Automatic Transfer Switches

Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) Price in Pakistan 2026 — Buyer's Guide

An Automatic Transfer Switch — ATS — automatically transfers your home or business load from WAPDA mains to a backup generator (or solar inverter) the moment it detects power loss, then transfers back when mains returns. Unlike a manual changeover switch which needs you to flip a handle, the ATS does it itself in 3-10 seconds — fast enough to keep IT equipment running, slow enough to let the generator stabilise. CNC stocks the YCQ1B, YCQR, YCQ4, and YCS1 series in 2-pole, 4-pole, 63 A through 630 A configurations from Rs. 6,200 to Rs. 89,000.

Every CNC ATS carries IEC 60947-6-1 compliance for transfer switching equipment, AC-33B utilisation category (frequent transfer between two sources), and a 5-year warranty. Stocked locally in Lahore for same-day dispatch nationwide.

CNC ATS Price Table — Pakistan 2026

Free delivery across Pakistan. 5-year warranty. Bulk & dealer pricing — WhatsApp +92 326 1111376.

What Is an Automatic Transfer Switch?

An ATS is a relay-controlled switching device that constantly monitors the voltage and frequency on two power sources — typically WAPDA mains (the "preferred" source) and a generator or solar inverter (the "alternate" source). When the preferred source fails or its voltage drops outside acceptable limits, the ATS automatically opens the contacts on the failed source, waits for the alternate source to stabilise, then closes its contacts to feed the load from the alternate source.

Internally, an ATS combines three components:

• Two power switching mechanisms (one per source) — these are usually moulded-case contactor blocks, mechanically interlocked so both cannot close simultaneously.
• A voltage / frequency sensing controller — solid-state circuit monitoring both inputs. Typical thresholds: trip at < 170 V or > 275 V; restore at 200-260 V.
• A time-delay logic — to ride through brief WAPDA dips (0.5-3 s tolerance) and let the generator warm up after auto-start (10-30 s warm-up).

The control circuit is normally powered from whichever source is currently feeding the load, with backup capacitor / battery hold-up to ensure the controller can still switch even if both sources are momentarily dead.

ATS vs Manual Changeover Switch — Which Do You Need?

For most Pakistani homes with a manual-start generator, the cheaper manual changeover switch (Rs. 600 – 8,500) is the right answer. Step up to an ATS only when you have an auto-start generator, an unattended remote site, or 24-hour load that cannot tolerate manual switching delays (servers, hospitals, security systems).

ATS vs STS — What's the Difference?

The two terms are often confused:

• ATS (Automatic Transfer Switch): a slow-transfer device with 3-10 seconds of dead time during transfer. The load is briefly unpowered between sources. Used for general loads (lights, AC, motors, normal IT).
• STS (Static Transfer Switch): a high-speed transfer device using thyristors (SCRs) that transfers in 4-8 milliseconds — fast enough that even servers do not see the transfer. Used for critical IT, data centres, medical equipment that cannot tolerate any power dip.

ATS = electromechanical, cheap (Rs. 6,200+), 3-10 s dead time. STS = solid-state, expensive (Rs. 200,000+), 4-8 ms dead time. CNC stocks ATS only — for STS-class needs, a UPS plus ATS combination is usually the right answer.

Two Types of ATS — Open Transition vs Closed Transition

Within the ATS category, there are two transfer mechanisms:

1. Open Transition (break-before-make): the ATS opens the failed source before closing the alternate source. A short dead-time (3-10 s) exists during the transfer. This is the safe default for nearly all installations — both sources are never connected together, eliminating risk of parallel short-circuit.
2. Closed Transition (make-before-break): the ATS briefly parallels both sources for ~100 milliseconds, then opens the failed source. Zero dead time but requires the two sources to be synchronised (same frequency, voltage, phase). Used in data-center and hospital applications where even a brief blink is unacceptable.

CNC YCQ1B, YCQR, YCQ4, and YCS1 series are all open-transition ATS. They cannot parallel sources — by design — for safety. For closed-transition needs, specialised industrial ATS (Eaton ATC, Schneider ATyS) is required at 3-5× the price.

Where to Install an ATS

Home or shop with auto-start generator: Install the CNC YCQR 2P 63A (with under/over voltage protection) at the main DB box. Two inputs — WAPDA + generator. Outputs to home / shop bus. Wire the auto-start signal terminals to the generator panel.

