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Choose a load-shedding battery from the appliances you must keep running and the hours they must run—not from your home’s total connected load. Add the simultaneous running watts of essentials, check motor-start surges, multiply by the required hours, then divide by the battery’s usable fraction and allow for inverter losses. Round up to the next compatible battery module. Keep kettles, electric stoves and geysers off a modest backup circuit. A portable power station is simplest for one room; a fixed inverter-and-battery system can supply selected household circuits but requires professional installation and electrical approval.
In South Africa, outages commonly last two to four hours, and the City of Cape Town’s guide uses five hours as a useful planning target. That target is not a guarantee of the stage schedule, so size for the longest interruption you realistically need to cover.
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What is the difference between inverter power and battery energy?
An inverter’s rating tells you how much power it can deliver at one instant, in watts (W) or kilowatts (kW). A battery’s rating tells you how much energy it stores, in watt-hours (Wh) or kilowatt-hours (kWh). They solve different problems: an undersized inverter trips when too many appliances run together, while an undersized battery runs out before the outage ends.
| Specification | What it means | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Continuous inverter output (W or kW) | Sustained load the inverter can supply | Adding the running watts of appliances that may operate simultaneously |
| Peak or surge output (W) | Short-term output for motor and compressor starts | Fridges, freezers, pumps, gate motors and other inductive loads |
| Battery nominal capacity (kWh) | Energy stored under the manufacturer’s test conditions | Comparing module sizes before accounting for discharge limits |
| Usable capacity (kWh) | Energy available within the permitted depth of discharge | Estimating actual runtime |
The basic relationship is energy (Wh) = load (W) × hours of backup. A 400 W essential load running for four hours therefore needs 1,600 Wh, or 1.6 kWh, before battery and inverter losses.
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How do I calculate the battery size I need?
Work through the load schedule below. It prevents the common mistake of buying a large-looking battery whose inverter cannot start a refrigerator or whose usable energy is too small.
1. List only essential appliances
Start with the devices that must remain available during an outage:
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- Wi-Fi router and fibre or fixed-wireless equipment
- LED lights in occupied rooms
- Phone and laptop chargers
- Television, if required
- Refrigerator or freezer
- Alarm system and gate motor
- Medical equipment, after confirming its electrical requirements with the clinician or supplier
Do not assume every listed item runs continuously. Note which appliances overlap; a fridge cycles on and off, while a router may run for the entire outage.
2. Read the actual watt labels
Use the appliance label, power brick or manufacturer datasheet rather than a generic online estimate. Record running watts and voltage. If a device lists amps, multiply volts by amps to obtain a watt estimate, then verify the inverter’s limits.
3. Add simultaneous running watts
Choose the worst realistic combination, not the sum of every appliance in the house. For example, router, lights, television and chargers may run together while the refrigerator cycles on. The resulting total is the minimum continuous inverter output; leave headroom so normal variation does not cause nuisance shutdowns.
4. Check starting surges
Motors and compressors can draw several times their running power for a brief interval. The inverter’s peak rating must cover that transient as well as the other appliances that are already on. BouWise illustrates the method with a 1,000 W running load and a 1,500 W compressor surge: the inverter needs at least 2,500 W of surge capability. Check both the appliance and inverter datasheets because surge duration and rating methods differ.
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Multiply the simultaneous load by the desired runtime. The 400 W for four hours example requires 1.6 kWh at the appliances. For loads that cycle, use measured energy from a plug-in meter when possible; a nameplate wattage multiplied by the full period can overstate or understate actual use.
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6. Allow for depth of discharge and conversion losses
Divide the appliance energy by the battery’s usable fraction, then allow for inverter, cabling and temperature losses. A module marketed at 3.55 kWh nominal, such as the Pylontech US3000C cited by BouWise, permits up to 95% discharge; its delivered energy is therefore less than the nameplate after conversion losses. Use the manufacturer’s usable-kWh figure when it is provided, and size up rather than treating the maximum discharge as a promise of runtime.
7. Round up and verify compatibility
Round to whole battery modules and confirm that the inverter accepts the battery’s voltage range, maximum charge and discharge current, and communications protocol. A battery can have sufficient kWh yet be unusable if the inverter cannot communicate with its battery-management system or cannot draw the required current.
How much runtime does a 5 kWh battery provide?
There is no single runtime for a 5 kWh battery. Runtime depends on the load, permitted depth of discharge and inverter efficiency. At an ideal 400 W constant load, 5 kWh divided by 0.4 kW is 12.5 hours. After a 90% usable fraction and 90% inverter efficiency—illustrative planning assumptions, not a product guarantee—the calculation becomes 5 × 0.90 × 0.90 ÷ 0.4, or about 10.1 hours. A refrigerator’s cycling can extend the average, while a kettle or heater can reduce it to a fraction of that time.
Use this formula with the figures for the exact system:
Estimated hours = nominal battery kWh × usable fraction × inverter efficiency ÷ average load kW.
