MEAN WELL NTU-1200-212AU is a true sine wave DC/AC inverter with built-in UPS AC bypass. It supplies 1200 W continuously from a nominal 12 VDC battery, with 230 VAC / 50 Hz factory output and a Australian receptacle. Mains/battery priority, temperature-controlled fan cooling and remote ON/OFF support battery-backed installations.
Product Datasheet
Download MEAN WELL NTU-1200 Datasheet (PDF)
The NTU-1200 section is on PDF pages 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. Refer to the complete mechanical drawings and notes when planning installation.
Model and AC Output Ratings
Continuous output power
1200 W
Nominal DC input voltage
12 VDC
Default AC output voltage
230 VAC
Over-rated output power
1380 W
Peak output power
1800 W
Surge output power
2000 W
Default output frequency
50 Hz ± 0.1 Hz
AC regulation
±3.0% at rated output voltage
Output waveform
True sine wave; THD <3%
The 1380 W over-rated output is limited to 3 minutes; 1800 W peak output is limited to 10 seconds; 2000 W surge output is limited to 30 AC cycles. These are separate short-duration ratings, not continuous output ratings.
The complete ordering code NTU-1200-212AU selects the NTU-1200 family, AC voltage code 2, 12 VDC input and Australian receptacle. This Australian receptacle option is offered by request in the catalogue; confirm availability for the exact ordering code.
DC Input, Efficiency and Battery Protection
Typical DC input range
10–16.5 VDC
Typical DC input current
120 A
Typical conversion efficiency
90%
Typical non-saving no-load dissipation
25 W
Typical saving-mode dissipation
<8 W
OFF-mode current draw
≤1 mA
Internal fuse arrangement
40 A × 4
Low-input alarm
11 ± 0.3 VDC
Low-input shutdown
10 ± 0.3 VDC
Low-input restart
12.5 ± 0.3 VDC
High-input alarm
15.5 ± 0.3 VDC
High-input shutdown
16.5 ± 0.3 VDC
High-input restart
15 ± 0.3 VDC
Suitable for lead-acid or lithium-ion batteries within the specified input and protection ranges. Low-voltage disconnect provides battery over-discharge protection. Select the battery and wiring for the required input current and operating range.
Reverse-polarity protection is by opening the internal fuse. The listed internal fuse arrangement is not an external battery-cable fuse recommendation.
Power saving is disabled by default. When enabled, automatic load detection changes to saving mode at an AC output load of 10 W or less.
UPS AC Input, Bypass and Earthing
Selectable AC input nominal settings
200 / 220 / 230 / 240 VAC
AC input acceptance band
±16% of the selected AC output setting
AC input recovery band
±13% of the selected AC output setting
AC input frequency range
45–65 Hz
Typical inverter/bypass transfer time
10 ms
AC circuit breaker
10 A
The factory priority setting is mains priority. With valid AC input, the AC-bypass path supplies the load directly. The inverter supplies the load from the DC battery when AC input is absent or outside the specified acceptance band; the recovery band defines return to acceptable AC input. The typical transfer time is not zero.
The AC receptacle earth and chassis FG are internally shorted together. In battery/inverter mode, AC output N is also internally shorted to receptacle earth and FG. In mains/bypass mode, output L and N follow the incoming AC supply, while receptacle earth remains bonded to FG.
The bypass relays remain in their normally closed positions when the inverter is turned off. AC input can therefore still energize the output and connected loads while the inverter is OFF. Isolate all sources before wiring or servicing.
The typical application drawings show a separate PB, NPB or NPP AC/DC battery charger where battery charging from mains or shore power is required. The built-in UPS function provides bypass and source transfer; it does not make this product a battery charger.
Output Protection and Temperature Derating
Typical overload protection permits 105–115% load for 180 seconds and 115–150% load for 10 seconds, then shuts down output. Output short circuit and over-temperature protection also shut down output; re-power the unit to recover. Respect the separate rated/peak/surge limits and applicable derating.
Horizontal-mounting ambient derating: -25°C: 100%, 35°C: 100%, 40°C: 85%, 60°C: 50%, 70°C: 30% of the continuous rating. Interpolate along the shown curve between these points; the −25 to +70°C working range does not mean full-load operation throughout.
DC-input derating for this 12 V model: approximately 50% load at 10 VDC, rising along its curve to 100% at 11 VDC and remaining at 100% to 16.5 VDC. Apply temperature and input derating together.
A temperature-controlled cooling fan is built in. Keep the DC-side airflow path and the AC-side ventilation openings clear.
DIP Output Settings and Remote ON/OFF
DIP SW1/SW2 select output voltage: OFF/OFF = 100 VAC or 200 VAC; OFF/ON = 110 VAC or 220 VAC; ON/OFF = 115 VAC or 230 VAC; ON/ON = 120 VAC or 240 VAC, according to the ordered AC voltage code. SW3 ON selects 50 Hz; SW3 OFF selects 60 Hz. SW4 ON enables saving mode; SW4 OFF selects non-saving mode.
The front R.C connection uses a dry contact between pins 1 and 2: open = normal inverter ON; short = remote inverter OFF. This remote function does not isolate the AC-bypass path.
Battery-priority setup uses the dedicated sequence in the function manual: with power disconnected set SW2 and SW3 OFF, apply battery power with remote OFF, then within 15 seconds change both switches ON and back OFF. All LEDs except AC input flash green three times on successful setting. Complete the manual’s power-off and external-remote-switch sequence and restart to load battery priority.
