Generators and inverters are about creating and converting power, but they do different tasks and do them very differently. Traditional portable generators provide power output in the form of AC electricity, created from some form of mechanical energy. On the other hand, an inverter converts one form of electrical power (direct current or DC) into another form of electrical power (alternating current or AC).
Types of Current
There are two types of electrical current: alternating current, which runs most typical devices and fixtures, and direct current. DC is available, for example, in your car but needs to be converted to AC for use by household devices.
Stable Current
Inverters have the advantage of producing stable and clean AC current quietly. In contrast, generators have to run at high speeds to produce electricity, so they are also very noisy. They also nearly always produce “dirtier” power that can cause problems with some electric devices.
Understanding the Differences between generator and inverter
To understand the differences between an inverter and a generator and which might be better, you need to understand some basics about portable generators and how electric power works.
Why Two Kinds of Current?
Direct current, favored by Thomas Edison, flows in only one direction. Nikola Tesla’s preferred power, alternating current, flows in both directions and can readily be converted to higher voltages that lose less energy when traveling long distances. As electrical power distribution grew in the 19th and 20th centuries, AC became recognized as having a clear advantage for heavy power services.
AC Became the Standard
This distance advantage made AC power the current choice for the power grid, quickly sending current from central power stations to electrical devices in homes and offices. Once the AC gets there, it is stepped down to the lower voltages used to operate home and office appliances.
Personal computers, and electronic devices in general, are an exception to using AC power. These devices operate on direct current. However, they use a rectifier in the device’s power supply, which runs on AC.
Current Wars
Tesla and Edison warred about currents for years. Edison even assisted in developing the electric chair using AC, hoping to frighten people off from using AC. In the electrical current wars, Tesla got the long-term win.
How Does an Inverter Work?
A significant difference between a generator and an inverter is that while a generator produces electrical power, an inverter does not. Instead, it receives a direct current and turns that DC into an alternating current. This is done by sending the current through switches that route the energy back and forth very quickly. The inverter evens out the power waves in the process, producing a very stable frequency. The result is what is sometimes referred to as “clean” power. You use a rectifier to go in the opposite direction, from AC to DC.
Grid Connection
A grid-connected inverter can work with your solar panels to allow you to use the power from the panels or the batteries they’ve charged. You can even sell power back to the electrical utility when you have more than you need if set up to do so. Check out our article on the subject if you’re wondering, “What Is A Solar Generator?“.
Power in Your Car
A widespread use of inverters is to run AC-powered devices in your car. Many things you want to plug into your vehicle, a charger, a computer, or a GPS, need AC. But the alternators in cars produce DC, so the power must be converted to AC.
Many vehicles allow for plugging a small inverter into the cigarette lighter outlet, or what used to be the cigarette lighter outlet, allowing the use of a charger or other electrical device. New models have built-in inverters and a standard household-style plug with AC power.
Inverters and Green Power Generation Industry
Inverters are also used on a much larger scale. They allow the use of power generated by solar and wind energy, which is generated as DC and stored in batteries.
How Does a Generator Work?
A conventional generator uses mechanical energy to generate electrical energy. In large installations, mechanical energy may come from turbines run by water power, natural gas, coal, oil, or nuclear energy.
In the Home
In a home-style generator, the generator produces electrical power, usually fueled by natural or liquid propane gas, to replace power during a power outage. Conventional generators can be designed to produce either AC or DC power, with AC being the usual choice since modern household appliances run on AC. These home generators allow you to draw power during a power shutdown.
At Work
A portable generator used at construction sites and other similar locations to power tools generally uses gasoline or diesel. The power output of these generators can also be a lifesaver in a power outage. Generators are for power generation but cannot convert current. A transformer or inverter will be required if the power needs to be converted.
Similar Equipment
Some equipment used in the power generation industry is similar to inverters and generators but performs their tasks somewhat differently. These devices can ease your task when you need to use and generate electricity.
Power Converters
Although many use the terms interchangeably, a converter is different from an inverter. A power converter changes voltage levels, not current flow. Various countries use different power levels, making it difficult to, for instance, use your American razor or hairdryer in England.
Small power converters fitted to two or more countries’ systems are commonly available, especially in travel stores. They look similar to the adapter used to put a grounded three-prong plug into an ungrounded two-prong outlet. They allow your devices designed for one power output to use another.
Inverter Generator
Like all generators, inverter generators generate electricity. However, these generators produce AC power, which the generator then converts to DC and back to AC. This process provides a more constant power flow and also allows the generator to be more fuel-efficient, depending on usage. Portable inverter generators often are also quieter than ordinary generators. See “How Does an Inverter Generator Work?” for more information.
If you’re concerned about noise, check out the especially quiet Honda EU2200i.
Which Is Better – Inverter vs. Generator?
The crucial difference between a generator and an inverter is that the inverter must have a source of power that it can convert. In contrast, a generator can supply power but cannot change its current. As you can see from the differences between them, the question of which is better, an inverter or a generator, depends on the task you have to perform.
