The Difference Between A UPS And An Inverter

The Difference Between A UPS And An Inverter

Today electricity has become a necessity and sadly it has turned into a desperate situation in South Africa. Almost all of our daily tasks require electricity in one form or another. As you are aware, when electricity gets regularly shut down it causes a great disorder in our lives. To help the burden of rolling blackouts without interruption, portable power systems were invented. They have especially become quite a commodity in today’s times. A UPS and/or Inverter are prime examples of such inventions.

Although these devices work for the same intention, people still remain confused about the difference between a UPS and an inverter. This article will highlight the differences between these two devices so that you can make better use of them. Before looking into their differences let’s explore how they work exactly.

Budget-Friendly Option #1: UPS

UPS stands for Uninterrupted Power Supply. As the name implies, it is used to stop the power interruption caused to devices during a sudden surge or blackout. This system is mainly used with smaller, portable, and more efficient devices. However, it is possible to provide a very limited window of electricity to save data and safely shut down when a sudden power blackout occurs

A UPS uses a rectifier to convert AC (alternative current) into DC (Direct current) to charge the battery. The Battery is connected to an inverter that converts the DC back into AC. Some units have a controller that can regulate the functioning of the system.

Depending on the size of your UPS, it can provide a power supply for up to 10 -15 minutes on average with demanding devices such as Desktops. So, this is mainly intended for electronic devices that can get damaged by sudden power-out conditions.

See our range of UPS Units?HERE

?Longer-Lasting Option #2: Inverter

An inverter is engineered to function exactly the same as a UPS, but with a larger battery and more sophisticated components. The main purpose of these devices is to convert DC to AC. The AC power supply is taken from AC mains and converted back into DC by a rectifier.

This converted DC charges a battery. As the industrial and household systems work on AC power, the DC from the battery is converted into AC by the inverter. During the power cut, the inverter receives a supply from the battery and provides a power supply to the electrical equipment. These systems are used in the household to get a power supply after a blackout of electricity.

It’s as simple as that.

Now let the battle begin.

Round 1: Use and Backup Time… Battle!!!

If you don’t have power cuts often, which let us be honest is improbable, then you can use a UPS to help safeguard your computer from any major hardware failure. The power source will instantly switch to the UPS, thus preventing it from shutting down. However, it can not be stressed enough that it will only provide a few minutes.

That being said, the switch to the UPS may be instantaneous whereas an inverter will take a bit more patience. The inverter holds a bigger charge with a higher current, so when it comes to using a computer a reboot will probably be required. The immediate power requirement can be too much for it to bear at times. A UPS is preferred for PC and Inverters for home usage like lightbulbs which will not care about a switching delay. So the choice is up to you as the consumer. An instant power switch with a limited time frame or a hard reboot with a much higher timeframe. Keep in mind, that this can still lead to the risk of data loss and corruption, or hardware damage.

Depending on your inverter’s capacity, it can still provide a few hours of usage time. Some larger inverters have the capacity to power your house necessities for prolonged periods of time. In the heat of the summer, keeping the fans on seems more important if you ask us.

Summary: UPS has Speed and the Inverter has Stamina

?Round 2: Maintenance and Lifespan… Battle!!!

A UPS is typically maintenance-free. That does not mean they are indestructible. In fact, they have a long list of strict requirements in order to preserve their usage. You can read more about our “Beginners Guide to Buying a UPS”?HERE.

However, inverters have more wiring and need to be regularly filled with distilled water. The more advanced versions of inverters have freed consumers from distilled water maintenance, but it is still not in your average purchase. Be sure to consult your Purchase Guide to see what your inverter requires maintenance on a regular basis.

The disadvantage of a UPS is that the battery is continuously being charged and discharged even when there’s no power cut. Because of this, the battery will wear out 4-5 times faster than an inverter.

Summary: UPS requires no maintenance but wears out faster. An Inverter requires maintenance but has a much longer lifespan.

?Final Round: The Price… Battle!!!

Compared to Inverters, a UPS is cheaper. There are different ranges of UPS units, some more expensive than others. The factors that determine the price can vary from the backup time, capacity, charging time, power requirement, brand, and warranties. At the end of the day, both inverters and UPS units are available at competitive prices, even amongst each other.

When you really think about it, a UPS is more expensive in the long run. Sure it may be the more convenient option right now, and it definitely won’t break the bank right away. However, as we said previously, it does not have a very long lifespan. An inverter is naturally way more expensive and has its drawbacks, but it is a more reliable option. It is best to weigh your options.

Summary: A UPS is cheaper but will have to be replaced more often. An Inverter can be very expensive, but consider it a long-term investment.

Conclusion

Whenever there is a power cut, the electricity supply to these appliances is cut off and they stop working. However, if you have a backup supply in the form of devices such as UPS or inverter, you have ensured an uninterrupted supply of power to your appliances and you will not be upset with power cuts. The major difference however between these two devices is that the Inverter is not able to provide any supply but through a DC source only. The best way to justify what your purchase is going to be is to consider it as a Price/Performance Ratio. The more expensive, the more reliable.