How Does a Transfer Switch Work?
A Guide to Generator Transfer Switches With Salient
Complete Guide to How Transfer Switches Work
A transfer switch is essential for any business that uses a generator for standby or backup power. Without it, you could risk damage to your building’s electrical system, injuries to your personnel, or safety issues for utility workers trying to restore power.
To work effectively, a transfer switch must be matched to your generator’s output and to your loads, and must be installed properly.
What Is a Generator Transfer Switch?
When utility power is lost, a transfer switch makes it easy and safe to transfer the electrical loads in your building from the utility grid to the generator.
Depending on the configuration, the power transfer switch may transfer all electrical loads to the generator, or only critical loads like internal lightning, fire protection systems, medical device circuits, or point-of-sale systems.
How Does a Transfer Switch Operate?
There are two basic types of transfer switches: manual transfer switches and automatic transfer switches. Both act as a switch to transfer power, but the automatic version is far more complex.
Manual Transfer Switches
When the power goes out, businesses with a manual transfer switch must start the generator, wait for it to stabilize, then switch the building’s electrical loads from the utility grid to the generator. This is done with a high-current switch.
It can take several minutes to successfully transfer power, depending on how far away the generator is, where the switch is located, and how well everything operates. Once power is restored, the loads have to be manually switched back to grid power, and then the generator is shut down.
Automatic Transfer Switches
For businesses with an automatic transfer switch, transferring the loads is far easier, as long as everything works properly. When power is lost, the automatic transfer switch senses it and directs the generator to start. Once the power stabilizes, a set of relays transfers the building’s loads from the utility grid to the generator.
Depending on the quality of the generator, the transfer switch, and their configurations, this may take a few seconds or less. Some systems can even provide uninterrupted power. Once utility power has been restored, the automatic transfer switch will reconnect the loads to the utility grid, then shut the generator down.
Is a Transfer Switch Worth the Cost?
A transfer switch is a small price to pay for safety and convenience, plus it’s required by the NEC for generators used for commercial or residential buildings. It’s also safer than manually connecting power cables to your generator, and it’s far easier.
Which Type Should I Choose?
If your business can tolerate a power loss for a few minutes while the generator is started and power is switched over, a manual transfer switch will often be less expensive and more robust than an autonomic version. If you need fast or uninterrupted power transfers, or you have critical equipment that must be powered 24/7, then an automatic transfer switch is the best choice.
Be sure to choose one that meets your required power ratings. Add up the wattage or amperage of all the electrical devices you’ll need during a power outage, and choose a switch that’s rated above that number. For a good margin of error, size the switch for 150% to 200% of your estimated load.
Manual & Automatic Transfer Switches for Commercial Facilities
At Salient, we offer a full range of automatic and manual transfer switches for commercial use, including units for 208/240, 480, or 575/600-volt three-phase power and current ratings that range from a few hundred amps to several thousand.
Call (704) 594-4107 or contact us online to learn more about our transfer switches and how they can benefit your business.