An automatic transfer switch is mostly designed to simplify as well as automate gaining access to the electrical power supplied by the generator. This automatically swaps to generator power without doing any manual work. However, we feel selecting one can be a little difficult for a novice. Thus, we made this review and buying guide. And after a lot of research, we found the Reliance Controls Corporation 31406CRK to be the best automatic transfer switch. It has watt meters, a built-in junction box, and an 18-inch flexible conduit whip.
Our Top Choice
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Top 6 Automatic Transfer Switch
1. Reliance Controls Corporation 31406CRK – Best For Portable Generator
If you are looking for a professional automatic transfer switch, the Reliance Controls Corporation 31406CRK seems to be our top choice. We found it to be excellent when it comes to safety standards and body built up. Moreover, the production of 7500 Watts would be ideal for any type of portable generator. We tested the performance and found it to be highly satisfying.
The Reliance Controls Corporation 31406CRK seems to have a nice structure. However, we felt that AFCI breakers could be more functional. They may get lagged because of overheating problems.
- 18-inch flexible conduit whip
- It includes watt meters
- Built in junction box
- Price is high
Bottom Line:
If you are looking for a proper automatic transfer switch for portable generator, the Reliance Controls Corporation 31406CRK is the best option for you.
2. Generac RXSW200A3 200 AMP – Best For Offgrid Solar
The Generac RXSW200A3 200 AMP Smart Switch seems to be a top of the line product we got our hands onto. The cabinet seems to be impressive and that has definitely impressed us. While checking the construction, we found that it has a heavy duty construction that prevents any type of shorts or exterior glitches. It definitely seems to be perfect for your home.
The Generac RXSW200A3 200 AMP Smart Switch includes a high capacity, but you must have additional wires. the wire lengths are shorter at default.
- 5-year limited warranty
- NEMA/UL type 3R
- 48000 Watts capacity
- Default cables are not long
Bottom Line:
The Generac RXSW200A3 200 AMP Smart Switch is a great product to choose if you are looking for a proper automatic transfer switch for off-grid solar.
3. Surge Guard 41260 – Best For 50 Amp
When you need an automatic transfer switch for your 50 Amp requirement, you need a decent product that can help you with it. The Surge Guard 41260 Transfer Switch is one such product that will surely amaze you. We found that the product has mechanical interlocking contractors. This helped us a lot to connect to the portable generator easily.
The Surge Guard 41260 Transfer Switch seems to be a decent product, but it may just have a limited performance for you. According to the budget, it can be a great choice.
- Provides protection
- Mechanical interlocking contactors
- Time Delay at power up
- Not for above 50 Amp
Bottom Line:
The Surge Guard 41260 Transfer Switch seems to be a top buy in case you are looking for a preferable automatic transfer switch for 50 Amp.
4. MOES Dual Power – Best For Solar
If you are looking for a solar system, this is a product that has the support. The MOES Dual Power Automatic Transfer Switch has solar support for the battery which can provide you proper support for the regular days. We found it to be working precise and accurate to charge the product. Moreover, we liked the concept of solar batteries as it helped us to give proper support.
The MOES Dual Power Automatic Transfer Switch has a number of configurations that you need to sort out before the installation. So it may take some time to install the product.
- Auto distinguish
- Cut-Off and Recovery Voltages
- LCD display
- Installation takes time
Bottom Line:
The MOES Dual Power Automatic Transfer Switch is a great product to choose from for regular usage.
5. Reliance Controls Corporation TCA1006D – Best For RV
The Reliance Controls Corporation TCA1006D Panel seems to be another product that has top capacity. We found that this automatic transfer switch includes a capacity of 15000 Watts which makes it a great product for the RV. Moreover, we liked the concept of heavy duty construction. Because it is protected, we could easily hold the switch even while running the generator.
- Easy to Install
- Offers circuit breaker combinations
- Features heavy-duty copper bus
- Has a slight time delay
The Reliance Controls Corporation TCA1006D Panel includes a high utility which we found to be great. However, it has a slight delay in conversion which is for safety reasons.
Bottom Line:
If you are using it for an RV, the Reliance Controls Corporation TCA1006D Panel is an ideal automatic transfer switch for you.
6. Go Power TS-30 30 Amp – Best For 30 Amp
The Go Power TS-30 30 Amp Transfer Switch is very impressive right from the first performance. We found that this automatic transfer switch has a great performance for you to work with. In fact, it has the potential to handle two sources of 30 Amps. We found this feature to be very helpful when it comes to using with inverters as well as generators.
The Go Power TS-30 30 Amp Transfer Switch seems to have an impressive knockout for easy installation. But we feel that it may not work fast and accurately when it comes to high power consumption.
- Delay switch for use with generators
- Comes with knockouts
- Single relay
- Not for high capacity
Bottom Line:
The Go Power TS-30 30 Amp Transfer Switch is a great product to buy if you are looking for a proper automatic transfer switch for 30 Amp.
Buying Guide: Factors To Consider
1. Size
While we are talking about an automatic transfer switch, the main factor that you should consider is the size of the switch. The size here means the amperage of the switch operates within and can safely handle or supply. Generally, the amps a transfer switch handle is directly related to the power optimization. Furthermore, the sizes may vary from thirty to a multiple of thousands. For example, PSI offers 200-5,000 Amp automatic transfer switches.
