Nowadays, most people are opting for installing a secondary source of power in their homes in the form of generators or inverters that are very handy when there is a power outage. The role of a transfer switch in helping you switch between two power sources is immense & it is commonly used to connect to a backup generator.
That is why selecting the right transfer switch is crucial for ensuring uninterrupted power flow to your vital appliances & devices. Here in this article, we will discuss the crucial tips that will help you in selecting the best transfer switch for your power consumption needs.
Recognize Your Power Requirements
One of the most important places to start from is identifying your power requirements before you go with your transfer switch selection process. In your calculation of power consumption needs during a power outage, you must include the wattage of the crucial devices that you would want to keep running during power failure.
It is very easy to calculate the power consumption needs during a power outage as you only have to take into account the power consumption figures and review the wattage ratings of your appliances and add them up to arrive at an accurate figure. You also need to factor in any surge wattages for appliances that require extra power for their operation.
Once you have the power consumption figures with you then you can move ahead with the selection of a transfer switch that is capable of handling your load requirements safely.
Compatibility With Generator
Often people under the excitement & pressure of choosing a transfer switch for their needs forget about the generator in their home and the most important requirement of compatibility of the transfer switch with the generator. This is where the problem starts because if the transfer switch isn’t in sync with the generator then it can lead to several problems.
That is why you need to have a look at the voltage & wattage ratings on the generator and the transfer switch. In addition to that, there are certain transfer switches that work efficiently with specific generator models and brands. Moreover, certain transfer switches also come with smart features that come to the fore when connected with compatible generators.
Whenever you are giving priority to compatibility of the generator and the transfer switch then it is going to ensure that there is no drop in the performance of either and you get an uninterrupted power supply. Besides that, you must also look for any innovative features in your transfer switch like load-shedding & if your transfer switch supports it then it can be used to manage power distribution very efficiently.
Local Regulations & Permits
Most people aren’t aware of the fact that there are a host of local laws and regulations that govern the usage of transfer switches and any violations of these regulations can land you in trouble with the authorities. That is why it is important to know the local codes and regulations in place before you move forward with your purchasing plans.
If you are finding it difficult where to start then you must get in touch with an electrician who can help you out in selecting the switches that are in complete compliance with all the local laws & regulations. Besides that, there are certain areas where you will require a permit to install transfer switches & these permits also make it mandatory for professionals to handle the installation.
In addition to that, if you are installing transfer switches for commercial purposes then you might be permitted to use only specific kinds of switches. All these details need to be factored in when it comes to installing transfer switches.
Manual or Automatic Switches
Now, you need to choose between manual and automatic transfer switches as both work on different mechanisms. In the case of a manual transfer switch, you need to physically operate the switch whenever a power outage takes place giving you complete control over the operation of your transfer switch.
However, with an automatic transfer switch, you don’t have to intervene because the transfer switch automatically detects a power failure and makes the switch to generator power within seconds. Now, depending on your requirements you can choose one of these for solving your power woes.
Finally
The above-discussed factors are some of the most crucial tips that you can follow when it comes to purchasing a transfer switch for addressing your power failure problems. You can also consult an electrician or professional if you are having any more queries.
