Difference between UPS and Inverter
The Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) and Inverter both provide backup supply to your electrical system. One of the biggest differences between a UPS and an inverter is that the switching of a UPS from the main supply to the battery is immediate, whereas in an inverter, the switching from mains supply to battery takes a fraction of a second.
* It should be noted that modern Inverters and UPS units often feature multiple modes in order to satisfy the specific needs of various applications.
UPS
The abbreviation of UPS is Uninterruptible Power Supply. The UPS has a battery which supplies power during power outages. It provides power for a short duration so that sensitive equipment doesn't reset and computer data can be saved before a complete shutdown of the system.
Inverter
The inverter inverts direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC). It takes the supply from the AC source and charges the battery. During a power cut, the inverter receives the supply from the battery (DC) and provides the power supply to the electrical equipment (AC).
Comparison Chart
| Factor | UPS | Inverter |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Electrical device that provides power to the load when the main power fails. | Converts unidirectional current into bidirectional. |
| Function | Acts as a flywheel storage system. | Main function is to convert AC power to DC power. |
| Switch Over | Immediate | Takes time (Milliseconds) |
| Backup Type | Electricity | Electronic power |
| Types | Offline, Online, Line interruptive, Standby. | Stand Alone and Grid Tie Inverter. |
| Connection | Directly connected to the appliances. | Connected to the battery and DB board/appliances. |
| Cost | More Expensive per Watt | Less Expensive per Watt |
| Circuit | Inverter and Controller | Battery |
| Duration | Short Duration (Bridging) | Long Duration (Hours) |
| Voltage Fluctuation | Clean / Filtered | Can pass through fluctuations |
| Primary Use | Sensitive electronics, Servers, IT | General domestic and business use |
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