Many people are confused between buying industrial power inverters and power generators. It’s mainly because they don’t know all about the features and differences between the two.

It’s this ignorance or lack of information that makes the task even more difficult. Here’s a rundown between the features to help you select, in case you are also sailing in the same dilemma. 

1.     Power source 

The main difference is power the two consume to provide you with emergency power. 

Power generators generate AC power through an engine that burns fossil fuels like fossil and petrol. Yes, you may feel that it’s easier maintaining them because all you have to do is fill up the tank when it’s empty! There are no batteries to remember to keep charged all the time. 

However, there is also a drawback to the feature. 

Power generators are generally inefficient and consume lots of fossil fuel if not continuously used at full load. Besides, the fact that it burns fuel means that it also produces smoke that pollutes the environment. 

And most important, power generators produce lots of noise, which contributes to noise pollution. 

Pure sine wave inverters also produce AC power. 

The difference, however, is that it produces power without burning any fuel. It instead uses the DC electricity that it stores in its battery. 

Pure sine wave inverters do not use any mechanical energy to produce AC power. It uses high-speed electrical switches and transformers to modify DC to AC power. 

It means that there is no production of any noise or smoke. This is a plus point for industrial power inverters because it implies that there is no worry about environmental pollution. 

2.     Peak power output

Another point to take into consideration while comparing the two machines is the peak output power. The peak output power is the power source’s ability to provide more than its recommended power to start a load about peak power output. 

You will be supposed to learn that power inverters are better than standard power generators when it comes to peak power output. 

It’s because power generators have a poor peak power capability, that’s about 110-125% of its ominous power rating. It’s inherent operating characteristics, which means you need a more significant power generator to start motor loads. 

This is where modular inverters win. 

Please don’t get fooled by its size! 

You will be surprised to learn that they can anytime outperform the more significant power generators! It’s all thanks to the inverters’ natural high peak power capabilities. 

Surprisingly, pure sine wave power inverters have a peak power output about three to four times its continuous power rating. 

3.     Maintenance

The third and most significant difference between power inverters and generators is the maintenance. 

Modular inverters are much cheaper and easier to maintain than generators. You will have to check the batteries once or at the most twice a year. 

However, power generators need much more maintenance to ensure continual and proper operation!

For example, you will have to change its oil every 200 hours of use. You will also have to drain any fuel in the engine if you don’t have any ideas of using the generator for even a month. 

So now do you have your doubts cleared?

What would you prefer to invest in? The noisy and smoke-producing power generators requiring regular maintenance and which has reduced peak power output levels?

Or the environmentally friendly, maintenance-free, and high peak powered modular inverters? It’s left to you to decide.

While cost may be another factor that helps you decide, you are sure to find something that fits your pocket. Don’t worry. If you are still unsure about what to buy or need more clarifications, your friendly Exeltech technician will help you out!