How an Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) Works with a Generator 

Thank you!

Bob, you are indeed correct, it is dangerous to start and stop a generator under 'load' or with a load on.The ATS does take care of this though. From about 1:40 on this video, you will see the changeover process, but what I suppose our engineer doesn't voice is that when the ATS starts the generator, it acts as a breaker, which only applies the household load from the generator when the unit is ready. Now in this video, the changeover is very quick, for 2 reasons. The generator had been completely serviced minutes before the video was taken, allowing it to start and run very quickly, but also, because the generator and ATS we're next to each other, the signal distances were short, so were not delayed in anyway. So, to put your mind at rest, the ATS won't 'bugger' your generator, in fact will help keep it safe whilst it starts up. The only thing you do have to consider is, if you are running a lot of stuff in the house when the mains fails, if it more then the generator can cope with, once the load is switched from the household consumer unit to generator power, this can overload the generator. Now, the generator has overload protection - at least, this Hyundai unit does, but some may vary. But it will stop emitting power and could need resetting so it is important to consider what's on when the power goes out. Hope this helps.

Bob Bailey Smartest thing to do is to only add some circuits to your ATS, so if generator power comes up your washing machine stays off. This way the chance you overload your generator is very small.

+jim575757 Correct. Though if you'd prefer to have the option of running everything in the household when the power goes out, but not necessarily have it all try and come on automatically and surge, you can opt for a manual transfer switch. Obviously not quite as convenient but potentially more suited to a generator this size, as the genny is roughly only 1/5 of the amperage of a typical household. Auto changeover is great peace of mind though, when properties rely on water pumps to keep drainage clear and/or other vital systems in the home going.

Your generator surely would have an overload protection. You will not damage it. If it can't keep up, it will go to safe mode.

Andreas Christodoulou it's the brain of the unit that sends control power to the generator think of it as the ecm is the brain now the hard-drive or processor is the brain so the brain will control all 4 time delays for the Ats it all senses a lost in commercial power and senses the return for retransfer hope that helps

the ATS tells the generator when to start...

there is a volt free NO relay in the ATS , this is held open when mains is available . When mains fails the relay contacts close sending the generator battery 12v pos signal back to the generator input circuit . . this initiates the generator to start. hope this helps though a little late .

No problem!

+john palma Thank you

+vivian blinks If you see in the video, when the whole generator is in shot, the cable comes around and into the front control panel of the generator. Here there is an actual ATS port, where a plug fits in, and we can provide both the comms cable and the plug for the unit. The comms cable can be lengths up to 20m, but it is recommended that this be the limit, so that the 12v charge to backfeed the generators battery stays strong.

can the same thing in done in a portable generator?what is the symbol of the plug in of the ATS swicht in the control panel of the generator

+vivian blinks We've just recorded this quick video for you, just to highlight the ATS port on this unit: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-7yUKEEaa6Tc.html. It is not a generic port on all diesel generators and unfortunately there is no universal or industry standard logo or icon on generator ports. They can vary widely, but this port is current for the 3000rpm Hyundai diesel generators the DHY6000SE/LR and DHY8000SE/LR models. On smaller, more portable inverter generators or open frame units, they are typically not designed for home backup in the first instant, so do not make use of an ATS port at all.

thanks alot

+vivian blinks You're welcome

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