Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS)

EE 50 – ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
AND DEVICE

MARK ANTHONY B. ENOY

BS EE - V

ENGR. KARRLOU C. RODA

INSTRUCTOR
Transfer Switch
A transfer switch is an electrical
switch that switches a load
between two sources.
Manual transfer
switch

 Automatic Transfer
Switch
Manual transfer switch
- an operator affects the
transfer by throwing a switch.
 Automatic Transfer
Switch
- An ATS is a device designed to
Automatically switch (transfer)
between (2 or 3) sources of power to
improve the reliability of the
electrical supply to a connected
load.
- It automatically switches when
it senses one of the sources has
lost or gained power. Current
Automatic Transfer Switch
Operation of an Automatic Transfer Switch
Not only does ATS transfer the
load to the backup generator but
also it commands the backup
generator to start, based on the
voltage monitored on the primary
supply.
 Example: ATS installed in homes
In a home equipped with a
generator
backup and an ATS, when an electric
utility outage occurs, the ATS will tell
the backup generator to start. Once the
ATS sees that the generator is ready to
provide electric power, the ATS breaks
the home's connection to the electric
utility and connects the generator to the
home's main electrical panel.
Example: ATS installed in homes
 Example: ATS installed in homes
The generator supplies power to the
home's electric load, but is
connected to the electric utility
not
lines. It is necessary to isolate the
generator from the distribution
system to protect the generator
from overload in powering loads
beyond the house and for safety, as
utility workers expect the lines to
be dead.
 Example: ATS installed in homes

When utility power returns for a

minimum time, the ATS will
automatically transfer the house
back to utility power and
command the generator to turn
off, after another specified
amount of "cool down" time
with no load on the generator.
Typical Applications of ATS
 Utility and Engine Generator
- Single unit standby applications
are very common

For facilities with a standby power

system and a single utility feed. The
transfer switch senses when utility
power has been lost, sends a start
signal to the standby generator and
transfers the load.
Utility and Engine Generator
 Utility and Utility
- Dual utility applications
are becoming more
common

For use in facilities with redundant

utility feeds but no standby
generator. If one utility feed fails,
the transfer switch automatically
connects the load to the second
utility feed.
Utility and
Utility
 Generator and Generator
- Prime power / standby application
For facilities with a power
prime system using multiple on-
generators. If the primary generator
site
fails, the transfer switch sends a start
signal to the second generator and then
transfers the load.
Generator and Generator
 Three-source system
For facilities with a standby
system and two
power feeds.The
utility utility transfer controls
switchfrom the two utilitiesthebased on a
feeds
pre-established priority. If both utility
feeds fail, the generator transfer
switch sends a start signal to the
standby generator and transfers
the load.
ONE STANDBY POWER SYSTEM AND TWO UTILITY FEEDS
Three-source system :

Another three source system uses

a standby generator in place
of the second utility (dual
standby). If the utility fails,
the first transfer switch sends
a start signal to the
primary standby generator and
transfers the load. If the primary
standby generator fails,the
transfer switch sends a start signal to
TWO STANDBY POWER SYSTEM AND ONE UTILITY FEEDS
 Types of ATS Transition

 Open transition TS
 Closed transition
TS
 Soft loading TS
 Static TS
Open transition TS
An open transition transfer
switch is also called a break
before make transfer switch.

A break before make transfer

switch breaks contact with one
source of power before it makes
contact with another.
It prevents backfeeding from an emergency
generator back into the utility line

Backfeeding occurs when electric power is

being induced into the power grid. Power
flows in an opposite direction.

It can cause utility lineman to be

electrocuted as they work in power lines.

Reverse- power relay opens if

backfeeding occurs in the power lines.
Applications: Emergency code-
required and , optional standby
systems; loads; small
resistive
motor loads
 Open transition TS:

o Knife Blade Switch

 Typically Non-Load breaking
 Usually Manually Operated
 - Is a method of
Sometimes motor operated
arc suppression
 Low withstand ratings – no that
arc chutes or vents extinguishes
 Low endurance ratings arcs by
limited life channeling them
- arc flash happens when electric into chambers
current flows through an air gap
between conductors. above the
Closed transition TS
A closed transition transfer switch is
also called a make before break
transfer switch.

