Patent ID: 7928604

Claim:
A system for controlling the selection of an electrical power source between a main power source and a secondary power source, comprising: (a) at least one sensor configured to generate data upon sensing a selected threshold of an external event, wherein the external event is external to the main power source and the secondary power source, and wherein the external event is remote from the system; and (b) a universal control module comprising a controller configured to receive data from the at least one sensor and generate first activation signals, the first activation signals comprising a first switching signal for controlling a first type of automated transfer switch, the first type of automated transfer switch comprising electrical connections configured to (i) receive switching signals; (ii) activate the secondary power source; and (iii) switch electrical connections from the main power source to the secondary power source and from the secondary power source to the main power source; wherein the universal control module can be connected to at least one additional sensor and is configured to receive data from the at least one additional sensor, and wherein the universal control module is configured to communicate with a plurality of different types of automated transfer switches.