Transfer switch swaps the power source of a load

Transfer switches are used when you want to have more than 1 way to be able to power a load.

  • Open transition (break before make): The load disconnects from one power supply, then connects to the other power supply. The 2 power supplies don’t come into contact with each other.
  • Closed transition (make before break): The load is connected to both power supplies briefly while switching. Therefore, both power supplies are connected to each other during that time. Alternating current sources must be synchronized. DC sources must be the same voltage, or properly protected in some way.


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