{"id":72,"date":"2022-06-28T14:56:00","date_gmt":"2022-06-28T14:56:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/enigma.ng\/blog\/?p=72"},"modified":"2026-02-14T15:01:13","modified_gmt":"2026-02-14T15:01:13","slug":"choosing-an-inverter-setup-for-your-home-office","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/enigma.ng\/blog\/choosing-an-inverter-setup-for-your-home-office\/","title":{"rendered":"Choosing an inverter setup for your home office"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It’s important to make arrangements for backup power if you\u2019re determined not to be a victim of a sudden power outage. Regardless of how you\u2019ve chosen to power your home office, you can\u2019t go wrong if you make arrangements for backup power. Some emergency power options I’ve personally used include Power Banks and Power Stations. Let’s talk about them for a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Power Banks<\/h4>\n\n\n\n


Power Banks are the most common backup power you\u2019ll find. They\u2019re great because of their mobility and impressive capacities; however, you might find them limiting when setting up power for your home office.. unless you primarily work on your mobile phone or tablet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Power Stations<\/h4>\n\n\n\n


I own an Inverter Set but still find my Power Station indispensable. You can\u2019t run your generator all the time, neither should you run your Inverter Set for hours at a stretch without breaks in-between. This is where Power Banks come in.. and even better; Power Stations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the difference between a Power Bank and a Power Station<\/h3>\n\n\n\n


These terms are just common names; both are Power ‘Banks’ at the end of the day, even your inverter is a Power Bank. Three important differences between a Power Bank and a Power Station are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Capacity<\/strong>: Power Stations often have much larger capacities, hence their bulky size. Sure, you can carry some models around but you\u2019ll definitely be conscious of the weight.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. AC Output<\/strong>: A Power Bank has only USB outputs; hence, you\u2019re limited to charging only USB devices. With an AC output (socket), you can connect appliances like an extension box, laptop, blender, standing fan, TV, Mini Refrigerator etc.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Solar Charging Input<\/strong>: Some models have inbuilt solar controllers so you can hook them up to solar panels. This is more efficient than those advertised on many Power Banks.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    You might find them a bit heavy, but their benefits far outweigh the extra weight. I definitely suggest you add a Power Bank\/Station to your home office \/ remote work setup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    An Inverter Setup Still Trumps a Power Station and Power Bank<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Its great to know you\u2019re considering an inverter setup for your home office. Next up comes the avalanche of question you probably have. If you\u2019re still having doubts about switching from a generator to an Inverter then checkout my earlier blog on\u00a0why a generator is a bad idea for your business<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    While Power Banks and Power Stations have the advantage of mobility in use and charging, they’re limited in storage capacity and what they can power. This is where inverters shine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What is an Inverter Setup?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Although commonly referred to as an \u2018inverter\u2019, its actually called a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply). A UPS consists of a rectifier which converts Alternating Current (AC) to Direct Current (DC) for charging the batteries and an inverter which converts DC (from the batteries or your solar panel) to AC which is used by appliances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A UPS setup consists of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. The UPS itself<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Battery<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Battery Management System (optional)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. Solar Charge Controller (optional unless you\u2019re using solar panels)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    5. Solar Panel (optional)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      The UPS converts current when charging or discharging the battery, the battery (power bank) stores the charge, the Battery Management System (if installed) ensures that all batteries charge and discharge at the same rate (for longer life span), the Solar Charge Controller regulates the voltage and current coming from the solar panels while the solar panel converts sun rays to DC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      You need at least the UPS and battery; other components can be added based on your needs. You can charge the batteries with either mains supply or solar panels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      What type of setup should I buy?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      UPS setups have a Kilovolt Amperes (kVA) and Voltage (V) rating. The kVA gives you an idea of how much load (appliances) you can power at a time. Note that kVA is apparent power while Kilowatt (KW) is real power. The V rating tells you the minimum number of batteries you\u2019ll need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      UPS batteries often come in 12v ratings so a 12v UPS require at least<\/strong> one 12v battery. 24v require at least two batteries etc. You can add more batteries but the total voltage (after series \/ parallel connection) must match the UPS\u2019s voltage rating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      If you\u2019re only looking to power small appliances like a PC, phone and standing fan then consider a\u00a0Power Station. If you intend to power more or bigger appliances then consult an expert for a recommendation though an ideal home office should fall somewhere between 12V 0.8kVA and 24V 2.5kVA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      There\u2019s a high tendency that you\u2019ll want to run more appliances on your inverter later on so consider going for something a little higher than what you currently need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      I can\u2019t afford a UPS setup, what can I do?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      I agree that the total cost can be quite intimidating. In order to transition to a UPS setup, I usually give two advices:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      1. Start with a Power Station: A Power station can meet a lot of your needs at a fairly affordable price. You could start with one while you save towards the UPS setup.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      2. Buy in bits: If your target setup is a UPS and two batteries, you don\u2019t have to buy all at a time. Yes, it might seem like a more expensive approach but the amount \u2018you would have saved\u2019 had you bought all at once is easily eclipsed by the reduced strain on your finances when you buy in bits.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        Where can I setup the UPS?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        You should pick a location with relatively little foot traffic, good ventilation, away from rain (or liquids) and away from direct sunlight (or other heat sources). Its also very important to have the battery terminals covered with a rubber protector to prevent electrocution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        I recommend you get a battery rack because it makes your setup consume less space. You should also insist that the setup\u2019s wiring be neat and easily traceable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Bonus Tips<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        One mistake I’ve seen prospective inverter users make is sizing their inverter setup based on the sum of all their appliances’ power consumption. While this is a safe way to size, you could end up with a costly setup and get discouraged altogether.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        I suggest you decide what appliances you really<\/em> need to power with your inverter, then go for a setup that can power the heaviest of them all<\/strong>. This way, you run specific appliances at a time and end up with a much smaller (and cheaper) setup. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Conclusion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        Acquiring and setting up a UPS (inverter) for your home office is a journey, not a sprint. It requires careful planning and execution. Though there are many UPS and battery brands to pick from, I recommend you lean towards brands that have sound after-sales services and offices you can easily visit for technical assistance.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        It’s important to make arrangements for backup power if you\u2019re determined not to be a victim of a sudden power outage. Regardless of how you\u2019ve chosen to power your home office, you can\u2019t go wrong if you make arrangements for backup power. Some emergency power options I’ve personally used include Power Banks and Power Stations. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":73,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-72","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tips"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/enigma.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/enigma.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/enigma.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/enigma.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/enigma.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=72"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/enigma.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":77,"href":"https:\/\/enigma.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72\/revisions\/77"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/enigma.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/73"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/enigma.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=72"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/enigma.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=72"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/enigma.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=72"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}