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Transfer switch equipment

All of us have experienced the loss of electricity from time to time. In most instances, we just grin and bear it. There are, however, numerous manufacturing, commercial and institutional facilities that cannot tolerate the loss of electricity and then we must use transfer switch equipment.

Guide to manual and automatic transfer switch equipment and operation
Guide to manual and automatic transfer switch equipment and operation (on photo: Automatic Transfer Switching ATS & AMF Emergency power is transferred automatically from one supply to another if it be a GENSET or 2nd mains supply via one or more load circuits, either manual or motorized. When the original supply is restored, the system automatically changes back; credit: Blades Power Generation)

In a hospital, for example, power failures can be fatal to patients who depend on electricity to operate life-sustaining equipment in places like the operating room.

Although the loss of power to a manufacturing facility might not be a life-threatening, the cost of lost production time can be tremendous. As a matter of fact, one sustained power outage can cost far more than the installation of an entire backup system. Think about other places where the loss of power could create big problems. How about an airport’s control tower?

In general, a backup source should be a part of any facility that depends on electricity to:

  1. Preserve life
  2. Prevent accidents
  3. Prevent theft or panic
  4. Prevent the loss of goodwill

You will notice that we said backup power source. The National Electric Code (NEC) defines the terms “Emergency Systems,” “Legally Required Standby Systems,” and “Optional Standby Systems”.

Other words such as alternate, standby, backup and critical are often used in the industry to describe dual source power systems. In this giode, the words “backup power” will be used most of the time as a general term to cover all cases.

“Normal Power” will most often be used in this module as the general term covering the primary power or power source typically used every day. “Emergency Power” will most often be used in this module as the general term for the secondary power source.

If there is a normal power source failure, emergency power can be supplied in two ways:

  1. An additional service from the utility supplying the normal power
  2. On-site Generation of emergency power
Normal And Emergency Power Provided By Utility
Normal And Emergency Power Provided By Utility

An additional emergency service from the utility would have to come from a source separate from the utility’s normal supply.

This requires additional equipment and lines from the utility. In addition, the normal and emergency lines would probably come from different supply locations to reduce the possibility of losing both power supplies at the same time due to the same condition, like a thunder and lightning storm.

Generation of emergency power using gasoline or diesel engine-generator sets on-site is the most common method utilized for standby power systems.

Normal Power Provided By Utility And Emergency Power Generated On-Site
Normal Power Provided By Utility And Emergency Power Generated On-Site

Whether the utility provides both power sources or emergency power is generated on-site, a means must be provided to transfer the load circuits to the available source. Transfer switch equipment provides a means to quickly and safely transfer the critical load circuits, and is the primary topic of discussion of this guide.

Typical Emergency System With Transfer Switch Equipment
Typical Emergency System With Transfer Switch Equipment

Title:Guide to manual and automatic transfer switch equipment and operation – EATON
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Size:900 KB
Pages:55
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Guide to manual and automatic transfer switch equipment and operation - EATON
Guide to manual and automatic transfer switch equipment and operation – EATON

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5 Comments


  1. Vukani Mneno
    Sep 23, 2021

    do you have a drawing for changing of manual generator to automatic for substation generator 3 phase. I need it my brother.


  2. keith silomba
    Jul 28, 2020

    i would like to learn more on the generation part


  3. Nick
    Aug 18, 2019

    Please need manual wiring diagram for ats switching by using contractors and phase failed relay


  4. Najib Saeed Ghalib
    Jan 14, 2017

    I am senior authorized Eng. for : 400KV-132KV Substations


  5. Rob Motuzas
    Oct 06, 2016

    More detailed info on hybrid systems ie battery storage say 10mw and solar generation able to synch to diesel power in emergencies .

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