Changeover Switch Price in Pakistan: Manual and Automatic Types, 2 and 4 Pole, Amp Ratings and Safe Wiring
Changeover switch price in Pakistan runs from about PKR 1,000 for a small 63 A two pole unit to about PKR 12,700 for a 4 pole 63 A industrial switch, with automatic transfer units costing PKR 17,000 or more. A changeover switch lets you move the house between the grid and a generator or a solar inverter without feeding power back to the line. This page explains the types, how to choose the amp rating, indicative rates and why correct wiring matters. Panel work should be done by a licensed electrician. See MCCB breakers and the distribution board for the rest of the panel.
What a changeover switch does
A changeover switch connects the load to one of two sources and never to both at once. In practice it moves your house between the grid and a generator or a solar inverter. The key safety job is stopping generator power from flowing back into the street lines, which could injure line staff.
Manual and automatic types
A manual changeover switch is a rotary switch with positions for grid, off and generator. You turn it yourself. An automatic transfer switch, or ATS, senses a power cut and switches over by itself, and often starts the generator. Manual units are cheap and reliable. Automatic units suit shops and clinics where a cut must not interrupt work.
Changeover switch price in Pakistan
Rates depend on poles, current rating, brand and whether it is manual or automatic. The figures below are indicative.
| Item | Indicative range |
|---|---|
| Manual 2 pole changeover switch, 63 A, mid brands | PKR 1,000 - 3,000 |
| Manual 4 pole changeover switch, 63 A, mid brands | PKR 3,500 - 5,700 |
| Manual 4 pole changeover switch, 63 A, industrial | PKR 5,700 - 12,700 |
| Manual changeover switch, 100 A, 4 pole | PKR 9,000 - 18,000 |
| Automatic transfer switch, 63 A | PKR 17,600 - 22,000 |
Prices move with brand, model, size and stock. Use these ranges to judge a quote, then compare the exact model and what is included.
Choosing the amp rating
Add up the load you want on the generator or the inverter and choose a switch rated well above it. Home users often pick 63 A for a house and 100 A for a larger load. The wire, the breaker and the switch must all suit the same current. An undersized switch overheats and burns at the contacts.
2 pole, 3 pole and 4 pole
A 2 pole switch suits a single-phase home supply. A 4 pole switch also switches the neutral and is the safer choice where neutral isolation is required. Three-phase workshops use 3 or 4 pole units. The correct pole count depends on the supply and the installation, so an electrician should decide it.
Generator and solar use
For a generator, the switch must break the grid connection before it connects the generator. For a hybrid solar inverter, the inverter often has its own transfer, but a manual bypass switch is useful when the inverter needs service. Never connect a generator by plugging into a socket, since that is a serious back-feed risk.
Why wiring matters
A wrong connection can send generator power to the street or damage the generator. Use the right cable size and fit the switch after the meter and before the main breaker or the board. A licensed electrician should do the wiring and test the interlock.
Safety and buying tips
Panel work should be done by a licensed electrician. Choose a known brand with clear markings, a real current rating and a solid handle. Check that the contacts are copper-based and the enclosure is intact. A cheap unit that overheats is worse than none. See circuit breaker brands for makers that also supply changeovers.
Frequently Asked Questions
A small 2 pole 63 A manual changeover switch costs about PKR 1,000 to 3,000, and a 4 pole 63 A unit about PKR 3,500 to 12,700 depending on brand. Automatic transfer switches start around PKR 17,600, and 100 A units cost more.
A manual switch is turned by hand between grid, off and generator. An automatic transfer switch senses a power cut and changes over by itself. Manual units are cheaper and simpler, while automatic units suit places that cannot afford a break.
A 2 pole switch suits a single-phase home supply. A 4 pole switch also switches the neutral and is safer where neutral isolation is needed, and it is used for three-phase supplies. A licensed electrician should confirm the correct type.
Choose a rating well above the load you will connect. Many houses use 63 A and larger loads use 100 A. The wire, breaker and switch must all suit the same current, because the weakest part is where heat builds up.
No. Plugging a generator into a socket can send power back to the street lines and harm people and equipment. A proper changeover switch isolates the grid before the generator is connected, and a licensed electrician should install it. The same applies to solar inverters that can export, so always isolate before connecting any backup source.
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