Home Inverter and Batteries: Everything You Need to Know!
You don’t go to buy an inverter daily. Therefore, whenever the need hits you, make a smart choice of buying an efficient inverter that meets your requirement. The following compilation is a good reference to know the what, when and how of buying an inverter.
To begin with, know your power requirements and what electrical home appliances you will need/want to run on the inverter when there is no power. After all, you need that inverter to be able to operate your basic household electrical appliances. The first thing is to calculate how much backup you want, or how many appliances you want to support. Since each appliance has a different power requirement, it is advisable to note down what appliances are a must so that it will be easy for you to decide what capacity of inverter /battery you should purchase.
For example, If you want to support 4 fans, 3 tube lights, 3 CFL bulbs and one television, the total power requirement is (4 x 80 + 3 x 40 + 3 x 20 + 120) = 620 watts. So you will need an inverter that can support those 620 watts. Considering a power factor of 0.8, you will need an inverter/UPS of minimum 775 VA, or above, capacity.
Know-how of Buying an Inverter
Buying an inverter that meets your requirement and comes within your budget is dependent on many factors like the following:
Types of inverter
There are three types of inverter based on the wave forms.
- Sine-wave inverter (most recommended): This is the correct waveform on which all electronic equipment, televisions and computers are designed to run. They filter the output voltage well. Although a bit costly, these are the best choices when it comes to handling electronic / heavier appliances.
- Modified sine-wave inverter (budget-friendly): These are slightly cheaper compared to sine wave inverters but works with the majority of the home appliances. However, these may reduce the power efficiency when used longer.
- Square-wave inverter (avoid): These are the simplest and cheapest of all, but works only with simple equipments. Computers, televisions, induction motors, transformer loads and even light bulbs are not recommended to run on this waveform, because the square wave has a high harmonic content.
Sine-wave inverters are expensive compared to the other two types, but are the best for high sensitivity electronic equipments/heavy appliances. Modified sine-wave inverters are best for appliances with medium power requirements – for example, for televisions, laptop chargers, etc. Square-wave inverters are the least efficient inverters and can power only low-sensitivity applications such as lighting and heating.
Inverter battery
kW and VA
Watts (W) and volt-amperes (VA) are units of measurement for electrical power. Watts refers to ‘real power’, while volt-amperes refer to ‘apparent power’. Electronic products show one or both of these values to provide information about how much energy they will consume or how much current they will draw.
The battery is the backbone of an inverter system. The performance and back up time of an inverter largely depends upon the battery quality and capacity. When you want to know ‘how much backup will the inverter provide’ or ‘for how many hours it can run all of your equipments’, you need to check the battery capacity. It is the battery capacity that decides the backup hours. It is expressed in Ah (ampere hours).
Tubular batteries and maintenance free batteries are popular nowadays. While on the costlier side, these have much higher storage capacity and longer life spans when compared to flat-plate batteries.
The battery is the backbone of an inverter system. The performance and back up time of an inverter largely depends upon the battery quality and capacity. When you want to know ‘how much backup will the inverter provide’ or ‘for how many hours it can run all of your equipments’, you need to check the battery capacity. It is the battery capacity that decides the backup hours. It is expressed in Ah (ampere hours).
Tubular batteries and maintenance free batteries are popular nowadays. While on the costlier side, these have much higher storage capacity and longer life spans when compared to flat-plate batteries.
What appliances can you run on the inverter?
An inverter is usually used for running energy backup for lights, ceiling fans, computers, television, etc. If you wish to run the refrigerator, washing machine, air conditioner, etc., you need to buy a higher-capacity inverter.
How to Choose Battery Size
Batteries are available in various ampere-hour capacities. You need to first decide how much backup you require. Here is the formula to calculate the backup:
Load/Voltage x backup hours = amperes
For example, 542 watts/12V x 3 hours= 135Ah
Calculating Battery Size
Power Requirement |
Backup (in hours) |
Suggested Battery Size |
---|---|---|
600 watts |
2 |
(600 x 2)/12 = 100Ah |
900 watts |
2 |
(900 x 2)/12 = 150Ah |
1000 watts |
3 |
(1,000 x 3)/12 = 250Ah |
Types of Inverter Battery
Feature | Flat-Plate Battery | Tubular Battery | Maintenance-Free Batteries |
---|---|---|---|
Battery life | Low (~ 3 years) | High (~ 5 years) | Medium (3 to 4 years) |
Maintenance | High | Medium | Low |
Water toppings | High | Medium | Low |
Safety | Low | Low | High |
Releases harmful gases | Yes | Yes | No |
Ventilation requirement | Yes | Yes | No |
Weight |
Low |
High |
Depends on the model |
Dispose of the old battery
Your dealer will pay you for the dead battery or deduct the amount from the new battery price. Ensure that your battery is not disposed of in any manner other than by depositing it with the local dealer/manufacturer/registered recycler or at designated collection centres.
