How Auto Changeover Switches Protect Cold Storage and Food Businesses

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07-10-2025

In the food industry—especially cold storage—power reliability is not just a convenience, it’s absolutely critical. Loss of power, even briefly, can spoil perishables, disrupt operations, and cause serious financial losses. Selfguard Automatic Changeover Switch (both Single Phase and Three Phase) offer protection by ensuring seamless backup power transfer. Here’s how they help, based strictly on Selfguard’s specifications.

 

What is an Automatic Changeover Switch?

An Automatic Changeover Switch (ACS) is a mechanism that automatically switches a facility's electrical load from the main (grid) supply to a generator when the mains fail, and then back when the mains power is restored. Selfguard provides two ACS lines.

 

  • Single-Phase Automatic Changeover Switch (Item Code CSNF) — for single phase mains and generator supply.

  • Three-Phase Automatic Changeover Switch (Item Code CTF) — for three phase mains supply, usable with either single phase or three phase generator.

 

Why They Matter for Cold Storage & Food Businesses

 

Cold storage business operations demand continuous power for refrigeration, freezing, and climate control systems. Here’s how an ACS safeguards these operations:

 

  1. Avoids Temperature Fluctuations
    When the mains supply fails, refrigeration equipment risk overheating. With Selfguard's ACS, the load is automatically transferred to the generator without delay. This ensures continual cooling and helps to keep the desired low temperatures.

  2. Reduces Generator Stress
    When the mains supply returns, the ACS immediately switches the load back to the mains and, more crucially, allows the generator to run at no load. This lowers wear and tear on the generator.

 

  1. Capacity Flexibility
     Cold storage facilities may have large refrigeration loads. Selfguard’s ACS units are available in different ampere ratings so that they can handle varying sizes of load:

    • Single Phase CSNF: 40 A, 63 A, 100 A, 150 A, 200 A.

    • Three Phase CTF: 63 A, 100 A, 150 A, 200 A.

  2. Choosing proper amp rating ensures that your automatic changeover device doesn’t become the weak link.

  3. Tailored for Your Supply Type
     Cold storage facilities may be served by single phase or three phase mains. Selfguard covers both:

    • Use the single-phase ACS if your mains and load are single-phase.

    • Use the three-phase ACS if your mains is three-phase—even if your load is single-phase (lights, fans, single-phase AC, single-phase motors etc.).

  4. Physical & Installation Considerations
     The size of the unit (its length, breadth and height) increases with the amp rating. For instance:

    • The CSNF (single-phase) for lower amps (40 & 63 A) is more compact: ~ 230 × 170 × 115 mm. Larger ratings (100-200 A) are ~ 300 × 250 × 115 mm.

    • The CTF (three-phase) units: 63 A rating has size ≈ 300 × 250 × 115 mm; higher ratings (100-200 A) are about 450 × 310 × 135 mm.

  5. Making sure you have adequate space, proper electrical wiring and load calculations helps avoid installation issues.

Real-World Impact

 

For cold storage and food businesses, the cost of spoilage can quickly exceed the cost of investing in reliable backup systems. Using an ACS means:

 

  • No manual switching needed when power fails (reduces human error, reaction time).

  • Reduced risk of product loss due to unexpected temperature rises.

  • Longer life and better performance of backup generators (by avoiding overload or running under sudden heavy load).

  • Peace of mind knowing that both small loads (lights, AC, fans) and heavier refrigeration loads are protected.

 

Choosing Between Single-Phase vs Three-Phase Switches

 

  • If your facility's electrical mains are single phase, the CSNF Single Phase Automatic Changeover Switch is the best option. It can withstand amps from 40 to 200, depending on your load.

 

  • If the mains is three phase, even if your real load is primarily single phase (lights, fans, etc.), choose the CTF Three Phase Automatic Changeover Switch, which offers ratings ranging from 63 to 200 A. This ensures compatibility and reliability.

Conclusion

Cold storage and food firms cannot afford downtime. Selfguard's automatic changeover switches, whether single or three phase, provide a dependable solution for ensuring uninterrupted power during grid outages, protecting perishable items, extending equipment lifespan, and maintaining operational stability. Investing in the appropriate sized ACS is a minimal expenditure when contrasted to the possible losses from power outages.