Selection of Various Types of Inverter-(Part-2)
Comparison of Inverters:
Comparison of Different Type of Inverter | |||
| Square Wave | Stepped Sine Wave | Pure Sine Wave | |
| Safety of Appliances | Less | Moderate | High |
| Life of Appliances | Less | Moderate | High |
| Battery Life | Less | Moderate | High |
| Noise Level | High | Moderate | Normal |
| Heat generation | High | Low | Normal |
| Suitability for appliances | No | Not recommended for prolonged use | Yes |
How to Select Batteries for Inverter
- Batter is the vital part of inverter. Performance and life of an inverter is greatly depends upon battery.
- There are three types of batteries available in market.
- Flat Plate (Lead Acid ) Battery,
- Tubular Battery
- Maintenance Free Battery.
- Without getting too much into details, all we can say is that Tubular Batteries are the best choice for inverters. They may cost slightly more than Flat Plate, but they will last longer.
- Maintenance Free batteries may sound good, but they have lesser life (4-5 years as compared to 7-8 years of a tubular battery).
- But the most important thing to run batteries for a longer time is to make sure that it is topped (filled) with distilled or RO water frequently and the fluid levels are maintained.
(1) Lead Acid Battery
- Lead acid batteries known as “Automotive Battery”.
- Lead-acid batteries are the oldest type of rechargeable battery. Most of the inverters batteries are lead acids battery of different types.
- It is used for automotive purpose are termed as “High Cycle” lead acid batteries.
- These batteries are designed to provide high current for a very short duration (To start the vehicles).
- Automotive lead acid batteries are not designed to be regularly discharged by more than 25% of their rated capacity. Here the requirement of inverter is totally different.
- Inverter requires “Deep Cycle” type batteries to provide continuous power which can be discharged at least 50% of their rated capacity.
- Some good deep cycle batteries can be discharged over 80% of their capacity. Deep Cycle batteries have specially designed thick plates to withstand frequent charging and discharging.
- Lead acid batteries require regular maintenance. You have to check the electrolyte level and require to be topped up on regular intervals. These batteries release poisonous gases during charging and discharging. If you don’t keep the batteries in a properly ventilated place, it can invite serious health problems.
- We have to keep the terminals of normal lead acid batteries corrosion free by applying petroleum jelly or grease regularly.
Advantage:
- This light weighed inverter battery.
- Price is Economical and quite cost-effective
- This is the most common type of inverter battery.
- It is a rechargeable and generates a large amount of current.
- Battery life is approximately 3-4 years.
Disadvantage:
- We need maintain it regularly, such checking the electrolyte level, topping up with distilled water etc.
- Need well-ventilated place while installing a lead acid inverter battery.
- Not Safer in use.
Application:
- Suitable for small domestic Inverter.
(2) Tubular Battery
- This is the most popular and efficient among all types of inverter batteries.
- Together with robust grid design, superb efficiency, long operational life and requirement of low maintenance tubular inverter battery is the most preferable choice of all.
- This is the most popular segment of inverter batteries used in domestic and industrial applications.
Advantage:
- Long life (5 Years)
- High electrical efficiency.
- Less Maintenance (Less number of water toppings)
Disadvantage:
- Cost of tubular batteries can go up to double of a normal flat plate battery
Application:
- Suitable for both domestic and industrial Inverter.
(3) Maintenance Free Battery
- As the name indicates there is no need of maintaining the batteries. No need of filling distilled water at regular intervals. This is possible because of a special type of electrolyte which need not be replenished.
- Maintenance free batteries also called as sealed batteries and do not need any regular maintenance to function impeccably.
- Apart from that other best feature is safety. Maintenance free batteries do not emit any poisonous or harmful gases.
Advantage:
- It is costlier, But the money is worth to invest.
- It is sealed lead acid batteries which do not require topping up or additional ventilation
- They are more durable and safer than normal lead acid inverter battery.
Disadvantage:
- Cost is very high as compared with normal lead acid batteries.
- Life is comparatively low (3 To 4 Years)
- Scrap value is not much more.
Application:
Comparison of various types of Batteries
| Comparison of various types of Batteries | |||
| Flat Plate Batteries | Tubular Batteries | Maintenance Free Batteries | |
 |  |  | |
| Cost | Low | High | High |
| Safety | Low | Low | High |
| Efficiency | Low | High | Medium |
| Maintenance | High | Medium | Low |
| Water toppings | High | Medium | Low |
| Releases harmful gases | Yes | Yes | No |
| Ventilation requirement | Yes | Yes | No |
| Scrap Value | High | High | Low |
| Weight | Low | High | Depend on the model. |
| Battery Life Span | Low ( 3 Yrs) | High( 5 Yrs) | Medium (3 to 4 Yrs) |
| Suitable | For Low power cut areas as their designed cycle life is low. | ||