Comparisons at a Glance of Inverters: The survey was conducted in June 2022, covering 600-2000 VA Capacity Inverters and 150-200 Ah capacity tabular type battery.
Sl No. | Brand | Model | Capacity | Sine wave/Quesi sine wave/square wave | Inverter | Battery (no. of batteries required) | Price, Rs. | Warrantee (year) |
1 | Luminous | Zelio+ 1100 | 900VA/756 W | Sine wave | Inverter UPS | 1 | 6599 | 2 |
2 | V Guard | Prime 1150 | 1000VA/800W | Sine wave | Digital Inverter UPS | 1 | 5798 | 2 |
3 | Luminous | Zolt 1100 | 900VA/756 W | Sine wave | inverter | 1 | 6689 | 2 |
4 | Livguard | LG700PV | 600VA | Square wave | inverter | 1 | 4036 | 3 |
5 | Luminous | Power Sine 800W | 700VA | Sine wave | inverter | 1 | 5123 | 2 |
6 | Microtek | UPSSEBz 1200 | 1100VA | Sine wave | UPS | 1 | 6590 | 2 |
7 | Microtek | UPS EB 900 | 800VA/672W | Sine wave | UPS Inverter | 1 | 5690 | 2 |
8 | Microtek | Luxe SW1400 | 1100VA/825W | Sine Wave | Inverter/Home UPS | 1 | 8990 | 2 |
9 | Genus | SURJA Pro 1150 | 40AMP 12 V | Sine Wave | Solar Home Inverter UPS | 1 | 7640 | 2 |
10 | Exide | 850VA | 850VA | Sine Wave | Home inverter | 1 | 5400 | 2 |
11 | Microtek | Energy Saver | 1625VA/1300W | Sine Wave | Inverter/UPS for Home | 1 | 9999 | 2 |
12 | Generic | AQ700+ | 600VA | Sine Wave | inverter | 1 | 4700 | 2 |
13 | Luminous | Zelio | 1700VA | Sine Wave | Inverter Home UPS | 2 | 10800 | 2 |
14 | Microtek | Hybrid | 950VA | Sine Wave | Ups Inverter | 1 | 5434 | 2 |
15 | Exide | 850VA pure sine wave | 850VA | Sine Wave | Ups Inverter | 1 | 6090 | 2 |
16 | Microtek | Upseb 900 | 800VA | square wave | Inverter | 1 | 3,680 | 2 |
17 | Microtek | Ups 24×7 Hb | 725VA | Sine Wave | Inverter | 1 | 4999 | 2 |
18 | Sukam | Falcon Eco | 1000VA | Sine Wave | Inverter | 1 | 4999 | 2 |
19 | Sukam | Falcon Eco | 2000VA | Sine Wave | Inverter | 2 | 6900 | 2 |
20 | Microtek | UPS EB | 700VA | square wave | Inverter | 1 | 4800 | 2 |
21 | Luminous | Hkva | 2 kva | Sine Cruze Wave | Inverter | 15699 | 2 | |
22 | Smarten | Superb 2500 VA | 2500VA | Pure Sine wave | Inverter | 2 | 15564 | 2 |
23 | LivFast | PS 2500 | 2500VA | Pure Sine Wave | Inverter | 2 | 13200 | 2 |
24 | Luminous | POWERX 2250 VA | 2250VA | Pure Sine Wave | Inverter | 1 | 11400 | 2 |
25 | Exide |
|
2200VA | Pure Sine Wave | Inverter | 1 | 12999 | 2 |
Inverter Batteries – Tubular type
Sl No. |
Brand |
Model |
Capacity (Ah) |
Weight (kg) |
New price |
Warrantee (months) |
1 |
Exide |
New Insta Brite Battery |
150 |
41 |
9899 |
36 |
2 |
Amaron |
Tall Tubular Battery |
150 |
|
12,450 |
48 |
3 |
Luminous |
ILTT 18048 |
150 |
54.7 |
16650 |
60 |
4 |
Exide |
Inva Tubular IT500 |
150 |
|
|
|
5 |
Luminous |
RC 18000 |
150 |
53.3 |
14600 |
36 |
6 |
Genus |
Hallabol GTT170 |
150 |
|
12940 |
60 |
7 |
Luminous |
ILTT 26060 |
200 |
63.6 |
21300 |
60 |
8 |
Amaron |
CR150TT |
150 |
55.0 |
12450 |
36 |
9 |
Exide |
IMTT1500 |
150 |
55.0 |
15,929 |
36 |
10 |
Genus |
Invomax GTT180 |
150 |
|
13950 |
60 |
11 |
Luminous |
SC18054-150AH |
150 |
51.2 |
16100 |
54 |
12 |
Livguard |
PT 1554STJ |
150 |
|
13960 |
|
13 |
Exide |
IMST1500 |
150 |
43.0 |
14899 |
36 |
14 |
Okaya |
OPHT18060 |
150 |
50 |
15699 |
60 |
15 |
Genus |
GTT185 |
165 |
56 |
14275 |
60 |
Note: Price may vary from retailer to retailer and are negotiable. Before buying check price on amazon.in and flipkart.com and compare the models.