Temperature, battery age, cable losses, standby consumption and the inverter’s low-voltage cutoff can shorten the result. Treat a runtime estimate as a planning range and test the completed installation with your real appliances.
Which appliances should stay off a small backup system?
High-wattage heating appliances consume a small battery quickly and can overload a modest inverter. The City of Cape Town guide specifically recommends excluding kettles and electric stoves and leaving an electric geyser out of a basic calculation.
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| Load type | Typical decision during an outage | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Router, fibre terminal, LED lights, chargers | Include | Low, predictable demand and high value during an outage |
| Television and small electronics | Include if needed | Usually manageable, but add their running watts |
| Refrigerator or freezer | Include with surge headroom | Compressor startup can trip an undersized inverter |
| Kettle, electric stove, toaster, heater | Normally exclude | High resistive load drains batteries rapidly |
| Electric geyser | Exclude from a basic backup circuit | Large sustained demand requires a substantially larger system |
| Pump, gate motor or garage door | Include only after checking surge | Motor starting current can exceed continuous output |
A dedicated essential-load circuit makes these choices enforceable. Do not rely on household members remembering which sockets are safe if a whole distribution board is energised by an inverter.
Should I choose lithium-ion or lead-acid?
Lithium-ion usually suits frequent load-shedding cycling when the budget, battery-management system and inverter compatibility are acceptable. Lead-acid can cost less at purchase, but its lower practical depth of discharge means you generally need more nominal capacity for the same usable energy.
| Factor | Lithium-ion | Lead-acid |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront price | Usually higher | Usually lower |
| Usable depth of discharge | Typically deeper, subject to the model’s limits | Generally shallower; deeper cycling shortens life |
| Efficiency | High | Lower, especially under heavy load |
| Cycle life | Usually longer for repeated outage cycling | Usually shorter when cycled frequently |
| Space and weight | More energy in less space and weight | Heavier and often requires more units |
| Ventilation and placement | Follow the enclosure and temperature limits for the specific chemistry | Ventilation and spill or gas considerations may apply |
| Replacement planning | Often less frequent, but replacement cost is higher | May require earlier replacement under regular cycling |
Compare usable kWh, cycle warranty, operating-temperature range, enclosure rating, service support and replacement schedule—not just the purchase price. A lead-acid bank that is never discharged deeply may be a better fit than an incompatible lithium system, while a frequently cycled home often benefits from lithium’s efficiency and longer service life.
Which backup format fits my home?
The right format depends on how many circuits you need, whether you rent, and whether an electrician can modify the distribution board.
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| Option | Best for | Capacity examples or limits | Installation and trade-offs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portable UPS or power station | Wi-Fi, laptops, lights and small electronics in one room | The City guide gives a Wi-Fi-only example of about 0.0864 kWh and packaged trolley examples of 1.2–2.4 kWh | No house-wiring work; limited output, sockets and runtime; move it manually and recharge from the grid |
| Fixed inverter plus battery | Selected household circuits, refrigerator, security and longer outages | City examples include 2.4 kWh lithium key-appliance systems, 4.8 kWh average-home systems and 9.6 kWh large-home systems | Requires circuit separation, professional installation and compliance checks; can deliver higher surge and runtime |
| Hybrid solar plus battery | Homes that want daytime solar operation and battery recharge | Battery size still follows the essential-load and runtime calculation | More equipment and approvals; solar can reduce grid charging, but a grid-tied PV system without batteries shuts down during an outage |
Portable systems are practical for renters or a single office, but their small inverter may not start a refrigerator. A fixed system is more capable because the installer can place only essential circuits on the backup output. Hybrid systems add panels and charge control; they do not remove the need to size the battery for night-time or cloudy-period backup.
Do I need solar panels, or will an inverter and battery work alone?
You can use an inverter and battery without solar. The battery charges from the grid when power is available and supplies the backup circuit during an outage. Solar is useful when you want daytime loads to run from sunlight or want to recharge after an outage without waiting for the grid.
A conventional grid-tied solar inverter normally shuts down when the grid fails to protect utility workers, so panels alone do not provide backup. The system must have an enabled backup output, battery storage and the controls needed to isolate from the grid. Confirm the inverter’s approved operating mode and local municipal requirements before buying panels.
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A 2023 South African Journal of Science model associated 15% battery-backup penetration with more than 60% summer and more than 70% winter reductions in intended curtailment. Those are modeled grid-level results, not a prediction of how long a particular household battery will run.
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Match the inverter to both the electrical load and the battery, not just to a marketing capacity number.
- Continuous output: higher than the maximum simultaneous running load, with practical headroom.
- Surge output and duration: enough for compressor and motor starts while other loads remain on.
- Battery-voltage range: compatible with the selected module count and series or parallel arrangement.
- Charge and discharge current: within both inverter and battery limits at the desired power.
- Transfer behaviour: acceptable changeover time for routers, computers and other sensitive electronics.
