Power cuts is a regular feature in our country and though you remain hopeful that things will change in the near future, some alternative is needed till then to fill the gap between the power supply and its increasing demand. Power inverters are a useful option to relieve the inconvenience of power cuts for every household. However, to achieve cost effective utilization, it is essential to choose the inverter with great care.
The advantage of UPS or uninterrupted power supply is obtained if you have an inverter at your disposal. Inverter comprises of three units namely the battery, charger and the inverter itself. The charger charges the battery by connecting it to the power source during the time of regular electricity supply. When the electricity supply from the regular utility stops, the inverter comes into the picture. It converts the Direct Current (DC) to Alternating Current (AC) and provides power for use in the household.
Various factors determine whether you have made the right choice of an inverter. Listed below are these factors:
- Match of power requirements of the application with inverter
- Power capacity of inverter
- Power quality of inverter
- Type of Batteries
The power requirements of the applications have to be determined to calculate the inverter load. You will know the number of watts needed of the inverter to run the applications smoothly. If your power requirements fall between two ranges of the inverter’s power ratings, it is advisable to choose the one with higher watts.
The power capacity of the inverter can be explained through three kinds. The first is a continuous rating followed by limited-time rating and the third is surge rating. Continuous rating is the wattage that can be handled by the inverter on an ongoing basis, limited-time rating as the name suggests is the wattage that can be handled for a limited period. The surge rating is the amount of overloaded wattage which is needed to start the device.
Power quality refers to the quality of power supplied and based on this criterion the inverters are classified into the Modified Sine Wave inverters and the Pure Sine Wave ones. The former type is less expensive but also less efficient with a buzz like sound generated during the period of its use. Its angular wave creates distortion that affects electrical load for sophisticated equipment like computers, audio systems, video game consoles etc. Hence, it is wise to choose the Pure Sine Wave inverter for high-end appliances, though they are more expensive. They ensure power supply similar to what is supplied by the utilities and this makes them cost-efficient.
The kind of batteries used are another important factor that determine the level of efficiencies achieved. Of the three type of batteries available namely Flat Plate batteries, Maintenance Free batteries and Tubular batteries, the third type is the most expensive but has the longest life with medium maintenance as compared to the other two.
Power Inverters are used in various applications besides households such as for cars, boats, other vehicles or any other application which requires conversion of DC power into AC power. It is very essential to select the right one for maximum results.