ELECTRIC POWER

• Raj Ramtahal
AUTOMATIC TRANSFER SWITCH & SWITCHGEARS
Automatic transfer switch (ATS)
• The completely automatic transfer switch monitors incoming voltage
from the utility line, around the clock.
• When utility power is interrupted, the automatic transfer switch
immediately senses the problem and signals the generator to start.
• Once the generator is running at proper speed, the automatic transfer
switch safely shuts off the utility line and simultaneously opens the
generator power line from the generator.
• Within seconds, your generator system begins supplying electricity to
the critical emergency circuits of your home or business. The transfer
switch continues to monitor the utility line conditions.
• When the automatic transfer switch senses the utility line voltage has
returned at a steady state, it re-transfers the electrical load back to the
utility line and resumes monitoring for subsequent utility loss. The
generator will continue to run for an engine cool-down period of several
minutes while the entire system stands ready for the next power outage.
ATS
• The automatic transfer switch commands the generator
to start.
• When generator is ready to supply power, the ATS
switches emergency power to the load.
• Once utility power is restored ATS switches to utility
power and commands generator shutdown
• There are two basic types of automatic transfer
switches, circuit breaker and contactor.
• The circuit breaker type has two interlocked circuit
breakers, so only one breaker can be closed at any
anytime.
• The contactor type is a simpler design that is
electrically operated and mechanically held.
• What is an Automatic Transfer Switch?
• Low-voltage automatic transfer switch assemblies
provide a reliable means of transferring essential
load connections between primary and alternate
sources of electrical power.
• Data centers, hospitals, factories and a wide range
of other facility types that require continuous or
near-continuous uptime typically utilize an
emergency (alternate) power source such as a
generator or a backup utility feed when their
normal (primary) power source becomes
unavailable.
• A typical transfer sequence includes:
1.The normal utility power source fails.
2.The transfer switch shifts the load to the
emergency power source when power from the
generator or backup utility feed is stable and within
prescribed voltage and frequency tolerances.
Depending on a facility’s needs and preferences, the
transfer process is self-acting or manually-initiated.
3.The transfer switch returns the load from the
emergency power source to the normal power
source when utility power is restored. The retransfer
process is self-acting or manually-initiated.
What ATS arrangements are available?
A variety of arrangements are available utilizing two
power sources and three power sources.
Two power sources
Utility-Generator
The standard transfer switch configuration includes
an electric utility service and a generator for normal
and emergency power sources.
This system arrangement is typically referred to as
an emergency standby generator system.
The single generator shown may be several engine-
generator sets operating in parallel.
UTILITY-GENERATOR SYSTEM
Utility-Utility
This use case employs two utility sources that
provide redundancy in the distribution system and
allows for quick restoration of service to the load if
an upstream equipment failure occurs.
The two sources can be independent of each other,
requiring the public utility company to provide dual
electric services, or they can originate from a single
electric service that is distributed through
redundant paths within the facility.
UTILITY - UTILITY
. Generator-Generator
Transfer switches, at times, are applied between two generator sets for
prime power use, often at remote installations.
In such cases, the generator may be required to provide continuous
power 24/7.
To equally share run-time, source power is periodically alternated
between the generator sets.
THREE POWER SOURCES

Utility—Generator—Generator
Critical facilities with an emergency standby
generator system will often include provisions for a
second generator connection to serve as a
redundant emergency backup that can be used
during periods of inclement weather, or when
scheduled maintenance is being performed on the
first generator.
As shown, in some cases, the first generator is
permanently installed onsite whereas the second
generator will be a portable roll-up type that is
deployed when needed.
TWO OPTIONS OF THREE POWER SOURCES
Utility—Utility—Generator
This configuration expands on the redundancy provided by a dual utility
arrangement and includes an emergency standby generator source. As shown, the
generator can be dedicated for use by a single transfer switch or shared among
multiple transfer switches employing a priority control scheme.
 Different ATS transition types
Transfer switches transition loads between normal and emergency power sources
with open or closed options.
The specific functions performed by a given load and the importance of those
functions to safety or security play an important role in determining which kind of
transition is required.

OPEN TRANSITION
An open transition is a break-before-make transfer.
The transfer switch breaks its connection to one power source before making a
connection to the other. Open transitions include open-delayed and open in-phase.

