Whats the difference between a manual and an automatic transfer switch?
Manual transfer switches are typically used with portable generators and require someone at home to operate them. When utility power shuts off, the homeowner moves the portable generator outdoors, connects the generator to the manual transfer switch with an electrical cord and starts the generator. The homeowner then switches the manual transfer switch to generator power. When utility power is restored, the homeowner switches the manual transfer switch back to utility power, then turns off, unplugs, cools down and stores away the generator. Automatic transfer switches, installed with a stationary generator, will sense a utility power interruption, will start a connected stationary generator and transfer power/loads to generator power automatically without human intervention. Since the automatic transfer switch and stationary generator are permanently wired, the generator and transfer switch are always ready to work. When utility power is restored, the transfer switch reconnects your lo