Back Up Time: Back up time of inverter battery depends on battery capacity (Ah) and connected load. Estimated back up time is given below in table : |
||||
Load, watts |
12 Volt Inverter Battery |
|||
100 Ah |
150 Ah |
180 Ah |
200 Ah |
|
Backup time, hours |
Backup time, hours |
Backup time, hours |
Backup time, hours |
|
50 |
19.2 |
28.8 |
34.56 |
38.4 |
100 |
9.6 |
14.4 |
17.28 |
19.2 |
150 |
6.4 |
9.6 |
11.52 |
12.8 |
200 |
4.8 |
7.2 |
8.64 |
9.6 |
250 |
3.8 |
5.7 |
6.91 |
7.68 |
300 |
3.2 |
4.8 |
5.76 |
6.4 |
350 |
2.7 |
4.11 |
4.93 |
5.4 |
400 |
2.4 |
3.6 |
4.32 |
4.8 |
450 |
2.1 |
3.2 |
3.84 |
4.26 |
500 |
1.92 |
2.8 |
3.45 |
3.84 |
How to Take Care of Your Inverter Battery
- First and most important, replenish the distilled water at the right time, depending on your battery type and usage pattern. Better keep a reminder in your smartphone calendar or make a habit of checking it on the first of the month.
- Never keep the batteries on the floor. Always use a plastic trolley or insulated material sheet for longer life. You can use a trolley, also known as battery cover or case. It stops damage of flooring from acid spillage. Battery is kept inside the trolley and the inverter is placed on top of it, thus taking less space.
- Apply grease on the socket connections to protect the inverter battery from corrosion or rust decays. If there is corrosion already, remove it with the help of an old brush, hot water and baking soda.
- Discharge the battery completely once in a month and freshly charge it again. It will refresh the inner electrolyte.
- It is better not to connect high-load devices to the inverter when they are not necessary. Using energy-efficient home appliance also lowers the burden on the inverter battery significantly.
Where a Solar Inverter differs from a Normal Inverter
The solar inverter consists of a solar charge controller and some switching circuits. It has a terminal for connecting battery and solar panels of correct rating. The battery is charged from the output of solar panels when it is under sufficient sunlight. It allows for reduction in the electricity bill. Solar inverter consists of solar panels, charge controller, batteries and inverters. In a solar inverter, the photovoltaic solar panel produces variable direct current (DC). Solar inverter converts the DC into alternating current. The solar panel can be placed at homes, offices, etc. The converted AC power can be used by power appliances.
The Difference between UPS and Inverter
While both UPS and inverters provide backup power supply during main power outage, inverters are preferred more for general electric appliances whose working may not get affected by extended delays in the power supply. UPS are used for electronic appliances such as computers, servers, workstations and medical equipment, which perform critical tasks and cannot tolerate delays in the power supply. The switching of UPS from the main supply to the battery is very immediate, so it is used to provide backup power of important or critical electronics equipment. In inverters, the switching from mains supply to battery takes time and hence these are used to provide power supply to less important electrical equipment. The UPS protects the load against spike, voltage fluctuation, and noise.
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