COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF 2KVA INVERTER: Local Made Versus Foreign

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF 2KVA INVERTER:

Local Made Versus Foreign

Abstract

It is quite evident that there is need for alternative source of supply due to the erratic power supply; as man apparently relies on power supply for almost every facet of his activities daily. This has brought into the existence an alternative means called “inverter”. An inverter is a D.C. to A.C. device that has the capability of turning D.C. power (i.e. battery source) to A.C. power used to run home appliances. The objective of this project is to design and construct a 2kva inverter using locally sourced materials/components and thus, analytically compare its performance with that of imported 2kva inverter. The inverter system is made up of four stages which are; oscillation stage, inverting/switching stage, voltage transformation stage, the automatic control/change over stage. The oscillation stage consists of the pulse width modulation which is C1815, this transistor is powered by the D.C. battery, and two pulses which are 180 degree out of phase are gotten. These outputs are then progressed into the MOSFET stage (inverting/switching stage). Two sets of parallel MOSFETs (IRF260N) are used to amplify the weak signals from the oscillation stage. The MOSFET switches the D.C. power supply into square wave (A.C.) output and send to the primary windings of the step up transformer for further transformation. The transformation stage steps the amplified signal from the oscillatory stage to 220V, 50Hz alternating current which is use to power any appliances. The automatic control stage is used for the automatic switch over when there is power supply and back to the inverter supply when there is power outage. The project is worth doing for the fact that it gives room for skill acquisition and it also promotes Nigeria product which is a stepping stone for Nigeria to be among the developed countries in term of technology.

CHAPTER ONE: Introduction

1.1       Project Overview

Due to today total dependence on electricity and because of the frequent power outage, backup power is becoming a necessity. Emergence backup system can provide electrical power to critical loads or the whole house during power outages. Emergence power system is types of system which may include lighting and other apparatus, to provide backup resources in a crisis or when regular system fails. They found uses in variety of setting from residential homes to hospitals, scientific laboratories and computerized systems. They can rely on generators or uninterrupted power supplies. In our society today, the need for power supply cannot be overemphasized because the provision of goods and services could be completely cut off without power supply.

1.2       Background and Justification

Over the years electricity has been generated through energy conversion from one form to another; solar, thermal, wind, electric generators these are some of the sources. They have all proved to be quite reliable and sufficient but due to inadequate source of energy to run the engines, faults in the systems, it self-poor maintenance, they fail the users at one time or the other. Apparently, man rely on power supply facet of their activities as in our houses, offices, computer, security systems, farming and so on, in the most third world countries, power supply is not reliable; Nigeria and majority of the Africa countries which are often termed “developing countries” are not exempted from this problem of unreliable power supply. So with the erratic power supply, it is quite evident that there is need for this alternative source of supply. As such the need for standby power supply is essential which brought into existence an alternative means called inverter.(Thorborg, 1988)

Inverter is power electronics devices which convert direct current (DC) into an alternating current (AC) its function is to change the DC input voltage to asymmetrical AC output voltage of the desire magnitude and frequency which is determined by inverting transformer. The output power is determined by drive MOSFET along side with inverting transformer. The possible inputs are batteries, fuel cell, solar cell or DC sources. And for one to fully enjoy the better part of this ‘continuously advancing’ world there should be an adequate stable source of power supply. As in our society today, the provision of goods and services could be completely cut off without power supply.

1.3       Aim and Objectives of Project/Research

1.3.1       Aim

The aim of this project is to design and construct a 2kva locally made inverter and compare it performance analysis with an already made 2kva inverter.

1.3.2       Objectives

• To research about design method of a 2kva inverter circuits and come out with a workable, implementable, and cost effective circuit
• To create backup power supply system which is eco-friendly
• To implement hardware (solder the components together) for the project.
• To design an alternative source of electricity which is save and suitable to run most electrical/electronic appliances

1.4       Motivation

Many electronics equipment and appliances were being fed with an alternating current but the conventional power supply 220V phase voltage and 415V line voltage in the country by Abuja electricity distribution company (AEDC) is not reliable. In fact, not all sites are connected to the grid.

Due to the frequent power outages in the country, there is growing needs for backup supply that can supply alternative current suitable to basic electrical and electronics appliance like the television, lighting system, fan, computer, audio system etc. The most common backup supply system available in the market are automotive generator sets (convert mechanical energy into electrical energy by means of burning fossil fuel) and UPS (uninterrupted power supply). Even though all this backup supply system turns to pose challenges; the generator produces carbon monoxide which pollutes the environment making it non-environmental friendly. The cost of running such backup system turns to be expensive since they run on fuel.

UPS is eco-friendly but is also design to provide backup for a short period of time, which makes it not ideal for backup systems intended to run appliances for long periods of time. All of these thence give rise to the designs and constructions of inverters of different power ratings both locally made and foreign by many technologist, nowadays inverters are so much versatile but still a bit expensive at which one has to think twice to get one. Nonetheless people tend to purchase that of foreign made and thus left the locally made once handicap. This project work is aim at analytically comparing the corresponding performance of these inverters; the specifications majorly on both terms (local versus foreign), 2KVA to be specific.

1.5       Contribution to Knowledge

This project seeks to improve on the existing power inverters and bring forth new innovative features and upgrades such as;

1. The availability of a low cost constant power source (areas of frequent power outage).
2. Low cost modified sine wave inverter.
3. Battery charging system (for external voltage source).
4. Cooling system which allows the inverter to run continuously without any out-heating.
5. Automatic load transfer and switching to avoid computer based system from restarting.
6. Low power consumption.

1.6       Scope and Limitation of project

This locally made inverter is designed to;

1. Create an inverter which is reliable, durable and thunder resistive compare to some imported once.
2. Increase the supply rate of electricity for home and industrial usage.
3. Reduce the high rate of importation of already made inverters (foreign).
4. Create an enabling environment to enlighten interested indigenes on how to design and construct an inverter inform of orientation/seminar.
5. Create employment opportunity.

1.7       Structure of the Report

The comparative study and evaluation of the design and performance of a 2kva inverter is divided into chapters, the chapters are;

Chapter 1; Generally an introduction on inverter using 2kva locally source made as a case study.

Chapter 2; looks at the literature on the design of 2kva inverter, the component use and principal of construction will also be discussed here.

Chapter 3; Involves adopting engineering methodology, on the design and construction of a 2kva locally made inverter. This will include the design parameters and the various rating of the component used.

Chapter 4; Deals with the performance analysis that is; testing the locally made 2kva and comparing it with an imported/already made 2kva (foreign) and plotting their various graphs with table of value at the various loads connected.

Chapter 5; Includes the conclusion, observation and recommendation. There after follows the references and the appendix which shows the pictures of the locally constructed Inverter.