What Is an Automatic Transfer Switch?
An automatic transfer switch is a device that moves an electrical supply between utility power and a generator without a person operating the switch. It works with a generator system to supply a home or selected circuits during a utility power outage.
Quick Facts About Automatic Transfer Switch
- Category
- Generator power transfer equipment
- Used for
- Automatic source selection
- Common confusion
- Not a generator
- Also called
- ATS
- Often discussed with
- Generator Installation
Key Takeaways About Automatic Transfer Switch
- Automatic operation sets it apart from a manual transfer switch.
- The connected circuits depend on the installation.
- The switch and the generator are separate devices.
How Automatic Transfer Switch Works
An automatic transfer switch monitors the utility supply for a loss of power. When utility power fails, the switch signals the generator to start. Once the generator is ready, the switch connects the assigned circuits to generator power.
Related glossary terms: Standby Generator, Transfer Switch, Electrical Load.
The switch keeps the utility and generator sources separated during the transfer. When utility power returns, the switch checks the supply before reconnecting the circuits. The generator then shuts down after its programmed cool-down period.
Some systems supply the whole home, while others serve a selected panel. That choice determines which lights and appliances receive generator power. A manual transfer switch serves a similar purpose, but a person must operate it.
From the Electrician Pittsburgh team
When we plan a generator installation, we check which circuits you want to support. We also look at the electrical panel and the generator connection. That helps us plan where the switch will fit in the system.
Automatic Transfer Switch in Practice: A Real-World Example
A Pittsburgh homeowner chooses a generator installation that supports a furnace and refrigerator. The transfer switch connects those circuits to the generator after a utility outage.
Related Services
Related Terms
Standby Generator
A standby generator is a permanently installed power source that supplies electricity during a utility outage.
Transfer Switch
A transfer switch is an electrical device that changes the power source for connected circuits.
Electrical Load
Electrical load is the amount of electrical power that a device or group of devices draws from a circuit.
Load Center
A load center is an electrical panel that distributes power to circuits throughout a building.
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