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 Topic: Inverter/Power pack for laptop
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09/7/2008 at 11:49am
Location: staffordshire
Outfit: Airedale 6
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POWER QUALITY -- SINE WAVE vs. "MODIFIED SINE WAVE"
Some inverters produce "cleaner" power than others. Simply stated, "sine wave" is clean; anything else is dirty.
A sine wave has a naturally smooth geometry, like the track of a swinging pendulum. It is the ideal form of AC power.
The utility grid produces sine wave power in its generators and (normally) delivers it to the customer relatively free
of distortion. A sine wave inverter can deliver cleaner, more stable power than most grid connections.
How clean is a "sine wave"? The manufacturer may use the terms "pure" or "true" to imply a low degree of distortion.
The facts are included in the inverter's specifications. Total harmonic distortion (THD) lower than 6 percent should satisfy normal home requirements. Look for less than 3 percent if you have unusually critical electronics, as in a recording studio for example.
Other specs are important too. RMS voltage regulation keeps your lights steady.
It should be plus or minus 5 percent or less. Peak voltage (Vp) regulation needs to be plus or minus 10 percent or less.
A "modified sine wave" inverter is less expensive,
but it produces a distorted square waveform that resembles the track of a pendulum being slammed back and forth by hammers. In truth, it isn't a sine wave at all. The misleading term "modified sine wave" was invented by advertising people. Engineers prefer to call it "modified square wave."
The "modified sine wave" has detrimental effects on many electrical loads.
It reduces the energy efficiency of motors and transformers by 10 to 20 percent.
The wasted energy causes abnormal heat which reduces the reliability and longevity of motors and transformers
and other devices, including some appliances and computers. The choppy waveform confuses some digital timing devices.
About 5 percent of household appliances simply won't work on modified sine wave power at all.
A buzz will be heard from the speakers of nearly every audio device. An annoying buzz will also be emitted by some fluorescent lights, ceiling fans, and transformers. Some microwave ovens buzz or produce less heat. TVs and computers often show rolling lines on the screen. Surge protectors may overheat and should not be used.
Modified sine wave inverters were tolerated in the 1980s, but since then,
true sine wave inverters have become more efficient and more affordable.
Some people compromise by using a modified wave inverter to run their larger power tools or other occasional
heavy loads, and a small sine wave inverter to run their smaller, more frequent, and more sensitive loads.
Modified wave inverters in renewable energy systems have started fading into history.
http://www.affordable-solar.com/inhowtochinf.html
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Certified member of the Outwell Appreciation Society.
My friends reckon I should be certified anyway. And they should know!!
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