Inverter Basics and Selecting the Right Model
There are many factors that go into selecting the best inverter (and options) for your application, especially when you get into the higher power ranges (800 watts or more). This page should
It's important to note what this means: In order for an inverter to put out the rated amount of power, it will need to have a power input that exceeds the output. For example, an inverter with a rated output power of 5,000 W and a peak efficiency of 95% requires an input power of 5,263 W to operate at full power.
There are 3 major types of inverters - sine wave (sometimes referred to as a "true" or "pure" sine wave), modified sine wave (actually a modified square wave), and square wave. A sine wave is what you get from your local utility company and (usually) from a generator.
Some or all of the specifications usually appear on the inverter data sheet. Maximum AC output power This is the maximum power the inverter can supply to a load on a steady basis at a specified output voltage. The value is expressed in watts or kilowatts. Peak output power
Motors, such as refrigerator motor, pumps, fans etc. will use more power from the inverter due to lower efficiency. Most motors will use about 20% more power. This is because a fair percentage of a modified sine wave is higher frequencies - that is, not 60 Hz - so the motors cannot use it.
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