Blog posts tagged with 'manual transfer switch'

A backup generator can provide your business with a major advantage over competitors in several ways by enhancing resilience, ensuring continuous operations, and maintaining customer trust. In industries where competitors offer similar products or services, having a backup generator demonstrates your commitment to reliability and preparedness, attracting customers who prioritise uninterrupted service. And all this can be done at a low cost since new generators for sale in the UK are not that expensive these days! Here are some ways in which a backup generator can contribute to a competitive edge -

Minimise Downtime -  When a power outage occurs, businesses without backup power sources experience downtime, which can result in lost revenue and productivity. A backup generator with a manual transfer switch is cheap and allows your business to continue operating during blackouts, reducing downtime and financial losses.

Business Continuity -  Having a backup generator is a crucial component of a comprehensive business continuity plan. It demonstrates your commitment to ensuring that your business can weather disruptions and continue serving customers even in adverse conditions. This can help build trust with clients and partners who rely on your services.

Data Protection - Many businesses today rely heavily on data. A backup generator ensures that any data centres and IT infrastructure remain operational during power outages, protecting critical data and preventing data loss. This can be a significant advantage, especially for companies handling sensitive customer information or conducting real-time data processing.

Customer Service -  Maintaining excellent customer service is vital for businesses. With a backup generator, you can keep essential systems such as customer support lines, e-commerce platforms, and order processing running smoothly, providing uninterrupted service to your customers. This can lead to higher customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Supply Chain Management - Businesses that rely on supply chains can use backup power to keep essential equipment and systems running. This helps manage inventory, production, and distribution effectively, ensuring a steady supply of goods and services to customers, even when external factors disrupt supply chains.

A backup generator can set your business apart from competitors by demonstrating reliability and preparedness, contributing to long-term success and customer loyalty. Avoiding losses due to downtime, spoiled inventory, or equipment damage can easily outweigh the generator's initial cost, making this investment a no-brainer. Check out Blades Power Generation for the best new generators for sale in the UK at the best prices and with the best customer service! Click here to give your business that extra edge today!

Choosing a generator for your home or business in the UK may seem like a straightforward experience, but there are several aspects to keep in mind. Consider the following factors to pick the right generator.

• Domestic or professional - Generators are specifically designed for commercial use and for home use. Hence, before you start looking around, decide whether you want the generator for your home or office.
• Type of fuel - Generally, generators come in two fuel types: petrol and diesel. Diesel generators use less fuel than their petrol counterparts and do not depend on spark-based ignition systems. Petrol generators come in different models, and they are less costly than diesel generators. Besides these, you will also find commercial generators running on natural gas or liquid propane. You must carefully go through the advantages and disadvantages of each type of fuel before making your choice.
• Wattage - The amount of power you need to run your place in the event of a power outage must be decided beforehand. If you are unsure of the wattage needed, speak to specialists at Blades Power Generation.
• Changeover switches - There are two models of changeover switches used in generators. They are classified into manual changeover switch and automatic changeover switch. Manual switches have to be operated manually to change from one power source to another. Automatic switches, on the other hand, do not need human intervention.
• Noise level - Depending on the location of your property, you will have to consider the noise level requirements. You may have to adhere to certain noise ordinances. Also, if the generator makes too much noise, it may disrupt you from working and disturb the neighbours. It may hamper the quiet environment of the neighbourhood.
• Running time - Considering the running time of the generator is another important factor to consider. If you want to only use the generator for emergencies, you will need to purchase a different generator that provides an off-grid power supply. So, think of the run time because not all generators are designed to run for hours on end.

These are some essential factors to keep in mind when you want to buy a generator for your home or business. If you need help deciding on the right one, you can contact Blades Power Generation. We offer new generators for sale in the UK and offer complete guidance to help individuals make an informed decision. 

Are you planning to buy a used generator for sale in the UK? It is one of the best decisions you have made for your home. Used generators go easy on the pocket and have a less turnaround time. In addition, they are highly reliable and can be customised according to your needs. But if you want to enjoy the benefits of a used generator, avoid these common mistakes.

Neglecting Load and No-Load Testing

You may be unaware of the finer details of testing a generator, and vendors can take advantage of your gullibility. When shopping for a used generator, always perform a load and no-load test. The load test helps you to determine if the generator is suitable for all its tasks. This is especially applicable to commercial properties. On the other hand, the no-load test will reveal signs of wet stacking. Wet stacking can inhibit the engine's performance and lead to carbon build-up.

