Transfer Switches - DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MTS and ATS, & HOW THEY WORK
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- Äas pĆidĂĄn 8. 07. 2024
- A transfer switch is a device that is used to switch back and forth between two different power supplies. Most of the time one source is the utility company (the grid), and the other is for a backup generator in the event utility power fails.
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There are two types of transfer switches you're likely to run into from time to time. The first is the Manual Transfer Switch (MTS). This is an enclosure with an external handle that can be manually moved from one position to another. This is beneficial to have for individuals who own homes by the coast, or in areas where power outages don't affect major operations. The next type is the Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS). The ATS is more commonly found in industrial and commercial buildings where no matter what, power must remain on. Many hospitals have ATS's protecting their electrical system so in the event of power failure, critical life safety equipment can continue running.
How a transfer switch works is essentially the same, regardless if it is an MTS or ATS. They're both going to have a set of "common" terminals that the building's wiring system gets hooked up to. They both also have two different "source" terminals that each power source gets connected to. The way they differ is that an MTS requires manual switching to change sources, where an ATS monitors the utility power and changes sources automatically when a power failure occurs.
#transferswitch #ats #mts #powersource
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At my company in Florida we regularly install generators at wealthy customers homes. We don`t deal with portable generators, only permanent location on a prefab concrete slab. They are always used with automatic transfer switches by generac, I cant imagine one of our customers going outside to the side of the house to transfer it themselves lol. The sound of the automatic transfer switch startles people who don't know what to expect. Often load shedding modules are used for the air handlers because these large homes have several ac units... It's crazy so many people have no idea how much work it takes to do this kind of operation. If your really unlucky and cannot trench from the transfer switch to the generator, you need to route the conduit from the transfer switch through the attic to the other side of the house. Sometimes the meter can is near the front door and the generator is on the other side of the house. Being in Florida also does not help because you are trying not to pass out from the heat! đ
When I was a kid, we had a cord coming out the side of the house to plug in to a portable generator. Our "Transfer switch" was just two main source breakers in our breaker panel, one for utility power and one for that cord, with a metal plate that made it so that when one source breaker was switched on, the other was blocked into the off position.
Inrtelock kit
The manual transfer switch you showed in your video is the exact same one in my house that I installed when I redid my service đđ
Thank you, always enjoy your videos
Informative, and great video as always. That brief image about a minute into the video of a flooded downtown area is in Niles Michigan. I live close to where that image was taken. Kinda cool to see my town, in your video. That flood happened about 4 years ago. It was one of the worst we have had.
Just about finished up a 750 and a 1 meg gen for a pot farm down here in FL. As a 1st year apprentice it is fuggin sweet to be a part of everything from start to finish.
Automatic transfer switches are frequently found on RVs, as well!
For my line of work as a sprinklerfitter, electric fire pumps have manual transfer switch for the back up generator. Itâs part of our performance test to run the pump at 150% then kill normal power to run it on the backup power.
Opposite rotation is a simple fix on the electrical end. Thatâs why your supposed to bump test the pump in normal power and backup power when you install a new controller for the simple fact itâs just flipping some wires around to correct the problem. And yes a fire pump performance test is running the fire pump at churn which is no flow, 50%, 100%, and 150%. The fire pump passes the performance test if it achieves the numbers needed for 100% but we put some stress on it and flow it at its max thatâs when we transfer power:
Iâm by no means an electrician but I do know enough to be dangerous especially in the fire protection trade. But I also know when you stop and call the professionals. We donât do any wiring higher than 110. We install the controllers and once power is brought in we adjust the pressure switch once proper rotation is confirmed.
Not only does an ATS monitor Utility Mains (On/Off), but it can monitor Utility Voltage Fluctuations (Over Voltage and Under Voltage). It can also monitor Frequency of the Utility Power. Any deviations from the Set Point Value, and the ATS will drop the Mains, and transfer over to Gen Power.
