How To Diagnose & Fix Problems With Your Automatic Transfer Switch?

Has your generator been acting strangely lately? The culprit could be a defective transfer switch. Want to learn more about this particular component? Well, you will have to read this blog post in full. We have covered everything you ever wanted to know about transfer switch like;

 What is a transfer switch?

 How many types of transfer switches are there?

 Working principle of automatic transfer switch &

 Different reasons why your automatic transfer switch may malfunction

Transfer Switch: What Is It & How Does It Work?

In a nutshell, the transfer switch is an electric device that essentially makes sure that at any particular time, the load circuit is connected with either the main power source or the backup power source (the generator); so that any kind of direct connection between those two power sources can be prevented.

At the most basic level, there are two different types of transfer switches; manual and automatic. And, in this blog post, we have focused on Automatic Transfer Switch or ATS.

Automatic Transfer Switch or ATS, as is evident from the name as well, is an automated unit with a dedicated control unit. The control unit, when it detects that the primary power source has failed, will signal the backup power source to start. And, once the backup power source comes to life, it will switch the load circuit from the main power grid to the backup power source.

Now that you know the basics of the transfer switch, let's discuss some of the most commonly reported ATS problems.

Automatic Transfer Switch Not Working? Here’s why

Your emergency power system will not function if there is something wrong with the ATS. Wondering what may go wrong with the ATS? Well, many different things... Some of the most obvious ones are listed below. Plus, we have discussed some of the troubleshooting tips.

Problem #1- Circuit breaker has tripped

One of the most common reasons why your ATS may act up is a tripped circuit breaker. The sole purpose of the circuit breaker is to protect the ATS from electrical power surges or similar electrical anomalies. If for any reason one of the circuit breakers protecting the ATS is tripped, the ATS will not come to your rescue in the event of a power failure. Therefore, if you suspect a fault in your ATS, the first thing you should do is inspect the circuit breaker.

Fix:

Find out the reason why the circuit breaker tripped and act accordingly.

Problem #2- Bad wires

More often than not… it's a wire-related issue that compromises the functionality of the transfer switch. The ATS controller, as most of you probably know, relies on a two-wire start system. If for any reason the wires involved get damaged, the ATS will not work the way it should and may even cease operation. Just so you know, wires involved in ATS operation may get damaged due to power surges, electric short circuits, and numerous other things. If you don't want the issue to get worse, replace the defective wire.

Fix:

If the ATS has failed due to a bad wire, replace it and the problem will be resolved.

Problem #3- Defective controller

The controller is the centerpiece of an automatic transfer switch unit and plays a key role in switching between the primary and backup power sources. So, obviously… if something goes wrong with the controller, the ATS will malfunction. A professional technician will be able to tell you what to do with a faulty controller. Repair or reprogram it if possible. If the damage is beyond repair, replacing the faulty controller will do the trick.

Fix:

If the problem is traced back to the controller, call a technician. He'll be able to tell what went wrong and what you can do to fix the problem.

Problem #4- Water & contaminants

Water is the biggest enemy of anything powered by electricity and ATS is no exception. If somehow water enters the ATS, it will battle with all sorts of electrical problems. The accumulation of dust and dirt can also cause damage to the ATS. Rodents, if somehow get into the ATS, can damage vital components.

Fix:

Make sure that water, dust, and other unwanted things do not enter the ATS. Keep the rodents away from the ATS.

To Sum Things Up;

If something is wrong with the ATS, your emergency power source will be of no use in the event of a power outage. Therefore, if you suspect that your ATS is at fault, don't hesitate to call a professional.