What’s the Difference Between an Open Transition & a Closed Transition?
All About Open & Closed Transition Transfer Switches
Do you know the difference between a closed and open transition? If not, we’re here to help.
For years, PSI Power & Controls has helped commercial businesses access leading products, including our automatic and manual transfer switches, as well as safety disconnects and similar products.
Open Transition vs. Closed Transition Transfer Switches
Automatic transfer switches (ATS) are vital to a well-functioning backup generator system, offering a fast, safe, and effective means of changing over to generator power during incidents that leave you without utility power.
ATS products come in a wide array of types, each suited to specific applications and ideal for unique needs. Of these, closed and open transition switches are the most common and widely used. The differences seem small, but they can have an appreciable impact on your operations.
Open Transition Transfer Switches
An open transfer switch’s connection with a generator is established before the utility is shut off, and then the swap is made quickly once the connection has been safely established. Open transition switches are often regarded as the most cost-effective and widely used systems, as they’re compatible and viable for most business operations and needs.
Closed Transition Transfer Switches
A closed transition transfer switch performs a similar but slightly different function. With a closed system, the two power sources (utility and generator/backup) are allowed to briefly overlap, which limits or removes the momentary stutter in power that open systems can occasionally create.
In essence, this is the difference you’re looking at with ATS systems. Both can typically provide a perfectly acceptable solution, but there are some industries where the closed transition is more desirable.
These tend to include medical facilities, industries that use sensitive equipment and machines, data centers, and similar businesses that would prefer to avoid that split-second changeover in power.
Choose PSI Power & Controls for Electrical Solutions
Which system suits you and your commercial business’s needs best? It sometimes feels difficult to decide, but at PSI Power & Controls, we recommend speaking to one of our professionals for guidance and enlisting the help of a certified and licensed electrician.
Ready to gain the advantages of an automatic transfer switch system for your business?
Check our transfer switch purchasing guide to learn more!
More Information About Transfer Switches
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