Common Inverter Problems And Their Solutions

Have you ever noticed that your inverter turned off suddenly and refused to start again? We all encounter problems with the inverter. Sometimes, we do not even know the actual cause behind the appliance declining to switch on.

If you ever end up getting a faulty inverter and have no idea what to do other than calling for a professional, this article is for you. In this ultimate guide to inverter problems, we shall discuss the basic troubleshooting techniques. You can try these on your own before you get them repaired.

Let us look at the common problems with the inverter and the possible solutions for them.

Let us first try to explore the many reasons behind the inverter not working and refusing to switch on.

Inverter Not Turning On 

The inverter declining to switch on again is one of the most common problems that we face with an inverter. We often get to hear a lot of this from our friends, relatives, etc. Before we troubleshoot this issue, it is essential to explore the different possible causes. Here are a few triggers responsible for the inverter not switching on:

• There could be tripping in the inverter
• The battery got disconnected
• The battery is having loose terminals
• The inverter is having a weak battery
• You reverse attached the discharged batteries or battery terminals

These are some of the potential reasons for the inverter refusing to switch on. Let us learn what to do if you encounter any of the above situations.

Firstly, if you notice any defect in the power switch, take the appliance to a nearby electronics repair shop. Get the switch repaired.

If you observe a faulty battery in the inverter, you can get that fixed. But if there is tripping in the inverter, you can resolve it by simply pressing the reset button.

In case the inverter battery is weak, allow it to charge for a few hours.

If the battery is weak, see if it has become old. In such a case, try replacing the battery

altogether with a new one.

If you notice any problem with the battery terminals, check for the corrosion formation on them. If yes, clean them neatly and carefully and then fix them back again in place.

Your inverter will not turn on if the battery got completely drained or the terminals are reverse attached. Make sure to charge the battery completely and connect the terminals correctly. 

Let us dig into other inverter problems and possible solutions.

Battery Is Not Getting Charged

Yet another potential cause for the inverter problem is the battery not getting charged. This is a common problem that most people face, and it is possibly because of the dead battery. In such an instance, you need to replace the battery. Your battery will not charge if there any indications of damage like the melted fuse, loose connections of the battery, or burnt rectifiers. Seek the professional’s help immediately to get them repaired at the earliest.  

Simultaneously, check for the signs of corrosion on the terminals. If you notice any, do not forget to mention them as well to the professional. He will be getting the required tools to fix this issue, too. 

Shortened Backup Time

Experiencing a reduced backup time for the inverter is yet another most commonly encountered problem. This could be because your appliance is consuming more power. If this is the case, it is advisable to remove that extra load from the inverter by disconnecting the electrical devices from it. 

You may face this problem when your battery does not charge properly. Charge the battery for a few hours to fix this issue.

Another reason for the low backup capability of the inverter is the low electrolyte level. The backup time becomes very short if there are fewer or no electrolytes. You may have to top up the battery with distilled water as and when needed. Also, one should ensure that the water level in the battery is as required, i.e., not maximum or minimum. It should be up to the required level.

Your battery might be working at its peak performance at the beginning. Over a period of time, you may observe a change in its functioning. It may not be performing as well as it used to in the first few months of purchase. If you ever experience this problem, see if the battery has become old or not. If the battery ages, it may not perform its best. It will further offer a short backup time. It is suggestible to replace the old battery with a new one to tackle this issue. 

Battery Discharging Fast 

Have you ever noticed that your battery is discharging faster than usual? This could be another contributing factor to the inverter problems. If the discharge rate of the battery is high, immediately recharge it in the first place.  

Another reason for the discharge could be incomplete or improper charging. If you are not charging the battery full or completely, there are chances that it will start discharging at a faster rate than expected. The only solution to this is to allow the battery to charge fully. It may take long hours, but still, have some patience till it charges up to 100%. You can start using the inverter only after it charges fully. This is the only way to lower the discharge rate of the appliance. 

Power Inverter Working Only In The Inverter Mode

Is your power inverter working only in the inverter mode? If yes, then there is a problem with the input connection or melted fuse. To tackle this issue, check for the condition of the power cable and also the fuse. However, if you notice a difficulty in the input protector, then reset it immediately. 

For all those who have no idea about an input protector, here is what you should know. It is nothing but a protector circuit to save your inverter from voltage fluctuations. This input protector may get damaged in case of a spike in the voltage rate. When there a low voltage supply, the inverter does not switch to the main power supply. It will work only on the inverter mode, resulting in the problem. Hence, it is imperative to select the right UPS from the wide range of options available. You may even install a stabilizer for your inverter to protect it from voltage fluctuations. 

