Manual VS Auto – which switch meets your power supply needs?

Investing in a backup generator in industrial fields is certainly one of the safest ways of avoiding extended power outage. But, one also has to make sure that the design of the installed generator meets the referred power supply. Otherwise, this ill-preparedness might lead to power outage because the generators can be connected to either of the following kinds of transfer switches: auto or manual. For an auto transfer switch, switching to the generator and back is done by computer, and for a manual transfer switch, it needs to be done by hand.

Below written are the following points to help you get detailed knowledge about both the switches:

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Auto Transfer Switch

If auto switches are in charge of the backup generators, then one doesn’t need to worry about wandering in the dark to switch on the generator. But, there is also a risk of overwhelming power in the building, depending upon the design of the auto switch. Auto switches are of two types: make before break and break before the break. The former one is designed for establishing a connection with generator power without separating it from grid power and is used in places where consistent power supply is much-needed. And, the latter one is designed in such a way that it gets disengaged with the grid power before its connection with the generator.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Manual Transfer Switch

It might occur to one’s mind that manual switches precede auto switches, but this fact doesn’t instantly affect the overall comparison. For domestic purposes, low-cost manual switches, which help in the connection with small generators, are preferable, as these ensure that there is no wastage of any power. This fact makes the manual switches are a better option for commercial and industrial outlets. However, in many cases, companies need to install several generators at various locations to deal with the entire process. But, the relatively standard companies tend to go for auto switches to reduce manpower needed to handle manual transfer switches.

Few Advantages of Transfer Switches for Your Household

Electric power is a very important commodity everywhere be it a house or an office. As the frequency of power shortage increases, people are slowly becoming aware of the concept of transfer switches. When you lose power due to a power shortage or a grid failure, it puts a huge dent in the processes and plans of your business. This is where the transfer switches come in to play, as they are one of the most convenient and safest options. They are capable of providing enough backup power to run electrical appliances like light, heat and refrigerator for a limited amount of time. Apart from that, here are a few advantages of using transfer switches:

Reliability
Transfer switches especially automatic transfer switch comes in handy for a lot of reasons for your household as well as business. If your power gets disrupted your generator will automatically start supplying emergency backup power to your building.

Flexibility
One of the most basic and primary advantages of installing a manual transfer switch is it is cost-efficient, easy to design as well as install. It has a user-friendly nature and is smaller in size, which can be fabricated much quicker than an automatic switch.

Simplicity
You do not have to worry about power shortage or a standby generator if you have a load transfer switch. It allows you to do more with less. It transfers the potential maximum load effortlessly and thereby efficiently protects the circuits.

A Complete Guide to Manual and Automatic Transfer Switches

A business owner always wants to run a smooth business process to satisfy the customers. However, there is nothing more frustrating to a businessman than losing the power of the stores or office. So, whether you have a small sporting goods store or you own a big office, you must be careful of the electricity that the place is currently consuming. Without a smooth electrical process, many duties are delayed or entirely lost. Therefore, an emergency generator system can help you getting a good hold on your work even if the power cuts out.

Know more about electrical power transfer switches:

Do you know that there are two kinds of switches available in a generator system? Then, let’s check how a manual transfer switch actually works. Well, it’s an easier solution that keeps the electric power on during a temporary power outage. It’s best to ask an original manufacturer to design your electric transfer switch that works manually just to ensure the secured function of the machine.

On the other hand, an automatic transfer switch comes handy with the more advanced feature. Without giving any kind of worry, it lets you transfer the power automatically into the generator during the power cuts. Make sure that your generator is equipped with the world-class automatic switch. It helps the machine to have all sorts of safety features and enables itself to prevent unwanted operations into 0 positions. Before you purchase the product, check its features carefully.

3 Benefits of Using Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) for Convenience

An Automatic Transfer Switch transfers power from utility to generator in a period of load shedding. The other option available to you is Manual Transfer Switch that needs to be turned on by someone when there is a power outage. As a result, manual switches require more time, labour and involves risk. Hence, auto switches guard your business and gets flipped on when power goes out.

Benefits of an Auto Transfer Switch:

• Elevated Reliability:

This is one of the most important factors when it comes to running a business. Without any doubt, your business will run, no matter what is going on in the power grid. An auto transfer switch continually monitors power system and can start the generator as well.

• Absolute Safety:

Safety is one of the main concerns of running a business. Manual Changeover Switch is not as reliable and leaves you vulnerable to electrocution. But an auto transfer switch doesn’t mess with the electricity; hence the risk of accident goes down.

