Global Warming News

The purpose of this article is to explain the function of a solar power inverter in the home solar system, as well as issues pertaining to different types of inverters, and solutions to common problems associated with them.

In most cases, home solar systems involve solar panels charging batteries, with the batteries then supplying electricity to fixtures within the home.  The purpose of this setup is to ensure that power is available even at night, when the solar panels aren’t in contact with sunlight.  Of the two types of electricity, both solar panels and batteries work with Direct Current (DC).  Outlets in the home, meanwhile, use Alternating Current (AC) electricity.  The conversion from DC to AC is handled by the inverter.

Currently, there are both Modified Sine Wave (MSW) and True Sine Wave (TSW) inverters available.  MSW inverters are the more limited of the two, as they simply convert DC electricity into rough, 120v 60 cycle AC.  Some types of appliances are incompatible with MSW inverters.  For example, audio equipment may give off a noticeable hum when used with MSW inverters.  TSW inverters, on the other hand, have no problems in a home setting.

Inverters are fairly simple to maintain.  Avoid keeping the inverter in the same box as the batteries, but make sure it’s otherwise as close to them as possible.  The wire connecting the batteries to the inverter needs to be large enough.  The manual for the inverter should list the correct size.  A fuse is a must for all wires to and from the inverter.  As is the case with any electrical appliance, the inverter can not be exposed to moisture or extreme temperatures.

In terms of common problems, there are just a couple which are known to occur with solar power inverters.  First, there’s RF interference.  When they’re working, all inverters produce some radio noise.  Radio receivers should be kept as far away from the inverter as possible.  Battery powered radios won’t have problems with this interference though, and the batteries can be recharged when necessary with the solar power system.

So-called “phantom loads” represent the other frequently cited issue.  Most new electronic devices, including televisions, continue to use a small amount of electricity even when turned off.  Inverters are unable to go to sleep while these devices keep on drawing power.  The inverters themselves, then, are forced to use more energy than they really ought to.  If you’re able to hook up the devices responsible for the phantom loads to a power strip with an on/off switch, you can solve this problem.  The inverter should be able to enter sleep mode when the power strip is turned off, as the connected devices will no longer be able to draw power.

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