The uninterrupted power supply is a basic necessity in the existing scenario, where offices are run from anywhere and at any time. The cost-effective and simple solution to meet such needs is inverters. These devices accompanied with battery help offer an effective backup regardless of the time of power outage. The duration however depends on the type of battery.
Apart from these basic facts, there are more technical aspects associated with inverters, such as ‘what is an inverter and how does it work’. These are essential to be known for informed decision-making. Further, their benefits in terms of cost savings and other boons must also be well understood to decide their need in your life. So, read on to be enlightened.
What is an Inverter?
An inverter is an electronic device that provides an Alternating Current (AC) power supply from the stored Direct Current (DC). The DC power can be obtained from the main grid or solar panel and stored in the inverter battery. The stored energy as DC is then converted into AC by inverter to power the appliances.
Types of Inverters
There are three types of inverters commonly available and used in India. They are described below:
Square Wave Inverters
They generate AC current in the square waveform, making it comparatively less efficient compared to pure and modified sine wave inverters. They are easily available in the market. These inverters are well-suited for applications where only some devices are to be connected to the inverter or the ones that require minimal power for startup. Also, they make noise.
Modified Sine-Wave Inverters
They offer better efficiency and compatibility with the appliances while allowing connection with multiple devices simultaneously. They are well-suited for powering the appliances that do not need a start-up surge of power and the ones with resistive loads such as electric heaters, ovens, coffee machines and others. These inverters are cost-effective as compared to pure sine wave inverters.
The downside associated with these inverters is the few minutes taken to get on and off during the power outages. They can also impact the appliance performance intermittently at irregular periods, causing flickering of lights and noise generation in appliances.
Pure Sine-Wave Inverters
These are the most suitable inverters for usage due to their production of smooth and consistent current. They are reliable, and their power supply matches that of the main grid power supply. These inverters can be used for appliances with heavy power requirements and can be used simultaneously with multiple devices. They are also compatible with sensitive electronic devices. However, they are more costly compared to other options due to their better performance.
How Does an Inverter Work?
To understand inverter how does it work, here is a stepwise insight into its mechanism:
Step 1: The inverter battery stores the electricity available from the main supply. It can also obtain electricity from renewable resource such as solar energy, where electricity generated from solar panels is used for storage. If the supply is in AC, it is converted into DC for storage.
Step 2: In the case of a power outage, the stored electricity in DC is converted back to AC by the inverter. This supply reaches the connected appliances and provides them with power to start again and run continuously until the electricity source in the battery runs out or until the power is back.
Step 3: Once the main supply is back, the appliances get direct electricity from the main source. The inverter battery starts charging again.
Hence, this is how a power inverter works to offer an uninterrupted power supply.
Benefits of Using an Inverter
Knowing how inverter works and other aspects, let’s shed some light on their benefits apart from working as a power backup. So, the advantages of the inverters are:
Enhanced Energy Efficiency and Sustainability
The inverters optimize power usage thus exhibiting enhanced energy efficiency. They do so by supplying electricity only when needed thus reducing the energy waste. Further, the capability to use the solar energy adds to the sustainable and clean use while lowering the carbon footprint.
Flexibility in Power Supply
The inverter is a backup service that enables an uninterrupted power supply. The automatic switching between grid power and stored energy offers flexible usage in case of any power outage.
Power Quality Improvement
With pure sine wave inverters designed to offer electricity capable of powering sensitive devices, the delivery of improved power quality is another benefit of inverters. They provide stable voltage and frequency and reduce power fluctuations and noise to ensure proper quality.
Smart Monitoring and Control
Modern inverters are now equipped with real-time performance monitoring options. It includes monitoring energy production and consumption. They also come equipped with enhanced safety and remote monitoring and control options.
Economic Benefits
The capability to use solar energy for electricity storage exhibits their ability to run without a grid source. It is a cost-efficient option that helps lower long-term energy bills.
Conclusion
Inverters are no longer just power backup devices. They have transcended to become smart, energy-efficient and cost-effective options. Providing uninterrupted power supply, you must understand in ‘how inverter works’ that the inverter betteries get along with both solar power and grid electricity for recharging.
Knowing their types, benefits, what is an inverter and how does it work, the choice of finalizng an inverter would be easy and better. Further, to proceed with placing orders in bulk, to avail easy loan facility or to get competitive and high quality quotes for products from multiple sellers within 24 hours, explore L&T-SuFin now. Moreover, find the off-grid solar inverter and the on-grid solar inverter here.
FAQ
What is the basic principle of the inverter?
The basic principle of the inverter is that it stores electricity in the battery in the form of DC. During power outages, the DC is converted into AC by inverter to provide backup power.
Does an inverter save electricity?
The ability to integrate with the renewable energy sources for obtaining the energy and also the ability to provide electricity only when needed helps the inverters save electricity.
Can an inverter cause a high electricity bill?
The power usage by inverter battery for recharging is negligible. Further, the high efficiency devices lower the wastage of delivered energy. Hence, the inverters do not cause significant increase in electricity bill. However, the impact may vary depending on inverter efficiency and frequency of power outage.
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