Search

Premium Membership ♕

Limited Time Offer: Save 15% on PRO Plan with discount code: LRN15 and study specialized LV/MV/HV technical articles and studies.

Home / Technical Articles / 3 Common Misconceptions Regarding Automatic Transfer Systems

Automatic transfer systems

Several common misconceptions regarding automatic transfer systems exist. Three of these are addressed here //

3 common misconceptions regarding automatic transfer systems
3 common misconceptions regarding automatic transfer systems (photo credit: bladespowergeneration.co.uk)
  1. I need a complex automatic transfer scheme at every voltage level
  2. AC Control Power for my automatic transfer PLC can be handled by the system UPS’s
  3. Since my automatic transfer system was tested in the factory, it doesn’t need field testing

Three most common ATS misconceptions //


Misconception #1

“I need a complex automatic transfer scheme at every voltage level”

This may or may not be true, but in general if more than one automatic transfer scheme is present, the farther downstream it is, the less complex it has to be. For example, consider the system of Figure 1.

As shown in Figure 1 below, two automatic transfer systems exist, one at the medium voltage level and one at the low voltage level. The automatic transfer system at the low voltage level must be coordinated so that it does not transfer unless the reason for transfer is not addressed by a transfer on the system at the medium voltage level.

For example, should one of the utility sources fail, the medium voltage system will transfer to the other utility source.

Two automatic transfer systems at different voltage levels
Figure 1 – Two automatic transfer systems at different voltage levels

In that case, the low voltage transfer scheme should not transfer at all. However, should a fault occur on one of the medium voltage feeders, the low voltage system must transfer to restore power to the loads.

Typically this coordination between automatic transfer systems is achieved by making the time delays for source failure and re-transfer longer on the low voltage system than on the medium voltage system.

Further, in Figure 1 the generation is at the medium voltage level, so the low voltage automatic transfer system does not have to consider operation of the generators. It is therefore less complex than the medium voltage automatic transfer system and will, in general, transfer less frequently.

Go back to ATS Misconceptions ↑


Misconception #2

“AC Control Power for my automatic transfer PLC can be handled by the system UPS’s”

On the surface, this is true. However, initial system start-up will require a power source other than the system UPS’s, which are devices downstream from the automatic transfer system. And, if a UPS is taken off-line for maintenance the availability of the control power can be compromised.

In reality, automatic transfer PLC’s have control power reliability requirements that are similar to microprocessor-based protective relays. Where those devices are used, the preferred power source is a DC battery system, and this is true for an automatic transfer PLC also.

Typically, a 24V battery system is sufficient, although care should be used to isolate the PLC from the battery voltage via a DC-to-DC converter to avoid exposing the PLC power supply to the voltage variations that will occur on the battery system.

Alternatively, a small UPS, supplied by a control transformer in the switchgear or switchboard, could be used. In either case, maintenance requirements apply to insure that the power is available when called upon.

Critical Power System Functional Block Diagram
Critical Power System Functional Block Diagram

In this case, a control power throw over is advisable, with one source being the switchgear or switchboard UPS, and the other being a system UPS or other reliable source.

AC control power for low voltage switchgear (or switchboards) used for automatic transfer is generally provided via a control power throw over supplied by control transformers in the equipment.

Energy to trip circuit breakers when no control power is available (i.e., after source failure but before standby generators are up and running) is provided via capacitive energy-storage devices. For medium voltage switchgear, the protective relays will have similar control power reliability requirements similar to those of the automatic transfer PLC, and DC batteries are typically used, but usually at the 48VDC or 125VDC level.

Many variations exist on switchgear, switchboard or PLC control power design, and this is an issue must be carefully considered to achieve the desired results.

Go back to ATS Misconceptions ↑


Misconception #3

“Since my automatic transfer system was tested in the factory, it doesn’t need field testing”

Like any other engineered system, factory testing for an automatic transfer system is no substitute for field testing. Field testing takes into account shipping damage and installation errors that may have occurred, as well as testing the system’s response to actual system conditions rather than simulated test conditions.

In many cases the specified time delays, such as source failure delays, are found to need adjustment when applied under real-world conditions.

This is doubly important in the mission-critical environment, where reliable equipment operation is crucial.

Simple emergency/standby system arrangement
Simple emergency/standby system arrangement

Go back to ATS Misconceptions ↑


How an ATS Works with a Generator

Go back to ATS Misconceptions ↑

Reference // Critical Power Automatic Transfer Systems – Design and Application by Bill Brown, P.E., Jay Guditis, Square D Critical Power Competency Center (Schneider Electric)

Premium Membership

Get access to premium HV/MV/LV technical articles, electrical engineering guides, research studies and much more! It helps you to shape up your technical skills in your everyday life as an electrical engineer.
More Information
author-pic

Edvard Csanyi

Electrical engineer, programmer and founder of EEP. Highly specialized for design of LV/MV switchgears and LV high power busbar trunking (<6300A) in power substations, commercial buildings and industry facilities. Professional in AutoCAD programming.

2 Comments


  1. Gregory
    Mar 20, 2019

    Hi,
    my suggestion is to use a dedicated microcontroller which can start quicker than PLC.
    Additonaly in case when there are power sources like a transformer or generator with auto start (self detect) we don’t need UPS or DC supplier. To avoid a single point of failure, you need to build a redundant power supply for the controller or power it from the generator battery.

    Regards,
    Greg


  2. haou soraya
    Mar 19, 2019

    thanks for all this informations

Leave a Reply to haou soraya

Tell us what you're thinking. We care about your opinion! Please keep in mind that comments are moderated and rel="nofollow" is in use. So, please do not use a spammy keyword or a domain as your name, or it will be deleted. Let's have a professional and meaningful conversation instead. Thanks for dropping by!

  −  3  =  two

Learn How to Design Power Systems

Learn to design LV/MV/HV power systems through professional video courses. Lifetime access. Enjoy learning!

Subscribe to Weekly Newsletter

Subscribe to our Weekly Digest newsletter and receive free updates on new technical articles, video courses and guides (PDF).
EEP Academy Courses - A hand crafted cutting-edge electrical engineering knowledge