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Design and analysis of switching in automatic transfer switch for load transfer

Conference Paper · December 2016

DOI: 10.1109/ICOSST.2016.7838589

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 Design and analysis of switching in Automatic
Transfer Switch for load transfer
M. Qaisar Azeem
Department of Electronics,
University of Peshawar, Pakistan
qaisarazeemi@upesh.edu.pk
Habib-ur-Rehman
University of Engineering and Technology, Peshawar
Peshawar, Pakistan
habiburrehman@gmail.com
Abstract— The Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) is used
to transfer the load among several power sources to
ensure continuous operation of load. ATS is required in
developing countries where frequent power failure is an
intense issue. Industries, public and private sector
organizations and even domestic users cannot tolerate
power outage because it pushes them in loss in business,
interrupt in normal official work, hindrance in routine
and domestic life. In this paper we have emphasized the
use of good interface in terms of switching speeds and
smooth transitions. This paper proposes a circuit whose
output waveform shows smooth transitions without
having any fluctuation at transients.
Keywords— Switching; ATS; transiant; load; load transfer;
power source
I. INTRODUCTION
An ATS is used to switch the load between two power
supplies are down of any one of them connected to the load.
It makes sure the supply of power to the load with minimum
small gap between the power failure and reconnecting the
load to secondary power supply. The ATS is connected
between load and the power supplies. Its function is to
transfer the load from primary source of electricity or public
utility power supply on its failure to secondary source of
electricity or generator and then transfer the load back to
utility mains supply when it restores. A block diagram of
typical ATS is shown in figure 1 below.
In developing countries, private and public sector
organizations as well as domestic users cannot rely on utility
power supply due to its frequent outage. In order to carry
out daily routine tasks they need to switch to other power
source such as generators or Uninterrupted Power Supplies (
Fig. 1. Block diagram of typical Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS)
Sheeraz Ahmed
Career Dynamics Research Center
Peshawar, Pakistan
asheeraz_pk@hotmail.com
Amjad Khattak
University of Engineering and Technology, Peshawar
Peshawar, Pakistan
amjad67@gmail.com
UPS). To reduce the complexity of the system a monitoring
module needed to be incorporated through Programmable
Logic Controller (PLC) to maintain and monitor the system
remotely using Supervisory Monitor System (SMS). This
can also reduce the delays produced and life hazards caused
by human interactions [1].
The function of ATS is to check the input mains if it is
present or not. If main utility supply is absent, the switch
starts the generator and transfers the load to it. It is therefore
also called generator transfer switch. Additional features can
also be added to the switch to monitor the voltages sags,
voltage surges and brownout. The voltage surges, sags and
frequency are measured using a Digital Multimeter (DMM)
[2].
The static transfer switches have times of the order of
30ms. In order to further reduce this switching time, we use
power semiconductor devices like thyristors. Thus an
automatic static transfer switch can be developed using high
speed thyristors like SCR. Thus switching can be done to
transfer the load, on failure of one source to other source in
lesser time using thyristors [3].
Systems can also be designed without using
programmable components like microcontrollers. Such
systems can also transfer the load from main power supply
to other emergency power supply. Although these systems
enhance the complexity of the circuits, but helps in
reduction of the troubleshooting complexity due to use of
less number of components [4].
Another approach is to use Solid State Relays (SSR).
SSRs decrease the switching time and eliminate the
drawbacks like noise, arching, sticking of terminals due to
high current, wear and tear that are associated with
Electro Magnetic Relays (EMRs) [5].
Automatic changeover system designed for 3-Ø 12KVA
generator operates at 50Hz with a power factor of about 0.8.
The system is non-microcontroller based and consists of a 3-
Ø relays, change over delay mechanism and utility phase
detector circuits. Whenever anyone of the phase is
interrupted or all phases are interrupted the changeover
mechanism will shift the load from public utility to
generator and then back to public utility supply on its
restoration [6].
High power surges can be produced while switching of
EMRs that can damage the components in a circuit. In order
to neutralize surges, Surge Protection Devices (SPDs) are
used with EMRs and other service entrance locations where
ATS is installed. Lightning is also another cause of surge
that induces on power lines and reaches service entrance
locations of ATS and destroy components used in it. SPDs
are therefore used in ATS to ground these surges [7].
