A power inverter is an electronic device that converts electricityfrom one form to another. Power inverters have become more popularrecently as the technology has become more efficient and much moreaffordable.
The most popular use for a power inverter isconverting battery electricity into mains electricity. For exampleconverting your car batteries' 12 volts DC into mains electricity 240Volt AC (Australia) or 110 Volt AC (USA).
WHAT POWER INVERTERS WILL HELP YOU DO
- Power inverters enablemains operated electrical equipment to be used even where there is nomains outlets, like in your car, caravan or even on your boat!
- Powerinverters bring creature comforts from home when you go camping orcaravaning allowing you to use your TV, fridge or electric shaver infact most of the normal mains powered conveniences from the home.
- You can charge your laptop in the car even if it doesn't happen tohave a 12 volt adapter. In fact a power inverter can be a very handygadget just to have in your car for those times you need to use a mainspowered appliance while you're away from a power socket.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING A POWER INVERTERApartfrom looking for a good quality well priced product there are a coupleof important elements to consider when selecting your power inverter:
HOW MUCH POWER IS ENOUGH ?Powerinverters come in a range of power capacities so selecting the rightone for you is very important. Your power inverter needs to be able toprovide sufficient power for the equipment you want to use it with.
Here is a brief check list:
- Check the power consumption for the device you want to power
- Allow an additional 20% free board
- Add the power for all the devices you want to run at the same time
Note also that devices with induction electric motors like an power saw mayrequire 3 to 7 times the operating power when they start.
Usingan under-powered power inverter may damage it or the appliance you aretrying to use, so be sure to check the specific wattage requirementsand operating instructions for appliances / tools to be used.
PURE SINE WAVE INVERTERSNormal mains power is known as Alternating Current (AC) and is a sine wave shape like the black line in the drawing below
Pure sine wave (black) versus modified sine wave (red)
Atypical power inverter produces a 'modified sine wave output' like thered line in the drawing above. While this works for most appliances,light dimmers, variable speed drills, sewing machine speed controls,some laser printers etc. will not operate correctly with a modifiedsine wave power inverter.
Pure sine wave power inverters areespecially designed to provide a more accurate sine wave output and socan be used with these appliances, but unfortunately they are moreexpensive.
Check with your with appliance manufacturer or itsspecifications to confirm if you can use a conventional power inverteror will need a pure sine wave inverter.
WARRANTYOne of thegreat things about electronic equipment is there is no moving parts(although there is a fan in some models) so you can expect a longserviceable life from a power inverter.
STANDARDSPowerinverters generate dangerous mains voltages so ensure the product youchoose is approved for use with your mains voltage and supplier.
Powerinverters can also generate electro-magnetic radiation that caninterfere with other electronic equipment such as radios transmittersetc. Check for compliance with relevant standards such as C-Tick etc
SAFETYPowerinverters can generate potentially lethal voltages so the utmost ofcare should be exercised using them to avoid accidental electrocution.
SUMMARYTo select your power inverter carefully check the power requirements for the appliance(s) you intend to use it with.
- Start power - Allow up to seven times for an induction motor
- Operating power - Allow a 20% margin
- Pure or modified sine wave
×