Not checking the age, hours and maintenance of the generator

Before buying a used generator, always assess the generator's age, hour and usage condition. This is vital information and should influence your buying decision. Some vendors may only disclose the age and the hours. It is advised not to rely on only these two factors.

Neglecting the fine print of warranty and guarantee

Often, certified dealers offer a warranty or a guarantee with used generators to address any post-purchase issues and safeguard the buyer's interest. Unfortunately, most buyers hastily sign the warranty paperwork without giving it a good read. In that case, you may get less to no support from the vendor under certain circumstances.

Not buying a used generator from a reputable vendor

From checking the condition of the generator to providing a warranty, you can get all these facilities only from genuine and certified dealers. Such dealers are reliable since they always test, repair, and maintain used generators before reselling them. Therefore, if you want to save money and enjoy the benefits of a used generator, do not purchase it from shady marketplaces and vendors.

Blades Power Generation: Your one-stop shop for all power needs:

Whether purchasing a generator or its accessories, such as a manual transfer switch, Blades Power Generation offers only the best solutions. To light up your homes and offices 24/7, contact us for the best used generator for sale in the UK. 

Today as lives are powered by electronic appliances, it has become necessary to have an alternative source of electricity at all times. Moreover, to mitigate disruptions caused by power cuts, a backup power source is essential for smooth functioning and to keep productivity at its highest. The most common alternative power sources are generators or battery backup.

A manual transfer switch or MTS is used in diesel generators to switch between the primary power source and a generator in the event of power outages. Here, you must manually turn a handle or an alternative lever to switch on the generator. 

Advantages of an MTS:

If you are looking for a reliable backup power source within a budget, your search ends with a manual changeover switch. Here are eight benefits of using an MTS for your home and business:

1. Manual changeover switch has a longer life span.
2. They are convenient and best for use at homes or other spaces that do not require super-fast power transfer load shedding.
3. MTSs are inexpensive and suitable for all budgets.
4. The manual changeover switch is resistant to high voltage and has high mechanical endurance. They are not easily affected by frequency variations and are a reliable option with security.
5. They are easy to install as no programming is needed.
6. Manual changeover switches are easy to maintain.
7. They are smaller in size and have a single-pole erection. Hence, there is no need to use unnecessary fixing sets for connections. 
8. MTSs also help save energy by reducing the loss of power.

Disadvantages of an MTS:

Like all other equipment, a manual changeover switch also has some limitations, such as:

1. Someone must switch on an MTS manually.
2. The changeover time required is longer, especially if the generator is away from the building.

Although there are some drawbacks of an MTS, the advantages outweigh its limitations. 

In the end:

Be it a residential or commercial space, a 24/7 power supply is necessary. Since you cannot control power cuts, you can ensure a constant source of electricity for your facility by investing in a manual transfer switch. We offer state-of-the-art power backup to our large clientele ranging from homeowners or businesses. If you are tight on the budget and looking for inexpensive options, buy used UK generators from Blades Power Generation and light up your homes forever. 

The manual transfer switch simply connects the home circuit to the generator. In the event of a power outage, the operator should turn on the backup power supply so that the backup power supply turns on all loads connected to the circuit. This switch can be easily used indoors and outdoors. You can manually connect the number of circuits based on the generator power. 

A Lifesaver in Disguise

Manual transfer switching (MTS) is a lifesaver when you need a safe and very fast power supply. Therefore, choosing the right size manual toggle switch can be difficult, especially when the supply capacity required for the building is unknown.

Selecting a manual transfer switch mainly depends on various parameters, such as an amplifier, circuit, and power supply. Take a look: 

Amp

The use of this switch mainly depends on the size of the generator and the properties you have, so a small or large manual transfer switch is used. Larger switches draw more amperes, and smaller switches draw fewer amperes. 

For example, a large company with large stores with multiple systems will need a larger manual transfer switch due to the use of larger generators.

Circuit

Some business owners may choose to power more circuits than their competitors during a power outage. Regardless of the cause or duration of the power outage, there is a need to power a variety of systems critical to daily operations. So manual switches handle a lot of dedicated switching.

