Recommended Inverter Ratings

Recommended Inverter Ratings

The power rating of any inverter should be chosen based on the total power consumption of your load. The following table contains the typical power consumption of some standard household appliances and the recommended inverter rating.

 

Equipment Power consumption Continuous power rating of inverter
300W 600W 1000W 1500W 2000W 3000W 4000W 6000W
--- Home and kitchen appliances ---                  
 Table fan* 50W Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok
 Sewing machine* 100W Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok
 Halogen light** 100W - Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok
 Pedestal fan* 100W Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok
 Blender* 350W  - - Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok
 Small fridge* 200W - Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok
 Large fridge* 500W - - - Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok
 Washing machine (no heating)* 700W - - - - Ok Ok Ok Ok
 Microwave oven** 900W - - - Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok
 Coffee maker* 1200W - -  - - Ok Ok Ok Ok
 Iron 1500W - -  - - Ok Ok Ok Ok
 Hair dryer* 1200W - -  - - Ok Ok Ok Ok
 Toaster 1200W - - - Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok
 Vacuum cleaner* 2000W - - - - - Ok Ok Ok
 Dishwasher* 1500W - - - - Ok Ok Ok Ok
 Hob 1500W - - - - Ok Ok Ok Ok
 Washing machine (with heating)* 2000W - - - - - Ok Ok Ok
 Air conditioner* 3000W - - - - - - Ok Ok
 Electric oven 5000W - - - - - - - Ok
    Continuous power rating of inverter
--- Audio and video appliances ---   300W 600W 1000W 1500W 2000W 3000W 4000W 6000W
 12'' colour LCD TV 20W Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok
 Satellite TV receiver 30W Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok
 HiFi stereo with CD changer** 50W Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok
 DVD / Blu-ray player 50W Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok
 20'' colour LCD TV 100W Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok
 42'' colour LCD TV 200W Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok
 100W stereo amplifier** 200W - Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok
 Home theatre system** 500W - - Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok
 Active speaker 250W RMS** 500W - - - Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok
 Active speaker 500W RMS** 1000W - - - - - Ok Ok Ok
    Continuous power rating of inverter
  --- Computers and home office ---   300W 600W 1000W 1500W 2000W 3000W 4000W  6000W
 Mobile phone charger 5W Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok
 Small inkjet printer 40W Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok
 Laptop 50W Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok
 Fax machine 50W Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok
 Desk lamp 50W Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok
 Desktop computer with 17'' monitor 400W - Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok
 Large laser printer* 800W - - - Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok
    Continuous power rating of inverter        
--- Power tools and other equipment ---   300W 600W 1000W 1500W 2000W 3000W 4000W 6000W
 Drill* 800W - - -  - Ok Ok Ok Ok
 Electric chainsaw* 1000W - - -  - Ok Ok Ok Ok
 Electric lawn mover* 1000W - - - - - Ok Ok Ok
 Pressure washer* 1000W - - - - - Ok Ok Ok
 Grinder* 2000W - - - - - Ok Ok Ok
 Air compressor* 2000W - - - - - Ok Ok Ok

 *Appliances marked with a star are likely to have a starting power consumption several times greater than their normal working power (typically this is caused by electric motors). This should be taken into account when choosing the correct size of inverter. For example, even though electric lawn mowers have a normal working power of 1000W, their starting power is over 4000W. This means that an inverter with a continuous power of 2000W is not suitable, because its peak power is limited to only 4000W. Always take into account the starting power requirements of your equipment - especially devices with electric motors - when choosing the right inverter.

**These appliances do not have an electric motor inside, but still have a variable power consumption with power spikes. Therefore they require a larger inverter than would be needed for other appliances with a similar nominal power rating.

Please also note: this table is provided for general guidance only. The actual power consumption of your appliances, as well as starting power requirements, may vary considerably. In all cases you will need to check the specifications of your equipment to find their continuous and starting power requirements.

If more than one device is connected to the inverter, the total power consumption should be the sum of all appliances used. This will determine the total inverter power required.


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