When buying power tools like a circular saw, it is necessary to decide on the inverter size that will run the saw. But deciding the right inverter size for your needs involves many factors, and it can be a daunting task.
This article will help you decide on the right inverter size for your circular saw. But even if you don’t have a circular saw, at the end we have an inverter size chart for various power tools.
Be sure to check it out!
What Is A Circular Saw
A circular saw is an electric saw or a power tool. It has a disc-like blade that can cut various materials, such as wood, metal, or masonry. It is the most used saw in construction and allows for quick and efficient cutting of materials in a straight line.
What Is An Inverter?
An inverter is a device that converts DC (direct current) power from a battery into AC (alternating current) power. AC is the most common type of power suitable for household or domestic appliances.
Inverters come in different sizes as per the power requirements of the appliances that run on them.
What Size Inverter Do I Need to Run a Saw?
To begin with, calculate the wattage of the circular saw. To calculate the wattage, find out the rating of the machine.
If the circular saw has a rating of 120 volts and 7 amps, multiply 120 by 7 times to get the wattage. In this case, the wattage is 12 x 7 = 840 watts.
Now 840 is the Running Watts required for the circular saw to work continuously. Another important parameter, the Starting Watts, is generally twice the Running Watts.
In this case, the Running Watts would be 840 and the Starting Watts would be 1680.
Now, add a safety factor of 25% and that will be the size of inverter you will need, i.e. 1680+25% = 2100 Watts.
The size of inverter you need for a circular saw rated at 120 volts and 7 amps is 2100 Watts at the least.
What Type Of Inverter Should I Use For A Circular Saw?
Simply put, a sine wave inverter gives the best performance. They cost more, which is a downside, but they reduce energy losses and have high efficiency.
Here’s the long answer:
There are two types of inverters. One is the sine wave inverter, and the other is the modified sine wave inverter.
A sine wave inverter converts DC to AC by simulating the smooth waveform of electricity. It is suitable for sensitive electronics as it produces a stable sine wave output.
It also provides high-quality power that is more than enough for circular saws.
A modified sine wave inverter also converts DC electricity to AC electricity. However, it does not produce a smooth waveform, rather it produces a stepped waveform.
It is suitable for less sensitive appliances. It also causes electrical interference and reduces efficiency and lifespan.
The above analysis makes a strong case for pure sine wave inverters. Thus, pure sine wave inverters are the best type of inverters for circular saws.
What Are The Benefits Of Using An Inverter For A Circular Saw?
There are certain advantages to using inverters for circular saws. They are as follows:
Efficient
An inverter is more efficient as compared to traditional generators due to the method of AC production. Inverters also need less fuel as compared to generators.
Portable
Generators are bulky and massive. On the other hand, inverters are comparatively easy to carry.
Inverters are compact and ideal for difficult job locations with less space.
Quiet
Generators are very cranky and noisy. Inverters hardly make any noise and are not a nuisance in the neighborhood.
Safe
Generators work on fuels that are flammable liquids such as diesel and gasoline. Inverters do not work on fuels. Hence, they are safe as compared to generators.
What Are The Downsides To Using An Inverter For A Circular Saw?
Expensive
Inverters are new, and they are expensive as compared to generators. Generators have a low cost and are more affordable.
Due to the other advantages of inverters, their initial cost is high. Generators are also easy to repair as their spare parts are easily available.
Power Output
There is a major difference between the power output of generators and inverters. That is the reason why generators are used for more power requirements due to their high capacity.
Heat
Inverters produce a lot of heat as compared to generators. On the other hand, generators produce less heat even if they generate similar power as compared to inverters.
Inverter Size Chart For Various Tools
| Machine | Rated Power On Machine | Minimum Inverter Size Required (Additional 25%) |
| Drill | 780 | Running Watts -975
Starting Watts – 1950 |
| Circular Saw | 1800 | Running Watts – 2250 Starting Watts – 4500 |
| Sander | 360 | Running Watts – 450
Starting Watts – 900 |
| Jack Hammer | 1700 | Running Watts – 2125
Starting Watts – 4250 |
Tips For Using A Circular Saw With An Inverter
- When buying a circular saw, go for a newer model as it will be energy efficient as compared to old models. Older power tools have higher starting watts, sometimes more than thrice. Hence, older tools are impractical with modern inverters.
- A pure sine inverter will run smoother and cooler with circular saws. It might surprise you to note that some power tools will not run on modified sine inverters.
- Always go for a high-watt inverter. This is more true if you are going to use several power tools on the same inverter.
- Always ensure that the inverter is of high quality. Low-quality and cheap inverters will break down under load.
- Always ensure that the circular saw is of good quality. A high-quality inverter will perform poorly if paired with a low-quality circular saw.
Conclusion
The above analysis establishes that inverters can run circular saws.
However, power tools like circular saws consume heavy power. Hence, it is necessary to know the power requirements of the inverter.
Even if the power tools will run on electrical power, we should check the system for adequate capacity. In all cases, we should give priority to safety.
Power tools are subject to power surges and hence they need extra power to run without any hassles.
Before buying an inverter, we should examine the running watts and starting watts.
As a general rule, a 2500 W inverter will be suitable for most circular saws. But, this is subject to the rating of the circular saws.