Those photos were helpful to understand what happens. Since the neutral/ground bond can be at only one place for the service, there are only two possibilities. With the bond always at the service entrance, the generator frame cannot bond neutral, with a four wire feed back to the service entrance where the bond remains. The photo at 2:47 shows no switching of neutral, so the generator neutral must be unbonded at source. If the generator frame is bonded to neutral, you need to find a way to delete the neutral bond at the service entrance when the generator is working, and to delete the generator neutral when power is restored. Presumably that would require a more complicated neutral pole switch tied to the main switch.
Why are you trying to switch the neutral? Also, most dryers and many ranges from years ago had cases bonded to their neutrals. If the bond happens on the appliance side of the cord, it's not THAT bad. A separate ground is better, but a bonded ground-neutral wire in the cord was standard for a long time, though the current code won't allow it. Also, consider that appliances have different rules. All we need to worry about as electricians is whether it's UL listed and what the instructions say to hook up.
Love all the content man. Definitely a huge help and allows for us to bring some knowledge and understanding to the jobđ€đŸ
Wish he would respond to comments but whatever.
Good information!!
I love this guys station solid info
Great way to break that down
This was so helpful
Awesome video đđđ»đđ»đđ»
I do a ton of generators up in New Hampshire. All are ATS. We do the gas side of it too and get average 10k pure unit. The once a year service is a nice money maker too.
Appreciate the breakdown. The simpler, the better.
You explained it clearly
Good content!
Cool to see these products evolve for solar+battery purposes.
In Automatic transfer switches I love to use load shedding on the auto transfer switch. Just wire a UL listed generator for alarm call center. It has utility with generator back up with a second generator that back up the first generator. Then it has back up battery banks so it both generator fails the still be power for central station. Load shedding make generator so much better for high demand stuff to run.
Again, you da man !
Got any tips on managing the neutrals and can the affect how you bond your neutral?
Thanks
Hey im a first year apprentice and I know u can only cover so much but appreciate the information i work with a 25 yr vet but his process of teaching is me just watching and doing with no sound explanation of how things really work ....its frustrating at times
How's it going on your second year? I'm just about to do my third year
Hey can you make a video about UPSâs ainât gonna lie i enjoy your videos i got a lot to learn am when i ask my coworkers they have no idea how to explain stuff like surge protectors...switch gears....ground rings I recommend to a couple of green helpers from my jobsite and they find your videos very helpful
Just found your site and am amazed at the wealth of information. I just bought an MTS (Reliance Controls 306A, 6 circuits, 16â conduit, wires are about 24-36â). Thereâs not much room near my load center to connect the MTS. Would it be unwise to run the MTS to a metal junction box, then run wires through a metal conduit from the junction box to the load center? Would there be any reason such as code, etc, why the MTS would need to be near the load center? Was hoping to mount the MTS on an adjacent wall. Thanks so much. Big fan.
Just found you, good stuff!
About 8 months into the trade, the company Iâm working for just did a massive custom ats with a generac generator for a massive elderly home. So it was awesome to get a little more input to what we did but as you know 8 months Iâm just a hand lolđ
Hey Dustin love all the videos. I am trying my best to start to understand transfer switches and standby generators. I am looking at doing a service upgrade to my home. Going from a 100amp service to a 200amp service. I am wanting to add a 20kw whole house generator. My question is how does a transfer switch work in conjunction with your main breaker. In other words if you have a main breaker outside near your electrical meter, what keeps the generator from sending power into the house. Thank you for all the great information.
The transfer switch just needs to interrupt the panel feeder (wires between your meter and the panel breaker) and the generator will feed into that transfer switch.
How'd the project go?
Learn something new every day.... #sweetass
DUSTIN! I have a 1940s Murray fuse panel that I'm looking to swap out for standard circuit breaker panel. I know what I need to do, but it would be awesome to see you break this process down since I learn so much from you. Thanks!
Pull all the fuses, turn off the main breaker (If there is one). Once every circuit is off in the house, go outside pull your meter out of the socket. You can now work inside the house because there will be no power inside. Label all of your circuits before hand. Make sure to mark 240v circuits for 240 and don't put 120v stuff on as 240.
Get a nice battery powered work light, you're probably going to need it!