• Simplicity is the Key:

There are several complications of running a business and the last thing you need is additional stress. But when you install an auto Load Transfer Switch, you don’t have to worry about setting up a generator. There are certain operations that are automatic in an auto transfer switch and are absolutely easy to operate. Therefore, it can be said that auto transfer switches offers convenience of operation while saving time.

Learn the Working of Transfer Switch System and an Automatic Generator

We all are dependent on electricity. Almost all our actions and the things that we use require electricity for their proper execution.  However, all our work comes to a halt when the electricity goes out. That is where generator helps in providing constant electricity supply to us. An automatic generator and a transfer switch system work in a way to automatically transfer electricity to the required site.  

Working of a Control System inside the Automatic Transfer Switch
When the main electricity source fails to work, then the power generated from a used or new generator is manually or automatically directed to that place. This ensures constant power supply to the site. This work is accomplished through an automatic and manual transfer switch.

How does an automatic transfer switch differ from an automatic transfer work?
It is the control panel system located within the transfer switch that makes it either manual or automatic in nature.

Manual switch
These types of switches are operated by personnel present onsite. They are used in those circumstances where the nature of the load is not critical.

Automatic transfer switch
These types of switches detect power failures on an immediate basis and lead to seamless conversion of utility power into generator power. As soon as the generator comes to the desired frequency and voltage, control system present inside automatic load transfer switch signals the transfer switch to perform the transfer of electricity from the normal electricity source to the generator.

In this way, a transfer switch assists in redistribution of power from the grid to the backup electricity source. It's efficient working mechanism eases our work by giving us uninterrupted power supply at all times. 

Should You Still Rely on a Manual Transfer Switch in Case of Power Outage?

Manual switches have been largely replaced with automatic ones, first and foremost because of greater convenience. A transfer switch is, regardless of type, an electrical machine that is used to switch the load from one source to another. It ensures continuity when the main source has failed or is affected by a power outage. One may choose to make the transfer between power sources either manually or automatically.

Many regard the manual changeover switch type as old fashioned. This is made to work with manual generator power supplies and does not act as fast as the automatic alternative. As for the safety part, it is just as safe as the other. In any case, a backup power switch will be useful in any household.

A manual transfer switch must be operated by the owner in the situation of a blackout. This means a certain downtime and it's up to you whether you can handle that or not. If there is no risk and no profit loss involved, then you can keep this system and rely on it. You will be able to energize the critical circuits when there is no utility power. Not just home, but also commercial spaces can use the manual switch.

Energy source duplication is efficiently prevented and no extension cord is needed. Both installation and use are simple. Competitive switch vendors on the market will make sure the installation is affordable, the warranty is advantageous and the technical support is available 24/7, to reduce downtime to a minimum.

You may set your transfer switch to serve the whole house or only a few critical circuits. The overall load will be decisive here. Manufacturers will inform you on the different types, as well as on installation procedures and the various switch sizes. Remember that the manual switch will have to be operated also when the utility supply power is back on.

Planning and Types of Manual Transfer Switches

Experience of power outages in extreme weather makes it necessary for homeowners to explore backup power options. Fortunately, your home can be equipped with built-in backup generator, which is connected to automatic or manual transfer switch.

Planning emergency power strategy

First thing is to determine the appliances you need to run in utility power cuts. In addition, calculate how much power they use. This will allow you to select a generator with ample output capacity.

A 7,500 W portable generator delivers 60 amps and 30 amps at 120V and 240V. It is enough to power few lights and necessary appliances like sump pump, or refrigerator. For powering a central AC or electric range an expensive 15,000W generator is needed.

Generally, a portable generator filled with gasoline has to be installed outdoors, away from doors and windows while it is on. In addition, it will be a bad idea to keep windows or doors open a little for running cords during bad weather.

If you use portable generators to operate appliances usually wired to dedicated circuits directly then it is unsafe. The right way is to connect generator to main load centre with manual changeover switch.

Types of manual transfer switches

Transfer switch kits - Include selected circuit changeover switch, power cord and power inlet.

Selected branch circuits - These transfer switches are designed for fast installation and transfer energy to chosen circuits within the load centre.

Single circuit - This type is economical and ideal for supplying backup power to sump pumps or furnaces or other single circuit applications.

Main or sub transfer panels - Transfer switch and circuit breaker box is combined in these models.

Generator-ready load center - This model blends load centre and transfer switch in s single package.

Whole house/business - This type is perfect for powering the whole house, garage, pole barn or small business.