The ATS system in [8] is designed for 5KVA single
phase generator set. The switch is designed without the use
of microcontroller while relays, 555 timers, voltage
regulators and other electronic components are used to
design a low cost system. Main function here is to sense the
main supply and switch the load to generator on main
supply failure. An over-voltage protection is also designed
using comparator to disconnect the load on application of
voltages higher than the safe limits or on arrival of surges in
order to protect the load from being damaged.
Authors in their paper performed transfer switching
between 3-Ø of public utility and a generator for continuous
running of the load. The module developed for this is named
Automatic Mains and Phase Changer (AMPC). An analysis
is carried out for the switching speeds between AMPC and
manual switching of the load and concluded that the use of
AMPC causes less time delays [9].
ATS is also known as “Generator Transfer Switch”, its
main function is to detect the unavailability of utility mains
supply and switch the load to the secondary supply and vice
versa, potential transformers and current transformers are
used to measure the current drawn by the load so that the
energy can be managed. Temperature and fuel level sensing
of generators can also be used to turn off the generator if
temperature exceeds or fuel level drops below the
predetermined level [10].
A Global System for Mobile (GSM) module is
connected to ATS to keep the user informed about the
power supply situation and operations of ATS by sending
him text messages through Short Message Service (SMS)
provided by local mobile companies. On power failure the
GSM module will send an SMS to user “POWER is OFF”.
When ATS switch the load back to mains power supply an
SMS is sent as “MAIN POWER is ON”. In the same way
we can control the generator using GSM module [11].
II. RELATED WORK
In [1], author gave an idea of improved design of an
ATS that includes both hardware and software modules.
This design allowed control and monitoring of a generator
from a remotely placed computer system, and is capable of
monitoring fuel level, oil level, battery strength, next
maintenance schedule and start and stop of the generator
from computer system.
In [2], ATS was designed for a single phase house hold
generator. In this ATS a DMM was also incorporated using
PIC16f877 microcontroller and alternating current and
voltage values are displayed on Liquid Crystal Display
(LCD) screen.
In [3], authors designed a module connected between
load and output of two UPSs. The emphasis is on reduction
of switching time. The load was effectively transferring
from one supply to another in minimum time on failure of
any one of the two.
In paper [4], the authors proposed a circuit that
automatically transfers the load from one power supply to
another on failure. The circuit is designed without the use of
programmable components like microcontrollers, Field
Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), DSP etc. Rather he
used timers to produce required delay and switching is
performed by the circuit. In his work authors gave
importance to reduction of components and complexity of
circuit by eliminating programmable devices in order to
increase the reliability of the system.
In [5], the author approach was to replace
Electromechanical Relays (EMR) with Solid State Relay
(SSR) in order to enhance switching speed and eliminate
noise, arching, wear and tear associated with EMRs. He also
used LCD to his system to make it user friendly, introduced
an alarm system to indicate generator failure. Phase
selection of most appropriate phase and over and under
voltage monitoring was also used.
In paper [6], a three phase automatic changeover system
was developed to transfer the load from mains supply to
generator in case of mains power failure. The system was
developed for a three phase load without using
microcontroller.
In [7], the author used the supplement of IEEE standard
2007 and provided application guidance on the use of SPDs.
The emphasis was placed on reliability of facilities and
backup power systems for ATS for low voltage AC circuits.
In [8], a full ATS circuit was designed using
microcontroller. It included a power supply unit, delay
circuit using 555 timer IC and over voltage protection circuit
using comparator. Microcontroller was programmed to
perform various tasks for generator like its cool down timer,
fail to start timer, warm up timer, crank timer and utility
stabilization switch back timer. The delay circuit was used
to produce delay for a certain preset time to ensure the
voltage stability of utility line.
In [9], analysis in reduction of switching time between
AMPC system and manual system was carried out. In most
of the countries 4 line system (consist of 3 phases and 1
neutral line) for power transmission is used. A single phase
load is connected to these lines via AMPC. AMPC monitors
the phases and keep the load connected to one of these
phases. When that phase of the 3-phase line fails, AMPC
transfers the load to another phase and also to generator;
thus it ensures an uninterrupted operation of the load, while
manual switching
Introduces large time delays in transferring the load from
mains to generator.
In [10], authors designed an ATS switch between public
utility supply and a power generator. To manage energy
they used current transformer and potential transformers.
