Electricity has become an indispensable part of our everyday lives. You can use electricity to power many devices and appliances that make your life more comfortable and enable you to work faster. However, in India, power shortages and cuts are not uncommon. In such a situation, you may feel like your life has come to a standstill. Not to mention the frustration caused by the disruption in your work.
To counter such situations, you can utilize power backup sources, such as an inverter or a UPS (uninterrupted power supply). Many people may know or have heard of UPS and a home inverter, but they often confuse the two and sometimes use the terms interchangeably. The reality is that inverter batteries and UPS are two different types of electrical devices and serve different purposes.
In this guide, we explore the difference between UPS and inverters so that you can choose the right power backup source for your home. Read on!
UPS is the acronym for Unlimited Power Source. As the name suggests, it is a device that helps you combat power interruptions and keep the device connected and running for a short period.
Typically, UPS is used for keeping a computer or a laptop running even after a power outage. When there is a power cut, there is a sudden fluctuation in the voltage, and the UPS not only stabilizes the voltage but also gives you sufficient time for the computer or laptop to remain operational, allowing you to save your critical data and then shut it down.
In simpler terms, the inverter is a power supply that supplies electricity to the connected devices during a power outage. It has batteries inside it that save power, which can be used to power the appliances as required. And, one of the main functions of inverter batteries is that they convert DC (Direct Current) into AC (Alternate Current).
When there is a power cut, the inverter gets the electricity supply from the battery and supplies it to the electrical appliances/devices connected to it. Inverters are mainly used in homes and offices to retain the power supply.
So, now that you know what an inverter and a UPS is, let us do a UPS vs inverter comparison based on different factors to understand the differences between the two.
The UPS is mainly used to provide a backup power supply to small devices, such as desktops or laptops, that are connected to it, allowing them to continue running properly during a power outage for a few minutes before you can save your work or data and turn them off.
In contrast, the primary function of an inverter is to convert the DC current into AC current by driving power from an external battery source. This could be a solar panel or the power grid.
One of the most striking differences between an inverter and a UPS is the power backup time, i.e., the duration for which the connected devices can continue to operate after a power outage. The UPS batteries are generally small and have a power-up backup capacity of only a short period, typically lasting about 10-15 minutes.
The inverters, on the other hand, have the capacity to provide power backup for a longer period. Depending on the inverter’s capacity, measured in amp-hours (Ah), and the number of devices connected to it, the inverter can provide power backup for approximately 60-90 minutes or more.
If you are looking for the best inverter battery for your home, consider comparing the various options offered by Tata Green Batteries, one of the world’s leading battery manufacturers. Their inverters boast cutting-edge Japanese technology and come with an impressive warranty of up to 48 months, a testament to their superior quality and performance.
The UPS has a built-in battery that stores the power. It also has a charge controller that converts the DC into AC and discharges the stored current.
However, in inverters, there are no built-in batteries, but they have an external battery that stores the energy. The inverter derives power from the battery when required and discharges it to the connected devices during a power outage to keep them running without interruption.
The UPS batteries require zero maintenance. However, the inverter batteries require continuous maintenance. This is important to keep the inverter working efficiently and provide optimal performance.
As you are a homeowner, you may be looking for a power backup option for your home, and knowing the difference between an inverter and UPS can help you make the right purchase decision. Both UPS and inverter have their own features, serve specific purposes and offer different benefits. So, you must assess your requirements carefully first before making the right purchase decision.
