Not all inverters convert DC to AC. Some change DC voltage (DC-DC converter) or convert AC to AC (frequency converter). The voltage inverter market covers these specialized devices.

DC-DC Converters

The [LSI keyword: voltage inverter market] includes DC-DC converters, which change DC voltage from one level to another. A boost converter increases voltage (e.g., from 12V to 48V). A buck converter decreases voltage (e.g., from 48V to 12V). A buck-boost converter can do either. The voltage inverter market for DC-DC converters is used in: electric vehicles (converting the high-voltage battery (400V) to 12V for lights, wipers, and infotainment); solar systems (converting the variable voltage from solar panels to the fixed voltage of a battery bank); and portable electronics (converting battery voltage to the voltage needed by the device). The voltage inverter market for isolated DC-DC converters (with galvanic isolation) is used in medical devices and industrial controls for safety.

Frequency Converters (AC-AC)

The voltage inverter market also includes frequency converters, which change AC frequency (e.g., from 50 Hz to 60 Hz, or vice versa). This is used to operate equipment designed for one frequency on a grid with a different frequency. The voltage inverter market for frequency converters is used in: ships (where equipment designed for 60 Hz is powered by a 50 Hz shore supply); aircraft (400 Hz ground power); and military (portable power supplies). Frequency converters are also used in variable frequency drives (VFDs), which change frequency to control motor speed (this is a large market, but often categorized separately). The voltage inverter market for "static" frequency converters (using power electronics) has largely replaced "rotary" frequency converters (using a motor-generator set).

The voltage inverter market also includes "voltage converters" for travelers: devices that convert 110V AC to 220V AC (or vice versa). These are often autotransformers (not inverters) and are not considered part of the industrial inverter market. However, "active" voltage converters (using power electronics) exist for sensitive equipment. As the voltage inverter market continues to evolve, the focus will be on higher efficiency (reducing losses in DC-DC conversion), on higher power density (smaller size), and on integration (combining DC-DC and DC-AC in a single unit). The voltage inverter market is a diverse niche within the broader inverter market, but it is essential for matching voltages and frequencies across different systems.

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