Wattage

The wattage required for a generator to operate safely depends primarily on the electrical capacity of the building and the number of circuits it runs. If you need to control more circuits, you need maximum wattage

Watt meter

Many manual switchers have built-in power meters that track what is being powered. Without a power meter, the system can be overloaded and damage your device or generator.

Things to Remember

Do not connect the generator directly to a household outlet. It is called back feeding. It may cause an electric shock or a house fire. Proper installation of these switches can therefore eliminate these risks. 

Take away 

Several options are available for automatic changeover switches, but using manual switches has many advantages. They ensure better security, easier powering of wired devices such as air conditioners, and connectivity across service panels. 

Visit Blades Power Generation for a variety of manual transfer switches and build your understanding of the product based on your needs and budget.

It was William Shakespeare who wrote the words “Now is our winter of discontent” in his ‘Richard III’. However, in this instance he was referring to times being good, because those words were followed by “Made glorious summer by this sun of York”. It was a reference to the accession to the throne of Edward of the House of York. So, things were much better.

Unfortunately, in the UK at the moment, it seems we are only at the beginning of our winter of discontent, with all the strikes that are going on, the price of electricity, and the likelihood that we might not even have any. Heck, they’ve been without electricity on Shetland for four days now as I write this.

However, some of the residents of Shetland will be fine and have no issues. Why? Because they have their own power generator, so when the lights go out, they can keep theirs on. This is why so many people are beginning to sit up and take notice and are making enquiries about buying their own generator.

We have always taken electricity for granted for the last 100+ years, but it seems that that is no longer the case. And we don’t want to be sitting in a dark house freezing to death just because there is no power.

If you are one of those people thinking of doing something about it, why not consider the fact that you can buy used generators in the UK? Yes, at Blades Power Generation you can do exactly that: buy used generators in the UK. We have always got used generators for sale because people trade them in when they buy a new one. It’s exactly the same as buying a used car, which is what many people also do.

Why do some people buy a new generator? Well, many businesses that use them will expand, and when they do that, they may need a bigger generator to cope with their needs. That means that there is a second-hand market in generators. OK, they may have a few scratches or a dent in the bodywork, but so what? They still work!

If you do buy a used generator, you will need a changeover switch. The cheapest sort is a manual changeover switch as opposed to automatic. If you use a manual changeover switch you will need to fire up the generator yourself before you can switch over to it, but it is a lot less expensive than an automatic switch.

Are we going to get through the winter in the UK without having power cuts?  What are the odds?

Well, if you listen to the government, everything is going to be hunky-dory. No power cuts. No worries.

But would you like to put your money on it? Say, £100?

Quite!

This is just one reason why so many people are considering investing in a standby generator to cover them if the worst really does happen. But there could be another one as well. It may well be cheaper to use a generator to produce your electricity than to use the mains.

You Are By No Means Alone

So, if you are considering investing in a generator for your home, you are by no means alone. The size of generator that you will need depends upon how much electricity you need to produce which, in turn, will depend upon the number, type, and size of the electrical products you use. The bigger the generator – not just in terms of sheer size but in the amount of electricity it can generate – the more it will cost.

However, you don’t necessarily have to buy a new generator, as at Blades Power Generation we have used generators for sale in the UK. And before you say: “uh oh, I don’t want a second-hand generator”, why ever not? If you are like most people, you will have bought a second-hand car in the past. You may even have one now. Buying a second-hand generator is just the same.

In fact, we always have a selection of used generators for sale in the UK. Many businesses use generators, and what happens is that they expand and take on extra work and produce more products. So, they need a bigger generator to produce more electricity, so they trade in the old one with us.

You will also need a transfer switch to transfer from mains to generator when the power goes down, and you can use a manual transfer switch or an automatic one. If you use a manual transfer switch you have to start the generator and then switch over to it when it is up and running. An automatic transfer switch – as the name implies – does it all for you. It is more expensive than a manual one, but the choice is yours.

What Would We Do Without Electricity?

The short answer is that we would be living like that ancient fellow in the Amazon jungle who was found dead a couple of weeks ago, and who had no contact with humans in the outside world. All he knew was hunting and fishing and being able to build himself a home by digging holes in the ground.

He didn’t have light, except for daylight. He didn’t have a laptop. He didn’t have a fridge or freezer. He didn’t have a TV. He didn’t have a shaver. He didn’t have hot water. The list of things that he didn’t have goes on. We have all of these things, (with the possible exception of the shaver if you are of a female persuasion!). What would we do without them all?

