Error connecting the inverter: how to avoid fire and failure.

According to ТСН: In Ukraine, electricity outages continue, and the inverter becomes one of the key devices for switching to backup power.

Expert Andriy Yavorsky emphasized that it is important to be careful when connecting the inverter to the battery, as reversed polarity can cause damage due to the lack of protection in many models.

The standalone inverter converts the direct voltage from the battery into alternating current, while the hybrid inverter has more functions: it can be connected to solar panels, manage energy flows, and also serve as a voltage stabilizer. Most modern hybrid inverters also have an uninterruptible power supply function, providing a smooth transition to reserves during power outages.

Which inverter to choose for the refrigerator

Yavorsky noted that in order to power the refrigerator, inverters with modified sine waves should not be used, as this can lead to overheating of the compressor and breakdown of the refrigerator. It is important that the output of the inverter is a pure sine wave and that it has a power reserve, as the starting power of a refrigerator can reach 1.5 kW. It is recommended to choose inverters with a power of at least 1 kW.

For safe use, the expert provides the following tips:

• Turning off: first turn off the devices connected to the inverter, then turn off the inverter itself. Only after this disconnect it from the battery. Do not disconnect the inverter under load.

• Turning on: connect the battery to the inverter, then turn on the inverter, and only after that connect the devices.

The inverter should be placed in a cool, dry location on a non-combustible surface, ensuring a minimum of 20 centimeters of free space on all sides. The best locations are the hallway or corridor.

The expert recommends connecting only priority devices to the inverter: lighting, refrigerator, communication devices. Unprioritized devices include powerful appliances (electric boiler, water heater, electric oven) that quickly discharge batteries.

Homemade backup power systems can be dangerous, so they should be used cautiously and turned off at night. It is also not recommended to leave a car inverter constantly on, as it consumes energy for its own needs and discharges the battery.

We remind that there is a risk of prolonged local electricity outages in Ukraine, which can last for a day or even several days. This was mentioned by the director of energy programs at the Razumkov Center, Volodymyr Omelyanchenko. He noted that Russia is trying to provoke long blackouts to pressure the population and critical infrastructure.

Omelyanchenko also pointed out that the Left Bank is the most vulnerable, as all nine nuclear power units are located on the Right Bank, while the left side has a significant industry, including military facilities. The enemy is trying to cut this region off from energy resources. He also emphasized that technically it is possible to sever the energy bridge between the banks, as Russia has a significant missile arsenal and produces drone strikes "Shahed" several times more than NATO countries combined.

In conditions of energy crisis, it is important to be prepared for possible electricity outages. Using inverters can become an optimal option for preserving energy in households. By approaching the choice of equipment seriously, many problems and negative consequences that may arise during outages can be avoided.