The essentials of an

automatic changeover
systems in medium voltage
networks
By Edvard   | November, 4th 2019 | 1 comment  | Save to PDF
Share!    

Home / Technical Articles / The essentials of an automatic changeover systems in medium voltage networks

Automatic transfer switch (ATS)

In medium voltage distribution networks, it is important to maintain a high
level of reliability. Industry relies on the continuous operation of critical plant,
which requires no or little disruption to the electrical supply. There are
various methods for building redundancy of supply into a system.
The essentials of an automatic changeover systems in medium voltage
networks
The most commonly used methods are a dual transformer fed supply and/or
a standby generator sized to keep critical plant online. Automatic changeover
systems are designed to monitor and maintain continuous supply.

Today’s technology allows the supervision and control of an entire

distribution system from a single controller, referred to as an automatic
transfer switch (ATS) or automatic changeover unit (ACU). Although
there are a wide range of products available, they all have the same primary
function.

The equipment monitors 3-phase voltages on all power sources. Power

supply sources are often prioritized and if any phase voltage on the primary
power source falls outside a predetermined range for a specific amount of
time, the power source is switched over to a back-up supply. Once the
primary power source is re-established, the power source is switched back to
the primary power source.
In medium voltage systems, switching is performed using either contactors
or circuit breakers. Most ATS controllers can control both types of switching
devices.

Automatic changeover systems range from simple main/standby set-ups to

highly complex distribution systems and this is where the selection of an
appropriate ATS controller is important. Systems can be operated in
automatic or
manual mode.
 In AUTO mode, supervision and power source switching is carried out
entirely by the ATS controller.
 In MANUAL mode, power source switching is carried out by manual
selection via the ATS controller.
NOTE! For safety reasons, manual mode cannot be used in certain network
configurations.
Table of contents:
 ATS Switching devices
 Typical circuit breaker control
 Typical contactor control
 Operating modes in automatic changeover systems
 N1+N2 mode
 N1+G mode
 N1+N2+N3 mode
 N1+N2+G mode
 N1+N2+S mode

ATS Switching Devices

Typical Circuit Breaker Control
This information focuses on the double command operated (DCO)
method of circuit breaker control. DCO control uses normally-open
momentary contacts (ie pushbuttons) or a bistable relay to operate the shunt
closing and opening coils. Some circuit breakers use voltage fed open and
close command signals while others use volt-free signals.

Medium voltage circuit breakers can be vacuum or gas (SF6) insulated, with
magnetic or motor charged spring operation.

Here are some examples of various double command operated (DCO)

control methods:

Wiring diagram #1
Motor operated circuit breaker using voltage fed open and close
command signals via momentary contact pushbuttons
 Figure 1 – MV
circuit breaker control diagram: Motor operated circuit breaker using voltage
fed open and close command signals via momentary contact pushbuttons

Where:

1. Auxiliary supply
2. Motor (spring charge)
3. Close shunt coil
4. Open shunt coil
5. Circuit breaker controller
6. External trip contact (eg. from motor protection relay)

Wiring diagram #2
Magnetic operated circuit breaker using volt-free open and close
command signals via bistable relay contacts
 Figure 2 – MV
circuit breaker control diagram: Magnetic operated circuit breaker using volt-
free open and close command signals via bistable relay contacts

Where:

1. Auxiliary supply
2. Circuit breaker control (open/close)
3. Circuit breaker controller
4. External trip contact (eg from motor protection relay)
A. Control supply
B. Command inputs (common, close, open)
Go back to Table of Contents ↑

Typical Contactor Control

Medium voltage contactors genarlly have two methods of control:

1. Single command operated control (SCO) – this requires a permanent

signal to close and maintain the contactor in the closed position. Removal
of the control signal will open the contactor.
2. Double command operated control (DCO) – this requires two separate
momentary contacts; one for the close command and one for the open
command. The DCO control method typically uses normally open, spring
return pushbuttons for both the open and close commands.
Typically, command signals require an external voltage source and the
contactor controller itself requires a separate auxiliary voltage source.
Depending on the contactor make and model, electrical options are
available.

