• waldenA
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    5
    ·
    4 months ago

    My understanding is that pure sine is only needed for inductive loads, like motors. If you run a vacuum cleaner with modified sine, it’ll sound bad, maybe not work, maybe something will overheat, etc.

    Computer power supplies are resistive loads (although reading about it just now it’s slightly more complicated than that) and they don’t mind the modified sine.

    • lemming741@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      5
      ·
      4 months ago

      Computers use switch mode power supplies. The first step is a bridge rectifier, they could run on a square wave or ~170vdc. Most have active power factor correction, which chops the incoming current up even more.

      Cheap capacitive dropper power supplies won’t like a modified sine. Simple motor loads won’t either. If you’re doing radio frequency work, it will be a huge source of noise but shouldn’t damage anything.