How does an inverter work

Tip to Choose an Inverter

Tip to Choose an Inverter :  Inverter for use at home has become a necessity than a luxury with frequent power cuts across India. The sales of popular brands like APC, Luminous, Sukam, Microtek, Amaron, V guard, Hykon with good reviews have been zooming even though the prices have been rising. People now want to run all home appliances including air conditioners, televisions and refrigerators for their convenience.

A power inverter converts DC power to standard home AC power. This lets you run AC electrical equipment during power outages conveniently.

Inverters normally have one or more standard outlets to power laptops, small TVs, DVD players, and other home appliances like lights and fans.

Ground Fault Protection

If the inverter gets damp or wet Ground fault protection instantly turns off the inverter. The inverter turns itself back on if the problems are fixed. GFCI feature protects people from electrical shocks and fire.

Power inverters have a built-in transfer switch that switches from inverter power to utility power when the electricity comes. The transfer switch allows external power to be transferred to appliances automatically.

You should look out for three-way chargers for your batteries. These types of chargers are safe, easy to use, and will not overcharge your battery.

Inverters today also support solar power systems. They convert DC power generated by solar panels and store it in batteries. These get transformed into power which can be used for home appliances. These systems can be expensive and hence might not be advisable for individual homes.

Generator typically is needed for higher power needs.
An inverter is more economical power alternative to run items under 1000W and is ideal for small appliances like light, fan, laptop, TV other low load appliances. To operate a refrigerator, washing machine, AC and other high load appliances, a generator is a better option.

For power consumption above 2000W, a generator will be a better option.

Both provide backup when there is a power outage. In case of UPS the switch is instantaneous whereas in case of inverters there is a lag in switch.
Hence in case of critical applications like computers a UPS is needed.
For household appliances like fan, light, cooler etc. the gap is fine and hence an inverter works well.
An inverter is typically cheaper than a UPS.

Tip to Choose an Inverter

The typical usage of power appliances which you can use for approximate calculations is as in the table below ( do check the wattage of the actual appliance for calculating wattage):

The size of the inverter is measured in watts (W). The amount of wattage needed depends on the appliances that need to run.
Many appliances have wattage rated on the product. Wattage rating can also be calculated as:

Tip to Choose an Inverter

Volts x Amps = Watts

The sum of wattage of all appliance should be within the specifications of the inverter. e.g. if you are planning a 2 outlet inverter then take the sum of wattage and add another 50% to account for any surges in power draw. For example if your tubelight draws 50W and fan draws 50W you should go for at least a 150W ( 50W+50W+50% of (50W+50W) ) inverter.
Make sure the power of the inverter is listed as “continuous”. They should not draw the wattage for a short period of time and then will shut off, reset themselves and resume functioning. Such outages can be frustrating and harmful to the appliances.

There are certain appliances that need a start-up wattage which is higher than the normal running wattage e.g. a washing machine that runs at 500W might need 1000W to start. So the inverter rating should have considered 1000W instead of 500W as otherwise the washing machine will not start.

Tip to Choose an Inverter

Power inverters produce one of two different types of wave output:

• Modified Sine Wave
• True Sine Wave

Modified sine wave inverter is the most popular and cheaper. They are efficient enough to run most home appliances properly. They are also smaller than other types of inverters.

Tip to Choose an Inverter in Nigeria

True sine wave inverters are the most expensive. They deliver the most consistent, highest quality wave output.
These can have high surge capacity which indicates that they can exceed the rated wattage for limited time which is helpful in starting appliances.
Some equipment requires a true sine wave like laptops, battery chargers and so on. AC appliances will run on a true sine wave inverter.

• Have very low distortion and have clean power like normal electricity.
• Appliances using induction like microwave ovens run faster, quieter and cooler.
• Reduces audible and electrical noise in fans, fluorescent lights, music systems.
• Crashes in computers are prevented