Pure Sine Wave Inverters

WHAT IS AN INVERTER?

An inverter is a device that converts 12-volt (or 24-volt) direct current into 220-volt alternating current. Sources of direct current can be 12-volt storage batteries or 24-volt solar batteries.

An inverter is a device that uses energy from one or more storage batteries, usually deep-cycle, and converts it into usable electrical energy. To ensure continuous operation of the inverter, the batteries need to be charged periodically. For this, you can use a car or stationary generator, a charger connected to the 220-volt mains, or alternative energy sources such as solar panels, a wind turbine, etc.

Where and why is an inverter used?

An inverter is a device that allows you to draw electricity from a storage battery and convert it to 220 volts. The most common and simple use of an inverter is as a backup power source from a car. For this, the inverter is connected to the car's battery, and any electrical appliance that runs on 220V mains power can be plugged into it.

An inverter can power household appliances such as electrical devices, a computer, a TV, a refrigerator, and others. It can be used anywhere there is access to a battery and a way to charge it, for example, at a country house, while traveling, or during a power outage.

So, if the power goes out at your country house, you can use an inverter and a storage battery to supply electricity to any appliances, including a TV, refrigerator, and others, and get access to electricity whenever needed.

An inverter can be used for autonomous power supply to power tools at a construction or renovation site where there is no access to 220V mains. Also, an uninterruptible power system with storage batteries and an inverter can supply lighting and appliances in a house during an external power outage, and automatically charge the batteries once power is restored. A special application area for inverters is solar power systems, which convert 24-volt direct current into 220-volt household alternating current using an inverter.

Inverter or generator?

You can use either a generator or an inverter as a backup power source. However, an inverter has certain advantages, such as no noise, no need for gasoline or diesel fuel, and minimal maintenance requirements due to having no moving parts. In some cases, a generator can be used to recharge storage batteries in inverter systems, particularly in uninterruptible power systems for cottages.

Main characteristics of inverters?

Power is almost the main characteristic of all inverters. In second place is whether it produces a pure or non-pure sine wave.

How do inverters differ from each other?

Inverters differ from each other in terms of output power, input current voltage (12, 24, 48 volts), type of output alternating current (pure or modified wave), presence or absence of a built-in charger, load-switching relay, type of output connection (sockets on the inverter housing or wire terminal connections), as well as the presence of additional functions such as the ability to program operating parameters, remote control, or various control relays.

What is an inverter with a charger?

This device contains an inverter and an automatic charger in a single housing. If the external 220-volt power source is disconnected, the inverter switches your household equipment's power supply to the storage batteries. When the external power source returns, the automatic charger starts up to charge the storage batteries.

Peak power and output power - what does this mean?

Output power and peak power are two different characteristics of an inverter. Peak power indicates the maximum power the inverter can supply for a short time, usually a few seconds, to start an electrical appliance with a starting power that may be higher than the inverter's rated power. After starting, the electrical appliance switches to normal consumption mode, or output power, which is usually lower than peak power. An inverter can usually handle peak power that is 1.5 times or more above its output power. This allows electrical appliances connected to the inverter to be started even if their starting power exceeds the inverter's rated power.

Pure sine wave inverter or quasi-sine (modified sine) inverter?

Pure sine wave current is current that has the shape of a pure sinusoidal oscillation, which is ideal, without any distortions or changes in shape. This type of current is the most efficient for powering electronic equipment, as it provides minimal energy loss and reduces noise and interference. A quasi-sine wave is current that has a shape similar to a sine wave, but with some distortions that change the waveform. It is used in some types of inverters that are less expensive products, but they can have a negative effect on some types of electronic equipment, such as gas boiler automation, circulation pumps, switching power supplies for electronic devices, and even some types of household appliances, which can fail due to the adverse effect of the current. Therefore, for reliable power supply to some types of equipment, it is recommended to use pure sine wave current.

What types of batteries can be used? Can car batteries be connected?

Most portable car inverters up to 500 W will be able to provide you with 220 volts for 30-60 minutes from a car battery, even if the engine is not running. However, the operating time depends on the condition and age of the battery, as well as on the power consumed by 220-volt equipment. If you use the inverter with the car engine off, your battery will drain, so you need to run the engine for at least 10 minutes every hour to charge it.

If you need a constant mobile 220V power source in your car for large and prolonged loads, we recommend purchasing a separate deep-cycle battery capable of withstanding several hundred full discharge-charge cycles. Regular starter car batteries are designed for short loads when starting engines and are not suitable for backup power systems. As a rule, inverters over 500 W and stationary uninterruptible power inverters require a more powerful deep-cycle battery.

When choosing a battery, it's worth paying attention to its type. Although a classic car battery is the cheapest option, gel or AGM batteries, although more expensive, release fewer chemicals during operation and will last you much longer. It's also important to pay attention to the voltage and capacity of the battery. For home use and a 300 W inverter, 12V batteries with a capacity of 50 to 80 amp-hours will work, depending on your budget. For a 500 W inverter, you should choose a battery of 100 Ah or more.

What is needed to connect an inverter? 

Portable 300 W inverters can be connected to a battery using terminal clamps (crocodile clips). But if the inverter has a power rating over 500 W, it needs to be hard-wired to the battery to avoid sparking at the contacts.

The basic rule is that thick wires of the shortest possible length should be used for the direct current connection. If the inverter needs to be installed far from the battery, it is recommended to use an extension cord/power strip for the 220V alternating current. The direct current connection (from the batteries to the inverter) should be no more than 3 meters.

Also, for high-power uninterruptible power systems, it is recommended to install a circuit breaker or fuse on the DC side to avoid possible hazardous situations.

What inverter power should you choose?

ECOTEPLO offers NOQON NST inverters with a power of 300 W and 1000 W, each available in a 12V or 24V version (depending on your battery type).

300 W is usually enough to power lighting, a router, phone and laptop charging, and a small TV during a power outage.

1000 W allows you to additionally connect devices such as a heating circulation pump or a low-power heater. Please note: these models come without a built-in charger - the battery needs to be charged with a separate charger.