Victron Filax 2 Transfer Switch: Setup & Guide

Key Takeaways

• The Filax 2 is an ultra-fast AC transfer switch designed to protect sensitive equipment against power interruptions.
• Supports heavy AC branch loads with a Maximum current 16A rating.
• Achieves sub-cycle power transfers: Maximum load transfer time and reverse transfer time 16ms.
• Monitors priority low-voltage brownouts: Priority source: low voltage switching threshold 180Vac with Priority source: low voltage reverse switching threshold 188Vac.
• Protects against generator frequency drop: Priority source: low frequency switching threshold 45Hz and Priority source: low frequency reverse switching threshold 47Hz.
• Detects high-frequency anomalies: Priority source: high frequency switching threshold 60Hz and Priority source: high frequency reverse switching threshold 56Hz.
• Withstands severe continuous AC surges: Priority source: maximum continuous input voltage 260Vac and Alternate source: maximum continuous input voltage 260Vac.
• Guarantees source stabilization before return: Reverse switching delay (seconds) 30s.
• Built for industrial and marine resilience: Operating temperature range -20°C up to +50°C with Protection category IP65.

Ultra-Fast Sub-Cycle AC Transfer Architecture

The Filax 2 was developed specifically to switch mission-critical loads—such as computers, servers, medical devices, and programmable logic controllers—between an AC priority line (utility grid or genset) and an alternate backup line (inverter). Because transfer occurs in less than 16 milliseconds, connected electronics continue operating without resetting.

The Victron Filax 2 (16A) is an ultra-fast automatic AC transfer switch (<16ms switching time) housed in an IP65 splashproof enclosure rated for -20°C to +50°C:

• Priority AC Input: 180V Cut / 188V Ret, 45Hz Cut / 47Hz Ret, 60Hz Cut / 56Hz Ret, 260Vac Continuous.
• Alternate AC Input: Inverter Supply, 260Vac Continuous, Standby Ready, Zero Reboot Drop.
• Load AC Output: 16A Max Load, <16ms Switch, 30s Ret Delay, Pure Sinewave.

Wiring Sequence & Source Identification

1. Priority Source Input: Connect the primary AC source (grid or primary genset) to Priority Input terminals. The unit switches away when supply drops below **Priority source: low voltage switching threshold 180Vac or **Priority source: low frequency switching threshold 45Hz.
2. Alternate Source Input: Connect the backup inverter supply to the Alternate Input terminals, tolerating Alternate source: maximum continuous input voltage 260Vac.
3. Critical Load Distribution: Connect downstream sensitive equipment to the Output terminals, ensuring total load remains within Maximum current 16A.

Threshold Monitoring & Reverse Delay Logic

The Filax 2 incorporates precision analog monitoring logic to prevent erratic load cycling:

• Brownout & Overvoltage Protection: It isolates loads from unstable priority lines reaching Priority source: low voltage switching threshold 180Vac or exceeding normal limits, safely tolerating up to Priority source: maximum continuous input voltage 260Vac.
• Frequency Protection: Isolates loads if genset frequency drifts outside safe limits (Priority source: low frequency switching threshold 45Hz or Priority source: high frequency switching threshold 60Hz).
• Stabilization Reverse Delay: Once priority supply normalizes above Priority source: low voltage reverse switching threshold 188Vac, Priority source: low frequency reverse switching threshold 47Hz, and Priority source: high frequency reverse switching threshold 56Hz, the Filax 2 enforces an internal Reverse switching delay (seconds) 30s before transferring loads back.
• Sub-Cycle Speed: Both forward and return transfers execute within Maximum load transfer time and reverse transfer time 16ms.
• Environmental Enclosure: Built in a durable Protection category IP65 enclosure operating from Operating temperature range -20°C up to +50°C.

Technical Specifications & Switching Parameters