The most common question you will be asking yourself if you are in the market to buy an inverter is if you should buy a square or sine wave inverters. And if you don’t know what inverters are, they are appliances that convert DC electricity to AC electricity.

This is necessary because batteries store backup power in the form of Direct Current. The problem, however, is that most household electrical appliances run on Alternating Current. The stored energy has to be converted to AC electricity to power your devices safely.

Now a square and sine wave inverter once again differs based on its output current. While both of the inverter output is similar to the AC, sine wave output is purer. There are also pure sine wave inverters with much purer inverter output. 

Square wave inverters are simpler in design and work more efficiently than sine wave inverters. However, it’s due to the sizeable harmonic content that makes it inappropriate for some power loads.

For example, some electromechanical devices will not function properly with square wave power. A reactive load may lead to a loss of efficiency or nullify the inverter’s efficiency advantage.  

Sine wave inverters are, on the contrary, superior in quality and performance. It’s not that square wave inverters are inferior in quality. Both have their individual benefits and features. It’s just that it’s a known fact that sine wave inverters offer the following advantages over square wave inverters:

Benefits of sine wave inverters over square wave inverters

1. Type of technology

Square wave inverters are older and built using old technology. On the contrary, pure sine wave inverters are relatively new and made with State of Art Technology. 

2. Noise

If you have always wondered why you hear humming noises with the inverter on, it’s because of the inverter type. For example, sine wave inverters do not produce any humming noise in the fan or tube lights. It’s the square wave inverters that create the noise. 

3. Waveform

Sine waves inverters produce the same type of current you receive from the power grid. So they are a safer power source for your appliances. However, the output current of square wave inverters comes in a different waveform. They are thus not safe to power-sensitive electronic devices, induction applications, and motors. 

Besides, the output voltage of sine wave inverters lies within the 230 volts limit. On the contrary, the output voltage of square wave inverters can reach 290 volts.

4. Compatibility with stabilizers

Unfortunately, some branded stabilizers and computer UPS are not compatible with square wave inverters. It is, in fact, dangerous to use them to power your computer or television. It’s better to bypass or remove the inverter to use your computer or tv safely or buy another inverter for your appliance. 

On the contrary, nothing stops you from using pure sine wave inverters with your television, computer, or sensitive appliance. Sine wave inverters work seamlessly with any type of stabilizer and computer UPS.

You can thus save money because there’s no need to buy a separate UPS for your desktop computer. It’s in safe hands if you have a pure sine wave inverter. 

5. Additional backup power

Sine wave inverters offer the added advantage of providing extended power backup for your powering needs. It thus means that you end up saving on your current bill. You won’t get any extended power back up in the case of square wave inverters. 

6. Safe operation

Sine wave inverters are safe to use to operate your mixie or grinder during a power outage. It’s something that’s not possible with square wave inverters. 

In short, if you have more sensitive equipment to power, it’s always a better choice to invest in sine wave inverters!