hours (kWh). Learn how to calculate electricity consumption here.
Storage Capacity: How long do you need your inverter generator to run between refills of propane or gas? Remember, propane is much easier and safer to store than gasoline. The manufacturer should provide you with an estimate of how many kWh of electricity a single tank will provide before running out.

Hybrid Inverter Generator + Battery Storage

If you’re considering an inverter over a conventional gas generator, it’s a safe bet that fuel efficiency and clean power output are a concern.

Did you know that there’s an even better choice?

EcoFlow’s DELTA Pro Ultra is a hybrid inverter generator + LFP battery storage that offers multiple charging options — including gas and propane generators — as well as solar panels and household AC.

EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra Charging Inputs

Charging Method	Maximum Input (1 x Inverter)	Maximum Input (2 x Inverter)	Maximum Input (3 x Inverter)
Solar Charging	5600W	11200W	16800W
AC Input (Wall Socket)	3000W	6000W	9000W
AC Input Smart Home Panel 2 (Wired)	7200W	14400W	21600W
AC Input EV Pile (Wired)	7200W	14400W	21600W
Fossil Fuel Generator (Cable)	7200W	14400W	21600W
EcoFlow Smart Generator (Dual Fuel)	1800W	3600W	5400W
Multicharge	8800W	17600W	26400W

EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra is the ideal whole-house generator solution for home energy security during blackouts and extended power outages caused by extreme weather events and disasters.

If you want a generator primarily for home backup power, you must consider that access to fuel may be restricted during emergency situations or unavailable altogether.

Opting for a hybrid inverter gives you all the benefits of traditional inverter generators, plus much more.

EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 and DELTA Pro Ultra feature proprietary X-Core 3.0 tech architecture, providing industry-leading performance, safety, and intelligence.

X-Core 3.0 delivers the following benefits.

X-Stream delivers record-speed charging — only 50 minutes
X-Boost’s revolutionary soft-start algorithm supports up to 6000W of appliances and central HVAC systems with just one unit
X-Link parallel expansion provides up to 21.6kW of output power and 90kWh of electricity storage
X-Quiet volume minimization means whisper-quiet operation at an industry-best 30dB*
X-Fusion outpowers the grid by providing up to 7000W of electricity output from a single AC outlet in bypass mode. Standard household plugs deliver only 1800W. Plug in EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 or DELTA Pro Ultra and increase your output by close to 300%
X-Guard is a protective triad of structure, material, and AI that keeps your home and family safe. It can even self-extinguish in the unlikely event of a fire.

Find out more about X-Core 3.0 here.

EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra is expandable to 21.6kW of AC output and 90kWh of storage — enough to power almost any home for extended periods off-grid.

With enough EcoFlow 400W rigid solar panels (up to 42 with 3 x inverters), you can keep your home powered indefinitely — no matter how long the blackout lasts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where Does an Inverter Generator Get Its Power From?

Inverter generators produce electricity by burning fossil fuel, typically gasoline or propane (LPG). They are more fuel-efficient than conventional gas generators and produce “cleaner” power, making them more suitable for sensitive electronics. However, inverter generators produce greenhouse gases, carbon monoxide, and other toxic emissions. They must never be used indoors. Solar generators also use inverters to convert DC electricity from PV panels to AC output that powers devices and appliances.

If you’re looking for a more portable hybrid inverter generator, consider EcoFlow’s DELTA Pro + Smart Generator (Dual Fuel)

For RV power, the EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max + 800W alternator charger lets you recharge on the road and wherever there’s sunlight.

Final Thoughts

When conventional inverter generators first appeared on the market, they represented a significant upgrade on traditional gas generators for many applications.

Nowadays, hybrid inverter generators with LFP battery storage offer many more benefits at a similar cost.

Whether you’re looking for a portable off-grid generator or whole-home backup power, EcoFlow has a solution.

Check out our selection today.

*Under 2000W output