How Does A Changeover Switch Work?

The changeover switch is an electric switch that swaps the electrical circuit and load from one source to another. Often these power sources are the main power grid supply and the other is the backup power generator. When a power outage occurs the main power grid’s power supply will be safely cut off and the generator will operate to power the building. This function is why changeover switches are important to ensure that when power outages happen the building can have power quickly provided to it until the main power source is fixed. 

Where are Changeover Switches Used?

Changeover switches are used in all types of settings, including residential homes, commercial buildings and industrial sites. This is to ensure that if a power outage happens in the building or area then the generator can be used without delay, safety issues or trouble. 

What are the Different Types of Changeover Switches?

There are two main categories of changeover switches being manual and automatic. Manual switches need someone to flip the switch to have the power circuits swap while automatic switches will do it when they detect the power outage. Along with the switch being either manual or automatic there are also many different types out there, the most common being open transition, closed transition, soft landing and also static.

Changeover switches work depending on what type it is but the main function is to safely swap the power from one source to another. The basic switch will have two power sources connected to it with a handle positioned in a certain spot. This handle can go to off, power supply one and power supply two on most systems. When the handle is in the off position power is isolated and not connected to the building. When the handle is positioned in the power source one or two then it will activate and use the power supply from that source while eliminating the other source from providing power.

Different switch types have different uses, open transition switches are the most common where when the main power supply source fails it will break the contact between the main source and the load to then connect the backup source to the home. Closed transition switches main function is not to detect power fails and then swap the power source but work to easily swap power sources at any time. It will break the contact between the source and the main load to then have them easily swappable at any time. Soft loading switches are able to have two power sources run to the place at once while static switches do not use mechanical parts and still swap power reliably.

Changeover switches are extremely helpful when a power outage occurs and also when needing to change the power supply source at any time. These switches can automatically or manually enable the power source to swap without any harm. Back feed is also a dangerous situation where the power supply goes in an incorrect place which can be dangerous for people, workers and systems. The switches prevent this as they isolate the circuits and reliably prevent them from clashing.