Buying a System
How does the system work?
Monitoring the utility power…
In inverter/battery backup power systems, inverter/charger is an intelligent center controlling the whole system. The inverter, battery charger and the automatic transfer switch are designed into one compact unit. When utility power is not available, the inverter converts DC power stored in batteries into AC power to run critical loads. When utility power is resumed, the charger recharges the system batteries.
The backup power system continuously monitors the utility power for an interruption. If utility power fails, the transfer switch automatically starts the power system, transfers the electrical loads and restores power to your home or business. When utility power resumes, the transfer switch automatically reverses the process. In all backup power systems, a transfer switch, either manual or automatic, is utilized to prevent backfeeding the power company's line.
How fast will my system respond to a power outage?
Xantrex inverters typically transfer to battery power in less than 16 milliseconds (less than 1/50th of a second). Worst-case transfer time is 34 milliseconds (less than 1/25th of a second). That's too fast to notice and fast enough to keep any modern computer running. Inverters in the SW Series run in synchronization with utility power and in many cases will transfer to battery power in less than one millisecond.
How is the system recharged?
Xantrex backup systems recharge themselves automatically whenever utility power is available. To be able to recharge the system during a power outage, a propane-, natural gas- or diesel-powered generator can be included in the system. Xantrex SW (sine wave) inverters can automatically start and stop a generator as needed during long outages. All Xantrex systems can also be recharged using renewable energy sources such as solar panels.
Why should I choose a Xantrex system over a generator-only system?
Xantrex systems provide clean, quiet, instantaneous power backup that requires no fuel. When used in combination with a generator or solar panels, a Xantrex system can deliver the "best of both worlds" - protection from long power outages, instantaneous transfer and high reliability, all with minimal generator run time, fuel consumption and noise.
Monitoring the utility power…
In inverter/battery backup power systems, inverter/charger is an intelligent center controlling the whole system. The inverter, battery charger and the automatic transfer switch are designed into one compact unit. When utility power is not available, the inverter converts DC power stored in batteries into AC power to run critical loads. When utility power is resumed, the charger recharges the system batteries.
The backup power system continuously monitors the utility power for an interruption. If utility power fails, the transfer switch automatically starts the power system, transfers the electrical loads and restores power to your home or business. When utility power resumes, the transfer switch automatically reverses the process. In all backup power systems, a transfer switch, either manual or automatic, is utilized to prevent backfeeding the power company's line.
How fast will my system respond to a power outage?
Xantrex inverters typically transfer to battery power in less than 16 milliseconds (less than 1/50th of a second). Worst-case transfer time is 34 milliseconds (less than 1/25th of a second). That's too fast to notice and fast enough to keep any modern computer running. Inverters in the SW Series run in synchronization with utility power and in many cases will transfer to battery power in less than one millisecond.
How is the system recharged?
Xantrex backup systems recharge themselves automatically whenever utility power is available. To be able to recharge the system during a power outage, a propane-, natural gas- or diesel-powered generator can be included in the system. Xantrex SW (sine wave) inverters can automatically start and stop a generator as needed during long outages. All Xantrex systems can also be recharged using renewable energy sources such as solar panels.
Why should I choose a Xantrex system over a generator-only system?
Xantrex systems provide clean, quiet, instantaneous power backup that requires no fuel. When used in combination with a generator or solar panels, a Xantrex system can deliver the "best of both worlds" - protection from long power outages, instantaneous transfer and high reliability, all with minimal generator run time, fuel consumption and noise.