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Automatic Transfer Switch 400Amp Single Phase 240/120VAC for MEP System

Guyfang

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Looks good! The last place I worked, (and now work again, one day a week) installes lots of that sort of gear. We install for PV, (photovoltaic), bio gas and diesel power backup systems. We also do transformer stations. Install, repair, clean and update.

The box looked just like what we would make. Good quality componets and sauber, (clean) workmanship. I love the smell of new gear when we installed it.

Please ser describe how it functions. Some folks may not understand just what happens when you push the button. It's a bit more complicated then turning on the lights.
 

Light in the Dark

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Yeah, its above my pay grade... but whatever its doing, it looks like a very well constructed item.
 

Guyfang

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Here are a few pictures of some transformer station we are putting together right no. The stations are "portable", in the sense that you can and we do, take them to a work site and dig a hole to put them in. We get the building empty, and install components we make, or order from someone else. Its all reinforced concrete. The room comes off so you can get at the guts faster.

This is a finished product. Some of the photo's are a bit rough. A humdinger storm was coming, so we were in a hurry.
20191023_075747.jpg 20191023_075758.jpg 20191023_075807.jpg

Here is a new one just getting started.
20191023_075926.jpg 20191023_080018.jpg 20191023_075821.jpg

These are components we made before hand to install.
20191023_081748.jpg 20191023_081759.jpg 20191023_080743.jpg

Crap, why are all my pictures up side down?
 

peapvp

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I have been quite busy and will post an update here on how this works in the next few days as time permits! Quite some switch gear you are building there Guy. looking good!

Looks good! The last place I worked, (and now work again, one day a week) installes lots of that sort of gear. We install for PV, (photovoltaic), bio gas and diesel power backup systems. We also do transformer stations. Install, repair, clean and update.

The box looked just like what we would make. Good quality componets and sauber, (clean) workmanship. I love the smell of new gear when we installed it.

Please ser describe how it functions. Some folks may not understand just what happens when you push the button. It's a bit more complicated then turning on the lights.
 

peapvp

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Ok,


Photo Oct 21, 10 06 38 AM.jpg


the top left three green Pilot Lights indicate that the ATS Control Board is sensing Utility Power L1/L2, L1/N, L2/N

the top right three green Pilot Lights indicate that the ATS Control Board is sensing Generator Power L1/L2, L1/N, L2/N


The three Pilot Lights in the middle indicate:

Green: ATS Control Board is ON - 24 VDC Power from Generator OK
( System draws 30 mA idle current during monitoring - supplied by Genset Batteries - Genset has to have 24 VDC 2A or 3A Float/Trickle Charger attached constantly )

Orange: ATS Control Board signal to our Autostart Board in Genset to start/run Generator

Red: ATS Control Board has sensed that Generator is up and running and main Contactor in Genset has been activated after warm up and Power is available in ATS Cabinet for Power Transfer

K2 will now be turned ON and power is available to Breaker Panel from GENSET



Left Switch:

Off: Battery Power to ATS Control Board is disconnected - ATS Board no longer active - ATS will only supply Utility Power
On: ATS in full monitoring and transfer mode


Right Switch:

Off: Will turn off K1 and K3, simulating a full utility power outage which starts the entire transfer sequence with full load transfer to Genset - A optional weekly monthly timer can be added to automate exercise function / test
On: K1 and K3 are turned on, supplying Utility Power to Breaker Panel via K1

The right switch can also be used to turn all power off to Breaker panel by also turning off Switch S1 ATS Power - this is for convenience as the ATS system now functions as a Disconnect Switch - for emergencies or repairs



The Utility Loss Sequence as follows:

1. Loss of Utility Power is sensed

2. 15 second wait time, if Utility Power is still out then it will proceed to step three other wise system goes back to standby

3. Start / Run Signal to Autostart Board

4. ATS Control Board waits now until GENSET has started, warmed up and closed the main contactor meaning full power is available

5. ATS Control Board waits now and additional 15 seconds for power to stabilize after main contactor has engaged

6. Power is transferred with K2 to Genset

7. Upon sensing Utility Power again, system will use GENSET Power

8. When Utility Power is sensed, K2 is disconnected first and then K1 is energized to transfer power back to Utility

9. Genset remote start signal id turned off - Genset will go into cool down

10. Depending which MEP Genset you got - the three top right Pilot Lights will go off either immediately, MEP 805B / 806B or any MEP with Autostart Board and our extra Kext Relay or any other MEP with just our Atustart Board these three Pilot Lights will stay on until Generator shuts off after cool down

11. ATS Control Board is now back in standby / monitoring mode


We have the following DIP Switch Settings available on our ATS Control Board


DIP Switch Settings.jpg



Out ATS Control Board is available for Single Phase 240/120VAC and three phase 230/208 or 480/440VAC available

This system here as shown is a enhanced version of the transfer switch example we have in our basic installation Manual for the Autostart Kit MEP 002A/003A and in the two Videos about transfer switches on our YouTube Channel

Our ATS Controller can be used on almost any ATS like the RTS Series from Generac or anything you may want to built yourself

It will also work with any Generator which has two wire start capability

This system will also work with optional UPS Systems to bridge the gap between Utility Loss and Genset Power applied
(I was not able to rotate pictures to correct orientation once uploaded - they are correct on PC)
Please feel free to ask questions

Photo Oct 21, 10 06 32 AM.jpgPhoto Oct 21, 10 06 22 AM.jpgPhoto Oct 21, 10 06 12 AM.jpg

View attachment InstallationManualMEPATS.pdf
 

peapvp

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There will be a momentary break in power of about 350 msec to 500 msec - K1 and K2 are configured to break before make as default since the Genset can not be synchronized, unless the Genset has a built in paralleling unit and the sensing circuit is tied into the utility power monitoring lines - the relay contact from the synchronization OK Circuit of Genset also has to be wired in to prohibit transfer back to utility before synchronization is stable. Then it becomes synchronized make before break.

So we have 6 spare DIN Rail Terminals available for that purpose


When step 8 starts, are the two power sources in synchronization, (parallel) or will there be a momentary break in power?
 
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