Alarm Beeping Continuously

You may have observed the alarm beep ringing continuously from the inverter. This is primarily because of the overload on the appliance or a stuck cooling fan. In case of overload, disconnect all the extra electronic devices from the inverter. If the issue does not resolve even after that, contact a professional immediately to get it fixed. 

The inverter has a cooling fan inside, which keeps running continuously as long as the appliance is operating. If the fan fails to maintain the required temperature inside, the inverter shuts off automatically or raises an alarm. This sound is a warning that you should switch off the unit immediately. Similarly, if this cooling fan gets stuck due to any reason and does not maintain the cool temperature, even then the device will give an alarm. Again, it is a notification to shut down the appliance. 

Power Inverter LCD Displays False Codes

Is your inverter LCD digital screen displaying false information? Sometimes, you may find the critical information like battery level and voltage on the screen wrong. This happens primarily because of two reasons. The first reason is flawed internal circuits and the incorrect connection of the cables. 

If you notice any discrepancy in the display screen, check for the proper connection of cables. If there is any disconnection or misconnection, connect them in the proper way. This should work. If you feel that this is of no use, try checking for the internal circuit. There may be an issue with it and may need fixing or replacement. Do whatever it requires to fix it. However, if you cannot do it, better call a technician to help you with the same.

Noise Coming Out From Inverter

Do you hear noises coming out from your inverter? Well, this could be another common inverter problem. While hearing some sort of wind noise from the inverter is normal, the real issue is when it gets extreme. If you hear great sound from the fan, it is an indication that you need to clean the fan. You can do this by using a blowing machine after opening the inverter. Else, you can call the professional and seek his help for a thorough cleaning or a replacement, if needed. 

Blown Fuse

The next thing you need to check for is a blown fuse. Whenever there is a surge in the power or a short circuit, there are chances that the fuse will blow. In such cases, the inverter stops operating. This fuse acts as a protecting shield to the inverter and other electronic devices connected to it. 

However, you cannot repair the blown fuses. All you can do is replace them with new ones. Although replacing them is very easy, not all inverter models have these fuses installed in the same place. It differs from model to model. Hence, you may need the assistance of a technician for the same who can handle the electronic appliances.  

Inverter on Bypass Mode

The next possible reason could be that the inverter is on bypass mode. Although the unit is in this mode, it will still supply power to the electronic devices connected. However, this is possible only when the main is switched on. Once you turn off the main, the inverter will stop working. The main may get shut down due to various reasons like faulty switches, issues in the wiring, when dc circuit breaks, or when there is some internal fault.

What you can do in such an instance is to bring the inverter to active mode by pressing the power button. If your inverter still refuses to turn on, call a professional immediately and get it repaired. 

Wrong Circuit Wiring and Cable Sizing

You should always choose the right size of the cable and ensure the proper connection of wires. Failing to do so will make your unit defective and may even result in a fire accident. Moreover, a loose connection of wires may even lead to a short circuit that will damage the inverter. As a result, it will not operate. 

The capacity to carry current differs for each wire, and hence you should always select the right one. In addition, these wires come with colour codes that help the user select the appropriate one based on his requirements. With the information available, you can choose the correct wires that will meet the power demands of your house. Not only these but the sockets and plugs should also be capable enough to handle the power load. 

Output Overload/Short Circuit

If your inverter is having an additional load than what it can hold, it makes the inverter shut down. Hence, always ensure there is no overload on the unit and try removing the extra electronic appliances from it. Never let the inverter carry more load than its maximum capacity. If you think the problem still remains, try disconnecting the devices from the inverter. Now, change the cables and then reconnect the unit again.

Inverter Goes off Few Moments after Power Supply is Off

Whenever there is no power supply to the inverter, it goes to battery mode. It continues to operate for a certain period of time until the battery drains completely. After it drains, the unit will shut down automatically.  

To avoid anything as such, it is advisable to have a high energy-efficient battery in the inverter. If your battery is not efficient, it cannot retain a high amount of charge for a long time. As a result, it will fail to supply power to the load for a stipulated time. It is better to upgrade to a highly efficient one to tackle this issue. 

Age of an Inverter

The lifespan of the inverter is also another contributing factor for its reduced performance. Whenever the unit reaches the end of its shelf life, it may not perform as it should. Moreover, it becomes vulnerable to damage and encounters malfunctioning. As a result, you may experience many problems from the unit frequently.  

Although you can get the repairs done, it is suggestible to discard the old device and replace it with a new one. Remember that the average lifespan is 10 years, and after that, the unit is bound to face issues. If you want to extend the shelf life of the inverter, ensure proper maintenance of the appliance regularly.