Or call a licensed electrician because this is a big project. All of your new 120v breakers need to be AFCI as per the NEC
Thank you for this video. I have an MTS which I'm just learning about. Do you suggest I turn off all my breakers inside my panel before I switch the MTS for generator? I have a12,500 peak watts with 9,500 running watt generator. 2,200sq ft. home.
Is there a transfer switch that transfers multiple power sources such as being able to go from the grid then picking between solar and also a generator? love the vids bro great work!
ATSs are on damn near every data center
Next question , if the manual transfer and bypass switch is locked in the off position does it mean that both the grid and the ac power from the inverter are working simultaneously? In that when the grid is up the grid feeds the house but when the grid goes down ( hybrid string inverter like sol-arc 12) the inverter will feed the house?
Thank you again
We just did an ats at my job in the generator room in a supermarket
Question - I am working on a large hospital project and a question came up if the mechanical systems are on emergency power. I asked the Electrical engineer and he said there are 4 ATS categories and the Mechanical systems are on either the equipment or Life safety categories so there is very little chance they will be shed. How do ATS categories work? In our case we have 3 large generators and the system is designed so that 2 of them should be able to handle the entire campus at 50% load. How does the ATS know if it needs to shed its circuit?
Thank you for the info đđđđđđđđââââââââââ
Great đ
Working on this at work im a apprentice and i want to learn how to build up and connect ats
Can you discuss how it is installed/set up via riser diagram? Thanks, I appreciate your videos
This please!
Could you please show a wiring diagram of how to hook up a portable generator to a residential breaker panel?
This seems like a great idea to power one side of my panel than then to pick a few independent circuit đ đ
How do you power only one side of your panel? Do your bus bars split down the middle or something? Even if they do, how do you disconnect them while the generator is on and reconnect after the utility power comes back?
Better idea... power your whole panel and switch off the circuits you don't need!
At 2:14, why is the Utility's Neutral feed not transferred also? On manual transfer, while running from a generator during a power outage, utility neutral and genny neutral are connected. Doesn't this create a problem when utility power is first restored?
I have a question on a GE 200amp non-fused manual transfer switch. If the wiring diagram shows that from the utility to main disconnect switch then it goes to the ac combiner then to top of the manual transfer and bypass switch. then to the main service panel, can. instead of going directly to the ac combiner the wires go directly to the manual transfer and by pass switch and then the top wires come from the ac combiner, is this possible? In essence, there are three sets of wires into the manual transfer and bypass switch and a load side (fourth wires) to the main panel.
Thanks (newbie question)
I have thought about getting one put in for a 30A 120/220 portable generator. I have heard some say those are for the big pad mounted generators, and a portable should not be used that way as prone to overload/damage something, but generator has 30A breaker on it too so even if did get overloaded. I have seen like an 8000 watt generator run critical things in a house+TV, well, microwave no issue. Only time would be issue would be like electric heating, ranges, etc. IMHO you should be able to connect a 30a generator to a transfer switch and run the house on same panel as long as don't run electric oven, etc it should be fine. Even if you did the generator breaker or breaker in the transfer switch would trip.
I think I saw Honeywell had a manual transfer switch, but had some form of regulation so it never let more than 30A through. Saw once but could never find again. They also have split bus panels where like one section is utility only and then some sort of interlock a second section can be transferred utility or generator.
I saw one time guy at large home improvement chain one of their employees told a customer just splice generator on a 30A 220 breaker and turn off the main breaker. To my understanding that is illegal as the main could fail closed. I have seen some panels they have sliders, etc but basically do this same thing so not sure how that is any different besides the interlock. Be nice they made like a proper transfer switch like you show but also had a breaker for the generator, granted generator should have one too.
You can set up a 30 amp twist lock receptacle to backfeed your panel. For this setup you need to buy a generator interlock for your electrical panel. It's the most important piece of safety in a system like this. Do not back feed your panel unless you're using an interlock. I will not explain more because if you don't understand you should call a licensed electrician to do this kind of work. Not really something for a hobbyist or homeowner unless you know exactly what you're doing
Of course you can tie a portable generator to either a manual or automatic transfer switch. There is absolutely no danger of 'overload or damage'. My main backup generator is a portable 6kW Kubota diesel, but bolting it to a concrete base would change anything electrically.
