What is the purpose of using an inverter in motor control applications?

In motor control applications, an inverter plays a crucial role in managing speed and torque. It does this by allowing the frequency and voltage supplied to the motor to be adjusted. By changing the frequency of the electrical supply, the inverter enables precise control over the motor's speed. Higher frequencies will result in increased motor speed, while lower frequencies will decrease it. Additionally, managing torque is essential for applications where load variation occurs, allowing the motor to deliver the required performance efficiently.

Inverters accomplish this by using a technique called Pulse Width Modulation (PWM), which adjusts the width of the pulses in the voltage signal sent to the motor. This adjustment allows for smooth control over the motor’s operation, contributing to improved efficiency, performance, and energy savings in various applications.

Other options may touch on different aspects of electrical systems: converting AC to DC is a function of a rectifier; amplifying power relates more to amplifiers and not specifically to motor control; and while protection against overcurrent is important in electrical systems, it is not a primary function of an inverter.