3-phase commercial: Install the CNC YCQR 4P 63A or YCQ4 4P 100A at the panel main. For loads above 100 A, step up to YCS1 4P 200-630A.

Solar hybrid with grid backup: Use the CNC YCQ4 PV 2P 500V DC 100A on the DC side between solar/battery and inverter. Critical for installations where the battery may need to feed the inverter while the solar array is faulted, with auto-transfer back to solar when the fault clears.

Hospital / data center: Install YCS1 4P 200-630A at the main panel, with the generator's auto-start panel wired to the ATS control. Pair with downstream UPS for instantaneous transfer to critical loads during the 3-10 s ATS dead-time.

Factory / industrial: YCS1 4P 400-630A at the substation transformer secondary, with auto-start diesel generator backup.

Top Picks by Use Case

Best for Home with Auto-Start Generator: YCQR 2P 63A. Rs. 6,300 — adds under/over voltage protection so the ATS also disconnects on dangerous mains. View product →

Best Value (Basic Transfer): YCQ4 2P 100A. Rs. 6,200 — handles full home main up to 22 kW. Cheapest reliable ATS. View product →

Best for 3-Phase Commercial: YCQR 4P 63A. Rs. 7,200 — full 3-phase + neutral switching, with voltage protection. View product →

Best for Higher Current 3-Phase: YCQ4 4P 100A. Rs. 7,200 — 3-phase 100 A. View product →

Best for Solar / Battery DC: YCQ4 PV 2P 500V DC 100A. Rs. 7,300 — DC-rated for solar bypass and battery auto-transfer. View product →

Best for Factory / Industrial: YCS1 4P 200-630A. Rs. 18,500 – 89,000 — heavy-duty 3-phase ATS for substation-class loads. View product →

Best for Generator-Dedicated Changeover: YCQ9 4P 63-125A. Rs. 20,300 – 43,500 — purpose-built for generator changeover. View product →

CNC vs Schneider vs Chint vs Tomzn — ATS Brand Comparison

CNC sits in the imported-value tier — 4-7× cheaper than European/US premium for equivalent specifications on home / shop applications. The European brands win on industrial / mission-critical applications where closed-transition or programmable controls are needed.

ATS for Generator Auto-Start

Most modern diesel generators have a built-in auto-start panel with two signal terminals (typically labelled "Start" / "Stop" or "GEN START"). The CNC YCQR and YCS1 ATS series provide matching output contacts (Form C — Normally Open + Normally Closed) for these signals:

1. When mains fails, ATS controller times out (typically 3 seconds to ride through brief dips)
2. If mains is still gone, ATS closes its "GEN START" contact, sending the start signal to the generator panel
3. Generator starts, warms up (typically 10-30 seconds for diesel), and stabilises voltage and frequency
4. ATS detects acceptable generator voltage, opens the mains-side contacts, closes the generator-side contacts
5. Load is now on generator
6. When mains returns and remains stable for the "retransfer delay" (typically 30 seconds to 5 minutes), ATS switches back to mains
7. After a cool-down delay (typically 5-10 minutes), ATS opens the GEN START contact, stopping the generator

Wiring: ATS "GEN START" Normally Open contact → in series with the generator's auto-start input (refer to your generator's wiring diagram for exact terminals).

Installation & Commissioning

1. Switch OFF both source MCBs (WAPDA main + generator output).
2. Mount the ATS in the main panel with adequate clearance for cable bends and ventilation.
3. Connect WAPDA input to "Source 1" terminals, generator output to "Source 2" terminals. Use cables rated for the ATS amperage (10 mm² for 63 A, 25 mm² for 100 A, 50 mm²+ for 200 A+).
4. Connect load output to the home / shop distribution bus.
5. For 4-pole units, wire the neutral through the neutral pole (do not bypass).
6. If using generator auto-start: wire the ATS "GEN START" Form C contact to the generator's start input.
7. Power on WAPDA. Verify the ATS controller display shows mains-acceptable.
8. Manually test by switching off the WAPDA main MCB. The ATS should signal the generator, wait for warm-up, then transfer to the generator side. Re-enable WAPDA and verify the ATS retransfers back.

Bulk & Dealer Pricing

CNC ATS units are stocked in Lahore with same-day dispatch nationwide. Bulk pricing for panel builders, generator installers, and solar contractors. Generator-paired bundles (ATS + voltage protector + SPD + DB box) priced separately. WhatsApp +92 326 1111376 with your project specification.