How Do Electrical Appliances Draw Electricity from Power Inverters?

Power inverters provide mobile power solutions for people who need to use electrical appliances and power tools on the go. These devices are perfect camping or boating companions because they are lightweight, easy to store, and do not produce smoke or loud noises.

                                       

Take note, however, that inverters do not create or generate their own power, like conventional power generators do. They simply convert DC power from a power source into usable AC electricity. As such, to use an inverter properly, the first thing you need to do is connect it to a stable DC power source, like your car’s battery or a solar PV system, and then plug in the appliance that you want to use.

3 ways appliances draw power from an inverter

Now, let’s get to the other side of the inverter connection. Appliances draw power from inverters differently. They can be split into three groups depending on the way they draw current from a power source. These groups are: resistive, inductive, and capacitive loads.

1. Resistive loads. When you use a vehicle inverter, you will notice that appliances with resistive loads always draw a constant power in watts from your power supply. For example, a 60-watt lighting globe will always draw 60 watts from your car’s battery at all times. Because of this, resistive loads are the easiest appliances for an inverter to run.

2. Inductive loads. Inductive loads are mostly appliances or tools with an electric motor. A good example of them are refrigerators, air conditioners, water pumps, and air compressors. Unlike resistive loads, inductive loads require more power to start them up. But once they are running, they usually draw a lower and more constant power for the rest of their operation.

If you’re going to use an inverter to operate a household appliance with inductive load, make sure that its surge or peak power rating is suitable for the latter. For example, let’s say you have a 500-watt water pump. Make sure that you get a 2000w inverter with a peak power rating of 4000 watts so you can start the device.

Here’s an example computation that can help you in choosing what inverters will workyou’re your appliance.

Appliance: water pump

Voltage: 500w

Starting Power: 3-7 times

a. 500w (appliance voltage) x 3 (starting power) = 1500w Peak Power of appropriate inverters

          This shows that 1500w Inverters will work for your appliance because this inverter has a peak power of 3000w.

b. 500w (appliance voltage) x 7 (starting power) = 3500w Peak Power of appropriate inverters

          This shows 2000w Inverters will work for your appliance because this inverter has a peak power of 4000w.

3. Capacitive loads. Like inductive loads, capacitive loads require a huge amount of power when starting up. However, the difference between the two is that capacitive loads need large surge current to start only when they haven’t been used for quite some time.

So how can you tell if an electrical appliance has capacitive load? If an appliance has a large capacitor in their power supply that must be charged immediately when it is switched on, then that appliance has capacitive load. Examples include televisions, computer monitors, and power amplifiers.

Do you need a 12v inverter for your upcoming trip? Then visit us at Elinz Electronics. We offer a wide range of quality inverters with different sizes and wattages.

4 Frequently Asked Questions about Pure Sine Wave Power Inverters and Their Answers

Pure sine wave power inverters are a great option to consider if you need to use electrical appliances off the power grid. For starters, they are much smaller and easier to transport than conventional power generators. They don't require petrol and are much easier to maintain, too. In addition, storage isn't a huge problem. When you're done using them, you can just keep them in the boot of your car or under the two front seats. With the convenience they bring, these electronic devices are indeed a must-have for campers and truck drivers, as well as emergency and field workers.

Must-know facts about a pure sine wave inverter

You probably have a few questions about an inverter and how it works, especially if this is your first time buying one for your vehicle. To help you out, here are some of the frequently asked questions about this device and their answers.

No 1. If they convert DC power to AC power, why are they called "inverters?" Before the creation of an inverter, there are devices called "converters." The original converters are large electromechanical devices used to convert AC to DC. Now if you "invert" the connections of an inverter, you put DC in and get AC out. Therefore, an inverter is basically an inverted version of a converter.

No 2. How long can I use my inverter? The runtime, or the amount of time that the inverter will power connected electrical devices, will ultimately depend of the amount of battery power available and the load that it is supporting. In general, as you increase the load or plug in more electrical appliances, the runtime will decrease. If you want to use the inverter for a longer amount of time, you can attach more batteries. According to experts, there is no limit to the number of batteries that can be connected to an inverter.

No 3. Can an extension cord be used with pure sine wave inverters? While many experts encourage users to keep the inverter as close to the batteries as possible to prevent signal loss, an extension cord can be used for you convenience. As a matter of fact, it was said that an inverter can sustain a connection of up to 60 metres without signal loss.

No 4. How fast does an inverter usually respond? It doesn't take that long for an inverter to start converting DC power to AC power. When connected to an electrical device and switched on, the inverter will start working in less than 20 milliseconds.

Are you looking for quality car inverters? Then visit us at Elinz Electronics. We offer inverters of different sizes for 12v and 24v vehicles.

3 Vital Questions to Find the Right Pure Sine Wave Inverter For You

Are you the type of person that is constantly on the road? Then you probably have a lot of gadgets and devices with you that need a place to charge or power them up. Then a pure sine wave inverter will definitely help you out. This spectacular device will be able to give a solution to this dilemma. It can actually provide energy to a lot of smart devices and even household appliances, such as a microwave, by converting the energy from your vehicle’s battery into the energy suited for your gadget or appliance. Here are some thoughtful questions you may want to consider as you try to find the right inverter for you:

“What type of inverters should you use?” There are two types to choose from when it comes to vehicle inverters. The first one is the pure sine wave power inverter, which is considered to be a great choice. This type of inverter’s performance is a lot smoother and better. Even if you have a gadget or a device with a complex needs, a sine wave inverter can power it up without a hitch.  The second type is called a modified square inverter. This is the cheapest between the two, but there are certain complications it presents while using it with your device.

