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Inverter and UPS both convert DC into AC and are used to store power. However, both electricity backup devices have different features and functionalities.
Currently, sustaining an everyday life without electricity is quite a challenge. With every household, corporate, and personal device running on electricity, we have become dependent on the power supply. Even scheduled power outages disturb life to the core. Luckily, electricity storage systems such as inverters and UPS can facilitate people with an uninterrupted power supply. However, very few people know about the power inverter vs UPS comparison.
Inverter and UPS both convert DC into AC and are used to store power. However, both electricity backup devices have different features and functionalities.
Here is a quick overview of power inverters and UPS and their thorough comparison.
An inverter is an electronic device that converts direct current into alternating current. It can be a DC-to-AC converter or a complete power backup solution. Inverters provide backup power to nonsensitive devices during power outages. However, the switching speed of an inverter is very sluggish, which means it takes time to transition from main supply to power backup. The inverter does not store the battery but is connected to a battery or direct DC source such as solar panels. Inverters do not have rectifiers or charge controllers to maintain the voltage, which is a big drawback.
If we see the primary function of an inverter and rectifier, both are electronic circuits capable of changing the type of electric current. A rectifier converts AC to DC and can be used for battery charging; however, an inverter changes DC into AC.
Also Read: Three Main Types of Solar Inverters - Which One to Choose
UPS is known as Uninterrupted Power Supply. A UPS is connected to a battery, which means it draws power from it to control the electronics during power outages. Compared with an inverter, UPS's switching speed is very high, which makes it swiftly shift the electronics to backup power, leaving no threat to the devices. A UPS has a charge controller that regulates the power flow and secures the appliances from over- and under-voltage hazards.
UPS has a built-in inverter and charge controller. The inverter converts DC from the battery into AC, while the rectifier or charge controller transforms AC into DC to charge the battery.
Though it is a simple solar inverter vs UPS comparison, there are significant differences to look for.
Here is a complete comparison between the inverter and UPS.
Inverter: An inverter has two parts: a circuit and a battery.
UPS: A UPS has four main components: inverter, rectifier, battery, and controller.
Inverter: An inverter only converts DC into AC.
UPS: A UPS can convert DC into AC and AC into DC.
Inverter: There are two types of inverters: standalone and grid-tied.
UPS: There are three types of UPS: online UPS, offline UPS, and standby or interrupted UPS.
Inverter: An inverter cannot charge the battery; it needs external charge controllers to charge the battery.
UPS: A UPS can take AC power from the main supply and charge the battery.
Inverter: Inverters provide power backup for longer durations. It can deliver electricity backup for a few hours.
UPS: A UPS has less power backup time than an inverter. Its backup time is up to 10 to 15 minutes.
Inverter: An inverter's shift from main power to backup power is 200 to 500 milliseconds.
UPS: A UPS quickly switches main power to backup power within 2 to 5 milliseconds of switching time.
Inverter: Automatic Voltage Regulator is absent in inverters.
UPS: AVR is built into the UPS to regulate the output voltage.
Inverter: The circuit of an inverter is straightforward.
UPS: The circuit of a UPS is relatively complex.
Inverter: The absence of AVR makes the inverter vulnerable to abnormal conditions.
UPS: AVR in the UPS protects short circuits and overload.
Inverter: The inverter price in Pakistan is less than UPS.
UPS: Having standalone functionality, UPS is more expensive than an inverter.
Inverter: There is much maintenance needed for inverters.
UPS: There is no or slightly little maintenance required for UPS, especially for storage batteries.
Inverter: From lamps and fans to room coolers, inverters can power almost every electric device.
UPS: A UPS is more suitable for small devices such as routers.
In times of blackout, energy storage devices such as inverters and UPS give a glimmer of hope with backup power. Although both inverter and UPS provide backup power, there are huge differences between their structure and functionality. A UPS is more secure than an inverter. However, an inverter can run more devices. And in current times, solar inverters are the best for power supply.
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Inverter and UPS both convert DC into AC and are used to store power. However, both electricity backup devices have different features and functionalities.