12VDC to 220VAC Inverter with 555 Timer

12Vac to 220vac inverter circuit

12VDC to 220VAC Inverter with timer IC 555 as the wave signal generator, TIP41A and TIP42 as the signal amplifier and the transformer to step up the AC signal from the transistor. The circuit is very simple and easy to build, the electronic components is very easy to find.


Inverter, is an electronic device or circuitry that changes direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC). The input voltage, output voltage and frequency, and overall power handling depend on the design of the specific device or circuitry. The inverter does not produce any power; the power is provided by the DC source.

Component Parts List:
R1 = 10K
R2 = 100K
R3 = 100 ohm
R4 = 50K Linear Potensiometer
C1,C2 = 0.1uF
C3 = 0.01uF
C4 = 2700uF
Q1 = TIP41A, NPN, or equivalent transistor
Q2 = TIP42A, PNP, or equivalent transistor
L1 = 1uH
T1 = Filament transformer, your choice

This simple 12VDC to 220VAC inverter circuit produces an AC output at line frequency and voltage. The 555 is configured as a low-frequency oscillator, tunable over the frequency range of 50 to 60 Hz by Frequency potentiometer R4. The 555 feeds its output (amplified by Q1 and Q2) to the input of transformer T1, a reverse-connected filament transformer with the necessary step-up turns ratio. Capacitor C4 and coil L1 filter the input to T1, assuring that it is effectively a sine wave. Adjust the value of T1 to your voltage.

The power output (in watts) is up to you by selecting different components, expecially for the transistor and the transformer.

Input voltage is anywhere from +5V to +15Volt DC, adjust the 2700uF capacitors working voltage accordingly.
Replacement types for Q1 are: TIP41B, TIP41C, NTE196, ECG196, etc. Replacement types for Q2 are: TIP42B, TIP42C, NTE197, ECG197, etc. Please feel free to use another type of similar specs.

12VDC to 220VAC Inverter circuit source: sentex.com

4 comments

  1. Hello, can somebody help me with this circuit? I’m new in this electronics world and couldn’t obtain more than 0.1V output, despite simulated circuit was okay.

  2. This circuit seems not to work 🤷 I got 25v but it doesn’t oscillate on the transformer? By the way how many watts?

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