Livguard — LS OG5048M 5 kVA / 48 V MPPT solar power conditioning unit
What most Indian “hybrid solar inverters” actually are: a 5 kVA lead-acid solar UPS with an MPPT charger — no grid export, no lithium, no remote monitoring on the brochure.
Reviewed 6 October 2026 · verdict on public record, hard specs awaiting a sourced feed
In India the phrase “hybrid solar inverter” often means a solar UPS or power conditioning unit (PCU): an inverter that runs the home from a battery bank, charges the batteries from solar (through an MPPT charge controller) and from the grid, and uses the grid when the batteries are low. Livguard’s LS OG5048M is a 5 kVA, 48 V example of that category, and its brochure is a useful reference for how it differs from the grid-tied, lithium-ready hybrids we review elsewhere.
The brochure lists a single MPPT input with a 190 V maximum open-circuit voltage, 70–160 V Vmp window, 50 A maximum input current and up to 5,500 W of panels, a maximum battery (solar) charging current of 100 A, grid charging at 30 A, and tubular, VRLA or flat-plate lead-acid batteries (four 12 V, 100–220 Ah). Backup output is 230 V pure sine wave, protections include overload, short-circuit, reverse battery, over-temperature and backfeed, and the unit has forced fan cooling and IP20 protection for indoor use.
What it does not do matters as much. The range is headed “grid interactive hybrid”, but the brochure describes the grid as an input and charging source and lists “backfeed” under protections — we found no export or net-metering function. It lists no lithium compatibility, no remote monitoring (only an LCD), no efficiency figure we could assign to this model, no India standards and no warranty term we could match to this model.
For Installers & Engineers
Deeper technical detail beyond the homeowner-facing summary above.
Because it is a lead-acid design, usable energy is limited: the brochure sets depth of discharge “as per battery voltage setting (1.8 V/cell)”. A bank of four 12 V 150 Ah batteries stores about 7.2 kWh nominal, but you should not routinely use all of it.
Panel sizing from the brochure: maximum 5,500 W, with Voc up to 190 V and Vmp between 70 V and 160 V (the brochure’s voltage rows are shared across several models; we read these as the values for the 3–5 kVA, 48 V units, so confirm with Livguard). Its example is 335 Wp panels in 3–4 in series by 1–4 in parallel, from 3 panels up to 16. Note the low voltage window: it favours short strings of a few panels, unlike the 300–600 V strings that grid-tied inverters use.
Changeover time from mains to inverter is stated as 25 ms or less (tens of milliseconds), slower than the under-10 ms backup switching on the lithium hybrids we reviewed; fine for lights and fans, less so for sensitive electronics.
The unit weighs 52.95 kg net and measures 448.5 × 275 × 611 mm, runs 0–50 °C, and is fan-cooled, so plan ventilation and noise.
Net metering needs a grid-tied inverter that can export; a PCU like this is for self-use and backup only, so it does not earn net-metering credits and is not a substitute for a subsidised grid-connected rooftop system.
The Scorecard
How we scoreConversion Efficiency
Not assessed — the brochure’s efficiency figures could not be matched to this model.
Reliability & Build
A sensible set of protections and MCB-protected inputs, but IP20, fan cooling and lead-acid maintenance limit long-term robustness.
Monitoring & Software
An LCD with detailed parameters, but no remote monitoring or app is listed.
Service Network & Support
The brochure describes an established Indian maker with trained technicians, but no warranty term for this model, undated document.
Value for Money
Not assessed — we have not sourced a current India price.
Strengths
- Indian-brand range with a single-box solution for battery backup, solar charging and grid charging
- MPPT charge controller for up to 5,500 W of panels and up to 100 A of battery charging current
- Supports tubular, VRLA and flat-plate lead-acid batteries
- Overload, short-circuit, reverse-battery, over-temperature and backfeed protections listed
Watch-outs
- No grid export or net-metering function described; not suitable for a subsidised grid-connected rooftop system
- Lead-acid only; no lithium compatibility, and DoD limits reduce usable backup
- IP20 (indoor only), fan-cooled and heavy at nearly 53 kg
- No remote monitoring, efficiency figure or warranty term we could attribute to this model; brochure is undated
Datasheet Specifications
| Rating / battery | 5 kVA · 48 V nominal · tubular / VRLA / flat-plate lead-acid · 4 × 12 V 100–220 Ah |
|---|---|
| Solar charge controller | MPPT · 1 input · max 5,500 W · Isc 50 A · max Voc 190 V · Vmp 70–160 V (shared-row reading) · max battery current 100 A |
| Grid charging | 30 A |
| Backup output | 230 V ± 2% · 50 Hz · pure sine wave · discharge 17.5 A at full load |
| Changeover time | ≤ 25 ms (mains to inverter) |
| Protections | Overload · short circuit · backfeed · over-temperature · reverse battery · phase-to-phase |
| Cooling / enclosure | Fan-forced · 0–50 °C operating · 448.5 × 275 × 611 mm · 52.95 kg net |
| Efficiency / warranty / lithium / export / India standards | Not stated for this model in the brochure |
Specifications marked “datasheet-stated” are manufacturer figures we have not independently measured. Always confirm the exact model on its current datasheet before purchase.
Open the manufacturer’s datasheet for Livguard LS OG5048M 5 kVA / 48 V MPPT solar power conditioning unitWho It’s For
- Homes in areas with frequent outages that want lead-acid backup with solar charging
- Buyers who understand it is a solar UPS, not a net-metering inverter
- Not for anyone targeting PM Surya Ghar subsidy or net metering
Our Verdict
A useful reference for the lead-acid solar-UPS category that many Indian buyers actually mean by “hybrid inverter”. It is for backup and self-use, not net metering: if you want PM Surya Ghar subsidy or export credits, you need a grid-tied inverter, and for lithium you need a hybrid like the ones reviewed alongside it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a solar UPS or PCU the same as a hybrid inverter?
No. A PCU like the Livguard LS OG5048M runs from a lead-acid battery bank, charges it from solar and the grid, and does not export power. A grid-tied hybrid inverter can export to the grid and typically supports lithium batteries.
Can the Livguard LS OG5048M be used for net metering?
The brochure describes no export or net-metering function and lists backfeed under protections, so it is intended for self-use and backup, not net metering.
What batteries does the LS OG5048M use?
Tubular, VRLA or flat-plate lead-acid batteries, four 12 V units of 100–220 Ah for the 48 V system. No lithium compatibility is listed.
Data Provenance
- Verified on
- 6 October 2026
- ALMM status
- Unknown — verify directly
- Source datasheet
- View official manufacturer datasheet
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