Making Power
In the end, a generator is a machine that creates power. It uses an external fuel or power source of mechanical energy to convert to electrical energy. Generators vary in scale, as do the power outages, which are their most common use case today. If you need to create power, you need a generator.
Changing Power
On the other hand, an inverter does not create power at all. Instead, it transforms DC power into AC. In the home, an inverter will most often be connected to a bank of batteries, charged either by solar power or from the electrical grid, to produce domestically usable AC. So, if you need to convert DC power to AC, or if power quality is important to you, you need an inverter.
In other words, the inverter converts electricity while the generator creates electricity. Whether a fully installed propane-powered generator or a small portable run with gasoline, the generator exists solely to produce power. The inverter converts DC from some external source, such as batteries or a rectifier, to AC power, like what’s used in the power company’s electrical grid.
Generators can be designed in a wide range of production capacities; inverters tend to be of smaller capacity. However, they are ideal for meeting the needs of households that use solar panels. Generators are virtually required in areas that often experience power outages. They can respond quickly to a power failure but will only run so long as external fuel is available.
Power Output Quality: Inverter Generators vs. Traditional Generators
One key difference between inverter generators and traditional generators is the quality of the power they produce. This is particularly important when powering sensitive electronic devices, as poor power quality can lead to malfunctions or even damage.
Clean Power from Inverter Generators
Inverter generators produce a clean, stable power output with low total harmonic distortion (THD). THD is a measure of how much the power output deviates from a perfect sine wave. A high THD can cause issues with sensitive electronics, such as computers, smartphones, and medical equipment.
Inverter generators typically have a THD of less than 3%, which is considered safe for most electronic devices. The generator’s advanced electronics achieve clean power by regulating the voltage and frequency of the output to maintain a consistent, high-quality power supply.
Less Stable Power from Traditional Generators
Traditional generators, while reliable for powering most appliances, may produce electricity with higher THD levels. This is because they generate power directly from the alternator without the additional step of converting it to DC and then back to AC power through an inverter.
The power output from traditional generators can be more prone to fluctuations and spikes, which can potentially cause issues with sensitive electronics. While many devices can still function properly with the power from a traditional generator, those that require a cleaner, more stable supply may benefit from the use of an inverter generator.
When choosing between an inverter generator and a traditional generator, consider the types of devices you plan to power. If you frequently use sensitive electronics or have equipment that requires a clean, stable power supply, an inverter generator may be the better choice to ensure optimal performance and longevity of your devices.
The Relationship Between Inverters and Generators
While inverters and generators are distinct devices with different functions, they can work together in certain products to provide a more versatile and efficient power solution. Understanding the relationship between inverters and generators can help clarify some of the confusion surrounding these terms.
Inverters in Solar Generators
In the context of solar power, the term “solar generator” typically refers to a portable power station that combines solar panels, a battery, a charge controller, and an inverter. In this setup, the inverter is a key component that converts the DC power stored in the battery into AC power that can be used to run various appliances and devices.
The solar panels charge the battery, which then supplies DC power to the inverter. The inverter’s role is to convert this DC power into AC power, making it compatible with most household electronics. In this sense, the inverter is an integral part of the solar generator system, working in conjunction with the other components to provide a portable and renewable power source.
Built-in Inverters in Some Fossil Fuel Generators
Some modern fossil fuel generators, particularly those designed for recreational use or as backup power sources, also incorporate inverters. These generators, often called inverter generators, combine a traditional gas or propane engine with an inverter to produce clean, stable AC power.
In an inverter generator, the engine generates AC power, which is then converted to DC power by a rectifier. The inverter then converts this DC power back into AC power, but with a much more stable voltage and frequency than the engine’s raw output. This results in a higher-quality power supply that is safe for sensitive electronics.
Standalone Inverters for Battery Power Systems
In addition to their use in solar and inverter generators, standalone inverters can also be used in battery power systems. These systems typically include a battery bank, a charger, and an inverter. The charger replenishes the batteries, either from the grid or a renewable source like solar panels or a wind turbine, while the inverter converts the stored DC power into AC power for use with standard appliances.
In this context, the inverter is a separate component from the power generation source, focusing solely on converting DC to AC power.
By understanding how inverters and generators can work together or separately, you can better navigate the options available and choose the power solution that best fits your needs.
Conclusion
In the end, it’s clear that whether an inverter or a generator is better for you depends entirely on the task you expect to use it for. If you want to run electrical devices in your home or business from solar panels or wind turbines that require that you convert direct current, then an inverter will be crucial to your power system. On the other hand, if you live in a rural area where power-interrupting storms leading to power outages are frequent, a small, permanently installed home generator with limited fuel consumption may be the best for you.
Ultimately, the difference between generator and inverter depends on whether you want to create or convert power.
If you’re interested in inverter generators, check out the Duromax XP4500iH.
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