The analog data received from these transformers is then fed
to a microcontroller’s analog to digital converter where it is
converted into digital form and then the digitized data is sent
to display on personal computer.
 In [11], most of the large industries, factories and
educational institutions use generators as backup power
source. Since these generators are placed in distant places,
so man power is required to operate it with large delays. To
overcome the delays, author proposed GSM based ATS that
consists of a microcontroller and detects the interruption in
the supply and turns ON the relay.
cycle of the AC wave. This rectified signal is then filtered to
smooth DC using filter capacitor C4. The output of C4 is fed
into the inputs of LM741 op: amp ICs. In IC U3 reference
voltages are fed into inverting input pin where a zener diode
D6 is connected. D6 is supplying fix 6.8V to inverting input
of U3. The IC will continuously compare voltages coming

Fig. 2. Schematic diagram of over under voltage protection using comparators LM741

III ANALYSIS OF OVER AND UNDERVOLTAGE

PROTECTION CIRCUITS from C4 into its non-inverting pin through a voltage divider
network R17, R19 and RV5. If voltages from generator or
Some circuits used in ATS for over and under voltage utility mains exceed the over-voltage limit the voltages
protection are discussed below. through voltage divider network at non-inverting input of
In figure 2, a schematic diagram of over and under U3 will also exceed 6.8V and the output of op: amp will
voltage protection circuit is made using LM741 comparator, drive the transistor Q1 which inturn energizes the relay RL2
available in 8 pin Dual In Line (DIP) package Integrated and disconnect the load. Similarly for under-voltage
Circuit (IC). This IC has two input pins, one is positive input protection, D11 is supplying fix 6V to non-inverting input of
pin called non-inverting input and the other is negative input U4. The IC U4 will continuously compare voltages coming
pin called inverting input. AC input signal from the from C4 into its inverting pin through a voltage divider
generator or from utility mains is fed into non-inverting network R20, R22 and RV6. If voltages from generator or
input of U1 while its inverting input is connected to utility mains drop below the under-voltage limit, the
referenced voltage using a 6.8V zener diode for over-voltage voltages through voltage divider network at inverting input
protection, Inverting input of U2 is connected to AC input of U4 will also drop below 6V and the output of op: amp
from either utility mains or from generator and non-
inverting input of U2 is connected to reference voltage of
6V for under-voltage protection. The power input signal
from mains is first step down using a voltage divider
network and potentiometers RV2 and RV4 from 5V to 8V.
The relay energizes if the input voltage drops below 170V
or rises above 270V.
Graphs in figure 3 and 4 show the fluctuations in the
output of operational amplifier LM741 when it changes its
state from 0V to 12V. This fluctuation causes the relay to
ON and OFF continuously and produce fluctuations in 220V
line connected to the load. This may cause surges that can
damage the load and thus our aim of over and under voltage
protection fails. This circuit is therefore not recommended
for use with sensitive loads. The AC input power frequency Fig. 3. Output graph of LM741used in figure 2
signal from mains is shown in the figure 3 and 4 graphs as
peak to peak sinusoidal varying signal Vac(p-p). The
potential of this AC signal is reduced using voltage divider
network resistors R13 and R14 as shown in figure 2. The
diodes D2 rectifies the signal and allows only positive half
 Fig. 4. Close output graph of LM 741
will drive the transistor Q1 which in-turn energizes the relay
RL2 and disconnects the load.
Graphs in figures 3 and 4 shows while making a
transition the IC U4 output starts fluctuation which is the
main disadvantage of this circuit. These fluctuations causes
relay RL2 to turn ON and OFF continuously; thus connects
and disconnects the load and may cause damage to it.
In figure 7, over and under-voltage protection circuit is
used in which switching is done using a Bipolar Junction
Transistor (BJT). BJT switching is a famous widely used
technique. Use of BJT is far better than operational
amplifier due to fewer fluctuations produced as shown in
figure 5 and 6. Even then the produced fluctuation cannot
said to be a smooth transition and may damage the relay coil
if switching speed is high and the resultant surge is of high
voltage.