I didn't see any ASCO switches. LOL, I am a fan of ASCO and Russel. As someone who works on them, I have learned over the years.
Suppose I wanted to have an automatic transfer switch in my home that would switch from utility power over to battery/solar power when the first was lost. Is this possible? And would it be possible to have the switch go back to utility power when ever it came back online? Only mission critical circuits would be don't the ABT switch like fridge and some lighting circuits. Suggestions would be great. One last item of interest what if the power goes out for a second and comes back on again what prevents the ABT from switching back and forth when power does not go out for very long?
Sweet! Perfect timing after the discussion with Z in discord. I rather like this shorter format!
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I think he sees what we are discussing and then just makes a video. XD jk jk good job explaining it Dustin.
Generac refused to replaced or to provided services on a difected contactor in a Transfer Switch panel I purchased, since the panel arrived with no serial number.
What about if I want to conect a 4 poles auto transfer switch , my solar inverter on the 3 phase electrical box of my home? Is there any suggestions. Fotos video s? Thanks in advance!!
Hey I know this video is a year old but can you explain the contact positions an ats is supposed to be in? Like de energized state and normally open etc... Thanks man!
EDIT: Also maybe should a ladder diagram?
I heard of a 3 phase generator being replaced and they got the rotation wrong, the building had 3 phase motors. When it was tested and the ATS switched from gen to commercial power it wasn't pretty.
Hook in to the terminals with #10 for the generator 30 amp and rely on the generator 30 amp breaker for overcurrent protection correct?
I have a meter then going to my panel in my house 200 amp if I decide to put a mts in between should I put a 200 amp breaker after the meter like right next to it if so does this become my first disconnect for my bonded neutral also is it the same for meter boxes that are sold with a breaker attached
Can you explain with PV systems
Do I need a 2 pole or a 3 pole for a 100amp 240 v connection for a generator tie in
It is amazing how little information is out there on ATS and MTS. Also kind've disappointing how there are such limited options on residential ATS. There should be more options like 100 A that is somewhat affordable.
Dustin I like your discussion but I have one contradiction my company installs generators for residential all the time and we use ats we rarely use mts
Thatâs a much better option for sure, most of the work Iâve done on the coast (Texas) are MTS. Just cheaper, doesnât seem like most want to pay for ATS unless theyâre wealthy
Dido, we install about 50 ATS a year. In Maine it regular and banks finance it for people.
Same we only install MTSs for portable generators. Here in NJ, people have a lot of money. Also an MTS is useless if no one is home to switch it and the customer comes home to a fridge full of rotten food and a basement full of water.
We install them a lot for home stand by generators we usually do about 3-9 installs a week
ATS makes sense with a dedicated backup genset that can also be automatically started by the system. ATS is useless is you already own a 10kw or larger portable genset and have no interest in paying thousands of dollars more for yet another genset that will just sit there doing nothing for months if not years. A portable genset and a MTS means you have a system that can be used for other things like camping, worksite power, or at a remote cabin with no mains power within 100km. Itâs the difference between a $10-20,000 setup with exactly one use that you may never even use, and a $4-5,000 setup that has multiple uses and places it can be used. The best option is to have both, but not everyone has the cash sitting around for that.
We installed a 12KW Briggs and Stratton with an ATS and runs off propane last fall. No it wasnât cheap but we live in a climate with cold winters so the peace of mind of the power going off when weâre not home is worth it vs the pipes freezing because the powers off for an extended period of time. The engine starts within seconds,the load transfers after about 30 seconds and when the power restores it transfers back,does a cool down period then shuts off. Thereâs an onboard battery maintainer and block heater. No wasnât cheap but we usually get at least a half a dozen outages per year where we live ,sometimes as long as several days at a time if itâs a result of an ice storm.
