Difference Between UPS And Inverter

What Is Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)?

An Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) is a component that allows an electronic device to keep running for at least a short time when the primary power source is lost. UPS devices also provide protection from power surges.  A UPS contains a battery that ‘’kicks in’’ when the device senses a loss of power from the primary source.

Uninterruptible power supplies provides a number of benefits to both home and business use, keeping vital computer and electronics system running through brief power outages and preventing damages from sudden power loss.

A UPS is typically used to protect hardware such as computers, data centers, telecommunication, hospitals, equipment or other electrical equipment where an unexpected power disruption could cause injuries, fatalities, serious business disruption or data loss.

Types Of UPS

Three general types of UPS include:

• On-line/ Double-conversion UPS
• Line-interactive UPS
• Offline/Standby UPS

What You Need To Know About Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)

• UPS is a power provider that comprises a battery which helps to continue power when power cut is there. It helps to keep the system running for some minutes.
• There are two types of UPS, that is, off line UPS and line interactive UPS.
• UPS system usually consists of three things i.e rectifier/charger, inverter and controller.
• The main function of UPS is to provide electric power backup supply.
• The UPS is directly connected to the home appliances.
• UPS are used in electronic applications such as computer servers, Network switches, workstations, medical equipment and processing equipment which perform critical task and cannot tolerate delays in power supply.
• The UPS provides the backup supply for a very short duration.
• In UPS, the time lag for back up after power cut is 3 to 8 milliseconds.
• UPS are more expensive due to its components and circuitry.
• UPS can be used for houses, office and commercial or for industrial use due to its double conversion system.
• UPS provide protection against voltage spikes, voltage drops, instability of main frequency and harmonic distortions.
• The UPS does not have voltage fluctuation because their input is independent of the output supply.
• UPS circuitry is more complex when compared to the inverter’s circuitry.
• UPS has a less range of input power when compared to the inverter. UPS takes between 240-270v.
• The rectifier and battery are inbuilt within the circuit of UPS. The rectifier converts the AC into DC and stores the energy into battery.

What Is An Inverter?

Inverter is an electronic device which is used to provide supply by converting direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC) form at the required frequency and voltage output.

The input voltage, output voltage and frequency and overall power handling depend on the design of the specific device or circuitry. The inverter does not produce any power, the power is provided by the DC source.

A typical power inverter device or circuit requires a relatively stable DC power source capable of supplying enough current for the intended power demands of the system.  The input voltage depends on the design and purpose of the inverter.

Power inverters are primarily used in electrical power applications where high currents and voltages are present, circuits that perform the same function for electronic signals which usually have very low currents and voltages, are referred to as oscillators. Circuits that perform the opposite function, converting AC to DC are referred to as rectifiers.

Inverters can be classified into many types based on output source, type of load, number of output level and source of the inverter. Below are different types of inverters.

According To The Output Characteristics

• Square Wave Inverter
• Sine Wave Inverter
• Modified Sine Wave Inverter

According To The Source Of Inverter

• Current Source Inverter
• Voltage Source inverter

According To The Type Of Load

• Half Bridge Inverter
• Full Bridge Inverter

According To The Number Of Output

• Regular Two-Level Inverter
• Multi-Level Inverter

What You Need To Know About Inverter

• Inverter is an electronic gadget which is used to provide supply by converting direct current into alternating current. Inverter is not able to provide any supply but through D.C source.
• There are three types of inverter that is, Square Wave, Quasi Wave and Sine Wave.
• The inverter system usually consists of two things inverter and controller.
• The main function of inverter is to convert the AC into DC power.
• The inverter is first linked to the battery and then attached to the appliances circuit.
• Inverters are preferably used in general electric applications whose working is not affected by extended delays in power supply.
• The inverter supplies power for an extended period.
• In inverter, time lag is about 500 milliseconds.
• Inverters are comparatively less expensive to UPS.
• Inverters are usually not used in industrial or commercial because it can bear more loads. It can be used for normal lighting at homes or offices.
• Inverter does not provide protection against Line abnormalities.
• Inverter does not give protection against voltage fluctuations.
• Inverter has a simple circuit when compared to UPS.
• Inverter has a wider range of input power when compared to UPS. Inverter takes between 170-270V.
• The inverter has an external battery for storing the DC power.

Also Read: Difference Between Series And Parallel Circuits

Difference Between UPS And Inverter In Tabular Form

Advantages And Disadvantages Of UPS

Advantages

• Maintenance of UPS system is cheaper
• UPSs are silent
• Can support critical instruments better compared to generators.
• There is no delay between switching from the primary power source to the UPS.
• Users can choose the type and size of UPS, depending on the amount of power they need to supply to a device.  

Disadvantages

• UPS systems are not able of protecting heavy appliances from power failures as they run on batteries.
• UPS system requires installation skills.
• UPS are relatively costly.
• The UPS batteries may require frequent replacement.

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Inverters

Advantages

• It can provide electrical isolation between input and output
• It can provide an AC voltage from a DC source
• It can step the voltage up or down
• It can be an efficient way of changing voltage

Disadvantages

• Requires rectification and smoothing on the output if the output is to be DC.
• May produce radio interference or audible tones
• May produce excess output voltage under no load or very light load conditions.
• May produce AC at a non-specific frequency.

Also Read: Difference Between Stator And Rotor