Hi

I have a cheap inverter without a transfer switch (current rating less than 10A).

Can I use a small 220 v contactor (2 pole with NC and NO) with the following scenario; when the Eskom power is on it will energize the contactor and Eskom power will be fed through the NO contacts (now closed) to the output, on the other hand if we lose the Eskom power (eg during loadshedding) the contactor will be de-energized and my inverter will feed the output instead. It feels safe for me because the output can only be fed from one of the inputs at any time, or do I miss something?

How long can a contactor be energized (is there a time restriction)?

If the above is not possible, please advise an alternate way of doing it. (There are big and bulky switches (63 Amp) available in the market, but I am seeking a more simplistic solution)

Thank you