A make before break transfer

switch makes contact with another
source before it breaks contact with
the interrupted source.
There are some loads, however,
that are affected by even the
slightest loss of power. There
are also operational conditions
where it may be desirable to
transfer with zero
loads
interruption of power when
conditions permit.
For applications,
these
closed transition transfer
switches can be
With closed provided.
transfer, the on-site engine
transition
generator set is momentarily
connected in parallel with
the utility source.
This requires getting
approval from the
local
utility company. The switch
will operate in a make-
before-break mode provided
both sources are acceptable
and synchronized.
Typical parameters determining
synchronization are:
•voltage difference less than 5%

•frequency difference less than 0.2 Hz

- Frequency counter is used to measure frequency

•maximum phase angle between
the sources of 5 electrical degrees
- Is the difference between the phase of a
sinusoidally varying quantity and the phase
of a second quantity which varies
sinusoidally at the same quantity.
Analog Voltage & frequency meter Digital Generator Frequency & Voltage meter
Closed Transition Applications:
(Make-Before-
Critical power
Break Operation)
NOTE: “P” Position indicates requirements,
both sources paralleled for 5
cycles including
hospitals and
data centers
Delayed Transition (center
off)
- The delayed transition (center off) switch is
especially suited to applications in which large
inductive loads result in large inrush currents.
The delayed transition allows magnetic fields to
completely collapse before reconnection.
- A time delay between the opening of the
closed contacts and the closing of the open
contacts allows large motor loads to
demagnetize before transfer. This prevents the
severe “bump” caused by switching a rotating
motor (which momentarily acts as a
Types of
Construction
ATS &
Design
Kni Twin Twin Power Static
fe Conta MCC Conta Trans
Bla ctor B ctor fer
de Type Typ Type Type
Type e
Knife Blade
 Closed transition TS
o Twin Contactor
- contactor type is simpler design that is electrically operated
and mechanically held. It operates faster than circuit breaker
transfer switches, which reduces transfer time.

 Switching device having 1 position of rest

 Returns to position of rest @ loss power (un-latched type)
or add’l latching arrangement to hold position on loss of
power
 Built using 1 of up to 12 types of contactors under, from
basic contactor to high-capacity motor starters.
 Often very basic controller
 Mechanical/safety interlock often not available or
optional
 Variety of operators, from motor to electromagnets
Twin Contactor
 Closed transition TS
o Twin MCCB (Molded Case Circuit
Breaker)
- circuit breaker type has two interlocked circuit
breakers, so only one breaker can be closed any anytime.

 2 Position device, typically operated from add-on

motors
 Built using 1 of up to 2 types of breaker under, from basic
instantaneous-trip type to short-time rated devices.
 Mechanical/safety interlock is an add-on, sometimes
optional
 Motor operators usually slow, often unreliable for
high duty.
 Wide range of manf-assigned withstand ratings (low,
Twin MCCB (Molded Case Circuit Breaker)
o Power Contactor Type
 Std. Double Throw mechanism - Inherent
mechanical interlock against closing to
both sources
 No add-on interlocks required
 Fewer moving parts
 High Withstand Current ratings to allow
fault clearing coordination
 Integrated Arc quenching components
 Solenoid Operated (very fast)
Power Contactor Type
o Power Contactor ATS -
Composition
• Arc quenching grids & enclosed arc chutes
• Movable contact assembly has 2 pieces, arcing
contact and main current carrying contact.
• Arcing contacts make first, break last
• Silver alloy contacts
 Resists welding
 Enhanced withstand ratings
• “Over center” switching principal to achieve a
mechanically locked position in either Source 1 or
2
• High speed solenoid actuated drive assures contact
transfer in 30-50 msec
Power Contactor ATS - Composition
 Static/ Solid-State Transfer Type

The static/solid-state ATS lacks the traditional

mechanical transfer switch. Because this unit relies
on SCR or transistor technology, sub-cycle transfers
are possible. Although there is technically a "break"
in load current, the speed of these units prevents
adverse effects to sensitive equipment.
 Static Transfer Type N E
 Two live sources required. Solid-
1 2
state switching >> no moving parts
 Extremely FAST operation, transfer in
less than ¼ cycle.
 SCR technology
 Typically used on critical loads where 2
L
reliable and independent power
supplies available, or switching 2 x UPS
Outputs.
 Both sources must be in sync
 Often cost prohibitive for Standby
applications
Static Transfer Type
Bypass Isolation Transfer
Allows maintenance to the main
ATS disconnecting the
without load.having two transfer
switchesByconnected in parallel, the
bypass transfer switch adds
redundancy to the system.
Applications: Critical power and
maintenance requirements, including
healthcare and data center
Bypass Isolation ATS
WITHDRAWABL
• Essentially (2) ATS in Parallel, (1) TWO PATHS FROM E ATS
SOURCE TO LOAD
Automatic Switch (ATS) & (1) Manual
Switch (MTS).
• ATS is withdrawable, similar to
withdrawable CB’s
• (2) redundant paths from each source
to load.
• ATS & MTS are mechanically and
electrically interlocked
– To prevents accidental closure of
both sources MTS
• Bypassing power from Source to Load
permits testing or maintenance of ATS
without interruption to load.
• Available in Open, Delayed, and
Closed Transition
• If power fails while bypassed, Genset
is auto started to permit fast transfer
using MTS.
Thank You!
CREATIVE MAKER:

MARK ANTHONY B. ENOY

BS EE – 5
SPECIAL THANKS TO MY SPONSORS: