Inverter generators have been around for a while now, so if you’re not sure what an inverter generator is, don’t worry—you’re in good company.
The terms inverter generators and Traditional Generators can be quite confusing to many people because they don’t know the differences between these and traditional electric generators. Fortunately, we here at bestgeneratorguide.com.
Inverter generators and traditional generators are both very similar, in that they both generate electricity from a fuel source, but the differences lie in the technology used to generate the power and how it’s delivered to your home or business.
Inverter generators have been around since the late 1980s, when they were first developed by Honda.
In an inverter generator, the engine works similarly to a traditional generator, except it also has two inverters attached to it that convert the alternating current from the engine into direct current.
What is a Traditional Electric Generator?
A traditional electric generator is, as you might guess, a device that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. The more detailed definition of a generator is an electromechanical device that contains two basic elements:
- Rotating coils of wire (coils) and
- Magnets.
Each time these coiled wires rotate past a magnet they induce an electrical current in that wire.
It’s important to understand that generators are driven by motion—in fact, most generators are designed to be physically connected to some kind of engine or motor so that when it moves it causes electricity to be produced.
This means that everything from Internal Combustion Engines to wind turbines can be used to power large generators. What all generators have in common is their ability to convert one form of energy into another; whether through turning a key on your car or using strong winds blowing off a mountain top.
What’s an inverter generator? How does it differ?
Whereas traditional generators simply generate electricity, inverter generators utilize complex electronic circuitry to change out-of-phase alternating current to direct current and then back to AC.
This process is known as ‘inverting’ (hence ‘inverter’). Inverting allows for a number of useful features such as voltage regulation and overload protection. The output of inverter generators can be adjusted by varying their speed – making them suitable for powering all sorts of machinery, from equipment used in mining and construction operations to power tools and home appliances.
How is the process of ‘Inverting’ happen in an Inverter Generator?
In an inverter generator, instead of transforming mechanical energy into electrical energy directly, it transforms mechanical energy into an intermediate form of electrical energy called induced voltage before converting it to direct current (DC) which is then fed to a full-wave bridge rectifier that produces pulsating DC current. This pulsating DC is then transformed into AC by an output filter to produce pure sine wave electricity for domestic use.
Thus, in inverter generators, unlike traditional generators, no magnetic excitation is required; rather electronic circuitry does all these functions. Because of its high efficiency, electronic control system, and other technological advances, inverter generators are becoming more popular than traditional generators in recent times even though their initial cost may be slightly higher than traditional ones.
Advantages of Inverter Generators
Inverter generators offer several advantages over traditional generators, including lower fuel consumption, less noise, and reduced emissions. In fact, inverter generators are up to 80 percent more efficient than their counterparts, according to popular experts. That means you can run your home appliances for a longer period of time with an inverter generator before refueling them.
In addition, unlike a traditional generator that produces a loud hum in order to generate power, inverter generators produce less noise while operating. It is normally of low THD clean signal. (THD or Total Harmonic Distortion means the amount of distortion caused by imperfect amplification.) And finally, since they don’t produce as much air pollution as standard generators do, inverter generators release fewer contaminants into your environment.
The biggest advantage of an inverter generator is its portability—they are smaller, lighter, and quieter than traditional generators, which makes them easier to transport and move around your property or campsite.
They are also much easier to store when not in use. It suits best for your RV and even boats as well. Smaller models can be moved by hand while larger models usually come with wheels. You can also choose between gas-powered or corded-electric-powered generators for greater flexibility. And, because they don’t need fuel to start up as a traditional generator, you can more easily bring it along on trips that require camping power overnight.
What are the key differences between Inverter Generators and Traditional Generators?
There are several differences. Some of them are: –
- Inverter generators typically cost more to purchase, but they last longer and are easier to maintain, making them more economical in the long run. They also take up less space, making them ideal for people who need an emergency power source but have limited space or storage options available to them, such as renters or homeowners with a smaller garage. Many inverter generators can even be kept outside permanently for easy access in case of an outage.While inverter generators are far more popular than traditional generators, it’s still worth taking a look at what they’re made of and how they work to better understand their advantages over conventional models. Below here we, summarize some of their key differences, but I’ll take you through them in more detail below. While comparing specifications isn’t enough to determine which model is right for you, it should at least point you in the right direction.
- Most conventional generator sets use 2-stroke engines, which operate with gasoline or diesel. These machines require frequent filter changes due to increased air pollution—in fact, small dirt particles are known to build up in carburetor components rather quickly.
- While a small amount of dust may be negligible sometimes, it’s a different story when you’re running heavy equipment or sensitive devices. If you want to avoid dirty air and unnecessary costs, look for an inverter generator with a 4-stroke engine—they run more quietly and don’t require excessive maintenance like their 2-stroke counterparts.
- The other benefit? They produce less particulate matter than traditional models! Did you know that respirable suspended particulates (RSP) are linked to lung cancer? Yeah, not cool; long story short: 4-stroke engines are better for your health. And for our environment too—we should take care of what we have instead of ignoring problems until they become unbearable.
- The other major difference between inverter generators and traditional generators is their efficiency in fuel consumption. An inverter generator is much more efficient than a traditional generator because of its design, which allows it to run at peak efficiency levels all of the time, not just part of it like with other generators. This means that your inverter generator will produce less emissions per unit of energy generated. And since emission controls are getting stricter on both an international level and locally, there’s every reason to opt for an inverter generator over a traditional one if you have emissions limits on emissions produced during operation.
- Inverter generators produce a true sine wave output, unlike many traditional generators which produce square waves or modified square waves with high THD (total harmonic distortion) values. The low THD value of inverter generator power makes it an ideal choice for powering sensitive electronics, computers and other technical devices that demand clean power output. If you plan to run sensitive electronic equipment during an outage, be sure to choose an inverter generator that has a low THD value of less than 5%.
- If you want a more civilized source of electricity for your home, inverter generators are going to be a good choice for you. They’re a lot quieter than traditional generators, and their quiet operation means they can be placed on a balcony or in your basement without making your life an intolerable mess of noise pollution. Inverter generators also don’t put out as much carbon monoxide or other pollutants that could contaminate your indoor air quality. If you run your generator very often (or if it’s too close to your house), think about an inverter-based system. It could save you time and headaches later.
- Also referred to as micro-hybrid inverters, these units are available in both portable and stationary models. Despite its name, an inverter generator still relies on fossil fuels—but it uses them more efficiently and quietly than a traditional electric generator, making it ideal for backup power when paired with an energy storage system like solar panels or a battery bank. This reduces energy costs while also reducing your environmental impact. If you’re going off-grid or want complete peace of mind during a storm or power outage, an inverter generator is a smart investment for your home.
- Invertor generator comes with a host of advanced safety features, such as emergency stop buttons and automatic overload shutdown systems.
- Inverter generators don’t need as much maintenance as traditional generators, which is a definite plus for those who don’t want to do constant repairs and maintenance of their equipment. This also makes them more cost-effective in the long run, since they won’t be in need of repair or replacement quite as often.
Our Takeaway
So, if you’re trying to decide between an inverter generator and a traditional electric generator, then it might be helpful to first consider what type of generator will work best for your specific needs. Ask yourself some questions: What do I want to power? How far away is that equipment from my home’s electrical panel? Will I need backup power during an outage? Do I need extra capacity for future loads? Answering these questions can help guide you toward an appropriate solution. And with so many different types of generators out there, finding one tailored specifically to your situation shouldn’t be too difficult.
We hope our blog on generators has helped clarify things; thanks for reading!