How Does Your ATS Operate?
Your ATS facilitates a reliable sequence of events that transfer load connections between your primary and alternate sources of power. Whether you operate a healthcare facility, manufacturing facility, retail enterprise, or data center, this ensures a smooth and continuous flow of power to your computers and other machinery. This helps protect these from damage that power surges and power loss can cause.
Dedicated Logic and Manual Transfers
Dedicated, preprogrammed control logic governs the operation of most ATS. When the voltage and frequency parameters are breached because of a power failure, the ATS shifts the load to the emergency power source. This monitors the voltage and frequency of both your primary and alternative source(s) of power. When it detects a problem, it is self-acting and requires no human interaction to initiate the transfer. Moreover, it is a smooth and efficient process, and you may not even know that the transfer has taken place.
While less common, it is also possible to program the ATS so that it requires manual initiation. This type of ATS is often easier to isntall and less expensive. However, the main drawback is that the use of manual ATS can result in a temporary loss of power that can result in operational disruptions.
Potential Sources of Power
The most common use of an ATS is between a utility provider and an emergency standby power generator. This can be a single power generator or parallel systems.
While most systems are set up to provide transfer from a public utility to a generator, it is also possible to set up the ATS to perform a transfer from utility to utility, or generator to generator power sources. The viability of these options depends on the utility power sources available, the facility’s location, and the availability of additional generators, particularly at remote locations where operators may have a backup for the backup generator.
Of course, you can never have too much redundancy. If you operate a healthcare facility or a data center, you may have multiple options in place to ensure operational continuity. In these instances, the ATS will attempt to transfer the power source to the primary backup, and if it fails, it will transfer to the secondary backup.
Switches and Transition Types
Open transition switches will break the connection from one source before connecting to the secondary source. This can result in a slight delay as the connection is made. Conversely, closed transition ATS will make the connection to the secondary source before breaking from the primary source. This results in a smooth and continuous transfer of power.
We encourage you to contact Gen-Tech Power Generation Specialists at (800) 625-8324 for more information about ATS operation and use. Our team of certified specialists can help you determine which options are best suited for your systems and operational needs.