Published May 5, 2017 © CC BY-NC

Generator ATS

Automatic switch controller and generator monitor.

IntermediateWork in progress8 hours26,952

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Arduino UNO

12V Sealed Lead Acid Battery 1.2Ah

Mechanical Changeover Auto Switch

25A SSR

Two required to isolate genset output

8 module Arduino Relay board 5V

12v to 5v Power supply 2A

230V 12v Intelligent battery trickle charger

Story

An Automatic Transfer Switch is the device that starts the Generator and connects it to the installation Automatically when there is a power outage.

Importantly, when the Generator is connected the Mains supply must be completely Isolated from the installation. The Changeover Switching must be linked Mechanically. Using relays and Arduino uno in conjunction with mechanically linked Auto changeover switch, this ATS will start and run generator and monitor Engine and alternator output.

The mechanical changeover switch detects a supply failure and switches the mains over to the generator supply. This is not good, because the generator has not been started and the Load should not be connected immediately. To overcome this, a 25A Relay activated from the Arduino keeps the Gen circuit open until the Genset set has started and is up to speed.

The arduino is coded to Switch on the Generator via Relay when the power fails, it also uses a relay to close the Starter motor circuit for an adjustable period of time, and repeated until the Arduino detects the Generator voltage is constant. After a short delay to allow the engine speed to settle and voltage output to stabilise, the Arduino closes the 25A Relay to connect the Load on to the generator supply.

The generators Low oil warning circuit will be used to monitor and if detected shut down the generator.

Generators should not be shut down with a Load connected, so the shutdown procedure will controlled by the Arduino, first disconnecting the Load, allowing the generator to run off load for a short while to cool Alternator then shutting of Engine.

The parts for this project cost around the £150 mark, commercial ATS cost from £500 upwards depending upon functionality. Using the arduino allows greater expansion and connectivity with perhaps remote sensing

Code

CODING IN Progress

 // set pin numbers:
const int MainsSupplyPin = 2;     // the number of the pushbutton pin
const int RelayPin3 =  3;      // the number of the Relay pin
const int RelayPin4 =  4;
const int GenSwitchPin5 =  5;
// variables will change:
int MainsSupplyState = 0;         // variable for reading the MainsSupplybutton status
int GenSwitchState = 0;         // variable for reading the GenSwitchbutton status

void setup() {
  // initialize the Relay pin3 as an output:
  pinMode(RelayPin3, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(RelayPin4, OUTPUT);
  // initialize the pushbutton pin as an input:
  pinMode(MainsSupplyPin, INPUT);
  pinMode(GenSwitchPin5, INPUT);
}

void loop() {
  // read the state of the pushbutton value:
  digitalWrite(GenSwitchPin5, LOW);
  MainsSupplyState = digitalRead(MainsSupplyPin);

  // check if the MainsSupplybutton is pressed.
  // if it is, the MainsSupplyState is HIGH:
  if (MainsSupplyState == HIGH) {
    // turn Relay on:
    digitalWrite(RelayPin4, HIGH);
    digitalWrite(RelayPin3, HIGH);
    delay(5000);
  } else {
    // turn Relay off:
    digitalWrite(RelayPin3, LOW);
    digitalWrite(RelayPin4, LOW);
  }
}

Credits

user6263336

1 project • 22 followers

Generator ATS

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Story

Schematics

Block Diag. Gen ATS

Code

CODING IN Progress

Credits

user6263336

Comments

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Generator ATS

Generator ATS

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Story

Schematics

Block Diag. Gen ATS

Code

CODING IN Progress

Credits

user6263336

Comments

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