- Battery communications: supported CAN, RS485 or other protocol, with a documented firmware pairing.
- Protection and monitoring: overcurrent, temperature, isolation and state-of-charge reporting.
Do not infer surge capability from continuous kW. Ask for the inverter datasheet’s peak duration and the battery’s maximum current at the intended state of charge.
What installation and approval rules apply?
A plug-and-play unit that powers appliances directly is usually simpler, but a fixed system connected to house wiring is electrical work. The City of Cape Town guide says an interconnected system must be authorised through the municipality’s small-scale embedded generation process and signed off by an appropriate professional. Requirements vary by municipality, so confirm the current local process before installation.
For a fixed system:
- Have a registered electrician survey the distribution board, earthing, cable routes and available mounting location.
- Prepare a load schedule showing each backed-up circuit, running watts and motor surge.
- Use a single-line diagram identifying the inverter, battery isolators, protection devices, changeover or backup output and grid connection.
- Separate high-power circuits such as geyser, stove and heaters from the backup output unless the design explicitly supports them.
- Install the battery in a dry, ventilated or otherwise manufacturer-approved location, away from heat, flooding and combustible storage.
- Obtain the required Certificate of Compliance and complete municipal SSEG registration or notification where applicable.
- Test changeover, overload protection, low-battery shutdown, solar isolation and grid restoration before relying on the system.
BouWise advises using a registered electrician and dedicated backup circuits. Never back-feed a wall socket with a homemade cable or connect a portable inverter to house wiring without an approved transfer arrangement.
How should I protect appliances when power returns?
Eskom warns that restoration can include a momentary surge capable of damaging electronically controlled appliances such as computers and televisions. Use the inverter’s documented transfer and surge protection, and consider a suitable whole-board or circuit-level surge protective device installed by a professional. Sensitive equipment should remain on a properly protected backed-up circuit rather than being switched between supplies manually.
What should I ask a supplier before buying?
- What is the guaranteed usable kWh at the stated discharge limit, temperature and end-of-life condition?
- What continuous and peak current can the battery deliver, and for how many seconds?
- How many cycles and years does the warranty cover, and what capacity remains at the end?
- Which inverter models, firmware versions and communications protocols are officially compatible?
- What operating temperature, humidity, clearance and enclosure requirements apply?
- Does the quotation include isolators, protection, cabling, labour, commissioning and compliance paperwork?
- What happens when the battery reaches low state of charge during an outage?
- Can the system be expanded with additional modules later, and must modules be matched by age?
- What maintenance, remote monitoring and end-of-life recycling arrangements are available?
Request the load schedule, single-line diagram, product datasheets and written warranty terms. Do not accept a promised runtime, certification or compatibility statement unless it applies to the exact battery, inverter, installation and local supply conditions.
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How can I troubleshoot a battery that does not last through an outage?
The inverter trips immediately
Turn off non-essential loads and check whether a compressor, pump or gate motor started at the same time as other appliances. Compare the measured surge with the inverter’s peak rating. If the system still trips, have the installer inspect protection settings, battery current limits and wiring.
The battery runs out earlier than the estimate
Measure the actual load, look for a heater or kettle accidentally connected to the backup circuit, and check the inverter’s standby consumption. Recalculate with the battery’s usable kWh rather than nominal kWh, then account for colder temperatures, ageing and the low-voltage cutoff.
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The battery will not charge from the grid or solar
Check isolators, charging schedules, state-of-charge limits and the battery-management-system communications link. A mismatch in voltage range or protocol can prevent charging even when the cables are connected; use the manufacturer’s compatibility list and qualified service support.
Only some sockets work
That may be intentional: a fixed installation normally feeds dedicated essential circuits rather than the entire house. Verify the circuit labels and backup-output arrangement with the electrician instead of moving plugs or bypassing the changeover device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a home battery run my refrigerator and Wi-Fi at the same time?
Usually, if the inverter’s continuous output covers both running loads and its surge rating covers the refrigerator compressor starting while the router is already operating. Measure the refrigerator’s startup requirement or use the appliance and inverter datasheets; a battery with enough kWh can still fail if the inverter cannot supply the surge.
Is a portable power station safe to use with a medical device?
Do not assume it is. Confirm the device’s voltage, waveform, startup current, required runtime and alarm behaviour with the medical-equipment supplier, and ask the medical practitioner about outage arrangements. A consumer unit may lack the redundancy, transfer time or monitoring that critical care requires.
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A portable UPS avoids changes to the distribution board, but it supports fewer loads and must be placed where its temperature, ventilation and cable requirements are met. A fixed installation normally needs the property owner’s permission, an electrician and any municipal approval, so agree who owns and removes the equipment before signing a lease.
Will a battery keep working during several consecutive outages?
Only if it can recharge between events or has another charging source. A grid-charged battery may begin the next outage partially depleted; solar, a generator-compatible charger or reduced essential loads can restore energy, but each option must be designed and approved for the inverter.
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