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What is the difference between UPS vs inverter? An inverter is a current conversion device that can convert direct current to alternating current, or convert alternating current to direct current.
UPS is a system device that the storage battery hookup with the main unit, and converts direct current into mains power through modular circuits such as the main unit’s inverter. This article specifically introduces the difference between the UPS vs inverter.
1. What is an inverter
An inverter is a device that converts direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC). The power inverter (vehicle-mounted UPS power supply) is a convenient power converter that can convert 12v direct current into AC220V alternating current, which is the same as mains power, and is used by general electrical appliances.
It consists of inverter bridge, control logic and filter circuit. Widely used in air conditioners, home theaters, electric grinding wheels, electric tools, sewing machines, DVD, VCD, computers, TVs, washing machines, range hoods, refrigerators, VCRs, massagers, fans, lighting, etc.
2. What is a UPS
UPS is a constant voltage and constant frequency uninterruptible power supply with energy storage device and inverter as the main component. The UPS is to connect the storage battery with the UPS host, and convert the direct current into alternating current through a modular circuit such as the inverter of the UPS host.
It is mainly used to provide stable and uninterrupted power supply to computers and their network systems or other power electronic equipment.
3. The difference between UPS vs inverter
The inverter power supply is converted from DC (direct current) to AC (alternating current), and different from UPS vs inverter, the UPS power supply has three modes: bypass mode, mains mode, and battery mode.
Generally speaking, the inverter is just a simple converter without any impurities that filter electricity. A device that converts direct current into alternating current is called an inverter.
The bypass mode of the UPS is to go directly to the mains without passing through the UPS host. In the mains mode, the mains passes through the rectifier of the machine to filter the impurities of the mains, and then passes through the inverter of the main unit, and then outputs to supply power to the device. In battery mode, direct current (battery power) is output to the device through the inverter. This will protect the equipment well.
UPS is suitable for electrical appliances such as computers that may lose data due to unexpected power outages. Generally, data will be lost if such electrical appliances are shut down due to a power outage of 1 second. UPS can be used for protection without indirect power supply. Such as servers, mobile Unicom signal towers, etc.
The inverter is rarely used alone because it is only a current conversion device. A typical example is the vehicle-mounted UPS power supply, which is an inverter that takes 12 volts of direct current from the car cigarette lighter and converts it into 220 alternating current for use by AC appliances, such as laptop computers.
4. The similarities between UPS vs inverter
Provide a way to regulate voltage changes, eliminate various electrical disturbances, and provide high-quality UPS power supply.
When the AC mains fails, the necessary backup power supply capacity can be guaranteed. The biggest difference between the UPS vs inverter is that the UPS needs to be equipped with battery packs, and the backup time is short, while the inverter power supply does not need to be equipped with batteries, and can directly use the DC screens of various levels of voltage in the communication room. Its large capacity can ensure the uninterrupted operation of the network for a long time.
5. Performance comparison between UPS vs inverter
Comparison of applicable places
As a complete independent power supply system, UPS can be applied in any place, and has a compact structure and a small footprint. Comparing UPS vs inverter, the inverter is suitable for postal and telecommunications systems with 48V battery packs (you can connected in series with 4 12v battery), because the work of the inverter also requires external equipment such as chargers and battery packs, so the structure is loose, it occupies a large area, and it is not easy to arrange.
Comparison of output power
Because the inverter is powered by a limited 48V battery pack, due to the low voltage of the battery pack, when the output power is required to be large, the requirements for the power module and production process are higher, so it is difficult to achieve high power output of the inverter.
The maximum output power of the inverter currently produced is about 10KVA, and different from the UPS vs inverter, the UPS has its own battery pack, and the DC voltage of the battery pack can be set according to the output power requirements, up to several hundred volts. Therefore, it can be made into a stand-alone UPS with five or six hundred thousand VA.
Comparison of the life of UPS battery packs
UPS itself has battery management function. For example, the BMS intelligent battery management function can extend the battery life by 30%, and monitor the charging process of the used battery. The float voltage is automatically adjusted as a function of the ambient temperature, and the UPS batteries is periodically tested and checked, and the user will be warned if the battery is faulty.
Comparison of anti-interference
The structure of the UPS adopts a steel frame structure, and the outer shell is made of anti-rust steel plates, which have strong shielding properties and meet the requirements of electromagnetic compatibility. Especially in the design, the streamlined plastic shell is lined with 2mm thick anti-rust steel plate.
At the same time, a high radio frequency interference (RFI) filter is used to avoid radiation and interference to the human body and other equipment while maintaining a beautiful appearance. Compared UPS vs inverter, the inverter itself has relatively large radio frequency interference to the DC equipment behind the battery, such as a program-controlled switch.
Comparison of electrical performance
As a complete and independent power supply system, UPS has been used in the world for decades, and the technology is mature, and the manufacturer has a large scale, while different from UPS vs inverter, the inverter manufacturer is small in scale and has low electrical performance standards, so it is difficult to compare with UPS in terms of performance.
6. Conclusion
The above is the whole content of the difference between UPS vs inverter. UPS vs inverter are two different things. They should be used in different occasions. Choosing a suitable UPS is conducive to stable power consumption of equipment.
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