What is the difference between a UPS and an inverter?
Both uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) and power inverters are used to provide power, but their working principles are different. Today let's discuss the difference between UPS and inverter and understand how they work.
What is an inverter?
Inverters are designed to provide uninterrupted power for the operation of household appliances. These home inverters work with various voltages and different loads (air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, ovens, induction hobs, etc.). This power backup system includes an additional DC (battery) source to store converted energy. Another point to note is that when the mains power is on, the inverter works in reverse, converting the AC power to DC to charge the battery. Since the battery is connected to the outside of the inverter, usually a higher capacity battery between 100Ah-200Ah is used, providing 2 hours to 5 hours of power backup.
In addition, during the mains power outage, it takes about 5-10 milliseconds for the inverter relay to switch from mains to battery power, and the computer will not be powered off.
Inverter advantages: 1. Cheap price
2. Wide range of uses, can be used in home, office, RV, truck, RV, yacht, water pump, industrial plant, agriculture, solar energy system, etc.
3. Different batteries can be configured according to different backup time requirements.
Disadvantage: The conversion time is 5-10MS longer than UPS
What is UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply)?
A UPS is a device that supplies energy to a load in the event of a power failure, just like an inverter. UPS generally has a built-in battery of about 5ah ~ 10ah, which can provide backup power for 15 ~ 30 minutes in case of power failure. Bulk systems have batteries external to the UPS, but functionality depends on the UPS type.
Advantages: 0MS conversion time, can be used on high-precision equipment,
shortcoming
- 1) The working temperature is high and a large heat sink is required 2) The components used must have the ability to withstand high temperatures
3) More expensive than the inverter
Combination of UPS and Inverter
After knowing all the differences between UPS and inverter, you need to consider your needs before making a choice. For example, offices with extensive computer and communication equipment often require backup inverter power. On the other hand, a bank or hospital may need an online UPS. A home that uses only ventilation and lighting can use an inverter, which can provide power backup for a few hours. You can determine the best configuration with a professional appraisal of the house.
We hope that after our explanation, you have understood the difference between UPS and inverter, and you can choose the power system that best suits your needs.