A major concern in many electrical power systems is the requirement for continuous electricity supply. To maintain the continuous power supply in case of a power cut, you must have a reliable backup power source.
Many facilities such as hospitals, industries, and schools, which are highly dependent on this uninterrupted power supply, use backup power sources; this is where transfer switches come into the picture.
This blog will discuss the use of transfer switches and some other crucial things to know about them.
What is a Transfer Switch?
Transfer switches help achieve a seamless transition to a power backup source in case of a power cut. It facilitates safely transition from utility to a standby generator when utility power falls. Transfer switches are crucial in facilities where continuous power is mandatory for smooth operations. (Hospitals, manufacturing industries, data processing centres etc.) The secondary power source could also be a generator or a backup utility feed in these cases.
Transfer switches are critical in ensuring the safety of the workers on the grid since it prevents the back feeding from the generator to the utility. Apart from protecting the lives of unsuspecting electricians, transfer switches are also critical in ensuring the safety of circuits by stopping the mains’ power from coming in contact with the generator.
3 Things to Know About Transfer Switches
There are many important things to remember when learning and researching the importance of transfer switches. This section highlights some of the most important things to keep in mind about transfer switches.
1) Working Principle
Generally, people tend to mistake the functioning of a safety switch with a circuit breaker, but there are some differences between the two. A circuit breaker is an electrical equipment that protects electrical equipment such as lights, cables, and motors from overloading and shorting out, which can result in malfunctioning, fire, and system damage.
On the other hand, a safety switch is designed to protect workers from electrical shock while working around heavy electrical equipment. The fundamental distinction between these two devices is that a circuit breaker (trip unit) is intended to protect machinery from larger currents than its circuits were designed for. Still, a safety switch was created to safeguard individuals from any current leakage.
Applications of Transfer Switches
Following are the applications of a transfer switch:
- Transfer switches prevent electricity from flowing in the opposite direction.
- These switches are utilized in circuit breakers (CBs) to ensure the safety of various home appliances.
- Transfer switches are critical in protecting both the utility and the generator supply.
- These switches operate low-power generators in households and other small businesses.
Types of Transfer Switches
Another thing to know bout transfer switches is that there are many types of this equipment which are available in the market; these are:
- Manual transfer switches: As the name suggests, this transfer switch operates manually. In case of power cuts, these manual switches need to be operated manually by switching the position of the lever mounted on the side of a transfer switch.
- Automatic transfer switches: These transfer switches do not need to operate manually. Instead, they come with a smart controller which decides when it should initiate the transfer between the two power sources.
Ensure Worker Safety with Transfer Switches
Transfer switches are critical safety equipment in any facility which employs power backup. Its primary function is safeguarding the lives of those working around heavy electric equipment; therefore, installing these transfer switches is necessary for facilities.
Contact a reliable electric service provider for more details on the importance of transfer switches and get assistance in choosing the right type for your facility.
