5 Ways to Improve Efficiency of Power Inverters

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Power inverters are used to convert direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC). The purpose of the device varies but it can be useful for anything that uses a DC source, for example solar panels and batteries.  In renewable energy systems, power inverters are also frequently used to convert the DC power from the solar panel to AC power for appliances or the powergrid.  As such, when designing the  power inverters, efficiency is the utmost important consideration.  

There are many ways to improve the efficiency of power inverters. Some of these methods are simple and easy to do, while others may require a more in-depth approach. Here are five ways to boost the efficiency of your power inverter:

Use a higher voltage inverter for your application.

An inverter’s job is to convert power from DC to AC so it can be used in appliances which are designed to use AC. In physics, power is equal to voltage multiplied by current. To increase power, either you increase the voltage or current. But increasing current is not the preferred method, as this will increase copper losses and result in lower efficiency. Increasing voltage is usually preferred to improve the efficiency, but this too has its drawbacks as it will require more advanced high voltage components like IGBT and  isolated gate drive.

Use a pure sine wave inverter.

There are different kinds of  power inverters on the market with different pros and cons. A pure sine wave inverter is the most efficient power inverter that you can buy. 

In addition, it also has a nearly perfect output frequency that matches up to the power grid in your country. This means that there will be no disruptions in voltage during transfer which makes it safer for use with certain devices.

Keep your inverter cool.

Just like other electronic devices, ac inverters need to be kept clean and cool in order to operate at their best. 

Make sure there is plenty of airflow around the inverter and that it is free from dust, dirt, and other debris. Also, try not to overload it. Most  ac inverters get hot during use and if you overload them they can fail prematurely.

Install a DC-DC converter  before the inverter.

An inverter has to convert power that is stored in a DC battery or solar panel into AC power that can be used by your appliances. In a battery, to reach and stabilize at a DC voltage before inverter conversion takes some time since there are chemical reactions involved. Similarly, the amount of sunlight will affect the performance of the solar panel and the stability DC voltage coming into the inverter. The DC-DC converter pre-charge and stable DC input to the inverter and helps to speed up and optimize the conversion efficiency.

Monitor your battery charge.

Batteries are not 100% efficient and will lose power over time. This is especially true when the battery is being used to supply power to an inverter. Make sure you know when your batteries need to be recharged and don’t forget to recharge them. If you leave a battery in a state of partial or complete discharge for too long then its life will be shortened exponentially.

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