The proverbial stuff has hit the fan as the big heads at Eskom frantically scramble to pick up the skeletons of our dwindling power supply, while the country plummets into stage 6 loadshedding with the threat of stage 7 looming on the horizon.
Also read: Stage 7 loadshedding today? Eskom is run like a “spaza shop”- Expert
There is no end in sight for South Africa’s rolling blackout problems, and they only seem to be getting worse.
If there was ever a time to consider alternative power solutions, now would be that time. Inverters are becoming an affordable and popular choice.
If you are considering purchasing an inverter, here is some useful information on what an inverter is and what size you will need to power your essentials, answered by Look See:
What is an inverter and how does it work?
An inverter is a device, which converts alternating current (AC) power supply into direct current (DC) and vice versa. This means the device can convert conventional residential electricity into the power used by batteries to charge and back again when conventional electricity output is required from the batteries.
How is an inverter set up?
The inverter system setup is quite simple. One or more batteries are connected to the inverter, and then the device is plugged into a power outlet. While normal residential electricity supply is available, the inverter charges the battery until it has reached capacity. When the normal electricity supply is interrupted, the inverter switches over – either automatically or manually, depending on the model – to output mode, drawing power from the batteries, converting to AC and providing electricity through the built-in plug points in the inverter.
What size inverter would I need?
Inverters vary in size, efficiency, performance and capabilities and your overall electricity demand during loadshedding will determine the correct inverter option to purchase.
Here is the math:
The right size inverter for your home depends on how much wattage your appliances require. This information can be found on electronic devices, if you find voltage and amperage ratings instead, here’s how to convert to watts:
Amps x volts = watts: (10 amps x 120 volts = 1200 watts).
Add up the wattages of all devices you want to use during loadshedding, this number will give you an indication of the inverter size required to power your home. To that number, you’ll need to add between 10 and 20 percent to allow for a safety margin. The safety margin is important for the performance and safety of your inverter.
As an example, if you require 5,000 watts to power your electronic devices, add a 20 percent safety margin to that, 6,000 watts would be the safest size of an inverter to purchase.
Here is an explanation of the different stages of loadshedding and the impact it has.
Picture: City of Cape Town
Also read:
Thinking of buying an inverter? Here’s everything you need to know
Picture: Pexels