Current · 21 answers
Inverters, backup & solar
इनवर्टर, बैकअप और सोलर
VA and battery sizing, UPS, on-grid or hybrid, rooftop solar.
What size inverter (VA) do I need?
Add up the watts of everything you want on backup, then divide by about 0.8 to get VA. Lights, fans, a router and a TV totalling 600 W need roughly a 750–800 VA inverter; leave some headroom rather than running it near its limit.
हिंदी बैकअप पर चलने वाले उपकरणों के वाट जोड़कर 0.8 से भाग दें = VA। 600 W लोड के लिए लगभग 750–800 VA इनवर्टर।
What size battery do I need for my inverter?
Roughly: battery Ah ≈ load watts × backup hours ÷ (battery voltage × 0.8). For 300 W for 3 hours on a 12 V system, that's about 94 Ah — so a 100–150 Ah battery. Higher loads or longer cuts need bigger batteries or a 24 V system.
हिंदी बैटरी Ah ≈ लोड वाट × घंटे ÷ (बैटरी वोल्ट × 0.8)। 300 W, 3 घंटे, 12 V पर ≈ 94 Ah — यानी 100–150 Ah बैटरी।
What's the difference between flat-plate, tubular and lithium inverter batteries?
Flat-plate lead-acid batteries cost least and suit areas with short cuts. Tubular batteries handle deep, frequent discharges and last longer. Lithium batteries are lighter, need no water top-ups and last the most cycles, at a higher price.
हिंदी फ़्लैट-प्लेट सस्ती, छोटे कट के लिए; ट्यूबलर लंबे और बार-बार कट के लिए; लिथियम हल्की, बिना पानी और लंबी चलने वाली पर महंगी।
How do I look after an inverter battery?
For lead-acid batteries, top up with distilled water only, to the marked level, every few weeks; keep terminals clean and greased; keep the battery in a ventilated place; and let it discharge and recharge now and then if cuts are rare.
हिंदी बैटरी में सिर्फ़ डिस्टिल्ड पानी तय निशान तक डालें, टर्मिनल साफ़ रखें और हवादार जगह पर रखें।
Where should the inverter battery be kept?
In a ventilated spot — lead-acid batteries give off hydrogen while charging — away from heat, sun and children, on a stand off the floor, and ideally not in a bedroom or a closed cupboard.
हिंदी इनवर्टर बैटरी हवादार जगह पर रखें (चार्ज होते समय गैस निकलती है), धूप-गर्मी और बच्चों से दूर, बंद अलमारी में नहीं।
Pure sine wave or square wave inverter?
Pure sine wave inverters give power like the mains, so fans run quietly, motors run cooler and electronics are happier. Square or modified-wave inverters are cheaper but can make fans hum and stress some devices.
हिंदी साइन वेव इनवर्टर मेन बिजली जैसी सप्लाई देता है — पंखे शांत और उपकरण सुरक्षित; स्क्वायर वेव सस्ता पर पंखे भनभनाते हैं।
Can an inverter run a fridge, AC or water pump?
A fridge can often run on a sine-wave inverter of about 1 kVA or more, but the compressor start needs headroom. ACs, geysers, irons and heaters are too heavy for typical home inverters; pumps need a large inverter or a generator.
हिंदी फ्रिज लगभग 1 kVA+ साइन वेव इनवर्टर पर चल सकता है; AC, गीज़र, प्रेस और हीटर आम घरेलू इनवर्टर के लिए बहुत भारी हैं।
What's the difference between an inverter and a UPS?
A UPS switches over almost instantly, so computers don't restart; it usually gives short backup. A home inverter is built for longer backup of lights and fans; many now have a 'UPS mode' with faster switching for computers.
हिंदी UPS तुरंत बदलता है ताकि कंप्यूटर बंद न हो (कम बैकअप); घरेलू इनवर्टर लाइट-पंखों के लंबे बैकअप के लिए।
How long does an inverter battery last?
With good care, typically several years — tubular and lithium batteries usually outlast flat-plate ones. Deep daily discharges, heat and missed water top-ups shorten life considerably.
हिंदी अच्छी देखभाल से बैटरी कई साल चलती है; रोज़ पूरी खाली करना, गर्मी और पानी न डालना उम्र घटाते हैं।
What's the difference between on-grid, off-grid and hybrid solar?
On-grid systems feed power to the mains and reduce your bill, but switch off during a power cut for safety. Off-grid systems run from batteries without the mains. Hybrid systems do both: they export to the grid and keep batteries for backup.
हिंदी ऑन-ग्रिड बिल घटाता है पर बिजली जाने पर बंद हो जाता है; ऑफ़-ग्रिड बैटरी पर चलता है; हाइब्रिड दोनों करता है।
Why does my on-grid solar stop during a power cut?
