Summer is a season of frequent power cuts in India. To combat complete blackouts, every industry and household needs power backup systems that are reliable, affordable and robust.
By Shruti Mishra
The home UPS system and inverter industry has always been in a healthy state in India due to power inefficiencies. The wide gap between the demand and supply of electricity and the rapidly-evolving industrial base in semi-urban areas are the two main factors behind the consistent rise in the sale of inverters and UPS systems in India.
Besides this, there has been a gradual rise in awareness among people about preventing the damage caused to electronic equipment due to voltage fluctuations. According to a Ken Research report, India’s inverter market is projected to grow at an appreciable CAGR of 9.4 per cent by FY 2019. Similarly, the UPS system market in India is projected to expand at a CAGR of 9.8 per cent between FY 2014 and FY 2019.
Knowing the difference
The basic function and architecture of both inverters and UPS systems are almost the same, but the difference lies in the time they take to switch to battery power when the power fails.
As the name suggests, UPS systems provide uninterrupted and instantaneous power supply when a power cut happens. They are suitable for industries, offices and medical centres that need constant power supply and cannot afford to switch off their appliances even for a few milliseconds.
Inverters provide near-instantaneous power backup during power failure. The basic function of inverters is to convert direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC) using transformers, switching and control circuits. Since the time an inverter takes to restore power is not as fast as a UPS system, they are good for homes and industries where data loss is not an issue.
How to make a quick choice
Picking the right power backup system is not a tough call. There are plenty of companies that are manufacturing high quality UPS systems and inverters with good specifications. All you have to do is keep in mind the following points before buying:
- Make a selection based on your power requirements and don’t fall for any marketing gimmicks. For this, you need to focus on two things: a) how many appliances you want to run on backup, and b) the total time for which the backup is required.
- It is also very important to understand the climatic conditions in your area. For example, if you are living in hilly or coastal areas where thunderstorms are quite a common occurrence, then you must opt for systems that are enabled with lightning protection technology. Similarly, for dry and sunny locations, systems with solar compatibility can be used.
- While buying batteries for inverters, go for the option with the maximum warranty.
Factors responsible for the growth in the inverter and UPS system market in India:
- Inefficient supply of electricity
- The growing industrial base
- The increasing purchasing power of Indian consumers
- Decreasing tolerance for long power cuts
- Increased dependence on digital networks
A few products available in the market
Model: Combo UPS Thunder, Manufacturer: UTL
UTL’s Combo UPS Thunder is available with the optional lightning protection feature. This protects domestic equipment (connected to the home UPS system and the UPS itself) from being damaged by the sudden over-voltage. Another advantage of lightning protection is that the fusible MOV used in it can be easily replaced by the end user also. This means that in case the MOV fuse gets shorted due to thunder/lightning, the end user can, without any help from any repair engineer, replace it with a new one.
Key features
- Input voltage waveform: Sinusoidal
- Nominal input voltage: 230V AC
- Nominal output voltage: 240V AC
- Maximum AC input voltage: 290V AC
- Nominal input frequency: 50Hz
- Operating temperature range: 0ºC to 40ºC
- Standards complied with: IS 16242-1
Contact: www.upsinverter.com
Model: PS/3-series UPS system, Manufacturer: Elent Electronics Pvt Ltd
The PS/3-series of UPS systems are smooth and silent when in operation, and their well-engineered architecture gives a good performance with very low operational expenditure. They have a wide input voltage tolerance range, and provide a dynamic response for step load change.
Key features
- Rated output capacity: 1kVA to 10kVA single phase, and 5kVA to 120kVA three phase
- Input voltage: 160V to 270V AC two-wire (single phase), or 330V to 470V AC four-wire (three phase)
- Input frequency: 47Hz to 53Hz
- Output voltage: 220V/230V AC
- Inverter efficiency: Better than 85 per cent
- Operating temperature range: 0°C to 50°C
- Overload capacity: 120 per cent for 10 minutes, 150 per cent for 10 seconds
- Audible noise: Less than 55dB at 1.5 metres
Contact: www.elent.in
Model: Amplon N series, Manufacturer: Delta Power Solutions India Pvt Ltd
The Amplon N series is an online double-conversion UPS system that can provide critical equipment with reliable, stable sine wave power. Its advantages include an output power factor of 0.9 and up to 93 per cent AC-AC efficiency for greater energy savings. The Amplon N series is designed to eliminate disturbances and supply quality power to workstations, POSs, ATMs or home appliances.
Key features
- Input voltage range: 175V to 280V AC (full load)
- Input frequency: 50/60Hz ± 10Hz
- Input power factor: Greater than 0.99 (full load)
- Input current harmonic distortion: Less than 3 per cent
- Output voltage harmonic distortion: Less than 3 per cent (linear load)
- Operating temperature: 0ºC to 40ºC
Contact: www.deltapowersolutions.com/en-in
Model: Ei Power 1500, Manufacturer: V-Guard Industries Ltd
The Ei Power 1500 from V-Guard is a home UPS system, ideal for providing extra-long back-ups for personal computers and ensuring 100 per cent safety for all power sensitive equipment. It charges its battery quickly and prevents it from going into deep discharge. A space saving design and intelligent audio and visual indications add to its utility, while its microcontroller based digitally controlled operation makes it user friendly.
Key features
- Normal mode working range: 110V to 280V AC
- UPS working mode: 180V to 265V AC
- Inverter efficiency: More than 80 per cent
- Gross weight: 17.2kg
- Warranty: 24 months
Contact: www.vguard.in
Model: Falcon++, Manufacturer: Su-Kam Power Systems Ltd
Enabled with intelligent automatic temperature compensation (ATC) technology, this smart inverter adjusts battery charging according to the ambient temperature to maximise battery performance. The sensor present in the inverter automatically senses the temperature and takes control of overcharging and undercharging, thereby increasing battery life by at least six months and providing good battery backup.
Powered with DT-6s technology, the Falcon++ performs effective de-sulphation of the battery, ensuring 10 per cent faster charging and an increase in battery life of at least 15 per cent.
Key features
- Equipped with highly advanced fourth generation microprocessor
- Switchover time: Less than 8 milliseconds
- Frequency range: 42Hz to 65Hz
- Manufactured according to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001
- Solar compatibility
- Multifunction graphical LCD display
Contact: www.su-kam.com
