One of the most common mistakes Indian buyers make is equating Watts with VA (Volt-Ampere). While they are related, they are not the same. Watts is the 'Real Power' consumed by your appliance, while VA is the 'Apparent Power' the inverter needs to supply.

Step 1: Identify Your Critical Load

First, decide which appliances you want to run during a power cut. Below are typical wattages for common Indian household items:

• Ceiling Fan: 75W - 80W
• LED Bulb: 7W - 12W
• Laptop Charger: 65W - 90W
• 43" LED TV: 100W
• Mixer Grinder: 500W - 750W

Step 2: The Formula

The standard formula for calculating the required VA rating is:

Total Load in Watts / Power Factor = Required VA
In India, the Power Factor for most residential setups is taken as 0.8. If your total load is 400 Watts, your required VA is 400 / 0.8 = 500 VA.

Step 3: The 25% Buffer Rule

Electronic components age, and appliances sometimes draw more power than their rating as they wear down. Furthermore, motors (like fans) have a higher starting current.

We strongly recommend adding a 25% buffer to your calculated VA. If you need 500VA, buy at least a 650VA or 700VA model. This ensures your inverter runs cool and lasts much longer without hitting its 'Overload' limit.