Have you ever wondered why some inverters cost much more than others of the same power? I will briefly describe one of the main differences between a low cost power inverter and a high cost item.
Finding a power inverter to convert power from DC to AC may seem like a simple task, but when you start shopping for a power inverter for your personal use, you’ll soon discover that you’ll be faced with many choices. With prices ranging from under $25 to over $1,000, it can be hard to know which features are important and how to choose a drive that’s right for your needs.
While the wattage you require and how you will connect the unit to your power source are things to consider, another thing to consider is the waveform output of the inverter. There are two general types of power inverters: true sine wave or modified sine wave (square wave). True sine wave inverters produce power that is identical to, or sometimes slightly better than, the power from the utility power grid system. The power wave when viewed through an oscilloscope is a smooth sine wave. Modified sine wave and square wave inverters are the most common types of power inverters on the market. Modified sine wave power inverters produce a wave of power that is sufficient for most devices. Wave power is not exactly the same as electricity from the power grid. It has a waveform that appears as a choppy square wave when viewed through an oscilloscope. What does that mean for the everyday user? Little bit. Most household electrical devices will work perfectly fine on any type of waveform.
Most of our customers who use a power inverter to run a laptop, air conditioner cell phone charger, fan or camera find that a modified sine wave power inverter that works through the cigarette lighter socket of cigarettes is the easiest to use.
We generally suggest choosing power inverters that are rated less than 300 watts when using the 12 volt cigarette lighter plug found in most vehicles. We suggest this because after reaching 300 watts of draw on the inverter, your car’s fuses will start to blow. There are several units available on the market with a power rating of between 100 and 200 watts that plug directly into a vehicle’s cigarette lighter. It only has one outlet, but since plugging it into a 12-volt outlet is all that’s required for operation, it’s second to none for ease of use. These small units typically supply around 150 watts of continuous operation and typically have a built-in surge protector.
Square wave drives or their low cost power inverters are classified into the following three groups:
500w or less For home appliances, TVs (up to 19″), VCRs, desktop computers, other mobile office equipment. Most of these connect through a 12-volt outlet.
501-999w For appliances, big screen TVs, 5 amp power tools and bread machines. Most of these inverters are connected directly to the 12-volt battery and have three or more grounded outlets to power multiple products at the same time.
1000-3900w For household appliances, larger power tools, microwave ovens, toasters, and hair dryers. All of these inverters are designed for direct connection to the battery grid and can typically supply between 750 and 2,500 watts of continuous power.
The problem with the waveform only arises when it is necessary to power specialized equipment. Here are some devices that could have problems when connected to an inverter that produces a modified sine wave signal: oxygen concentrators, fax machines, laser printers, high voltage cordless tool chargers, equipment with variable speed motors, machines electric shavers and garage. gate openers For most other applications, you can go with the low-cost power inverter.
In closing, there really is no need for the average user to opt for the true sine wave unit. The modified sine wave found in most low cost power inverters will be enough to take care of your applications.