Licensed Electrical Contractor providing Electrical Services for Business and Residents
Transfer Switches
Licensed - Bonded - Insured
951 751 2297
State Lic. # 518434
Call or Text Electrician
Some ask, what is a transfer switch, a transfer switch is a mechanism that safely " transfers" two different power sources at any given time so that the specific "critical" circuits can operate with either the normal utility power or a backup power source typically being, generated power. The transfer switch will never allow the utility power or generated power source to operate at the same time, eliminating the possibility of two independent power systems to disrupt one another causing damage to equipment or surroundings.
There is two common types of transfer switches, one being automatic and the other being manual.
An automatic switch involves more technology and usually communicates with a fixed pad mounted unit costing thousands of dollars, the other most common is the manual switch which is more fool proof just requiring a flip of the switch and can be used with most common portable generators, which cost hundreds, not thousands.
Each generator whether fixed pad mounted or portable type operates using gasoline, propane
and in many cases natural utility gas.
There are also many types of transfer switches, I personally like the ones within these pictures, they provide more versatility being that any array of breakers can be used. The differences from the full panel style shown here is the amperage rating.
​
Keep in mind a portable generator allows for up to 50A of 240v loads, = to 100A of 120v loads.
The fixed pad generators can easily handle 100A
of 240v loads, = 200A of 120v loads. Keep in mind continual power usage for more than several hours derates the safety threshold to 80% meaning 100A loads derates to 80A protection and 50A derates to 40A of protection