Keep in mind that the larger your generator is the higher will be the required amperage. This is to operate the switch effectively, safely, as well as correctly. You will need a 200 amp automatic transfer switch for a 200 amp main breaker. You need to check the generator automatic transfer switch installation before you purchase. The Reliance Controls Corporation 31406CRK is the best automatic transfer switch available for you. This Reliance transfer switch has a decent size which is great for covering a large area.
2. Wattage
A watt is a basic unit of measurement for power, regardless of whether mechanical, electrical or something else. An amp further refers to electricity (which is the reason amps are used to decide the size of your transfer switch). So for what reason are watts significant? Because you have to comprehend the wattage needs of your structure. More specifically, the wattage required to work with picked emergency functions (lighting, machinery, safety features, and so forth.). It is very important for any automatic generator transfer switch that you choose.
Wattage is essential to find out the size and generator type for your business, which thus decides the size of the transfer switch required for safe and efficient operation. For the most precise results, we suggest you work with a certified circuit tester to decide your generator needs! We found that the Generac RXSW200A3 200 AMP Smart Switch is the best automatic transfer switch. When it comes to high wattage, the best generator transfer switch has around 48000 Watts.
3. Cabinet Type
Pay attention to the sufficiency of protection of the transfer switch body to the place where you want to install it. The NEMA standards were produced for evaluating this correspondence. These devices are designed for indoor usage and accompany anti-splash protection. While the conformity with the NEMA 2 additionally suggests the gear reasonableness for indoor usage in addition to a limited waterproof! If the switch adjusts with the NEMA 3 it means you can use for outdoor purpose. And moreover, it is protected from dust, sleet, and rain. Such switches are safe from getting damaged due to icing. So choose the cabinet types of transfer switches before you buy one. The Surge Guard 41260 Transfer Switch has a decent cabinet structure that can hold dual lights in one place. It is an ideal and budget friendly automatic transfer switch for you.
How Does It Work?
Before you buy one, you must know how does a generator transfer switches work. An automatic transfer switch, or ATS switch, associate your reserve generator to your home. Usually, the electricity flows from the utility to your home’s primary electrical board, where it powers the circuits.
Automatic transfer switches go about as the “brain” of your entire electrical system. Once installed, they can automatically switch between power coming from your utility and generator power. You can look for more guides if you want to know about how to connect a manual transfer switch.
At the point when the transfer switch identifies a power outage, it switches your home to generator power. It identifies once the power is restored and switches your home back to utility power. If you want a proper home run transfer switch you can opt for the MOES Dual Power Automatic Transfer Switch to buy.
Final Talk
Do you have a home standby generator? If yes, then an automatic transfer switch is a must-have product for your home. It timely swaps the power to generator power without any manual controlling hassles. In case, you feel the need to know why you should buy one, going through this article will help you understand. And if you want our suggestion, we recommend you the Reliance Controls Corporation 31406CRK. It is the best automatic transfer switch as per our research and customer reviews.
Reliance Controls Corporation 31406CRK- Editor's Choice
Summary
If you are looking for a proper automatic transfer switch for portable generator, the Reliance Controls Corporation 31406CRK is the best option for you.
Great information to more understand about Rv automatic transfer switch. But I want to know how to synchronize the switching and monitoring functions of ATS. Thanks!
I did Go Power install for my power transfer switch for controlling my RV’s Shore, Generator, and future Solar Power in conjunction with installing an external power In-Let port. After taking my measurements and deciding where all the components would go, I got started. A few of my main concerns was where to keep the transfer switch internally save and clean and how to get the current main power cord to travel from the Surge Protector (which I installed a few years ago) out to the side of the RV. I didn’t want to have it exposed to the road elements of road dirt, water, and especially road debris that could snagging it apart. All of it looks great, works well, and gives my RV a nice updated newer look.
I purchased a Xantrex switch so I can run my aquariums off of Solar or AC Power. I connected the AC wire to an Alexa Enabled WIFI Outlet, then AC power, the other cord plugged into my Inverter which is connected to a battery and Solar panel. I can switch from AC Power to Solar anytime I want through my cellphone and the aquarium lights, filters, air pumps don’t even flinch. As soon as I beef up my solar system, I will just run it off the solar panels and let it switch to AC when the Solar battery goes dead and the inverter alarm goes off. I’ll have to test it, as I don’t know if that would trigger it to switch over.
I had to replace the Transfer switch in my Motor home and I decided to go with the Progressive Dynamics PD52V Transfer Switch. It has a lot of pros: ideal for 50-amp RV electrical systems, generator-priority design for better efficiency, Advanced time delay mechanism for improved safety,…
This blog is a good one to read at! You will get the best information over here about ATS its well-explained about the buying guide, pros and cons, features and so on. Would love to visit again to read your blogs.
I like how the Go Power! Automatic Transfer Switch is simple to install. It has built-in knockouts for easy and professional configuration, allowing for uncomplicated wiring in the panel. They also included instructions, so even DIYers can install it with guidance from their neighborhood electrician.
My only complaint about it is its inaccurate wiring diagram. Although it serves as a guide, it doesn’t simplify the entire installation process. I had to compare this with the more expensive pre-wired model on their website, which has a more precise diagram.
The TS-30 Transfer Switch is part of our travel trailer project, which also involved the installation of a 3,000-watt inverter. With this switch, there is no momentary power loss when switching between primary and secondary or return power sources. It’s pre-wired so all I had to do was plug everything in. The purpose of the ATS is to cut back to the “Grid” power in the event the inverter drains battery power and/or if the solar array creates an overvoltage condition that forces the inverter to shut down.