Patent ID: 8729730

Claim:
An automatic transfer switch, the automatic transfer switch configurable to be electrically connected to a primary conductor configured to carry electric power from a primary source, a secondary conductor configured to carry electric power from a secondary source, and a load conductor, the automatic transfer switch comprising: a contactor that selectively electrically connects the load conductor to either the primary conductor or the secondary conductor; a switching logic within said automatic transfer switch that controls the contactor to electrically connect the load conductor to either the primary conductor or the secondary conductor; and a transfer inhibitor within said automatic transfer switch, said transfer inhibitor including a reset device within said transfer inhibitor, said reset device being structured to be activated to allow said switching logic to operate normally in order that said switching logic can allow said contactor to electrically connect the load conductor to the secondary conductor, said transfer inhibitor being configured to receive an external transfer inhibit signal from a wired or wireless communication of a remote system outside of said automatic transfer switch and to prevent, until said reset device is activated, the switching logic within said automatic transfer switch from controlling the contactor to electrically connect the load conductor to the secondary conductor and to maintain an electrical connection from the primary conductor to the load conductor in response to receiving the external transfer inhibit signal.