WELCOME

AUTOMATIC TRANSFER SWITCHES

JIM DONNELLY
Senior Specifications Specialist
FINNING Canada
Finning Contacts:
Ben Mah – Power Systems Engine Sales
bmah@finning.com

Chris Schurmans – Project Development Manager

cschurmans@finning.com

Ryan Goertz – Business Development Manager

rgoertz@finning.com

Ian McMaster – Electric Power Generation Representative

Ian.McMaster@finning.com

Jim Boyd – Project Development Manager

Jim.Boyd@finning.com

Bryce Burgeson – Engine Sales Representative

bburgeson@finning.com

Moe Jabouri – Strategic Account Manager

Moe.Jabouri@finning.com

Jim Donnelly – Senior Specifications Specialist

Jim.Donnelly@finning.com

Sid Kuzmanovic – Project Development Manager

Sinisa.Kuzmanovic@finning.com

Mickey Randhawa – Technical Applications Representative

Malkiat.Randhawa@finning.com

Gavin Gunderson – Technical Applications Representative

Gavin.Gunderson@finning.com

Chris Koehler – Technical Applications Representative

Page 33 Chris.Koehler@finning.com
Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) Basics
 Outline
• Practical Definition of an ATS
• Seven Major functions of ATS
• ATS Technologies
• Transferring Loads
• Standards and Certifications

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 Practical Transfer Switch Definition
Transfer Switch - A device which transfers
electrical loads between two dissimilar sources
of power by using either automatic or manual
controls.

UTILITYLOAD GENERATOR

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 Transfer Switch Overview

Whether a system is required by statute, or just

desired to maintain continuity of one’s business,
it will fall into one of four general application
categories:
• Emergency system
• Legally required system
• Optional system
• Alternative system

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 Transfer Switch Overview
Emergency system - A system
legally required and classified as
emergency by municipal, state,
federal or other governmental
agencies.

• Automatically transfers from the

normal source to the emergency
source and generally cannot exceed
10 seconds and occurs
automatically.

• Facilities occupied by large

numbers of people ( hospitals,
airports, hotels, sports arenas,
health care facilities).
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 Transfer Switch Overview
Legally required system - Legally
required systems are those that are so
classified by municipal, state, federal or
other governmental agencies.

• Automatically supply power to selected loads,

other than those already classified as emergency.
The transfer from normal power to the emergency
power cannot exceed 60 seconds and occurs
automatically.

• Used in heating, refrigeration, communications,

smoke removal, sewage disposal and industrial
processes.

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 Transfer Switch Overview
Optional system - is intended to protect public or private
property or facilities, where life and safety do not depend
on the system’s performance.

• Generally, supplied to selected loads either automatically or

manually. There is no time limit associated with the transfer.

• Typical loads served include heating, data processing, and industrial

processes that when stopped could cause discomfort, and/or damage to
the product or process.

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 Transfer Switch Overview

Alternative system - Increasingly, on-site power

generation assets are being installed as a backup to the
normal power, or as a way to reduce utility bills, especially
when utility rates are extremely high or reliable utility
power is not readily available.

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 Seven Major Functions of Automatic Transfer Switches
• Carry Current Continuously
• Detect Power Failures
• Initiate Alternate Source
• Transfer Load
• Sense Restoration of Normal
• Re-Transfer Load to Normal
• Withstand and Close-In On
Fault Currents

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ATS Technologies
 USING DOUBLE THROW MECHANISM

INHERENTLY MECHANICALLY INTERLOCKED

UTILITY LOAD GENERATOR

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 USING CIRCUIT BREAKERS
MECHANICALLY & ELECTRICALLY INTERLOCKED

UTILITY LOAD GENERATOR

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 Contactor ATS vs. Breaker pair ATS

Service entrance applications are easier and less

expensive with a Breaker pair ATS

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 Contactor ATS vs. Breaker pair ATS
• 0.5 Second, Short Time withstand rating for Selective
Coordination – the Magnum w/ Short Time rating is
available from 200A to 5000A, while the contactor-
based equivalent is available from 1000A to 3000A
• Under Normal conditions, both function identically;
under abnormal conditions Breaker pair will perform
better. Breaker pair ATS are self protecting devices

