Automatic Transfer Switch in Conroe, TX

The Piece of Your Generator System You Probably Forgot About

When people think about a standby generator, they picture the generator itself. But the most important piece of the system - the part that actually makes your lights come back on when the grid goes down - is the transfer switch. ARK Generators & Electrical Services installs automatic transfer switches (ATS) and manual transfer switches throughout the Greater Houston Area, under Texas electrical contractor license TECL #19700.

What a Transfer Switch Does

A transfer switch is the device that senses when utility power has failed, starts your generator, and transfers your home or business over to generator power - then transfers back to utility power once the grid is restored. Without a transfer switch, you would have to manually unplug from the grid and plug into the generator every time the power went out. With an automatic transfer switch, the whole process happens in 10 to 30 seconds with zero effort on your part.

Types of Transfer Switches We Install

Whole-Home Automatic Transfer Switch

A service-rated ATS that sits between your electric meter and your main panel and can transfer your entire home to generator power. If your generator is sized for whole-home backup, this is typically the cleanest install.

Essential Circuits Automatic Transfer Switch

A smaller ATS that handles a subset of critical circuits - your HVAC, refrigerator, well pump, office, and maybe some lighting - leaving non-essential loads off during an outage. This is the most common setup for home standby installs where the generator is sized for essentials only.

Load Shedding Automatic Transfer Switch

A smart ATS that can dynamically shed non-critical loads (like a second AC unit or an electric dryer) when the generator approaches its capacity, letting homeowners "oversize" their critical load list against a smaller generator.

Manual Transfer Switch

A manual version used mainly with portable generators - requires you to flip a handle when you want to use generator power. Less convenient but significantly cheaper.

Commercial and Service Entrance ATS

For commercial applications, we install larger service-entrance rated ATS units from 100A through 2000A+ to support manufacturing, healthcare, and data center applications.

Why Transfer Switch Installation Requires a Licensed Electrician

A transfer switch ties directly into your main service panel and has to safely isolate your generator from the utility grid. Incorrectly installed transfer switches can:

• Back-feed your generator onto the utility line and electrocute a lineman working to restore power
• Fail to transfer under load and leave you without generator backup
• Damage your generator during utility fault conditions
• Fail inspection and create insurance problems

Every transfer switch installation we perform is done by a licensed electrician, pulled under permit, and inspected. License TECL #19700, master license TEML #13093.

Installed With Your Generator or Retrofit

ARK typically installs the transfer switch as part of a complete residential generator installation or commercial generator installation, but we also retrofit transfer switches onto existing generators. If you have a generator without automatic grid switching - or your existing transfer switch has failed - we can replace or upgrade it.

Schedule Your Transfer Switch Consultation

Not sure which transfer switch type fits your situation? Call (936) 441-4ARK or request a free consultation online and one of our specialists will walk your property and recommend the right approach.