I think the company I do 24kw installs for charges 11-12k for install. Hopefully for 12k you're a bit cheaper than that
I Been an apprentice for over a year now and so far I love it but I was wondering if you can make a video kinda motivating the younger guys (Iâm 20 btw) once I tell guys my age at work they sort of try to belittle me and act different towards me even tho I have a lot more knowledge and experience. It can be demotivating at times and a lot of times I just brush it off. Iâve seen all your videos and you never really went in depth on being a young electrician working with a lot of older guys. Awesome video btw maybe you can talk about it on journey to master?
I also am a younger electrician (20) and have had the same experience in the commercial side and it seems that what ever I suggest is invalid. Also they speak to me/the younger guys a lot differently. I would love to see a video about this!
Iâm 23 , I started at 20. When I started , even if I knew more than my boss , I always did what I was told , always with a good attitude . When I was at work I worked hard , when I was off work I was on the books . Also , make sure you gets lots of connections . Meeting other electricians is key . Once youâve been in for a while and youâve worked hard and become knowledgeable people will notice you . You will be different and you will be respected . People will be wanting you in their crew and will treat you with great respect . Itâs all about putting in the work , and the rest is only a matter of time . Iâm telling you from experience. Good luck !
Morris Cerulo I do all this.. still same results
Jim Gbe then youâre on the right path , itâs only a matter of time . Just stay consistent and be patient . Your time will come . đȘ
I'm 31 now. I started when I was 18. A lot of older guys get a lot of fun out of saying terrible things to younger guys. Older guys who joined the trades are really rough guys and a different breed.
Working with guys like that, I know most of them are doing it just to tease you, help you grow thicker skin. They think it's healthy for you and that you should bend to their way of life. Learn the trade, learn how to dish it out yourself, tease them for things you think they're doing wrong (make sure you're right). But just work in a way that they'll respect the hell out of you. Show up early every day, work your ass off, hustle. Learn the trade well and if they're worth anything they'll give you respect (and a hard time)
Im guessing u can have an ATS default to a solar inverter when it has power (daylight) and when it doesnt switch to mains power?
i work at a supply house and when somebody off the street needs a transfer switch, i have to translate that into a catalog number, and with dozens of "transfer switches" per MFG the odds of getting you the transfer switch you need is moot
So you would install the transfer sw in between the meter and the panel? With the generator hooked up to to the bottom lugs
Yes but I would just clarify what you mean by the bottom. I do generator maintenance and repairs so this is all I do.
I work mostly on Generacs but ATSs are pretty much all the same. There are 3 sets of lugs. The utility (usually N) where the utility power is connected, the standby/emergency (usually E) where the generator or other source is connected, and the load (usually T). They're configured in a way so that N or E are connected to T but never both.
Sometimes people hook their generator right up to their main panel or meter and people working on the utility are pretty much hooked up to the generator. Also when the utility voltage does come back, it can destroy the generator with this setup. Transfer switches isolate power to solve this problem.
i have a 100 amp main breaker can i still use this 50 transfer switch by Reliant
i like your shirt man..đ
Thanks, how to hook up an emergency power transfer switch to a multiwire branch circuit, if possible . . .. Two 20A breakers with handle ties feeding the kitchen. Yes, they are sharing a common neutral. The transfer switch has four 15A circuits; each circuit has a breaker and a 3 position switch: Line - Off - Gen Thanks, Bob
What is the MTS in the thumb nail? Make/Model?
From Georgia usa
How can I use a solar generator with ats. How do they communicate
Are there also MTS with 3 sources? I have a backup solar and primary solar. But also I have a EV of which I can use the battery for the house.
Nice one my idol I'm here again avid fan
Can I use an ATS with a battery generator?
We need a ats for solar panels that can detect the main power failure or brown out and disconnect without shutting off the solar array with generator backup
Generac clean energy back up!!! It is a solar ATS that also has a 10KW battery back up. Working on my second install now.
@@JsIsMsBsO ok so can you hook a generac generator to this?
Is it a whole house universal power supply?
or does it transfer off the grid?
Or is it one of those that have a critical load panel?
@@kareemt4526 this is a critical load situation. With one inverter you can support a continuous loaded of 240v @ 33A, it can peak at 40A for motor starts.