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 Breaker ATS: Pros and Cons
Pros
• Service entrance
applications
• Selective Coordination –
Magnum Only
• Higher Withstands
• Maintenance free contacts
• Deadfront
• Safe manual operation
under full load
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Cons
• Higher Cost
• To replace one breaker,
you must replace the
complete power panel
• Many specs from other
manufacturers try to
exclude breaker ATS’
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Transferring Loads
 What are the types of Transfer Switches?
• Open Transition
• Delayed Transition
• Closed Transition
• Bypass Isolation Variants
• Service Entrance Rated
• Soft load
• Three Source

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 Typical Transfer Switch Types:
Power Contactor Style

Standard Delayed Closed

Transition Transition Transition
(Break-Before Make (With Center OFF Position) (Make-Before-Break Operation)
Operation) Note: “Off” Position indicates Note: “P” Position indicates
No Center OFF Position Neither source Connected both sources paralleled for 6
cycles

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 Open Transition

• Standard double-throw type mechanism

with single-stroke action
• Two position ATS
– Either “Normal” or “Emergency”
positions
– No center position
• Inherent mechanical interlock
• Contact transfer times are 100 msec = 6
electrical cycles at min. settings
• General application ATS - multipurpose
(except large motor load system)

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 Transferring Large Motors in Open Transition
VS

f =180° Engine Generator

Utility
Transformer
Vm

Synchroscope

N E

ATS

L
Back
EMF

Motor
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 Open In-Phase Transition
• Allows a live transfer between two sources
only when the phase difference is near zero
• Two ATS positions plus a neutral
– Either “Normal” or “Emergency”
positions
– Has a neutral position, but does not
stop in that position
• Inherent mechanical interlock
• Contact transfer times are >150 msec.
(must transfer in less than 10 electrical
cycles)
• Allows the ATS to be programmed as
“open” or “delayed” transition

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 Open Transition w/In-Phase Monitor
VS

f = +/- 60° V Engine Generator

m

Utility
Transformer

In-Phase Monitor

N E

ATS
L

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 Delayed Transition
• Adds an “off position” to the double-throw
mechanism
• ATS positions: “Normal” or “Emergency” or
Center “OFF” position
• Delayed transition (center off) transfer times
are adjustable
• Inherent mechanical interlock, can not
interconnect sources
• Used primarily with large inductive and UPS
loads (to allow coast or die-down before
transfer) (not required on Cat UPS)

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 Why use Delayed Transition?
• Allows for motors to coast down and transformer
fields to decay so inductive loads can be re-
energized with normal inrush currents.
• Transferring between unsynchronized sources can
cause transient high current that can exceed the
instantaneous trip settings of protective devices
• Release of stored energy in the transformer can
generate a surge even though the two power
sources are in sync when transfer is initiated
• VFD’s do not work well with open transition ATS.
VFD’s need time to reset.
• Certain UPS manufacturers recommend delayed
transition to ensure proper operation of rectifier
circuits and battery systems

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 Transfer Modes:
Motor Load Disconnect Circuit
Single Motor
• Motor Load disconnect control circuit
• Disconnects a large motor prior to transfer in either direction
• Auxiliary contacts opens thus de-energizing the selected
load
• Adjustable Time delay

Multiple Motors
• “Sequential Universal Motor Disconnect Circuit”
• Motor disconnect contact with staged restart
• Disconnects motors prior to transfer
• Brings them back on-line sequentially

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 Closed Transition
• Purpose-built mechanism/protection scheme to allow
“Make-Before-Break” operation between live sources
• Closed transition allows the new source to close to the
load before opening previous source (both switch
elements are closed in the “P” position)
• Protective function precludes paralleling until sources
are within 5% voltage, .2 Hz frequency and 5 degrees
phase angle
• Passive synchronization parallels both sources
for 5 cycles (100 msec) - synch check function
• ATS reverts to Open Transition on source failure
• Primary uses: Inductive, Electronic, and other critical
loads where the number of transfer related interruptions
must be minimized
• Standard double-throw type mechanism

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 Why use Closed Transition?

