https://hackaday.com/2021/02/22/how-to-design-a-custom-generator-interlock-plate/

Schneider Electricin automaattisten syötönvaihtokytkimien TransferPacT-tuoteperheeseen kuuluu valikoima skaalautuvia, helposti muokattavia, suorituskyvyltään erinomaisia, älykkäitä ja kompaktin kokoisia automaattisia verkonvaihtokytkimiä. TransferPacT Automatic ATS-laite suorittaa verkonvaihdon automaattisesti ja sähköjärjestelmässä, jossa normaalin verkon lisäksi on käytössä toinen virtalähde, kuten generaattori, toinen muuntaja tai energiavarasto.

TransferPacT Automatic sisältää kaikki tarvittavat ominaisuudet yhdessä laitteessa ja on helppo valita, asentaa ja käyttää. Laitteen toimintoja voidaan laajentaa lisämoduulien avulla esimerkiksi niin, että verkon vikatilanteessa TransferPacT antaa generaattorille käynnistyskäskyn, valvoo generaattorin käynnistymistä ja suorittaa siirron vasta kun generaattori on onnistuneesti käynnistynyt. Muita mahdollisia lisätoimintoja ovat esimerkiksi generaattorikäytöissä kuormankevennys ennen käynnistymistä tai verkonvaihdon pakko-ohjaus korkean energiatariffin takia.

TransferPacT on IEC-60947-6-1-standardin mukainen PC-luokan automaattinen syötönvaihtokytkin. Jos vaihtoehtoinen virtalähde on heti saatavilla, niin vaihdon nopeus lähteestä toiseen on vain 500 ms. Tuoteperhe kattaa nyt virta-alueen 32 A – 630 A, verkkojännitteellä 220 V – 440 V. Tuotteita on saatavilla 2-, 3- ja 4-napaisina neljällä runkokoolla.

https://www.se.com/fi/fi/product-range/64117628-transferpact/?parent-subcategory-id=4260&filter=business-4-s%C3%A4hk%C3%B6njakelu#overview

Schaffner introduced a new series of IEC power connectors with a unique dual-locking system that keeps power cords connected and power flowing to electronics in data centers, industrial equipment, medical devices, as well as audio/broadcast equipment.

The new IL13P-S series stands out from other parts in its portfolio by combining a pair of locking mechanisms into a single connector. This ensures compatibility with a wide range of standard non-locking C13 socket outlets including inlet filter types: IL 13, IL 13 P, and IL 19. The connector can mate with any Schaffner IEC C14/C20 inlet filter and is a simple retrofit for any IEC C14/C20 inlet.

On the load side of the system is a compact IEC C13+ connector, while the line side is based on the company’s IEC lock C14 connector. Rated current is up to 10 A (C13 plug), up to 15 A (C13P plug), and up to 20 A (C19 plug), while the maximum pin temperature is 70°C. The locking system has a tensile force of typically 200N; flange mount filters are recommended.

I thought it would be quite interesting to take a cheap general purpose eBay contactor apart to see what the build quality is like. I’d rate this as being acceptable for prototyping and home workshop use. These contactors are available with 24v, 36v, 110v, 220v.and 380v coils.

Teardown of an eBay 25A Solid State Relay. (SSR)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxEhxjvifyY

A solid state relay is an industrial component used for interfacing low voltage control signals to high current mains voltage loads.
They sell them on eBay at a ridiculously low price, so it’s time to see what’s actually inside one of these eBay units.

I have the exact same part from an ebay seller that I intended to use in a Kiln controller (~3KW max output).
So after watching this I stripped mine down to reveal that it also contains the BTA12-600B, obviosuly not quite sufficient for my application.

I have now ordered a BTA24-600B to uprate this to its original spec of 25A, at least I will now be operating its safe area.

Automatic AC transfer switches are pretty cool devices. A look at what they do, a practical demo, teardown, and then reverse engineering to explain how it does it with a direct one-to-one schematic-physical mapping.
Bonus look at how my automated home battery backup system will work.

00:00 – Automatic AC Transfer switch
02:05 – How I’m powering my home fridges from a battery
06:30 – What does an AC Transfer switch do?
09:27 – Huh? How do you do the automated battery power backup?
12:36 – Practical AC Transfer switch demo
15:57 – Teardown
18:44 – Reverse Engineering Schematic
25:46 – BONUS 2nd design teardown!

This was a lot of fun to reverse engineer. Mainly because it’s very old-school inside. It’s an automatic changeover switch for a backup generator supply. When power fails and the generator starts, the switch will automatically transfer over to the generator. When the power returns it will switch back over to the main supply.

The issue with the relay being energised all the time and to make it generator-priority could be addressed by simply swapping the sides the main and generator power are attached to. That way the generator would take priority in the event of a power failure and not switch back until it was turned off, and the relay would only be energised when the generator was running.