ATS SIMPLY

If you've been putting off conducting maintenance checks, you could be doing more damage than you think. An automatic transfer switch (ATS) is a critical part of any emergency power supply system (EPSS). The ATS is the device that selects a power source—either normal utility power or standby generator power—and conducts the power to critical loads. The NFPA, Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), and all major ATS manufacturers publish literature calling for the monthly test of ATSs, yet many facility owners ignore these guidelines and refuse to perform the tests. There are good reasons for both the monthly-test requirement and for the reluctance of many operators to comply.

 Poor heat dissipation from control transformer leads to fire in transfer   switch . After a fire broke out in a hospital's 1000A automatic transfer switch (ATS), everyone involved was left searching for answers. Again and again, the same question was asked: Why would a fire start in a switch that operated without noticeable incident for several years? The answer: poor heat transfer.

               For more than 50 years, Tensolite, St. Augustine, Fla., has been the world leader in the design and manufacture of custom high-tech wire. NASA, Boeing, and the military rely on Tensolite to provide light, high-speed cable and wire to transfer critical data. Prior to 1994, Florida Power & Light (FPL) served Tensolite, a 1.2MW user, by one substation 10 miles away. Furthermore, pine trees surrounded the distribution lines to the company. With such a precarious electrical setup, it's no wonder Tensolite averaged 50 to 60 outages a year.

Practical tips for understanding and installing these devices in residential applications As backup power sources become more common in residential construction (Photo 1), many homeowners have learned about the needs and benefits of transfer switches. They know in the event of an electric utility power supply outage it is at the very least desirable to power up selected circuits in a service entrance panel to provide limited light, heat, and refrigeration. Having the option of operating a double-throw switch — or sitting back and doing nothing while the switch operates on its own — is a very appealing and safe option.

         A circuit transfer switch kit is an important electrical switch that is used to switch from one power source to another. The alternative power sources can be multiple. One example of an alternative power source is a generator. When the main power source fails, the circuit transfer switch switches from the main power source to the alternative power source. This action can be done automatically or manually, depending on the type of transfer switched installed. Here are instructions on how to install a circuit transfer switch kit.

     Electricity enters our homes through the main breaker panel. The trouble is that when there is a power cut we aren't able to use any of these appliances, and that's where a generator comes in handy. A generator is a gas powered engine which is attached to a motor, the engine will turn the electric motor which will in turn generate an electric current.

       A portable generator transfer switch will allow you to have power to selected circuits in the event of a power outage. You’ll simply need to plug in your portable generator and crank it up and then everything in the new circuit box, or portable generator transfer switch, will be running. For anyone used to working with electricity this isn’t a complex task. However, novices should get experienced help before attempting to install a portable generator transfer switch.