Smart Circuit Standby Generator Guide

Essential circuit transfer switches are the equivalent to an ordinary thermostat. They can turn things on and off, but that’s about it.

Smart circuit transfer switches are more like programmable thermostats, serving two important purposes:

1. Energize Extra Circuits
Essential circuit systems power up to a mere 16 circuits, regardless of how much electricity is being consumed.

When a high-demand appliance – like a central air conditioner – turns off, the extra electricity generated cannot be diverted to other circuits.

Smart circuit systems feature large 15-20 kilowatt air-cooled generators. While they lack the electricity to power the whole house, smart standby generators can safely power the majority of your main electrical panel if managed properly.

2. Rotate High-Demand Appliances
In the past, home standby generators couldn’t power two central air conditioners because they would overload if both started at the same time. As a result, one air conditioner was always locked out.

Now, smart circuit standby generators can safely rotate two central air conditioners by simply alternating when they can run.

Best of all, smart standby generators are a cheaper alternative to muscling high-demand appliances with an expensive, liquid-cooled behemoth.

Smart Automatic Transfer Switches A smart standby generator is basically brain dead without a smart automatic transfer switch. There are basically two types of smart circuit automatic transfer switches: 1. Essential Circuits + Non-Essential Load Shedding Generac's NEXUS LTS features a built-in, 16-circuit priority load center. Plus, it includes additional contactors that monitor and manage the electrical load. Basically, the 16 essential circuits will always remain energized during an outage. If the generator has extra electricity, the smart automatic transfer switch will also energize the rest of the non-essential circuits in your main electrical panel. If the generator approaches overload condition, the non-essential circuits are cycled off, causing a mini-power outage in your house. The NEXUS LTS system basically results in either whole house or essential circuit protection, depending on how much electricity is generated and consumed. 2. All Circuits + High-Demand Load Shedding A better option is to power the entire panel and cycle off a few high-demand appliances instead. For example, Generac's Nexus Smart Switch™ doesn't include a load center with 16 essential circuits. Instead, the smart automatic transfer switch powers the entire electrical panel. If the system is nearing overload, its Digital Load Management™ (DLM) technology will automatically shut off two high-demand circuits. In addition, 4 additional DLMs can be installed, so up to 6 high-voltage appliances can be cycled off if necessary. Briggs & Stratton's IntelliGEN automatic transfer switches performs the same way. It manages the high power demands of central air conditioning in addition to essential items while protecting against overload.