CLOSED TRANSITION
A closed transition is a make-before-break transfer.
The transfer switch makes a connection to a second power source before breaking
its connection with the first power source. As there’s no gap between
disconnection and connection, downstream loads receive continuous power
throughout the transfer process.
ATS MODES OF OPERATION
ATS modes of operation
• Manual Transfer -initiation and operation are performed
manually, typically by pushing a button or moving a
handle; initiation occurs locally
• Non-automatic-Manually initiate a transfer by pressing a
button or rotating a switch to cause an internal
electromechanical device to electrically operate the
switching mechanism; initiation can occur locally or
remotely
• Automatic-Transfer switch controller is self-acting and
completely manages both initiation and operation;
initiation is triggered when the automatic controller
senses an unavailability or loss of source power followed
by operation of the switching mechanism
What types of switching mechanisms are available?
The switching mechanism is the part of a transfer
switch that is physically responsible for carrying the
rated electrical current and shifting the load
connection from one power source to another. These
include:

Contactor type
This is the most common and typically most
economical switching mechanism type. Contactors
are constructed as an electrically-controlled, double-
throw switch where a single operator opens one set of
power contacts while closing a second set.
CONTACTOR TYPE ATS
ATS TYPES
Molded case type
Routinely used for closing and interrupting a circuit between
separable contacts under both normal and abnormal
conditions, molded case switches feature simple designs
and are capable of supporting either a mechanically
operated, over-center toggle or a motor operator.

Power frame type

Power frame switches are larger, faster and more powerful
than molded case switches, and are capable of handling up
to 5,000 amps. A two-step stored energy technology is
utilized that permits manual and electrical operation under
load
 SWITCHGEARS
Switchgear:
Definition:
The apparatus used for controlling, regulating and switching
on or off the electrical circuit in the electrical power system
is known as switchgear.
The switches, fuses, circuit breaker, isolator, relays, current
and potential transformer, indicating instrument, lightning
arresters and control panels are examples of the switchgear
devices.
The switchgear system is directly linked to the supply system.
It is placed in both the high and low voltage side of the power
transformer.
It is used for de-energizing the equipment for testing and
maintenance and for clearing the fault.
When the fault occurs in the power system, heavy current
flow through equipment due to which the equipment get
damaged, and the service also get interrupted.
So to protect the lines, generators, transformers and other
electrical equipment from damage automatic protective
devices or switchgear devices are required.
The automatic protective switchgear mainly consists of the
relay and circuit breaker.
When the fault occurs in any section of the system, the
relay of that section comes into operation and close the
trip circuit of the breaker which disconnects the faulty
section.
The healthy section continues supplying loads as usual,
and thus there is no damage to equipment and no complete
interruption of supply.
SWITCHGEARS
• TRAM SWITCHGEAR
 HV SWITCHGEAR

This circuit breaker uses both SF6 and air as insulation.

An isolation switch is a manually operated mechanical switch which electrically isolates
a circuit from the main power; it helps to ensure that there is an efficient distribution of
power
In an electric power system, switchgear is composed of
electrical disconnect switches, fuses or circuit breakers
used to control, protect and isolate electrical equipment.
Switchgear is used both to de-energize equipment to allow
work to be done and to clear faults downstream. This type
of equipment is directly linked to the reliability of the
electricity supply.

The earliest central power stations used simple open knife

switches, mounted on insulating panels of marble or
asbestos. Power levels and voltages rapidly escalated,
making opening manually operated switches too dangerous
for anything other than isolation of a de-energized circuit.
SWITCHEARS

Oil-filled switchgear equipment allow arc energy to be

contained and safely controlled. By the early 20th century,
a switchgear line-up would be a metal-enclosed structure
with electrically operated switching elements, using oil
circuit breakers.
Today, oil-filled equipment has largely been replaced by air-
blast, vacuum, or SF6 equipment, allowing large currents
and power levels to be safely controlled by automatic
equipment.
High-voltage switchgear was invented at the end of the 19th
century for operating motors and other electric machines.
The technology has been improved over time and can now
be used with voltages up to 1,100 kV.
SUBSTATION SWITCHGEARS
Typically, switchgear in substations are located on both the
high- and low-voltage sides of large power transformers.
The switchgear on the low-voltage side of the transformers
may be located in a building, with medium-voltage circuit
breakers for distribution circuits, along with metering,
control, and protection equipment.
For industrial applications, a transformer and switchgear line-
up may be combined in one housing, called a unitized
substation (USS).
According to the latest research by visiongain, the worldwide
switchgear market is expected to achieve $152.5 billion by
2029 at a CAGR of 5.9%. Growing investment in renewable
energy and enhanced demand for safe and secure electrical
distribution systems are expected to generate the increase.
Types of Switchgear
The switchgear is mainly classified into two types, the
outdoors type and the indoor type.
For voltage above 66kV, the output switchgear is used.
Because for the high voltage, the building work will
unnecessarily increase the installation cost owing to large
spacing between the conductor and large size of insulators.
Below the 66kv there is no difficulty in providing the
building work for the switchgear at a reasonable cost.
The indoor type switchgear is of metal clad type and is
compact. Because of the compactness, the safety
clearance for operation is also reduced and thus reduced
the area required.