When it comes to purchasing an inverter, it’s important to have knowledge of how to choose the right one. With so many types of inverters available in the market, each with different outputs and power ratings, it can be difficult to determine which one is best for your needs. That’s why having comprehensive guidance is essential.
Today, we will provide tips on selecting the appropriate inverter for your home or workplace. Remember, information is power. Let’s dive in.
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How to Choose the Right Type of Inverter
Define Your Needs
The first step in choosing the right inverter is to define your needs. Understand the type of appliance you are using and its sensitivity. I will explain this further. Let’s start with a sine wave inverter:
Choosing a Sine Wave Inverter
If your equipment is sensitive, it requires a pure sinusoidal voltage to operate properly. Therefore, you need to use a pure sine wave inverter. Most equipment functions well with a pure sine wave, so it’s advisable to stick with it.
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Choosing a Modified Sine Wave Inverter
Some equipment can tolerate voltage fluctuations to some extent without being damaged. For example, people often complain about energy bulbs dying while running on an inverter. This is likely because they are using a quasi-sine wave inverter. The advantage of these inverters is their cost, but the main drawback is the fluctuations.
Devices That May Be Damaged by a Modified (Quasi) Sine Wave
While inexpensively modified sine wave inverters may be suitable for general household use, there are certain devices you should avoid connecting to them:
- Appliances like refrigerators, microwaves, and compressors that run on AC motors may not function at full capacity with a modified sine wave inverter.
- Running an AC motor on a quasi-sine wave inverter can lead to excessive heat waste, potentially damaging the equipment.
- Delicate medical equipment like CPAP machines and oxygen concentrators should not be used with a quasi-sine wave inverter.
- A quasi-sine wave inverter may cause interference when powering a radio, making it difficult to listen to.
- Lighting systems that use electronic ballasts, such as energy bulbs, do not work well with quasi-sine wave inverters.
- Silicon-controlled rectifier devices are not compatible with quasi-sine wave inverters.
- Devices like laser printers and photocopiers should also not be connected to a quasi-sine wave inverter.
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Many electronics work just fine with a modified sine wave inverter, as long as they don’t use AC motors, aren’t delicate medical equipment, and don’t fall into any of the other listed scenarios. For example, laptops are generally compatible.
There is much more to learn about selecting the right type of inverter, but what I’ve explained here provides the basics. So, when considering using an inverter to power your home or office, make sure you know how to choose the right inverter before purchasing.