Some examples are shown in Table 1 below:

Table 1 – Electrical options of a contactor and their descriptions

Electrical option Description
Undervoltage shunt trip Only used with DCO control.
Lock-out solenoid Needs to be externally energised before contactor
main poles can be electrically operated.
Racking solenoid Needs to be externally energised before
a withdrawable contactor can be moved between
the test and service positions.
Auxiliary contacts Indicate the electrical state of the main contactor
poles.
Racking contacts Indicate whether a withdrawable contactor is in the
service or test position.
Fuse blow indicator Indicate fuse condition. Operated by striker pin
contacts and only available on contactors with integral
medium voltage fuses

The following examples show typical contactor control circuits:

Wiring diagram #1
Single command operated contactor control (typical)
 Figure 3 – MV
contactor control diagram: Single command operated contactor control
(typical)

Where:

1. Auxiliary supply
2. Contactor controller
3. Control signal (maintained)
4. External trip contact (eg from motor protection relay)
A. Control supply
B. Command input

Wiring diagram #2
Double command operated contactor control (typical)
 Figure 4 – MV
contactor control diagram: Double command operated contactor control
(typical)

Where:

1. Auxiliary supply
2. Contactor controller
3. External trip contact (eg. from motor protection relay)
A. Control supply
B. Close input
C. Open input
Go back to Table of Contents ↑

Operating modes in automatic

changeover systems
The following are examples of common operating modes in automatic
changeover systems. Most ATS controllers can be programmed to operate
in any one of these modes.

N1+N2 mode
 Figure 5 – N1+N2
operating mode in automatic changeover systems
AUTO mode with line priority:
N1 is the prioritized power source and, if healthy, will always supply the
receiving network (DB). If N1 is lost, the controller switches over to power
source N2. The controller switches back to N1 once it has been re-
established.

AUTO mode without line priority:

The first power source verified as healthy will supply the receiving network
(DB). If this power source is lost, the other power source will be selected and
remain as the supply as long as it is healthy.

If both power sources are lost, both sources N1 and N2 are isolated from
the receiving network (DB).
MANUAL mode:
Select N1 or N2 as the power source.

Go back to Table of Contents ↑

N1+G mode
 Figure 6 – N1+G
operating mode in automatic changeover systems
AUTO mode:
N1 is the prioritized power source and, if healthy, will always supply the
receiving network (DB). If power source N1 is lost, the controller commands
the standby generator to start. Once the generator is at correct voltage and
frequency, power source G is switched in to supply the receiving network
(DB). The controller switches back to N1 once it has been re-established.

MANUAL mode:
Select N1 or G as the power source.

Go back to Table of Contents ↑

N1+N2+N3 mode
 Figure 7 –
N1+N2+N3 operating mode in automatic changeover systems
AUTO mode with line priority:
N1 is the prioritized power source and, if healthy, will always supply the
receiving network (DB). If N1 is lost, the controller switches over to power
source N2. If power source N2 is lost, the controller switches over to
power source N3.

The controller switches back to N1 once it has been re-established.

AUTO mode without line priority:

The first power source verified as healthy will supply the receiving network
(DB). If this power source is lost, the next healthy power source is selected
and will remain as the supply as long as it is healthy. The order of power
source selection is normally predetermined, eg N1 then N2 then N3.

MANUAL mode:
Select N1 or N2 or N3 as the power source.

Go back to Table of Contents ↑

N1+N2+G mode
 Figure 8 –
N1+N2+G operating mode in automatic changeover systems
AUTO mode with line priority:
N1 is the prioritized power source and, if healthy, will always supply the
receiving network (DB). If N1 is lost, the controller switches over to power
source N2. The controller switches back to N1 once it has been re-
established.

If both power sources N1 and N2 are lost, the controller commands the

standby generator to start. Once the generator is at correct voltage and
frequency, power source G is switched in to supply the receiving network
(DB). The controller switches back to the first re-established power source
N1 or N2.
AUTO mode without line priority:
The first power source verified as healthy will supply the receiving network
(DB). If this power source is lost, the other power source will be selected and
remain as the supply as long as it is healthy.

If both power sources N1 and N2 are lost, the controller commands the
standby generator to start. Once the generator is at correct voltage and
frequency, power source G is switched in to supply the receiving network
(DB). The controller switches back to the first re-established power source
N1 or N2.

MANUAL mode:
Select N1 or N2 or G as the power source

Go back to Table of Contents ↑

N1+N2+S mode

Figure 9 –
N1+N2+S operating mode in automatic changeover systems
AUTO mode:
Providing power sources N1 and N2 are healthy, N1 will supply network DB1
and N2 will supply network DB2. Bus coupler S will remain open.

If power source N1 is lost, this supply is isolated and bus coupler S is

closed. Power source N2 now supplies networks DB1 and DB2. Once power
source N1 is re-established, bus coupler S is opened and N1 will supply
network DB1 and N2 will supply network DB2.

If power source N2 is lost, this supply is isolated and bus coupler S is

closed. Power source N1 now supplies networks DB1 and DB2. Once power
source N2 is re-established, bus coupler S is opened and N1 will supply
network DB1 and N2 will supply network DB2.

MANUAL mode:
Select N1 and N2 as power sources with bus coupler S open. Select power
source N1 with bus coupler S closed and power source N2 isolated. Select
power source N2 with bus coupler S closed and power source N1 isolated.

Go back to Table of Contents ↑

Source:  Medium voltage guide by Aucom