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An
inverter is an electronic circuit that converts direct
current DC to alternating current AC.
Inverters transform electrical energy stored in a battery to
AC electrical power for use in a wide variety of conventional
appliances when AC power is not available. An inverter
depends on the batteries ability to supply the required energy
needed.
There
are two general types of inverters: true-sine wave or
modified-sine wave (square waves). True-sine wave inverters produce
power that is either identical or sometimes slightly better than
power from the public utility power grid system while modified-sine
wave inverters produce a power wave that is not exactly the same as
electricity from the power grid and has the appearance of a squared
off wave. Most household electrical devices will run perfectly fine
on either type of wave form. The problem with wave form only comes
into play when specialized pieces of equipment need to be powered.
Here are a few examples of devices which could have problems when
they are connected to an inverter producing a modified-sine wave
signal: oxygen concentrators, fax machines, laser printers, high
voltage cordless tool chargers, equipment with variable speed
motors, electric shavers and garage door openers. The price of
true-sine wave power inverters if often significantly higher than
their modified cousins.
Top
decide what model to order, decide what equipment you want to keep
going in case of a power failure, then calculate the watts from the
following table. Add 10 to 20 more than you think you’ll need as
some appliances use an initial surge to start up.
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Television, satellite dish, decoder, DVD Total
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295watt
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Computer with 17”/19” screen
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220watt
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Server
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220watt
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Laserjet Printer
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250watt
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Inkjet printer
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120watt
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4-in-1 Laserjet printer/copier/scanner
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450watt
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Small- Medium Microwave oven
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800watt
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Fish tank pump/heater combo
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1100watt
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Garage door motor
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300watt
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Gate Motor
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300watt
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Standing lamp with 11watt fluorescent bulb
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11watt
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House lights (depending on bulb size)
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60watt
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NOT RECOMMENDED FOR
POWERBOX
USE:
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Fridge/freezer
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300-800watt
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Kettle
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2200watt
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Air conditioner
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3500+watt
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Any appliance with an element (including hairdryers)
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Inverters come
in the following sizes: the 500 VA unit which has a continuous
output of 300 watts, the
1000 VA unit of 600 watts and the 2000 VA
unit of 1200 watts.
These units will automatically and seamlessly switch to
inverter when AC power
is lost.
Read Past News Articles:
"Continued
Power Cuts"
- January 18th
2008
"UPS vs. Generators"
- February 1st
2008
"Blogging
For Dollars"
- February
26th 2008
"New Store Opening"
- March
28th 2008
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