The answer is that we would be in the dark, both figuratively and literally. Yet, the way that climate change is going, and the race to get to green power without producing a carbon footprint means that in the not-too-distant future, power blackouts could become a regular feature of our lives.

That is no fun at all and is the reason why a lot of smart people are investing in a home generator which can produce power when the mains power goes down. Anyone who has the space for a generator can do this.

However, there are certain things to take into consideration, the size of the generator being one of them. It needs to produce enough power to run everything that you want to run.

A Transfer Switch

You also need a manual transfer switch or an automatic one. A manual transfer switch is much cheaper than automatic. What happens is that when the power goes down, you have to go and start your generator and then switch from mains power to generator using the manual changeover switch.

Why do you need a changeover switch? Because if you start the generator and the mains comes back on and the two are connected, you will burn out the generator. It can also work the other way. The generator can produce power which would go into the mains and very easily cause injuries to workers trying to restore the power.

So, the system is set up so that you cannot have mains and generator power at the same time. The way that works is that you use the manual changeover switch to switch from one to the other, either when the power goes down or when it is restored.

We take electricity for granted these days. You press a switch, and the light comes on. You press another one, turn a dial, and your cooker heats up. Turn a few more dials, press a switch and your washing machine does your laundry. and in many cases, can be set to dry it as well. It makes life easy, doesn’t it?

Well, until there comes a day when you press a switch, and nothing happens. Because there is no electricity. No power.

But that doesn’t happen, does it?

Believe it or not, it does happen, and is very likely to start happening more often in the future. Storms can knock out electricity lines, and last winter did just that. Some people in Scotland were without power for two whole weeks. Yep. A fortnight! It makes you think.

You May Want To Consider A Generator

What with this, and the prospect of the energy cap going through the roof in the next few weeks, you may very well want to consider buying a generator. This way, if the power goes down, you still have power. The lights go out, but you can turn them back on again. If you don’t have a generator you will have to sit there in the dark until the power is restored. And who can say how long that will take?

At Blades Power Generation we have a wide range of new generators for sale in the UK. They come in varying sizes, which will depend upon the amount of power that you need to generate for your home or business. In fact, it is possible to carry out this calculation yourself, but when you are considering new generators for sale in the UK, it is safer to have an experienced electrician work out the figures for you. The bigger the generator, the more it costs, so you don’t want to go over the top, but at the same time you need to make sure you have enough power, and a little extra just to make certain you are covered.

You will also need a manual transfer switch or an automatic one. A manual transfer switch means that when the power goes down you have to fire up the generator and then manually switch over. So, if there is nobody on the premises, you still don’t have power. That may be OK, but if you are away from home for a few days your freezer food is going to be rubbish. Your tropical fish tank may go cold. You get the idea? This is why an automatic transfer switch, although more expensive, is always the best idea.

If you have been thinking about buying a standby generator for your home, now could be as good a time as any to do it. There is a global rise in the use of electrical power, and this is only going to increase because of climate change and the fact that we are all having to turn over to electrically powered vehicles as petrol and diesel ones become, in the UK at least, outlawed.

This is very likely indeed to increase the number of power outages that we experience. OK, you might say, if the power goes down for a couple of hours, so what? But what if it goes down for a couple of weeks as it did in the northwest of Scotland at the beginning of the year? That’s a whole different ball game. Investing in a generator now is just plain common sense.

You can actually buy a new generator in the UK for as little as about £300, but it won’t provide very much power. On top of that you have to allow for installation which would take about 3 days and cost a ballpark figure of £1,000.

However, the average home would need a much larger generator than that. You can see that an oven uses 2,000 watts, a fridge 1,200, washing machine 1,200, and so on. And there are a few things that are not shown such as a water heater, which also uses a lot of energy.

In order to buy a new generator in the UK you need to calculate the amount of power that you need and then add about 25% in order to allow for any overload.

You also need a transfer switch in order to transfer from the mains to the generator. You can get a manual transfer switch quite cheaply. However, a manual transfer switch, rather obviously, means that you have to physically fire up the generator and then when it is running at full speed switch from the mains to the generator.

Far better is an automatic transfer switch because this, again rather obviously, will automatically fire up the generator when the power goes down and switch over when it is up and running. That means that you are only without power for a matter of seconds.