Salient Power Solutions and PSI Power & Controls have merged and rebranded under the Salient name.

Types of Automatic Transfer Switches

back to blog

Transfer Switches
post img

With a Variety of Transfer Switch Options, How Can You Pick the Right One?

When you want the surety and dependability of a generator and backup power system for your commercial business, you want to know you’re getting the best. But the best doesn’t always mean the strongest, largest, or even the most expensive.

Do you know what type of automatic transfer switch your business needs? If not, you may be surprised that the true answer depends on many factors regarding your power supply, electrical needs, and the scale of your business.

PSI Power & Controls has provided superior emergency power system products for years. Our family-owned and -operated business has deep roots in setting the standard for top-quality tap boxes, transfer switches, and safety systems.

Ready to learn more about automatic transfer switch (ATS) types?

What Type of Transfer Switch Do I Need?

When a manufacturer or electrician mentions the type of transfer switch, they could be referring to many different aspects of what classifies an ATS as a “type.” This could be the brand, the size (available amperage), or how the switch operates.

In reality, all of these points are important to choosing the right ATS for your business. For now, however, let’s focus on how your ATS operates.

Types of Automatic Transfer Switches

There are three main classifications of automatic transfer switches: open transition, closed transition, and delayed transition.

  • Open transition switches. These use a break-before-make system, meaning it will break contact with the previous power source (grid versus generator) before establishing new contact. This system creates a brief total loss of power, but a stable connection is reached within seconds. Many smaller businesses, or businesses where a two-second-or-so delay won’t hamper processes, use open-transition switches. These are the most widely used and tend to be highly reliable due to its simplicity.
  • Standard or “fast” closed-transition. These operate on essentially the same principles of an open-transition system, but the switch will maintain contact with both power sources (grid and generator) until a stable connection is established. Connection is held usually for roughly a tenth of a second, so there’s no real danger of back-feeding or harmful overlap. Since these avoid the power interruption of an open-transfer switch, they’re often used by businesses that can’t risk even the briefest power loss. These include large-scale commercial businesses, hospitals, data centers, etc.
  • Delayed transition systems. With these ATS systems, a break-before-make is still established, but there’s an engineered and purposeful delay before the switch from grid to generator power is made (and vice-versa). This delay acts as a fail-safe against power surges that can be common to heavy industrial equipment when powered on and off within seconds.

Choosing Your ATS Type

The right ATS type can vary by application. The experts at PSI Power & Controls urge you to work with a certified electrician to find the best type of ATS system to meet your and your business’s needs.

Seeking professional assistance provides you with all of the experience and knowledge you need to find the right transfer switch for your specific needs, avoiding painful overspending or frustrating re-installations if mistakes are made.

Browse our ATS options and request a quote for the best transfer switch that meets your needs.

How Do Automatic Switches Benefit Your Business?

When you choose the right automatic transfer switches to meet the needs of your commercial building, you’ll gain:

  • Power reliability. A generator relies on a manual or automatic transfer switch to function properly. Many businesses install an automatic transfer switch, which can save a lot of time and improve the generator’s functionality.
  • Safety. Handling any source of power can yield detrimental results. Employees can be harmed by a sudden outage, and handling a manual generator hookup can be disastrous — especially in the dark. A transfer switch handles all your needs on its own, entirely removing the dangers associated with an outage.
  • Simplified operations. Upon the installation of your automatic transfer switch, specific operations are chosen to be automatically powered. This can be everything from your lights to HVAC systems, industrial equipment, or refrigerators. This process drastically simplifies restoring power and improves the function of your generator.

Automatic Transfer Switches With PSI Power & Controls

We’ve provided the most effective and reliable power solutions to our patrons for decades. Ready to get the power solution your business needs to retain full function in the face of disasters, bad weather, and planned maintenance? Contact our team today to learn more about our automatic transfer switch options.

You May Also Be Interested In:

Contact Your Rep Today