Industrial and commercial - Single and 3-phase switches up to 600 V are designed especially for industrial, telecom, agricultural, commercial, and municipal applications.

Comprehensive Buyer’s Guide To Picking The Right Manual Transfer Switch

Modern world thrives on power. Without electricity driving your gadgets and your smart controlled homes, you will find it difficult to sustain a smooth urban living. However, power blackouts are just as much of a reality. Having a proper power transfer back up is essential to keeping your home always connected to an alternate power source. With proper transfer switches, you can ensure that the main circuits of your house are always connected to a power source. Transfer switches also ascertain that only the appropriate amount of circuits is attached to the alternate power source depending on the source’s capacity. Manual transfer switches are ideal options as they are quite affordable and they allow the user full control over the transfer of the power source in times of blackouts.

Here are a few tips to help you pick the perfect Manual Transfer Switch for your home generators and alternate power connectivity.

Chose on the basis of Amps

You can start your transfer switch search quite simply by looking for the proper amp measurements ideal for your project. To do this, simply check the power chord that has been supplied with the generator or inverter device. You will need the exact amp transfer switch as the amp measurement of the power chord.

Choose how many circuits you need powered at all times

Every homeowner has a different sensibility for this topic. You might be basing a business or work from home, in which case you will need a high watt generator to power maximum circuits of your home office and functional areas of your home. If you are just installing a generator to ensure that you are not left completely in pitch dark during blackouts, you can make do with a lower wattage generator. The rule of thumb is to remember that 5000 watts power about six full circuits of normal homes. If you are using generator larger than a 5000-watt version, pick a transfer switch for 10 or more circuits, which can comfortably handle the power transfer for appropriate amount of circuit connections in your home.

Always check for availability of a wattage meter

Checking the load on your power source is important to ensure that you do not fry the whole generator system trying to power more circuits than is possible for the device. The dilemma is solved with the use of ideal wattage meters placed on most modern manual transfer switches. You can check the amount of wattage currently powered by the generator and ensure that the system is not overloaded. The entire point of a manual switch is to give you better direct control. Make sure this feature is present on your switches to actually control the alternate power supply in your house. You can also watch the meter to ascertain that you save pressure on the generator to make the charge last for longer during periods of severe power blackouts.

Also, check whether the transfer switch comes with proper installation kits with mounting options for transfer switches on the walls. You can also get your repairperson to put the switch in to a recessed wall area.

Guide to Choose the Right Transfer Switch for Your Portable Generators

If you want to look for economical solutions to curb electric supply concerns or experience periodic power outage problem, a manual transfer switch can really be a life saver for fast and safe power supply. However, before installing a manual switch you must understand and take an overview of electrical capacity of your house demands.

It is suggested that with the electrical appliances like High Voltage Air Condition system, computers, security systems, and refrigerators, you should consult an OEM manufacturer to design and make your switch.

A manual switch needs to be installed beside an primary electrical panel and further connected to the other circuits where you want it running during the power outage. There are different sort of manual portable generators available for the home users. You need to start this type of powered generator manually. When there is a power outage, simply crank the generator and use one power cord to the transfer switch and as soon as generator starts running, energize the circuit by flipping the required transfer switch.

Let us now read further with the tips on how you can choose the right manual switch for your property.

Circuits

Transfer switches are pre-wired with aligned circuit breakers. If you use a powerful generator; you can power more circuits. Generators with 5000 watts have the capacity to restore power for six circuits. You should opt for ten circuit manual switch if you use large generators. So, no matter how long power outage stays or the cause of it, you would need to power many systems which are critical for day-to-day functioning.

Amps

The size of your manual switch will also depend on the size of your portable generator and property. Amp is a term used for measuring the amount of consumed electricity. If you have a big factory, warehouse, or store you will need multiple systems to power function, you will also need bigger generators and this will also demand manual switches with more number of amps. The simplest way to measure the size of a manual switch is by measuring the size the power cord.

Wattage Meters

Wattage meters keep track of all the electrical devices being powered. Required wattage also depends on the number of circuits you want to run and the electrical capacity of your property. More the circuits, higher wattage needed.

Please remember that only a professional team of trained electrical engineers can assess your property and electrical requirement associated with it. While installing a manual switch you can opt to have it installed on your wall in garage or basements. The power supply can go off at any point of time. You can simply turn on the generators through these manual switches for emergency backup.

If you are a resident of UK and looking for a certified help on deciding the type of transfer switches for your house to complement your portable generator, you can contact Blades Power Generation. They are one of the established service names in the industry for providing safe and quality power panels.