Choose an Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) if you need uninterrupted power during outages, cannot guarantee someone will be on-site to operate a switch, or utilize a stationary standby generator. ATS units automatically detect power loss and seamlessly switch the electrical load to backup power in seconds. 

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Opt for an ATS rather than a Manual Transfer Switch (MTS) if your situation aligns with any of the following factors: 

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• Zero-Downtime Requirement: Essential operations—such as data centers, medical facilities, or businesses relying on continuous cold storage and communication—require the near-instantaneous power transfer of an ATS. 

• Unattended Properties: If the facility or home is frequently unoccupied, an ATS is essential to ensure backup power activates immediately without human intervention. 

• Stationary Standby Generators: If you use a permanently installed standby generator rather than a portable one, an ATS is generally required. Standby units rely on electronic controllers that must interface directly with an automatic switch. 

• Safety and Liability: ATS systems completely eliminate the risk of human error, such as switching power sources at the wrong time or failing to disconnect from the utility grid, which can cause dangerous "backfeeding" into utility lines. 

• Complex Load Management: If you have a larger setup, many advanced ATS units include built-in load management features that intelligently prioritize essential circuits when generator capacity is limited.