To restore mains priority, begin with SW2 and SW3 ON before power is applied; with battery power and remote OFF, change both OFF and back ON within 15 seconds. The same three-flash indication confirms success. Complete the prescribed power cycle. This clears battery priority only and does not restore all factory settings.
LED Indicators and Fault Identification
Normal status LED: flashing green = system check; steady green = inverter OK; steady orange = remote OFF; flashing orange = saving mode; red = abnormal status.
DC-input LED for this 12 V model: green at 12.5–15.5 VDC; orange at 11–12.5 VDC; red at <11 or >15.5 VDC.
Load indication is green below 40%, orange at 40–80%, and red above 80%. These load LEDs are steady in mains-priority status and flash in battery-priority status. The AC-input LED is steady green for mains OK, flashing green for mains error, and off when mains is disconnected.
Abnormal combinations: steady-red status + DC-input LED off + flashing-red load indicates output overload or short circuit; steady-red status + flashing-red DC-input + load LED off indicates abnormal DC voltage; steady-red status + flashing-red DC-input and load indicates over-temperature or fan lock; flashing-red status with DC-input and load LEDs off indicates inverter failure.
Mechanical Installation and Environment
Overall dimensions (L × W × H)
333 × 184 × 70 mm
Mechanical drawing
Case 286A; tolerance ±1 mm
Catalogue packing reference per unit
3300 g
Working temperature
−25 to +70°C; apply derating
Working humidity
20–90% RH, non-condensing
Storage temperature
−30 to +70°C
Storage humidity
10–95% RH, non-condensing
The catalogue packing reference per unit is not a measured net weight or a shipping-parcel weight.
The housing body width is 173 mm within the 184 mm overall mounting width. Longitudinal mechanical references include 220, 200, 180 mm; use the drawing on PDF page 7 for exact mounting datums and slots. The DC-terminal projection is marked 20.9 mm separately from the body length.
The mechanical view identifies separate + and − DC terminals, chassis bonding point, fan airflow direction, AC input, output receptacle, circuit breaker, DIP switches, R.C input and RJ11 remote port. Wire and mount according to the supplied installation instructions.
Vibration specification: 10–500 Hz, 3G, 10 minutes per cycle and 60 minutes along each X, Y and Z axis.
Connections and Separately Ordered Accessories
R.C board connector
JST B-XH or equivalent; printed family reference
R.C mating housing
JST XHP or equivalent; match the two-circuit connection
R.C contact reference
JST SXH-001T or equivalent; confirm complete ordering suffix and wire suitability
RJ11 / DB9 receive mapping
Inverter Rx: RJ11 pin 2 to DB9 pin 3
RJ11 / DB9 ground mapping
GND: RJ11 pin 3 to DB9 pin 5
RJ11 / DB9 transmit mapping
Inverter Tx: RJ11 pin 4 to DB9 pin 2
Remote controller choices
IRC1, IRC2, IRC3
Communication cable order code
RJ11-RS232
Handle accessory order code
Carry Handle
IRC1, IRC2 and IRC3 are separately sold monitoring/control units that decode inverter RS-232 data for display. Some controller functions depend on the connected model; controller symbols do not add unlisted conversion functions to the inverter.
A single inverter’s internal data can be read via its RJ11 RS-232 port using the separately ordered RJ11-RS232 communication cable. The accessory list shows one cable; the inverter and cable must be ordered separately.
The separately ordered Carry Handle accessory comprises one handle, four foot pads and two M4 mounting screws. The handle drawing marks 180 × 27 × 10 mm.
Safety, EMC and Reliability
The Australian receptacle socket table lists CB IEC 62368-1, DEKRA BS EN/EN 62368-1, E13, EAC TP TC 004, CE and UKCA. The NTU-1200 specification says design refer to AS/NZS 62368.1; confirm the approval applicable to the supplied unit.
Dielectric withstand: DC input to AC input 3.0 kVAC; DC input to AC output 3.0 kVAC; AC output to FG 1.5 kVAC.
BS EN/EN 55032 (CISPR 32) Class A radiated and conducted emissions apply to the 200–240 VAC output group.
The EMC table lists BS EN/EN 61000-3-2 Class A harmonic current and BS EN/EN 61000-3-3 voltage flicker; immunity is referenced to BS EN/EN 55024 and BS EN/EN 55035.
Immunity entries: EN 61000-4-2 ESD, 8 kV air Level 3 / 4 kV contact Level 2; EN 61000-4-3 radiated Level 2; EN 61000-4-4 EFT/burst 1 kV Level 2; EN 61000-4-5 surge 1 kV line-to-line / 2 kV line-to-earth Level 3; EN 61000-4-6 conducted Level 2; EN 61000-4-8 magnetic field Level 1; EN 61000-4-11 voltage dips/interruption >95% dip for 0.5 periods, 30% dip for 25 periods, and >95% interruption for 250 periods.
MTBF: 460.5k hours minimum under Telcordia TR/SR-332; 58.3k hours minimum under MIL-HDBK-217F at 25°C. The family includes MCU digital control, conformal coating and a three-year manufacturer catalogue warranty. Final equipment still requires system-level EMC verification.
Measurement Conditions and Typical Applications
Efficiency, AC regulation and THD are tested with a 900 W linear load at 12.5 / 25 / 50 VDC input for the 12 / 24 / 48 V versions respectively. Other unspecified parameters are measured at rated load, 25°C ambient and factory settings. The internal pre-start setup time is 8 seconds.
Typical applications include home/office appliances, power tools, portable equipment, vehicles, yachts, off-grid solar systems, wireless networks, telecommunications and data systems. Select the battery bank, external charger and load configuration within the inverter’s model-specific ratings and transfer requirements.
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