Selecting The Most Appropriate Transfer Switch For Any Given Premises

By Author: Mark Blades
Total Articles: 22
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Today power backup sources have become a common feature in commercial as well as residential premises. This has also led to an increased awareness about the importance and use of a load transfer switch. We all know how important selecting the right generator is for any particular premise. Equally important is selecting the right transfer switch to facilitate uninterrupted and safe power supply in scenarios of a power outage. Let us understand what exactly it is and its various aspects.

What is a transfer switch?
Going by Wikipedia definition, ‘A transfer switch is a type of electrical switch that switches the load between two power sources’. They help in providing uninterrupted power supply to any premises by connecting your generator or standby power supply directly into your house wiring system.

Selecting the right transfer switch
Transfer switches are available in various options and sizes. This can appear quite confusing and perplexing to the uninformed. Thus, it is very important to understand the functions and needs of the switches and then make an informed choice. Some of the primary considerations ...
... while selecting it are –

•Manual vs. automatic
Switches are basically of two types- manual vs. automatic. In the manual switch, a human needs to connect the backup power supply to the utility system to get the backup power supply available. In contrast, the automatic transfer switch is capable of connecting the backup power supply to the mains automatically in scenarios of the power supply. The manual option works best for portable generators. In all other cases, automatic transfer switches are mostly preferred. While installing a manual switch is a relatively simple task, the installation of automatic switch requires time, knowledge as well as skill. It is also more expensive to install an automatic switch than a manual switch. However, the automatic switch provides uninterrupted power supply but the time taken to get power is much more with manual switches.

•Single to multi-circuits and dual circuit
Next criteria are looking upon and deciding which and how many electrical appliances and equipment you wish to power and run at any given point of time. You would also need to consider the total amount of power that you would require. Another consideration would be to determine which circuits would be used on the almost continuous basis and which would be on an alternating basis. All these considerations would form the basis of you requiring a 4, 6, 8 or 10 circuit transfer switch. This is best decided by the electrical expert based on the requirements that you have listed out to him.

•Inside or outside transfer switch box
There are two models available for transfer switches. One is for indoor service while the other is for outdoor service. The choice depends on the following considerations –

The available space to install the switch and wire out to the main panel
Accessibility to the panel box. You cannot install switch indoors if the panel box is installed outdoors.
The security concern is another major criterion. Installing equipment outdoors raises the risk of the units being exposed to vandalism and theft.

All these would aid you in getting the right distance between the panel and the switch and getting the wiring right.

•Direct plugin or hard wired
Finally, you need to decide upon the plugin option or the hard wired option. Plugin option is generally considered for the outdoor though hard-wired option is also used for standby generators having fixed and permanent locations. Indoors connections are normally hardwired to an exterior inlet box.

•Other installation considerations
Some of the other miscellaneous things that you need to consider while purchasing a switch are –
The location where the main panel is installed.
If it is pre-wired, then the length of the transfer switch pigtail should be considered for connecting to the main panel.
Location of the generator to safeguard against any exhaust inlet.
Surface mount vs. flush mount switches. You might sometimes require an additional flush mount kit.

For all your quality power panel requirements for your home or workplace, Blades Power generation the UK is the ultimate destination. They offer load transfer switch, manual transfer switch generator, new as well as old generators and almost all power and backup power related gears with them. Making them available to you at unexpected costs, they also offer you the right advice in selecting the right unit.