Fig. 5. Output graph of BJT circuit used in figure 7
Fig. 7. Schematic diagram of over under voltage protection circuit using BJT for ATS
Fig. 6. Single Transition graph of BJT circuit used in figure 7
In figure 7, AC generator, RV5 and RV6 make AC sources
analogous to utility mains and generator. The AC voltages
are stepped down using voltage divider networks R11 and
R12 for generator and R13 and R14 for main utility supply.
The AC voltages are rectified using rectifier diodes D7 and
D8. Rectified output is then filtered using filter capacitors
C7 and C8 and smooth DC signal is feed into ADC input
pins of microcontroller PIC16f877A. Microcontroller
converts the analog signal into digital and computes the
digital signal internally using software programming for
under and over voltage protection. When over and under
voltage protection conditions meet the microcontroller
signals, the BJTs Q3 and Q4 to switch ON and energize the
relays RL3 and RL4 which inturn disconnects the load.
Graphs in figure 8 and 9 show the switching waveforms.
When BJT switches from OFF to ON, a small fluctuation is
produced in the waveform. This fluctuation is due to
junction capacitance of the transistor. The produced
fluctuation may cause damage to relay or interrupt the
normal switching.
Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor
(MOSFET) used in figure 12, is a voltage controlled, more
sensitive and a high speed device than BJT. The whole
process of switching and over under voltage protection is
same as BJT. The AC signal from its source will pass
through step down voltage divider network where its
strength will be reduced up to safe limit and then is rectified
by the diodes and filtered by the capacitors. The smooth DC
will be fed into the ADC inputs of the microcontroller
 Fig. 8. Output graph of MOSFET circuit used in figure 12
which decides how to signal the transistors to energize the
relays and switch the load. The difference occurs only in
switching speeds and waveforms. We can see in figures 8,
and 9, that the fluctuation is reduced i.e; much less than that
produced with a BJT therefore the use of MOSFET is
recommended in sensitive switching circuits that require
smooth and high speed switching transitions.
Finally in figure 13 we have utilized ULN2003A IC
available as a 16pin DIP package which contains 7
darlington buffers inside. The AC signal from its sources is
stepped down, rectified and filtered in resistor diode and
Fig. 9. Single Transition graph of MOSFET circuit used in figure 12
Fig. 12. Schematic diagram of over under voltage protection circuit using MOSFETs for ATS
Fig. 10. Output graph of ULN2003A circuit used in figure 13
capacitor network. The smooth DC is fed into the
microcontroller which measures the voltages, compares it
internally and decides to signal the ULN2003A (U4). The
U4 when receives HIGH signal at its input provides ground
at its respective output pins. The relay energizes if output of
U4 goes LOW switch the load.
The graphs in figure 10 and 11 show ideally smooth
transitions. Unlike comparator, BJT, and MOSFET there is
no fluctuations in the waveform and therefore highly
recommended IC for switching purposes.
Fig. 11. Single Transition graph of ULN2003A circuit used in figure 13
 Fig. 13. Schematic diagram of over under voltage protection circuit using ULN2003A for ATS
IV. CONCLUSION
From above analysis using different electronic
components the paper recommends the use of MOSFET or
ULN2003A IC for switching purposes. Use of comparator
increases the weight, cost and size of the circuit because we
have to use four comparator ICs for two AC sources. It also
produces large fluctuations while making a transition. These
fluctuations can cause flickering of the EMRs which turn the
load ON and OFF and our aim of supplying uninterrupted
power to the load fails. BJT and microcontroller is a better
approach than comparator. It reduces the amount of
components thus size, weight, cost and complexity of the
circuit also reduces. In microcontroller approach we use the
same microcontroller IC being used in the system and just
need to add few components to the whole system. Moreover
fewer fluctuations are produced using this approach. Still the
produced fluctuation can flicker the relay and interrupt the
load thus it can also cause damage the load or relay if
produced spikes are high. MOSFET is however much better
than BJTs because the use of MOSFET reduces the
fluctuations further because it has no junction capacitance
problem, hence no spikes are produced due to it. Moreover
its switching speed is also high. However comparator and
BJT approach can be used for less sensitive loads. The most
appropriate and smooth transition approach is the use of
ULN2003A IC. It is better as the cost, size, weight and
complexity of the circuit is also reduced. Fluctuations are
completely eliminated and transitions are smooth. This
circuit approach can be used for all kind of high speed, low
speed, more and less sensitive loads and is highly
recommended to use with all kind of loads.
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