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AUTOMATIC TRANSFER SWITCH FOR COMMERCIAL GENERATORS
Power outages can occur at any time, placing your company in danger of disruption. Many businesses avoid downtime at all costs, relying on backup power supplies such as commercial generators to kick in when the main power system goes down. When an outage happens, you most likely do not have the time, equipment, or staff to connect each electrical gadget or machine to a generator. A commercial generator automatic transfer switch allows your company to seamlessly convert from one power source to another.
Learn more about commercial automatic generator transfer switches and how to select the best model for your company.
WHAT IS A TRANSFER SWITCH?
A transfer switch is a device that switches an electrical load between a primary power supply and a secondary or backup power source, usually a generator. During an outage, the transfer switch links to the main breaker and generator to turn the power sources on and off to ensure your business retains constant electricity.
These devices can be used to power generators in almost any business, including data centres, hospitals, telecommunications facilities, and industrial operations.
HOW DOES A TRANSFER SWITCH WORK?
When a main breaker trips, a transfer switch disconnects your power source from the main grid and transfers the electrical demand to the generator. When electricity is restored to the main grid, the switch switches the electrical load from the generator back to the main grid. Because this function maintains your electrical load connected to just one power supply at a time, a power transfer switch for generators is an essential piece of safety equipment.
DO YOU NEED A GENERATOR TRANSFER SWITCH?
Local codes may require you to install a transfer switch with your generator, depending on where your business is located. Transfer switches are generally recommended even when they are not necessary, especially for standby generators. Your business, equipment, and utility personnel are at risk of harm and injury if you do not have a transfer switch. A generator transfer switch prevents two eventualities from occurring: back feeding and main power supply contact with the generator.
Back feeding happens when the generator is not disconnected from the main grid. The power from the generator can be routed back to the main grid via the transformers, cables, and poles. The back feed can kill a utility maintenance worker who is working on the transformer or line connected to your supply. One of the most common reasons for employing a generator transfer switch is to avoid a potentially hazardous situation.
Another possibility is that the main power supply contacts your generator. In the absence of a transfer switch, the main electricity may be restored and reach your generator before it shuts down. When this happens, your business will be served by two power supplies. The additional electrical surge will almost certainly spark a fire, causing damage to your generator and linked equipment and putting you and your staff in danger.
COMMERCIAL TRANSFER SWITCH TYPES
Transfer switches are classed according to how they switch between power sources. When deciding between commercial transfer switches, consider your electrical load because some transitions are safer for certain loads. Here are a few transition types to consider for your company:
Open transition: An open transition transfer switch disconnects from one source before connecting to another. When electricity is restored during an outage, for example, an open transfer switch completely disconnects from the generator before reconnecting to the main power grid. These transitions are useful for loads that encounter disruptions when reconnecting too rapidly.
Closed transition: Closed transition transfer switches are the inverse of open transition transfer switches in that they ensure a connection is made to the new source before disconnecting from the current source. In this situation, before disconnecting from the generator, the switch would reconnect to the restored power grid. With a closed transition, your load is linked to both power sources for a brief length of time. This move improves loads that cannot have power disruptions, such as those found in hospitals.
Delayed transition: Delayed transition switches are similar to open switches, except they feature a longer, purposeful delay before switching the power supply. Delayed transition switches are resistant to power surges, making them appropriate for loads hauling industrial equipment that need extra repower time.
TRANSFER SWITCHES – MANUAL VS. AUTOMATIC
The operation of a transfer switch might be either automatic or manual. Both switch types are useful for specific power requirements, therefore it's crucial to compare the two to see which is ideal for your company. One requires manual operation, while the other runs automatically, as their names imply. So, what impact would this have on your business, and how would it affect your power supply?
SWITCH FOR MANUAL TRANSFER
A manual transfer switch is activated and deactivated by hand. When your electricity goes out, someone must physically turn on the transfer switch so that your electrical load is transferred to your generator. When you want to reconnect to the electricity grid, you must do so manually. Manual switches are often easy to use, needing only the movement of a lever from one position to another.
Manual switches are less expensive than automatic switches, but they are less convenient and, in many cases, dangerous. Because you're unlikely to have someone always standing next to the switch, there's an inherent latency between transitions to power sources with these switches. Even a little delay in transition might pose major safety or security hazards in particular applications, such as health care or data centres. If your firm can tolerate the delay until you flip the switch or if you operate in an area where outages are uncommon, a manual switch may be sufficient.
AUTOMATIC TRANSFER SWITCH
An automated transfer switch switches power sources automatically. Automatic switches detect power failures and automatically activate the generator, and vice versa. These more advanced technologies provide greater convenience at a higher expense. However, the additional expense is worth it for most organisations, particularly those that cannot afford downtime or security threats connected with supply transition delays.
Automatic transfer switches are more beneficial in many cases, particularly if your company works in an area prone to power outages.
SELFGUARD OFFERS AUTOMATIC TRANSFER SWITCHES
At Selfguard, we provide a wide range of automatic transfer switches appropriate for a variety of industries and applications. We'll work with you to select the best transfer switch and generator combination to ensure your company has the backup power it needs to keep running during an outage. Browse our variety of automatic transfer switches or automatic generator changeover switch if you know what you're looking for. Do you require assistance in locating the ideal match? Please contact us for assistance.
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