How An Inverter/Charger Works; Inverter Applications For Permanent Installations; Inverter Applications For Mobile Installations; Advantages Of Using A Pure Sine Wave Inverter - Magnum Energy MagnaSine MS-PE Series Owner's Manual

1.2

How an Inverter/Charger Works

There are two main modes of operation associated with the MS-PE inverter/charger:
• Inverter Mode:
When the inverter is properly connected to batteries and turned on, the direct current (DC)
from the batteries is transformed into a pure sine wave alternating current (AC). This AC is
similar to the voltage provided by your utility, and is used to power the electrical appliances
(i.e., AC loads) connected to the inverter's output.
• Standby Mode:
When an external source of AC power (e.g., utility power or generator) is connected and
qualifi ed on the inverter's AC input, it operates in Standby mode. In Standby mode, the unit
operates as a battery charger to convert the incoming AC power into DC power to recharge the
batteries; while at the same time, automatically closing an internal AC transfer relay to pass
the incoming AC power directly to the inverter's output to continue powering the connected
electrical appliances.
1.2.1

Inverter Applications for Permanent Installations

An inverter can be used for backup power in a permanent location that normally uses utility power,
such as a home or offi ce. When utility power is available, the inverter keeps the batteries charged.
When the utility power fails, the inverter comes on automatically to supply AC power to your home
or offi ce during the power failure. For a home or business, reliable backup power is needed to
prevent lost computer data, or to maintain lights and keep food fresh in the refrigerator/freezer.
In some areas, where utility power is not available, the inverter can be used in a standalone
renewable power system. The inverter enables AC electrical appliances to be run from the storage
battery bank. When the battery bank becomes discharged, either renewable DC sources (solar,
wind, or hydropower) can be used to recharge the batteries, or a generator can be connected to
the inverter to power the system while the batteries recharge.
1.2.2

Inverter Applications for Mobile Installations

Inverters can also be used to provide power in mobile applications (e.g., caravans or boats). In
these applications, the inverter provides power to the AC loads using the energy stored in the
batteries and recharges the batteries when shorepower or an onboard generator is available.
1.3

Advantages of using a Pure Sine Wave Inverter

Today's inverters come in three basic output waveforms: square wave, modifi ed sine wave (which
is actually a modifi ed square wave), and pure sine wave (see Figure C-1 in Appendix C). Modifi ed
sine wave inverters approximate a pure sine wave form and will run most appliances (see also
Section C-1 "Appliance Power Consumption" in Appendix C) and electronics without any problems.
These inverters are less expensive, and therefore, offer a viable alternative to more expensive
pure sine inverters.
The output of the MS-PE Series, which is a pure sine wave inverter, is equal to or in many cases,
better than the utility power used in your home. Virtually any electronic device will operate from
a pure sine wave inverter. Motors run cooler, microwaves usually cook faster, and clocks keep
better time just to name a few examples. Without compromising quality or performance, the MS-
PE Series provides you with all the advantages of a pure sine wave inverter at a much lower cost
than many on the market.
The MS-PE Series is built on the same platform as our popular MS Series which helps reduce
cost by using standard parts/accessories across many models. Magnum accessories such as the
Advanced Remote Control (ME-ARC50), Standard Remote Control (ME-RC50), Automatic Generator
Start-Networked (ME-AGS-N), and Battery Monitor Kit (ME-BMK) can be used. See Section A-3
"Optional Equipment and Accessories" for more information on these products.
© 2013 Magnum Energy, Inc.
Introduction
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