The next question you should ask is “what size of the inverter should you get?” There are certain factors you need to consider when figuring out the answer to this question.

Try to consider the type of gadgets and devices you will use the inverter on. There are inverters that are compact and lightweight, which is perfect for powering up smaller devices such as mobile phones, laptops and video recorder. There are also inverters that could accommodate television, radios, and household appliances.

The biggest factor you should take note of is the amount of voltage these devices can consume. Just add up the voltages of the appliances or gadgets you will bring and then compare this with the inverter you have in mind. This information can help you decide what kind of inverter you will need.

Last question you should think about is “what input/output voltage do you need?” To know the kind of input voltage you’ll need, you have to select an inverter that compliments the voltage of the battery supplying power to it. For example if you have 12V battery then a 12V DC inverter is the right choice for you. To select a sine wave inverter based on the output voltage all you have to do is check out where you live. In Australia the average output voltage of appliances is 220V-250V AC power. 

How Inverters Can Help You Out this Holiday Season

With the sun shining brightly and the kids having a break from school, the holiday season is indeed the best time for camping and road trips. Going on outdoor adventures during Christmas has been a tradition in the country since time immemorial and every year, hundreds of Australian families are travelling to various scenic spots across Australia to take a time away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

If you're planning to take your family out this holiday season, make sure that you equip your car with a power inverter. Inverters make the perfect travelling companion this holiday season because they can provide you with the electricity you need without having to rely on a big, bulky, and noisy power generator. Here's how this nifty piece of equipment can help you.

No 1: Power up the kids' game consoles. Children are notorious for being loud and annoying when they are bored and cooped up inside a vehicle for an extended period of time. One way to keep them from throwing a tantrum is to let them play with their game consoles. However, trouble starts when the batteries run out. But if you have an inverter in your car, this won't be a huge problem.

Pure sine wave inverters can keep the kids' game consoles going long after their batteries have ran out. This allows your children to enjoy their games to their hearts' content. Thanks to the inverter, you can travel to your destination in peace and without your kids pestering you because of boredom.

No 2: Enjoy various electrical appliances on the go. Aside from camping, boating is another favourite pastime among Australians during the holiday season. If you're planning to do this activity with your friends and/or family, preparing meals or keeping everyone entertained can be a challenge because, as you may know, boats don't usually have power outlets. As a result, you cannot easily use appliances to help you prepare meals or entertain guests.

With an inverter on your boat, however, everything is a piece of cake. You have a portable power source that you can use to power up the electrical devices you need to operate. Whether it's a blender, a microwave oven, or a stereo player, an inverter connected to the boat's battery can provide for your power needs.

No 3: Quick and reliable power source during emergency situation. While it seldom and rarely happens, experiencing a sudden power outage in the middle of the Christmas festivities is still a possibility. But with a power inverter, you don't have to worry about ruining the celebrations due to the power outage. You can just plug in important home appliances to the device until the power supply resumes.

Indeed, vehicle inverters are a huge help this holiday season. So if you want to make the most of your Christmas celebrations, be sure to find a power inverter that matches your needs. Visit Elinz Electronics and choose from a wide range of inverters we have on offer.

3 Helpful Tips on Choosing the Right Power Inverter for You

Nowadays, people are constantly bringing gadgets everywhere they go, which is why a power inverter has become a staple among many car owners. This nifty device can actually help you power up a majority of your devices since cars don’t normally have enough A/C power outlets. There are plenty of models, sizes, and brands of power inverters for you to choose from. Here are three basic tips that could help you find the right inverter.

Tip No 1: Choose the right model for your needs. Most car owners are not familiar with the right power inverter model needed for their cars. Think about the quality and the price as you look for the perfect vehicle inverter for you. Don’t settle for cheap inverters that will not last long. Experts advise people to invest in a more expensive inverter because it does last longer than cheap models. In relation to the first tip, you must do your research by seeing product reviews online before making your purchase. See the reactions of other people regarding a certain product and once you have gathered the sufficient information, make your decision.

In addition, you should purchase a power inverter that has a built-in cooling fan because it is typical for inverters to build up heat while in use. This fan will ensure the proper functionality of the device. Also, models that have metal components are much more ideal to use compared to plastic ones because they are considered to be a lot more durable.

Tip No 2: Figure out the right inverter size. Inverters can come in varying sizes and you should definitely know which size is the right one for you. There are small inverters available with 100 watts of power and there are also 3,000 watts inverters that have 4 A/C outlets. You need to think about the number of gadgets you will bring before making any hasty decision. To successfully compute the necessary size of the inverter for your car, calculate the total watts of the electronic devices to be used on board. As soon as you figure out the math, it will become easier for you to know the necessary size of the power inverter you will purchase.

Tip No 3: When in doubt, install a 100 watt inverter model. This kind of inverter is the easiest to install because it is simply plugged into the cigarette lighter plug. If your budget doesn’t allow you to invest in larger power inverters, then a simple 100 watt model can still do some good.

Hopefully, these tips can help you find the right power inverter that will satisfy your needs. If you have more questions regarding this particular product, do not hesitate to contact us.