Schneider Electric South Africa, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, has unveiled the Resi9 Changeover Switch product range which provides the perfect solution to switch manually between two power supplies or circuits.

John Raptakis, Offer Marketing Senior Manager – Home and Distribution Division at Schneider Electric, says that the product is designed for changeover from grid supply to generator or photovoltaic system, primarily to address issues related to load shedding.

“The key purpose of the Resi9 Changeover Switch is to provide a solution for low-voltage distribution systems that require a continuous power supply. The changeover switch facilitates this by allowing users to switch between different power sources,” he explains.

“This is the first time Schneider Electric is offering a changeover switch in this compact size. The product is designed to be rail-mounted and fit directly into distribution boards.”

The Resi9 Changeover switch is available in a 40A and a 63A version, with three variants available in the local market – two-pole 40A, two-pole 63A and four-pole 63A models. The majority of applications will likely use the 40A version due to its compact design.

“The Resi9 Changeover Switch is easy to operate and easy to install. It can simply be clipped into the distribution board and is held in place by pin springs on both the line side and load side. This prevents the unit from being dislodged when operating the on/off switch,” says Raptakis.

The key features of the product are: 

• Compact design, easy to operate and install
• Suitable for residential, commercial and industrial applications
• Available in 40A and 63A single-phase versions
• Complies with IEC 60947-3 standards for safety
• Includes a three-position handle to indicate grid, generator or off-position
• Includes a QR code for easy access to technical documentation

“The product has found a place in the market due to the need for solutions during load shedding. The manual changeover switch allows users to isolate one supply (grid, generator or photovoltaic) from the other, enabling them to work on a specific supply,” says Raptakis.

He notes that the two-pole Resi9 Changeover Switch is designed for single-phase installations, while the four-pole version is suited to three-phase installations. The four-pole product is available in a 63A rating only, as most three-phase installations in South Africa are greater than 40A.

“The product also has a QR code that can be scanned to access the technical documentation. This allows homeowners, electricians, or contractors to easily access the installation instructions and diagrams, even if they don't have the printed catalogue,” Raptakis concludes.