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.

Top 3 Reasons Why Pure Sine Wave Inverters are Better than Power Generators

When it comes to mobile power solutions, today's consumers usually have two options: power generators and pure sine wave inverters. While power generators are a common choice because they have been around for years and many people believe that they are relatively cheaper, a power inverter is still a far better choice to make.

Power inverter vs power generator

If you have a penchant for camping and travelling or you are frequently assigned to do field work, having an inverter in your vehicle instead of a power generator can definitely be a huge advantage. Here are some of the reasons why.

No 1: Inverters are more eco-friendly. A power inverter utilises high-speed electrical switches and transformers to convert DC power stored in a battery to AC power. As a result, the power conversion process is much safer to the environment because it is free from noise and pollution. A power generator, on the other hand, is the total opposite of the inverter. It produces AC power through an engine that consumes fossil fuel such as diesel, propane, and petrol. When the fuel is burned, it creates smoke, which contributes to air pollution. It is quite noisy, too.

No 2: An inverter has better peak output power. In a nut shell, peak output power is the ability of a power source to provide more than its rated power to start a load. Despite its compact size, a power inverter has peak output power that is often two to three times the number of its continuous power rating. For example, a boat inverter with a continuous power rating of 1500 watts can have a peak output power of at least 3000 watts.

A power generator, meanwhile, generally has poor peak power capability. Because of its inherent operating characteristics, its peak output power is usually no more than 110% to 125% of its continuous power rating. What's more, if you need to operate tools and appliances that require a huge draw, you will require a bigger power generator.

No 3: An inverter doesn't require extensive maintenance. Other than inspecting your car batteries from time to time and ensuring that the power inverter is stored and wired properly, there isn't much to do with this electronic device, as far as maintenance is concerned. A power generator, on the other hand, requires periodic maintenance to keep it in good shape. You also need to change oil after every 200 hours of use, which can put a dent on your budget if you're using the generator frequently.

If you're after bigger savings and maximum convenience, a power inverter is definitely a better option to consider than a power generator. Meanwhile, if you want to purchase 24v and 12v inverters at affordable prices, you should check out Elinz Electronics.

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. 

Inverters to Get More Popular as Victoria Town Contemplates Switching to Renewable Energy

It is no secret that inverters are not just used in vehicles. They are also an essential part of a rooftop solar system because they convert the electricity generated from the solar module from DC power to standard household AC power. With Victoria's Labour Party planning to encourage everyone living in the town of Newstead to switch to renewable energy by 2017, it seems that the popularity of these devices will continue to soar in the coming years.

 According to reports, the Victorian Labour Party wants to convert Newstead, a town of just over 500 people on the Loddon River and about 55 kilometres from Bendigo and 120 kilometres northwest of Melbourne, to become the state's first "solar town." As part of the initiative, focus will be given primarily on the use of solar power and battery storage.

The Labour Party said it will provide $200,000 of grant funding for the local community group behind the project. This will help the organisation draw up a master plan, which is expected to include the purchase of solar panels and pure sine wave inverters. Lily D' Ambrosio, Victoria's shadow minister for Energy and Resources, said the project will greatly benefit everyone living in Newstead.

"Not only will the residents in Newstead reduce their reliance on coal fired power and cut their carbon footprint, they will be driving down household costs through cheaper energy bills," D'Ambrosio said in a statement. She added that the initiative would serve as an example of what the government and the local community can do if they work together. Environment Victoria, an organisation dedicated to promoting the use of renewable energy in the state, also agreed, saying that the initiative could create a "valuable template" that can be used across Victoria.

Meanwhile, if you're thinking of switching to renewable energy, now is the best time to invest in good power inverters. Aside from the fact that you can connect them to solar panels so you can convert the power of the sun to standard household electricity, they also enable you to use a wide variety of electronic devices and power tools wherever you are. All you have to do is to connect the inverter to the battery of your car so you can have a reliable mobile power source.

If you're looking for quality pure sine wave power inverters either for your car or for your solar panels, be sure to check out Elinz Electronics. We offer inverter of different sizes and wattages depending on your specific needs and requirements.