No homeowner ever wants to be without power, especially in times of distress. Luckily we live in an age where there are many preventative and backup measures to ensure that no one is out in that sticky situation. But what does this actually entail and how do these products even work? Here’s a quick breakdown. In order to power devices and appliances during a power outage you need a transfer switch. This is a safety device that disconnects the utility supply before connecting the generator supply. With updated technology there are different options than a manual transfer switch such as a Generlink. Let’s clear up the differences.
A Generlink is:
A device that allows us to connect a portable generator to the home’s electrical system without the need for a manual transfer switch. It is a small weather resistant box that is connected to the electric meter base. It is able to detect a power outage and automatically switches the home power source. They are compatible with many different types of generators and are a less expensive option than a traditional transfer switch.
A traditional transfer switch is:
An electrical device that is used to transfer an electrical load from one power source to another. The transfer switch operates by monitoring the availability of the main power source and automatically switching the electrical load to the backup power source when the main source fails. Once the utility power comes back, the transfer switch automatically switches the electrical load back to the main source. There are different types of switches: manual, automatic and network; the type of switch you can have depends on the needs of the electrical system. They are installed between the home’s electrical panel and the utility meter.
We hope that this quick breakdown gave you a bit more insight into your options for emergency power as a homeowner. Any more questions? Give us a call!