Inverters - Battery Back Up Systems. How does it work:
When Eskom power is on, the batteries are being charged, in the case of lithium ion
this takes pretty quickly and once charged that's it, except for the occasional trickle charge.
(All our battery backup options are expandable with Solar panels)
How do these systems work? (keeping it simple)
A typical Inverter system consists of:
1. An Inverter correctly rated according to what you want powered during load shedding.
We only install Pure Sine Wave Inverters. Note : The power that will be consumed during load shedding will always go through the inverter during Eskom power.
2. A Battery (or batteries) this determines how long you will have back up power.
We only install Lithium Ion Batteries.
A typical installation would go like this.
We come through to your home or commercial premises and check the following:
A. How many appliances are required to be powered during load shedding. We attach our test instruments to the circuits and measure the current that will be required. With the right formulae we can determine the size of the inverter that is requited and the size of the battery/ies.
Note: Rewiring and or the installation of of additional circuits will most probably be necessary to prevent non critical loads from being connected, for example a 12 fin 2500w oil heater.
All the new inverter switch sockets (plugs) will be of the red dedicated type, meaning only the designated appliances can be powered from these sockets. This is also done to conform to the Wiring Code SANS 10142-1. The red switch socket is so designed that a normal plug top will not be able to be pushed into this switch socket.
B. We check the following to assist our company issuing the correct prices.
i) We look at the positioning of the main distribution board. We will have to install a separate Inverter Distribution Board.
Determine where the battery / batteries will be located and the respective DC Board / Fuses.
ii) We also check if any circuits need to be rewired.
Geek stuff:
Remember, the power for the dedicated circuits is still going through the inverter, so this must be correctly rated.
Then wam, the power goes off, virtually instantaneously, at .5 of a second (WiFi and Dstv Decoders might reset) the batteries pump power back (DC Power) into the Inverter which changes the DC Voltage (we use 48V batteries) into 230Vac voltage.
When power goes off the pattern is repeated.
Things to take notice of:
1. Inverters do not like anything that has an element for example those huge oil fin heaters, geysers, microwave ovens, pumps, air-conditioners, kettles, coffee machines, electric frying pans.
2. All your lamps should be changed to LED lamps. An old downlighter lamp (quartz halogen) is rated at 50Watts and a LED equivalent is rated around 5Watts, therefore a great deal less stress on the inverter. Above is a 3Phase 12Kw Sunsynk Inverter plus Hubble Lithium Ion Batteries that we installed in a home in Tamboerskloof .
 5Kw Kodak Inverter and 5Kw Pylontech Lithium Ion Battery Specifications Document |  5Kw Sunsynk Inverter and 1 x Hubble 5.5Kw Lithium Ion Batteries C1 Rated |  8Kw Sunsynk Inverter and 2 x Hubble 5.5Kw Lithium Ion Batteries C1 Rated |
Grid-tie and hybrid/battery solar inverters serve different functions in a solar energy system.
A grid-tie solar inverter, also known as a string inverter, is connected directly to the utility grid. It converts direct current (DC) electricity generated by solar panels into alternating current (AC) electricity, which is compatible with the grid. This type of inverter allows you to feed excess solar power back into the grid, earning credits on your utility bill (if offered by your electricity provider). However, in the event of a grid power outage, a grid-tie solar inverter cannot provide backup power to your home or business.
On the other hand, a hybrid/battery solar inverter, such as the Sunsynk 5kW hybrid inverter, provides both grid-tied and off-grid capabilities. It can also charge a battery bank and provide backup power during grid outages. Additionally, this type of inverter allows you to use stored battery power during periods of high electricity demand, if/when utility rates are highest, instead of drawing power from the grid.
One key difference between the two types of inverters is that grid-tie inverters are simpler and less expensive, while hybrid/battery inverters are more complex and more expensive. This is because hybrid/battery inverters include additional components, such as a battery management system and a charging controller, which grid-tie inverters do not have.
Another difference is that grid-tie inverters are designed to work with a single solar panel array, while hybrid/battery inverters are designed to work with multiple arrays and battery banks. This makes hybrid/battery inverters a better choice for large-scale solar energy systems and off-grid applications, where backup power and energy storage are necessary.
In conclusion, the choice between a grid-tie solar inverter and a hybrid/battery solar inverter depends on your specific energy needs and requirements. If you are looking for a simple and cost-effective solution for grid-connected solar power, a grid-tie inverter may be the right choice. If you require backup power and energy storage capabilities, a hybrid/battery solar inverter may be a better option.
Download The City of Cape Town's approved list of Inverters (Scroll down to either Kodak or Sunsynk)
Download the Sunsynk Installation Manual
Contact RSA Electrical for a site visit (R620 ex Vat) and a subsequent quotation.
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