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CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
Reliable and secure uninterruptible power supply is a sine qua non for virtually all
industrial operations. The reality, however, especially in most developing countries, is that
energy resources are simply inadequate. Most manufacturing industries and firms have to
contend with insecure and unreliable power supply coupled with its attendant negative
impacts on productivity and cost of production. We cant go on and on to emphasize the
importance of power supply to our home and industries, but it is important to mention that the
outage of power supply can bring discomfort in our homes and loss of revenue due to down
time in the industries. Thus Tony Rudkin, the author of upgraded signal source with
improved performance and reliability, states that the cost and the depreciation associated
with breakdown vary from one application to the other, and in some cases, the user has little
choice but to ensure that a stand-by unit is available to take over on event of failure of
primary system. Also in his book, he went further to say that the depreciation caused by such
instability reduces efficiency of the organization and leads to a great deal of frustration.
Sequel to the rate at which more sophisticated electrical/electronic gadgets are being procured
and installed in our homes, hospitals and business premises, there is a justifiable need for a
faster and more reliable change-over system in an event of power outage.
Therefore, for these reasons that change over or transfer switches were developed.
Initially, these switches were designed for manual operations, but with an increase in the
technological advancement of electrical power control and automation, Automatic transfer
switches (ATS) were created. It eliminates the element of manpower interaction in starting a
generator and changing power supply from one source to another.
CHAPTER 2
TRANSFER SWITCHES
Transfer switches are used to change from the normal source of power to an alternate
source, such as a generator set or battery-powered inverter or A transfer switch is an electrical
switch that switches a load between two sources.
Some transfer switches are manual, in that an operator effects the transfer by
throwing a switch, while others are automatic and trigger when they sense one of the sources
has lost or gained power.
There are two basic types of transfer switches: manual and automatic.
ATS has an additional circuit component which is normally in the form of a computer
that monitors the incoming power supply. This circuit also monitors the voltage sags, power
surges and power spikes. It also initiates the changeover action when there is a complete
power loss. Whenever a fault is being detected, the automatic transfer switch starts up the
emergency power supply. The ATS is connected to both power supply sources and supplies
the load with power from only one of the sources at any particular instant of time
The automatic power change-over switch is a device that links the load and mains
supply or the alternative supply together. This enables the use of either the mains supply or
an alternative source when there is outage on the mains source. This can either come in with
three phase or single phase. This device maintains constant power supply to the load by
automatically activating the generator when there is need. Since the user might not always be
in need of the generator, provision has been made to prevent the generator from starting
should an outage occur.
In view of the above manual change-over switch system that involves manpower by
using ones energy in starting the generator and switching over from public supply to
generator and vice-versa when the supply is restored. The importance attached to cases of
operation in hospitals and air ports in order to save life from generator as fast as possible
makes it important for the design and construction of an automatic change-over switch which
would solve the problem of manpower and the danger likely to be encountered changeover.
The electronic control monitors the incoming public supply voltage and detects when the
voltage drops below a level that electrical or electronic gadgets can function depending on the
utility
The main problems associated with a manual switching system are as follows:
interrupted power supply.
device damage due to frequent commutations.
possible causes of fire outbreak due to switching sparks.
frequent high maintenance cost due to changeover action.
wear and tear of mechanical parts.
CHAPTER 3
MICRO CONTROLLER AUTOMATIC TRANSFER
SWITCH
The materials and methods used to integrate the electric generator as an alternative
power source to the grid is very important in determining how secure and reliable the power
supply to load can be. The switching system could be manual, where a person switches the
generator set ON when the grid supply is lost and switches the generator OFF when the grid
power is restored. Automatic switching, where the electric generator switches ON and OFF
when the grid is restored.
When the generator is disconnected, it goes through a cool-down process and then
automatically shuts down Fig. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a typical transfer switch.
Transfer switches could be installed between two generators, a generator and a utility supply
or between alternate utility providers.
The change breaker relay, OMIH-SH-105D, was selected to commute the power
source from utility to generator and vice versa. This is necessary in order to avoid both
sources being connected at the same time, otherwise the generator could back feed into the
utility lines. This is an unhealthy condition since personnel working on the line could be
electrocuted. This calculation is done for a typical company in Tarkwa.
CHAPTER 4
AUTOMATIC TRANSFER SWITCH OPERATION
As soon as the voltage and frequency checking is done the emergency power relay is
energized with connects the backup power switch to the main utility circuitry and the backup
power starts powering the complete circuit.
The same principle is used for re-transference of power back to grid power. The
process initiates when grid powers phases reach their present values. This state is sensed by
solid state relays and again the timers and respective relays perform their duty to switch the
supply to the main power.
A limit switch is also provided in the circuitry to allow the manual change over if
needed. The switch is locked at its normal position which is pointing towards the grid power.
Lowering the switch manually shifts the power towards backup generator. This limit switch is
provided only for emergency and exceptional cases and should be avoided.
If u have automated setup available let it do its work unless or until it is out of order
or is not performing as you desired. Other types have similar operations like manual switches
and is totally man operated. These switches usually shift the load between small generators
and main supply. However solid state switch is heavy duty and are used where large power
consumption is occurring and industrial use intended
CHAPTER 5
CHOICE OF TRANSFER MODE
CHAPTER 6
APPLICATIONS OF AUTOMATIC TRANSFER SWITCH
6.1 Generator-to-Generator
For facilities with a prime power system using multiple on-site generators. If the primary
generator fails, the transfer switch sends a start signal to the second generator and then
transfers the load.
6.2 Utility-to-Generator
For facilities with a standby power system and a single utility feed. The transfer switch senses
when the utility power has been lost, sends a start signal to the standby generator and transfers the
load.
6.3 Utility-to-Utility
For use in facilities with redundant utility feeds but no standby generator. If one
utility feed fails, the transfer switch automatically connects the load to the second utility feed.
CHAPTER 7
CONCLUSION
Automatic change over switch with generator starting/shut down facility has been
designed to help man reduce the stress and loss of time associated with the starting and
shutting down of the alternative sources of supply (generator). It is worthy to note that this
project is subject to scrutiny and further development. I recommend that for future
development an overload protection system be included. I also recommend this project to the
entire field where electricity is highly needed and even to the small and medium entrepreneur
that the automatic change over switch with generator starting/shut down facility will help
them.
REFERENCE
[1] The Electrical Systems Design & Specification Handbook for Industrial Facilities,
By Steven J. Marrano, Craig DiLouie.
[5] Design of Automatic Change Over Switch with Generator Control Mechanism, By LS
Ezema. www.savap.org.pk/journals/ARInt./Vol.3(3)/2012(3.3-16).pdf