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This time delay is anywhere between 0-6 seconds, with one second being the most common setting. The most prevalent time delay overrides any momentary normal outages that would cause a false engine start and thus transfer the load. Time delay functionality is a necessary feature for an automatic transfer switch because of false alarms triggers with the normal power source from a utility company.
#TRANSFER SWITCH GENERATOR#
This is to ensure the generator set has the ability to accept the load.Īutomatic Transfer Switches come with a wide variety of time delay systems. The minimal voltage and frequency must be attained before transfer of the load to the new or used generator. Voltage and frequency information is provided by the sensors in the control panel to determine load availability. Failure points are defined as a drop-in voltage below a preset setting on any phase. One of the main functions of the control panel is the detection of a drop-in voltage or a complete failure of the normal source of power. The engineering behind an automatic transfer switch is quite complex as time delays and other components play a pivotal role in obtaining instantaneous backup power. Once the new or used generator reaches the correct voltage and frequency (for the end use application) the control system signals the switch to transfer from the normal source of power to the generator. The control panel’s job is to detect a power failure and initiate procedures to start the new or used generator’s engine. With an automatic transfer switch, power failures are detected immediately and the transition from utility power to generator power is seamless.
#TRANSFER SWITCH MANUAL#
Manual transfer switches are operated by onsite personnel and are used in situations where the load is not of an emergency nature requiring immediate restoration of the power supply. The control panel system of a transfer switch is what makes the unit automatic in nature.
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This article explains how the control panel directs an automatic transfer switch. Outside Field Service Sales Representative – Industrial GeneratorsĪ transfer switches’ primary job is to redistribute power from a grid to a backup source of power.
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