Knowing the amps needed for an electronic device is important, especially for an inverter. You’ll use the inverter properly and safely if you know its ampacity. Now, you’re wondering, how many amps does a 2000 watt inverter draw?
The amp draw for a 2,000-watt inverter depends on factors such as the battery bank’s voltage rating and the unit’s conversion efficiency. But a good starting point is 167 amps if the 2,000-watt inverter runs on 12 volts.
In this post, you’ll learn how to calculate the amp draw of a 2,000-watt inverter. We’ll also discuss other relevant matters, such as the factors affecting the inverter’s amp draw and tips on reducing its current usage.
Table of Contents
Ampere Draw of a 2000-Watt Power Inverter
Generally, a 2,000W inverter can draw as much as 240 amps if running on a 12-volt battery bank. Divide that amperage by half if using a 24V battery unit. Note that you can use Ohm’s Law and other means to identify an inverter’s amp draw.
Factors Influencing Inverter Draw
Different factors can affect an inverter’s amp load capacity. These elements include the following:
- The inverter efficiency in converting current
- The battery bank’s voltage rating
- Wire gauge
Concerning the inverter’s wire gauge, the National Electrical Code (NEC) states that a unit’s wire ampacity shouldn’t be less than 125% of the device’s maximum current in amps.
For instance, a 2,000-watt inverter with a 12V amp draw wire has a 90% efficiency. If the inverter has a 185.2-amp rating (2000 / 90% / 12 = 185.2), the wire should have an ampacity of no less than 231.5 amps (185.2 x 1.25 = 231.5).
But if you can’t find any cable big enough to accommodate this current amount, the only option is to set the battery voltage cut-off point higher to limit the amperage draw.
Calculating the Amp Draw of 2000W Inverter
As mentioned earlier, one of the methods of finding the amp draw of a 2000 watt power inverter is by using Ohm’s Law. It uses the following formula to calculate wattage:
\begin{equation} Watts = Volts \times Amps \end{equation}
Hence, you can manipulate Ohm’s Law to calculate amp draw. If so, the formula will transform into the following:
\begin{equation}
Amps = \frac{Watts}{Volts}
\end{equation}
By using this new formula on a 2,000-watt ultimate power inverter at 12 volts, the device may have 167 amps.
Another example is if the inverter ratings for its wattage are the same, but it’s running on 24 volts. If so, the unit might have an ampacity of 83 amps.
You can skip calculating the amp draw of an inverter by using an inverter amp draw calculator. But note that the answer provided by the calculator might still be inaccurate if you don’t provide the other values correctly.
It’s also good to factor in the inverter’s efficiency by dividing the wattage by the efficiency rate, as in our example above.
Tips for Reducing Inverter Draw
One way to reduce an inverter’s amp draw is to increase its resistance. Attaching an additional or a larger resistor than the one in the unit can help “resist” the circuit’s current flow.
Another method is to use a rheostat, a device used to control the electrical current. It has a resistive wire to help achieve this goal. But note that rheostats are typically no longer used because of their fairly low efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Current Does An Inverter Draw With No Load?
Again, the inverter’s specifications depend on the model. But a typical 24-volt inverter often draws approximately 0.1 to 0.4 amps without a load.
How Do You Convert Watt To Amps?
As mentioned earlier, you can use the formula dictated by Ohm’s Law. So, the conversion requires you to divide a device’s voltage by its wattage to find its ampacity.
What Is The Purpose Of Converting DC To AC?
Some equipment, including certain inverters, convert direct current (DC) from solar systems to alternating current (AC). Doing so will help turn the power drawn to usable electricity for the connected device.
Like identifying the amperage of an inverter, you should also know the correct DC to AC conversion rates to use an electronic appliance correctly. Thankfully, you can skip the manual calculations using a DC to AC inverter calculator.
Conclusion
By now, you should know how many amps does a 2000 watt inverter draw. Remember, an inverter with that wattage rating running on a 12-volt battery bank generally draws about 167 amps.
However, factors such as the unit’s conversion efficiency and wire gauge can affect the inverter’s actual current. If you find out that the amp draw is higher than intended, you can install a resistor or rheostat to help lower it.
I am Andrew Wright. With 8 years of experience designing, installing, and maintaining electrical power systems. I love my job, and I have always wanted to offer others the necessary help so they can take care of their houses.