The hardware for a generation tie in is there but they have not amounted it yet, they have announced that it will be available by the end of Q2. The unofficial word is that it will not be brand specific but will have to need requirements like size, voltage, and has to be an automatic start back up generator.
@Tom Garbo they are a closed cell module battery unit. The wall mount has built in fans for cooling so it needs "working space", it does not need any external ventilation.
If you are interested read the new NEC 2020 article 706 for energy storage.
Should see the job I had to design with 3 ats
I am trying to find a solution that ties my existing Generac automatic transfer switch to a second transfer switch. The second transfer switch would have solar as normal supply and the alternate would be from the Generac automatic transfer switch which has grid power as primary and 24kw generator as secondary . It is for total home 200 amp service. I am looking for solution to isolate grid power from solar power that is safe and nec approved.
How do transfer switches deal with the neutral line?
Great Question! So, doesnât power back feed on the neutral? Letâs take a look at some fundamentals of electricity for this answer. We know that during a fault, power finds the path of least resistance to get back to the voltage source. So with a generator set up, the power produced by the generator is in DC, then converted into AC by rectifying it. With this theory, we can then assume since electricity is trying to return to the source, it would then return to the generator.
DPDT Contactor.
Dustin, do you have any thoughts about the interlock mechanisms that you can install on a panel as a substitute for a transfer switch for back up power applications? I makes it so that you cannot turn the main breaker on if you have the generator breaker in the on position.
They're the most important piece in the entire system if you're going to setup a circuit to backfeed from a portable generator. Forgetting/choosing to go without an interlock is a terrible way to do the job wrong. They're
This is what I've seen, and I've seen a lot of interlocked breakers on boats, too.
What controls the arcing at the terminals if the transfer switch is operated live?
Fret01 The switches are spring loaded to quickly engage the switch. Reduces arc.
@@KevinCoop1 - Thanks Kevin.
Fret01 No problem. An interesting thing he doesn't mention is if on generator, they synchronize with the utility before transferring back.
Yes there's always some arcing so I keep an eye out for pitted contacts.
@@KevinCoop1 It does not need to synchronize with the utility. They are completely segregated and never come into contact with each other.
YO YO!...switches be trippin yo
I made my own cuz I don't have much money I got a piece of troft or you could use 1900 boxes then use 3-way switches one side is the power company one side is my generator
You should do a detailed Video explaining how you did this, and how it worked.
Wondering how an ATS manages 2 utility sources with a generator backup as well as dual battery bank emergency sources
You typically wouldn't use a single ATS to manage a system like this. You would have two ATS's (1) would handle the Utility/Utility transfer and the output would be fed to an ATS that handles the Utility/Gen sources. This is usually referred to as a 3-Source System. When you introduce a battery system into the mix, you wouldn't use a traditional contactor based ATS. There is another type of switch called a Static Transfer Switch which uses MOSFETS to accomplish the transfer near instantaneously. These types of switches are what is found in UPS systems.
@@RussellKasem thanks Russell! As a system operator trainee, I had to map our new control room electrically. These were some questions I encountered through the process.
@@ryanpaulik864 You're welcome! I used to work for ASCO Power (Schneider Electric's ATS / PCS Division). They categorized this setup as a 3-Source System.
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Your a fucking beast. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and making it simple!
I have only installed one mts and it was a highend residence. Way to save a nickel idiot in so fl on the beach. There is alo the take about service rated and non service rated ats
In search of new employer. Wish me luck...đđ
hey bro. your video is useful but can you speak slowly.
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BRO IF I MOVE TO AUSTIN WILL YOU HIRE ME AS AN APPRENTICE. BESIDES WATCHING YOUR VIDEOS ZERO EXPERIENCE LOL
Well in this demonstration I think heâs more comfortable explaining 15 minutes of blah blah blah blah instead of showing actual equipment sad
So much talk with out actual wiring tutorial and diagram
Thanks
Got any tips on managing the neutrals and can the affect how you bond your neutral?
A tip : watch series on Flixzone. Me and my gf have been using it for watching all kinds of movies these days.
@Byron Enzo Definitely, been watching on flixzone for months myself =)