• To prevent the momentary outages that occur

during re-transfer to utility or during system
testing
• Electronic equipment, HID lighting, and motor
starters are sensitive to even the tiniest outage
during switch operation
• Peak shaving and Utility incentives rates require
the ability to transfer without power interruptions

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 Bypass Isolation Transfer Switch

Switch, Bypass Isolation – A device

used in conjunction with a transfer switch
to provide a means of directly connecting
load conductors to a power source and of
disconnecting the transfer switch.

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 Service Entrance Rated
Traditional ATS Installation
Utility Service

Service
Disconnect

G
Generator ATS
Breaker

Load

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 Service Entrance
ATS with Service Entrance
Utility Service
Equipment Rating

Service
Disconnect

G
Generator
Breaker
ATS

Load

Breaker Pair ATS Contactor ATS

Service Entrance Service Entrance

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Applicable Standards and Certifications
 CSA C22.2 No. 178.1-07*
• Most CAT Contactor and Breaker Type ATS are CSA Listed (Wall
Mount and Magnum, up to 3200a)
– Excludes SE rated, as well as CG Series (which are cUL)

*C22.2 No. 178.1-14 certification in

flight

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 UL 1008 – 8th Edition_____
• All CAT ATS’s (Breaker or Contactor) 30-5000Amp are
listed to UL1008
– Note that the upper product range can vary between 3000A &
4000A (depending on Series); 5000A units are comprised of a
breaker pair

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 UL 1008 Withstand Ratings
• Time-based Rating – Relates to circuits protected by a
circuit breaker, expressed in fractions of a second
– Replaces previous ‘Any Breaker’ nomenclature; time duration
expressed in seconds
– Typically 0.025 seconds for short-circuit currents up to 10kA and a
transfer switch ratings of 400 amps or less
– Typically 0.050 seconds for most other short-circuit levels

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 UL 1008 Withstand Ratings
• Specific Breaker Rating – Leverages the tripping
characteristics of specific circuit breaker to achieve
higher ratings
– Utilizes data derived from original Time-based rating tests
– Generally a collaborative development with UL – no additional
testing required
– Captured in a list of specific breakers associated with the rating

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 UL 1008 Withstand Ratings
• Fuse Rating – Tested with a “current limiting” fuse
– High ratings as a result of very short clearing times

• Short Time – Current applied for 0.5 Sec.

– ATS must remain functional after test.

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 Withstand / Close-in Ratings
Time-based Rating
• 0.05 or 0.025 seconds
• Depends on ATS size &
fault current value

A Specific Breaker Rating

• Valid only when applied
with a breakers shown
in the list on the
manufacturers label
• Such lists are generally
broad ensure flexibility

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 Specific Breaker Lists
• CAT has broad Specific
Breaker List

• Includes current and

vintage breakers

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Finning Contacts:
Ben Mah – Power Systems Engine Sales
bmah@finning.com

Chris Schurmans – Project Development Manager

cschurmans@finning.com

Ryan Goertz – Business Development Manager

rgoertz@finning.com

Miroslav Misic – Technical Applications Representative

Miroslav.Misic@finning.com

Jim Boyd – Project Development Manager

Jim.Boyd@finning.com

Bryce Burgeson – Engine Sales Representative

bburgeson@finning.com

Moe Jabouri – Strategic Account Manager

Moe.Jabouri@finning.com

Jim Donnelly – Senior Specifications Specialist

Jim.Donnelly@finning.com

Sid Kuzmanovic – Project Development Manager

Sinisa.Kuzmanovic@finning.com

Mickey Randhawa – Technical Applications Representative

Malkiat.Randhawa@finning.com

Gavin Gunderson – Technical Applications Representative

Gavin.Gunderson@finning.com

Chris Koehler – Technical Applications Representative

Page 33 Chris.Koehler@finning.com