A power inverter is a device capable of converting direct current (DC) from batteries, solar panels, etc. in alternating current (AC) such as that supplied by the network.
With a current inverter we have the possibility of using devices that we use connected to the electrical network in any place where it does not arrive simply with the help of a battery or solar panel.
There are several types of inverters according to their output wave, the most common are 2 types, they are called pure wave inverters or modified or square wave inverters.
Pure wave inverters have an output voltage of alternating current between 220V and 230V, they have an output frequency of 50Hz and their signal is a perfect sine wave (just like the home network), and they provide us with a service to power any domestic appliance and even more complex equipment, since its output voltage and frequency is the same as that of the electrical network.
On the other hand, modified wave inverters, although they also have an output voltage and a frequency equal to the electrical network, their output wave is square or the one generated by the sum of several square signals and may present incompatibilities with some devices that cannot work with this type of wave. Above all, they present incompatibilities with devices whose internal clock is governed by the 50Hz network, such as: capsule coffee machines, digital microwaves, electronic washing machines, etc.
They are cheaper than pure wave ones and do not usually present incompatibilities with devices that work from a power supply (battery charger, LED lighting, laptop charger, etc.) They also work perfectly with simple domestic devices that consist of a resistance or simple motor such as electric heaters, hair dryers, fans, etc.
To know which inverter is the right one for our needs, we will first find out if what we are going to connect is compatible with the modified wave, if it is not, we will choose a pure wave inverter (we always recommend pure wave equipment since they have less incompatibilities than those of modified wave)
Then we have to add the power of the devices that we are going to connect at the same time or we will look at the most powerful if we are not going to connect more than one device at the same time.
If the sum or this device has a power of 1100W for example, we will choose a 1500W inverter, it is always advisable to choose an inverter with power over 20% higher than the power that we are going to request.
A current inverter DCU turned on, without load connected to 220v can consume between 0.2A to 1.5A, for this reason we recommend turning off the inverter when not in use to avoid inefficient battery consumption (losses).
When we connect a 100W load to a 12V pure or modified wave inverter, it will generate a demand of 9A (approx.) to the battery to which it is connected, this consumption is progressive and linear, that is, if we connect 500W we need 45A, if it is 1000W it will be 90A, for 2000W we will need 180A, etc. but if the inverter is 24V the consumption is reduced by half, for 100W it will be 4.5A, for 500W we will need about 22A, if it is 1000W it will be 45A and if they are 2000W about 90A of battery.
If the battery does not have the capacity that the inverter needs, the connected equipment will not work properly and the inverter will stop.
DCU inverters are supplied with their specific power wiring required.
They are usually cables with a generous section since they have to withstand the passage of a high current flow and we have to prevent it from heating up and causing losses in it.
If we have to lengthen the power wiring, we will also increase the section to avoid these losses or heating of the cable.
It is a function that some of our pure wave equipment incorporates, very useful when we are in a vehicle and we have a power outlet nearby and thus we can power our 220 installation in our vehicle without having to disconnect any cables.
The inverter has a 220V input power outlet, and when it receives power through this input, it bridges it to the output plugs and stops working as an inverter, supplying our installation with the current that comes from said input, and when it does not receive power from 220V works as an inverter transforming the current coming from batteries.