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Plan your household load
What can a 5kVA inverter carry in a Nigerian home?
A 5kVA setup can support a substantial list of home appliances, but the exact inverter, battery and appliances determine which combinations work. Start with running watts, then check starting demand and backup hours separately.
Is a 5kVA inverter 4,000W or 5,000W?
5kVA means 5,000 volt-amperes of apparent power. Check the manufacturer’s continuous watt rating as well. Neither “all 5kVA units are 4kW” nor “all are 5kW” is a reliable buying rule. The load must remain within both relevant ratings.
For a concrete example, the Victron MultiPlus-II 230V 48/5000/70-50 specification lists 5,000VA and 4,000W continuous at 25°C, with continuous output reduced to 3,700W at 40°C. That is one named model, not a universal conversion for other brands.
Use the rating applicable to your actual model and operating conditions. A peak or surge figure describes a different capability; it is not an extra continuous allowance for a kettle or AC. Battery discharge limits can impose a lower system limit than the inverter’s headline output.
Example: essentials, a fridge and one AC
These are deliberately stated planning assumptions, not measured or typical ratings for every appliance. Replace each figure with data for your equipment. Fridge and AC entries below are running input only; startup has not been approved.
Swipe the table sideways on a small screen if needed.
| Appliance | Quantity | Assumed watts each | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standing fans | 3 | 60W | 180W |
| LED bulbs | 8 | 9W | 72W |
| Television | 1 | 80W | 80W |
| Laptops | 2 | 65W | 130W |
| Router | 1 | 12W | 12W |
| Essentials subtotal | 474W | ||
| Refrigerator, while running | 1 | 150W | 150W |
| AC, assumed electrical input | 1 | 1,200W | 1,200W |
| Combined running total | 1,824W |
The 1,824W sum is below the named example’s 4,000W rating. That establishes only a running-wattage comparison. The inverter must also handle apparent power and startup, and the battery must deliver the required current.
What happens when someone switches on an iron?
Add a hypothetical 1,500W iron: 1,824 + 1,500 = 3,324W. Add a hypothetical 1,500W kettle at the same time: the total becomes 4,824W, above the example model’s 4,000W continuous rating.
The kettle may only run for a few minutes, but an overload can happen immediately. Agree which high-power appliances may run together. Do not treat spare running watts as guaranteed headroom for a compressor starting.
Can a 5kVA inverter carry a 1.5HP air conditioner?
It may, but the HP label does not settle compatibility or runtime. Obtain the AC’s electrical input, maximum demand and starting requirements. An inverter-type AC and a fixed-speed AC should not be assigned the same startup assumption simply because both are sold as 1.5HP.
The 1,200W AC in our worksheet is an assumed input, not a conversion from 1.5HP. Ask the installer to check the exact AC with the other intended loads, the inverter overload duration and the battery’s discharge capability. Room conditions and AC settings also affect energy use.
Can it carry two ACs?
Under the same assumed 1,200W per AC, two ACs plus the 474W essentials and 150W fridge total 3,024W. That arithmetic does not certify that both compressors can start or that the battery will last the night. Add a 1,500W kettle and the total reaches 4,524W, exceeding our example inverter’s rating.
What about a freezer or water pump?
Request a starting-load assessment for the exact motor. The difficult moment may be a pump starting while another compressor is already running. Avoid choosing a system from a generic list of appliance names without their specifications.
How long will a 5kVA inverter last on batteries?
The inverter rating describes output capability, not stored energy. For illustration, take a 5.12kWh battery with 90% usable capacity and 90% conversion efficiency. Assume a full charge, constant load and no charging input or separate idle draw.
Estimated energy reaching appliances = 5,120Wh × 0.90 × 0.90 = 4,147Wh. Divide that by the chosen load:
| Illustrative load | Calculation | Estimated time |
|---|---|---|
| 474W essentials | 4,147 ÷ 474 | About 8.7 hours |
| 1,824W with assumed fridge and AC | 4,147 ÷ 1,824 | About 2.3 hours |
| 3,024W with two assumed ACs | 4,147 ÷ 3,024 | About 1.4 hours |
These are energy examples, not tested runtimes. They omit compressor cycling, changing AC demand, battery ageing and discharge restrictions. Use measured average demand for a closer runtime estimate, while keeping the maximum and startup checks separate.
Use our battery runtime calculator to enter your own battery and appliance figures. The tool has an Easy mode with pictures and an Advanced mode for direct inputs.
How many batteries does a 5kVA inverter need?
First read the inverter’s required battery voltage. A hypothetical 48V bank made from four compatible 12V 200Ah batteries connected in series is 48V 200Ah, not 48V 800Ah. Its nominal energy is 48 × 200 = 9,600Wh.
If you assume 50% usable capacity and 90% conversion efficiency, that example provides 4,320Wh to the loads before other effects. This is why nominal capacity alone can mislead when comparing it with the lithium example above. Neither example is a wiring recommendation; have the bank designed and installed for the actual equipment.
A single compatible 48V-class lithium pack might replace multiple lower-voltage batteries in some systems, but its BMS current limit and communication requirements still matter. A battery that stores enough energy may still be unable to supply the required instantaneous power. See lithium versus tubular batteries.
How many solar panels should go with it?
There is no fixed panel count from 5kVA alone. The array must fit the charger’s electrical limits and supply the planned daily energy, including recharge while daytime appliances run. Roof conditions and seasonal generation also matter. Use the home solar planning worksheet before comparing installed packages.
What to ask before buying a 5kVA package
- What is the exact inverter model and its continuous W and VA rating?
- Which AC, fridge or pump models have been allowed for, including startup?
- What usable battery energy and discharge power are included?
- What backup hours are estimated for my actual appliance list?
- How will the battery recharge during normal use and poorer solar conditions?
- Does the quote include panels, protection, mounting, labour and warranty support?
For equipment offers, see our solar inverter prices in Nigeria. Compare complete package contents rather than assuming every 5kVA price includes the same batteries or installation.
If your intended loads are mainly lights, fans and electronics, also compare the 3kVA load guide. A bigger inverter does not automatically provide longer backup from the same battery.
Sources and method
Manufacturer reference checked 21 October 2026: Victron MultiPlus-II 230V technical specifications. Appliance values and battery percentages are explicitly stated assumptions used for original arithmetic, not measured product results. This guide does not certify an installation or claim that every 5kVA inverter has the example model’s output.