What is an inverter?

• A. A device that converts AC to DC at higher voltage
• B. A step-down transformer that converts 12/24 V DC to 110/220 V AC
• C. A step-up transformer that converts 12/24 V DC to 110/220 V AC
• D. A device that stores electrical energy for later use

Answer: (C)

An inverter is a device that takes stored DC power, like from a vehicle battery, and converts it into AC power at a higher voltage so you can run standard equipment. On a pumper, 12/24 V DC from the battery is transformed into 110/220 V AC, letting you operate normal tools and devices that expect household-style power. The key idea is turning DC into AC and boosting the voltage to usable levels.

This isn’t about storing energy (that’s a battery), nor is it simply a rectifier (AC to DC) or a passive step-down. In practice, an inverter uses electronics to generate AC from DC, and often uses a transformer to raise the voltage to the desired level.