Grid-tied inverters must shut down when the mains fails (anti-islanding) so they don't feed power into lines that workers believe are dead. For backup during cuts you need a hybrid system with batteries.
हिंदी ऑन-ग्रिड इनवर्टर बिजली जाने पर सुरक्षा के लिए बंद हो जाता है ताकि लाइन पर काम करने वालों को करंट न लगे; बैकअप के लिए हाइब्रिड चाहिए।
How much electricity does 1 kW of rooftop solar make?
Across much of India, about 3.5–4.5 units a day per kW on average — more on clear summer days, less in the monsoon and in shaded or cloudy places. A 3 kW system might make around 300–400 units a month.
हिंदी भारत में 1 kW सोलर औसतन रोज़ 3.5–4.5 यूनिट बनाता है; 3 kW सिस्टम महीने में लगभग 300–400 यूनिट।
How much roof area does rooftop solar need?
Roughly 6–10 m² of shade-free roof per kW, depending on the panels and how they're spaced and tilted. Water tanks, parapets and neighbouring buildings that cast shade reduce the usable area.
हिंदी हर kW के लिए लगभग 6–10 वर्ग मीटर छाया-रहित छत चाहिए।
How often should solar panels be cleaned?
Whenever dust visibly builds up — every couple of weeks in dry, dusty seasons. Use plain water and a soft brush or cloth early in the morning; avoid harsh chemicals and standing on the panels.
हिंदी धूल जमने पर, सूखे मौसम में हर 2 हफ़्ते, सुबह पानी और मुलायम ब्रश से साफ़ करें।
Do solar panels need earthing and lightning protection?
Yes. Panel frames and mounting structures should be earthed, the DC and AC sides should have surge protection, and installations on tall or exposed roofs benefit from lightning protection.
हिंदी हाँ, सोलर फ्रेम और स्ट्रक्चर की अर्थिंग, DC-AC पर सर्ज प्रोटेक्शन और ऊँची छत पर लाइटनिंग प्रोटेक्शन ज़रूरी।
Which loads should never go on the inverter circuit?
Geysers, irons, room heaters, induction cooktops, ACs and large motors — they'll overload a typical home inverter or drain the battery in minutes. Keep inverter circuits for lights, fans, routers, TVs and chargers.
हिंदी गीज़र, प्रेस, हीटर, इंडक्शन, AC और बड़ी मोटर इनवर्टर सर्किट पर न रखें; सिर्फ़ लाइट, पंखे, राउटर और TV।
Why does my inverter battery drain quickly?
The load may be higher than you think (check with all backup loads on), the battery may be ageing or low on water, or the charging may be incomplete because cuts are frequent. A battery check and a load audit usually find it.
हिंदी बैटरी जल्दी खत्म — ज़्यादा लोड, पुरानी बैटरी, कम पानी या अधूरी चार्जिंग; जाँच कराएँ।
What size UPS does a computer need?
Add the watts of the PC, monitor and router, divide by about 0.6–0.7 to get VA, and choose a UPS a little bigger. A typical home PC setup often needs a 600–1000 VA UPS for a few minutes of backup to save work and shut down.
हिंदी PC, मॉनिटर और राउटर के वाट जोड़कर 0.6–0.7 से भाग दें; आम घरेलू कंप्यूटर के लिए 600–1000 VA UPS।
Are rechargeable emergency lights useful?
Yes, for staircases, kitchens and shops in areas with frequent cuts — they switch on automatically when power fails. Emergency bulbs that fit a normal holder do a similar job for one room.
हिंदी हाँ, बार-बार कट वाली जगहों पर इमरजेंसी लाइट बिजली जाते ही जल जाती है; इमरजेंसी बल्ब भी यही काम करता है।
Is it safe to run a generator with the house wiring?
Only through a proper changeover switch, with the generator earthed and placed outdoors, away from windows — generator exhaust contains deadly carbon monoxide. Never back-feed a generator into a socket.
हिंदी जनरेटर सिर्फ़ चेंजओवर से जोड़ें, बाहर रखें और अर्थ करें — उसका धुआँ जानलेवा है; सॉकेट में उल्टा कभी न जोड़ें।
Mono or poly solar panels?
Monocrystalline panels are more efficient, giving more power from less roof, and are now the common choice; polycrystalline panels are a little less efficient. Compare the wattage, efficiency and warranty on the datasheets.
हिंदी मोनो पैनल ज़्यादा कुशल हैं (कम जगह में ज़्यादा बिजली) और अब आम हैं; पॉली थोड़े कम कुशल।
General guidance — follow IS 732 and local rules, and use a licensed electrician.
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