Difference between UPS & Inverter

Introduction:
 We are heavily dependent upon appliances that run on electricity such as fans, lights, AC, fridge, Computer
and so on.

 Whenever there is a power cut, electricity supply to these appliances is cut off and they stop working.
However, if we have backup supply devices such as UPS and inverter, we can ensure Power supply to
appliances and not bothered with power cuts.

 However, people remain confused with the difference between a UPS and an inverter because UPS and
inverters both are providing back up power supplies during main power outage.

 Inverters are preferred more for general electric appliances whose working does not get affected by
extended delays in power supply.

 UPS are used for electronics appliances such as computer, servers, workstations, Medical Equipment
which perform critical task and cannot tolerate delays in power supply.

 An off-line ups (the standard) switch to the batteries in 3 to 8 milliseconds, after the main power has been
lost. While Inverter changes over in about 500 milliseconds.

UPS:
 UPS means uninterrupted power supply.
 Uninterruptible power supply (UPS) provides uninterrupted power to the equipment. It means switching
time from power cut to battery power is vey less hence important and critical equipment like computer,
desktop .Medical Instruments is not switch off and we can lose data.
 A UPS is a complete system that is consisting of many parts that include batteries, a charge controller,
circuitry any transfer switch for switching between the mains and back-up battery, and an inverter. An
inverter is needed because the battery can only store DC power and we need to convert that back to AC in
order to match the appliances connected in the main power line.
 UPS= Battery charger + Inverter
 UPS is nothing but inverter with inbuilt battery charger.
 UPS give backup only 10 to 20 minutes. The main intention of it is to provide backup only for small time so
that you can save the programs and data.
 UPS also gives protection against line abnormalities like Surge, Voltage fluctuation, Under Voltage, Over
Voltage, Spike, Noise.
Inverter:
 Inverter circuit simple converters battery DC current to AC and supply
 In inverter inverts the direct current to an alternating current. During normal condition electrical supply is
direct feed to the Load. It also takes the supply from the AC source and charges the battery.
 During the power cut, the inverter receives the supply from the battery and convert it DC to AC Power and
provides the power supply to the electrical equipment.
 Inverters purpose is to provide power backup to total home appliances, lights, fans.
 Inverter uses flat plate or tubular battery to store electricity. So it requires continuous maintenance, needs
to fill the distilled water toppings at regular intervals of time.
 Inverter does not give protection against line abnormalities
Difference between UPS and Inverter:

Comparison of UPS and Inverter

Descriptions UPS Inverter

UPS means Uninterruptable Power Inverter is a device which converts

Definition
Supply. DC electricity to AC

It is an electric circuit (device) which Inverter consist circuitry which

instantly backs up power supply for a
gadget. The gadgets works continues
Function
to work on smoothly and there is no
damage to it.
converts AC to DC and stores in the
battery. When power supply goes off,
that DC power is converted back to
AC and is transmitted to the
respective electronic gadget.

It first converts AC to DC Power to

Inverter converts DC power (stored
charge the battery than Convert DC
in its battery) to AC Power supplied
Power to AC Power (Inverter) and this
to the devices. Normally AC Power
AC power is supplied to Load.
Principles charges the battery .It uses relays
However, UPS monitors the input
and sensors to detect when to use
voltage level and processes it in terms
DC power or AC Power, for DC
of voltage regulations.
power.
UPS= Battery charger + Inverter

Back up Time Power Back up for Short Duration Power Back up for Long Duration

(a) Offline UPS, (b) Online UPS and

(a) Square Wave, (b) Quasi Wave,
Types (c) Line-interactive UPS.
(c) Sine Wave

Main Part Rectifier/charger, Inverter ,controller Inverter and controller.

Switch over Time 3 to 8 milliseconds. 500 milliseconds.

While voltage fluctuations in input

supply can be adjusted by the UPS,
the output voltages are desired to be
as smooth as possible. Inverter does not give protection
Voltage Fluctuations
In smoothing the voltage outputs, UPS against voltage fluctuations
are considered better as compared to
inverter.

Circuitry Sophistication UPS circuitry is far more sophisticated Inverter has Simple circuit then UPS
 than that of inverter’s

Pricing UPS more expensive than an inverter. Inverter is less expensive than UPS

UPS are used for electronics

Application such as computer, servers,
Inverters are preferred more for
Network Switches, workstations,
general electric Application which
Application Medical Equipment, Processing
working does not affected by
Equipment which perform critical task
extended delays in power supply.
and cannot tolerate delays in power
supply.

UPS provide protection against voltage

spikes, voltage drops, instability of the Inverter does not provide protection
Protection
main frequency and harmonic against Line abnormalities.
distortions

Used sealed maintenance free (SMF)

Battery Used flat plate or tubular battery
battery

Requires continuous maintenance,

Battery Maintenance Do not require any maintenance. needs to fill the distilled water
toppings at regular intervals of time

Energy Consumption More due to constant battery Charging Less

Conclusion:
 The UPS and inverter both provide the backup supply to the electrical system. Two major differences
between the UPS and inverter are that
 The switching of UPS from the main supply to the battery is very immediate so it is used to provide backup
power of important or critical electronics equipment. whereas in inverter the switching from mains supply to
battery takes times so it used to provide less important electrical equipment.
 The UPS provide protection to the load against Spike, Voltage fluctuation, Noise while Inverter does not
provide any protection to the load.