Inverter Type Guide

Plain Inverter

This sort of inverter is often used on camping excursions and in mobile offices. It consists just of an inverter that converts DC (Direct Current) from the battery to AC (Alternating Current), which is utilised by the majority of contemporary home/office equipment. For camping reasons, one might connect the inverter to a vehicle battery to provide temporary lights or entertainment. This battery must be periodically recharged either starting the vehicle to which it is connected or by attaching it to a charge-controller that charges the battery using a tiny solar panel. These inverters come in a variety of sizes and forms; the suitable size and sine-wave must be chosen based on the intended use of the inverter. Please visit here for additional information about sine waves.

Plain Camping & Adventure inverter

UPS (Uninterruptable Power Supply) (Uninterruptable Power Supply)
A UPS is not dissimilar to a standard inverter. However, it is meant for Home, Office, or business usage. The UPS’s primary function is to provide a constant power supply to electrical equipment. In several nations, the electricity supply is unreliable or inconsistent. There are two primary varieties of UPS. Double conversion type and Switchover type. Both varieties are made up of the same internal components, but use them differently. An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) comprises of an inverter, battery charger, surge protection, and control circuits. In the case of a UPS of the Switch-over type, the UPS does not provide direct power to appliances. It rather provides power straight from the mains supply until power is lost or becomes unpredictable. In this situation, the inverter will provide electricity from the batteries. This occurs in a matter of milliseconds. The changeover period is so brief that appliances do not turn off or reset. When the utility power returns or becomes stable again, the UPS will switch back to using utility power to serve the load. Additionally, it will activate the charger to replenish the batteries. The batteries are charged until they are fully charged, and then the charger is turned off. The control circuitry will periodically check the battery level and provide a trickle charge to maintain their health. The surge protection will also safeguard the appliances from harm caused by power surges, high/low voltage, and short circuits.

Type of double conversion UPS’s components are relatively similar, but its operation is rather different. It is often used to very sensitive electrical devices, such as medical equipment and drafting printers. This UPS type continuously distributes power to appliances through the inverter, maintaining a well-managed sine-wave and voltage. In turn, the batteries are continually charged at the rate of power consumption. When utility power is interrupted or intermittent, the UPS stops charging the batteries. The batteries are now completely charged and will continue to power the inverter until the mains power is restored. The UPS’s charger is more powerful than its inverter, allowing the batteries to be completely charged in a short amount of time, even under full load.

UPS systems dislike generator power as a source of input power because generator electricity is seen as unclean and unreliable. There are nonetheless methods around this if an emergency charging scenario arises. The generator may provide an external battery charger that can charge the batteries used by the UPS.

Emergency Power UPS-supply

Grid-Tie Inverters

Grid-Tie inverters are especially intended to utilise solar energy to reduce your electricity expenditure by replacing the needed load power. Solar panels generate DC (Direct Current) electricity, the same sort of energy that batteries store. A grid-connected inverter will convert the DC electricity produced by photovoltaic (PV) panels into alternating current (AC) (Alternating Current). The grid-tied inverter will then replicate the sine-wave supplied by the mains and provide PV electricity in parallel with the mains power.

If you have a load of 2000 watts, 1000 watts of PV panels, and a 1000 watt grid-tied inverter, you will use 1000 watts of PV electricity and 1000 watts from your mains supply. However, these systems are not a kind of backup power. In the event of a loss of utility power (power failure), the grid-tied inverter does not have a sine wave to replicate in order to assist with the load. By legislation, it then turns off to avoid the possibility of someone working on the power line being electrocuted. However, these systems may be paired with a backup system to assist with heavier loads during daytime hours, allowing for the usage of a smaller backup system.

Provincial Grid-Tie Inverter Statute

Off-Grid inverters

Off-Grid inverters are intended to be as strong, durable, and efficient as possible because to their everyday usage in demanding environments. In extreme circumstances, these inverters may use grid or generator power as an alternate backup source. Off-Grid inverters are distinguished by their direct PV input and ability to manage “Solar,” “Battery,” and “Utility” (Mains or Generator) independently. These machines are extensively configurable to accommodate specific needs.

Off-Grid devices do not need to be completely off the grid; they may substitute electricity like a grid connection inverter and function as a backup power system. These are ideal for those wishing to start on a modest budget and expand their system as their finances allow. Many of these devices may be interconnected to provide greater power, three-phase electricity, or both! These devices’ three inputs may be configured to meet your specific power requirements.

Example: The unit may be set to “UBS” (Backup power) (Utility-Battery-Solar). This device may be built without solar panels as a backup power source for a novice who is weary of blackouts but lacks the funds to go completely off the grid. Using the mains first and the battery as a backup when the mains fail, similar to a basic UPS. PV Panels may be installed at a later date to assist provide electricity and reduce monthly power costs, eventually paying for themselves.

If you do not yet have the funds to go off-grid, the unit may be placed with a limited number of solar panels and configured to “Solar”-“Utility”-“Battery.” In this instance, the PV panels will provide as much of the load as possible, with assistance from Utility. If the utility (Mains) fails, the system continues to function as a power backup by delivering solar energy first, followed by batteries.

Example (Off-Grid): This is the objective we all share. This system is less expensive than Eskom and municipal electricity, more dependable, and cleaner! In this instance, the inverters are set to “SBU” (Solar-Battery-Utility) and the utility might be a backup generator utilised in the event of extended rain or snow. During the day, the inverter supplies the whole load with PV solar energy and charges the batteries for the evening. If the solar array’s capacity is exceeded, the batteries will help for the appropriate amount of time and then continue charging.

Off Grid Systems

solar-off-grid

Charge Regulators

Charge controllers are essentially battery chargers that accept Solar DC power as input rather than conventional electricity. If you already have a UPS or basic inverter, you may utilise a charge controller to charge its batteries rather than the mains. Depending on the UPS or inverter, the charge controller may enable semi-off-grid operation.

A modest inverter linked to a battery may provide electricity all day and charge a battery array for nighttime usage. The charge controller and PV Panel size must be determined to ensure that sufficient power is being supplied to manage the load and charge the battery.

Example (UPS): By charging the battery of your UPS with the charge controller during the day and operating on battery power at night, you may achieve the same fundamental function in your house or workplace. If you run out of battery power, you will have the extra advantage of being able to charge the batteries using mains power. However, a sufficiently sized charge controller, PV array, and battery bank are recommended, since cycling your batteries this thoroughly every day can cause them to sulphate rapidly and limit their lifespan. See “DoD Battery” (Depth of discharge).

Controllers of Charge

Important: ALL inverters can only handle their given power rating, regardless of whether they are in battery mode or supplying mains electricity! This is due to the fact that the unit’s internal components are of a given size, the surge protection is rated for a specific wattage, and the cooling system is intended to withstand a specific amount of heat generated by the load. The majority of inverters provide up to three to six times the load for a few seconds to accommodate inductive load start-up. If the load remains excessive beyond the allotted period, the inverter will turn it off until it becomes manageable.

Many customers inquire, “Can’t I use a smaller unit?” When the power goes off, I’ll just use certain lights and outlets…” Unfortunately, the answer is no, since you will continue to use the same load when connected to the power grid.