Difference?

Question

CAN U TELL ME THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INVERTER AND AN UPS

Answer 1

An inverter is a circuit for converting direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC). Inverters are used in a wide range of applications, from small switched power supplies for a computer to large electric utility applications to transport bulk power.

--> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverter_%28electrical%29

An uninterruptible power supply (UPS), uninterruptible power source or sometimes called a battery backup is a device which maintains a continuous supply of electric power to connected equipment by supplying power from a separate source when utility power is not available.

--> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uninterruptible_power_supply

Answer 2

A UPS generally has switching circuitry to detect the line quality of an AC input and switch to DC battery source, which it inverts to supply power, in case of disruption to the AC input.

An inverter has none of the detection circuitry and works when there is an input AC voltage, and doesn't when that power is interrupted.

UPS are used to safely power down complex systems. For most industrial applications, the UPS also has discreet outputs to tell the overall system when it has been activated, so that an automated shut-down sequence may be initiated to return a system to a "safe" mode.

Answer 3

There are many types of each but I assume your question is probably limited to the type of UPS you would use for your PC.

This contains 4 main components
1. A rectifier - to convert mains ac to dc
2. A Battery - to store power
3. An inverter - to convert dc to ac
4. A switch - to enable the ouput to be from either direct mains or the inverter.

Hope that explains it