Why Should You Go For The Option Of Automated Transfer Switch

By Author: Mark Blades
Total Articles: 22
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To avoid the loss in case of power cuts, generators cannot do the job alone. A transfer switch is very much important when the electricity goes out. With the advancement in technology, now the transfer switches have also gone automatic. You must understand that what the advantages of an automated transfer switch are.

What is Automated Transfer Switch?

When you are out of electricity, you turn to a generator, but the generator also needs a transfer switch to ensure safety and simplify the use of a generator. It helps you divert and transfer the power out from a generator easily and quickly.

In a traditional manual transfer switch, obviously the process is manually done by a lever. But in an automated transfer switch, you don’t have to wait and go pull the lever for the switch to work. It automatically starts doing its job when there is a power cut and the power of the generator is directed to wherever needed in just a matter of seconds.

In case of manual transfer switch, one may forget to pull the transfer switch lever or any kind of delay may create problems. In automated switch system, the whole ...
... process is controlled by a computer.

When it comes to manual transfer switches in residential places, the person will have to first go to the service entrance panel and then shut down the individual breakers so as to divert power to wherever needed and decrease the load. If branch circuit’s load isn’t properly noted before, you may face the problem of overloading.

Many times this process becomes tough as there is no light and the person has to carry a flashlight in his hand. So, when it comes to choosing between automatic and manual transfer switch, it is highly recommended to go for automatic one especially when it is large scale business and you have a lot of buildings where power needs to be diverted.

The Retrofit

When you have decided to install an automated transfer switch, there are some of the things you need to keep in mind.

•The retrofit is started with mounting a selective circuit manual transfer switch right next to service panel. The length of the raceway can be flexible and mostly the furnishing of ENT tube is also done along the transfer switch.

•If your building is more than three stories, you must replace the raceway with a metallic one.

•The prewired harness is fed through the raceway. There are heavy conductors for double pole breaker in the existing service panel.

•Then splicing of these new conductors is to be done from the harness to preselected branch circuit conductors with the help of twist type wires connector inside from the service entrance panel.

•There is also a green equipment grounding conductor that grounds the transfer switch enclosure.

•The connections are then made in the service panel by preterminating the wiring harness from selective circuit transfer.

•You also need to update the breakers of the transfer switch and you should never ignore the breaker compatibility. There can also be a mismatch with bus bars of metal alloys.

•Also, you must know that you will have to spend on the flexible cord that has sufficient ampacity which is suitable for the generator and the environment as well.

Who Does Automated Transfer Switch Benefit The Most?

No matter how small or large the scale of business is, with an automated transfer switch you can always have profit and ease. It is just a one time investment but the benefits are numerous.

Major industries that are benefited from this are factories and warehouses where there is a constant need of power supply. Also building like hospitals, schools and government building can benefit much from an automatic load transfer switch.

You can have a talk with your electrician if you have any more doubts regarding the automatic transfer switches. Power outrages are something we can’t predict, so have an auto- transfer switch and never let something like power cut eat up your productivity.

If you looking for buying automatic and manual transfer switch, Blades Power Generation is the best choice for you. They provide top quality and environment-friendly products manufactured with great precision.