Don’t want to be in the dark while your neighbors are?
Across the United States, power outages are happening more often. The average hours without power per state increased by 38% from 2023 to 2024. Millions of homeowners now find themselves fumbling around for flashlights and candles every year.
The problem is:
Traditional backup power systems are a big hassle to operate. They require homeowners to manually flip switches and plug in generators during a power failure. That means running outside in a rainstorm and hoping you connect everything before your food spoils.
And if you’re not home when an outage occurs? Forget about it.
Automatic transfer switches provide the best solution to this common problem. They’re electronic devices that detect utility power failures in an instant and seamlessly switch your home to backup power without you having to do anything. No manual work required.
Let’s dig into how they make power failures at home more bearable…
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- Why Power Outages Are Getting Worse
- What Is An Automatic Transfer Switch?
- How Automatic Transfer Switches Work
- The Different Types of Automatic Transfer Switches
- Benefits You Get With An Automatic Transfer Switch
Why Power Outages Are Getting Worse
Don’t hold your breath for power companies to fix this problem.
The power grid is not getting more reliable. In fact, in the past year over 28% of homeowners suffered from power outages. And 76% of these power failures lasted 6 hours or longer.
Here’s what that means to you:
You’re without your refrigerator. Your medical devices won’t work. Your home security system goes offline.
Most of these power failures are due to severe weather events. Hurricanes, ice storms, and heat waves are putting a lot of strain on the electric grid. This trend is expected to increase in the future.
What Is An Automatic Transfer Switch?
An automatic transfer switch is what’s known as the “brain” of your backup power system.
It’s a device that’s connected to both your primary power source (utility) and your backup generator. It monitors utility power and instantly detects a power failure. It then automatically switches your home over to generator power.
The switch takes care of everything and it only takes a few seconds.
How Automatic Transfer Switches Work
Automatic transfer switches are more simple than they sound.
They constantly monitor power coming from your utility company. As soon as the ATS detects a voltage drop or complete power loss, it automatically activates and does the following:
The 4 steps that occur in order are:
- The ATS signals your backup generator to turn on
- Your generator powers up (takes about 10-15 seconds)
- The ATS disconnects your home from utility power
- It connects your home to the generator
- Your lights stay on
The moment utility power is restored, the process automatically reverses. The ATS switches you back to grid power and signals the generator to shut down.
Easy, right?
The Different Types of Automatic Transfer Switches
There are three main categories of automatic transfer switches.
They each have slightly different operational mechanisms but all of them achieve the same result: an instant power switch-over to a generator during an outage. You need to choose the type that is right for your home and your backup power system. These are the three main types:
Open Transition (Break-Before-Make): This type of ATS disconnects from utility power before connecting to your generator. There’s a very brief period (seconds) where there is no power connection. Open transition switches are the most common type for homes. They’re the safest and prevent backfeeding of power into the utility lines.
Closed Transition (Make-Before-Break): This type connects to your generator before disconnecting from utility power. There is no “dark” period. Closed transition automatic transfer switches are more expensive and are typically only used for critical applications like medical equipment.
Delayed Transition: This is a combination of the two. There is a brief delay before the ATS switches your home to generator power. This prevents sudden voltage changes and gives time for power to stabilize. This type is often used for homes with sensitive electronics.
Benefits You Get With An Automatic Transfer Switch
The most important benefit is also the most obvious.
You don’t have to do anything when the power goes out. No more running outside in the rain and fumbling with extension cords. Automatic transfer switch solutions do it all for you – even if you’re not at home.
You’ll also benefit from:
Faster response time: Because the ATS operates in seconds, your lights stay on. Your food stays cold. Your sump pump continues to run and your security system never goes offline.
Safer operation: Generators can be dangerous if connected manually to your home’s electrical system. Without an ATS, you can accidentally backfeed power into utility lines. This puts utility workers at risk when they’re working on downed power lines.
Automatic transfer switches safely isolate your home from the utility grid to prevent this.
Protects your investment: Backup generators aren’t cheap. An ATS ensures your generator only runs when needed and shuts it off automatically when utility power is restored. This reduces wear and tear and fuel costs.
Choosing The Right Automatic Transfer Switch
Choosing the right ATS for your home depends on a few factors.
Generator size is the most important. Your ATS must match the amperage output of your backup generator. Most residential backup systems are between 20 and 200 amps.
Whole-home vs. essential circuits is another consideration. Some homes only need backup power for specific devices. This requires a different type of automatic transfer switch.
Cost is also a consideration. ATS prices range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand depending on capacity and features.
Installation And Maintenance
Installing an ATS is not a DIY project.
You’ll need to hire a licensed electrician to do the job. They’ll need to work with your main electrical panel and generator. Installation takes about 4-6 hours.
Your electrician will mount the ATS near your electrical panel, connect it, wire it to your generator and then test the whole system.
Once installed, there is very little maintenance required. Manufacturers recommend an annual inspection to make sure all connections are good and that the switching mechanism is working properly.
Wrapping Things Up
Automatic transfer switch solutions have become a necessary addition to any home.
Power outages are becoming more common, last longer, and are more frequent than ever before. An automatic transfer switch gives homeowners peace of mind that their home is protected whether they’re at home or away.
With an ATS, when the power goes out, you barely even notice. You’ll keep working (or relaxing) while your neighbors are stuck in the dark.
If you take power outages seriously, investing in an automatic transfer switch is the smartest way to protect your home.