SWITCHING

[robbymax]

and I am a solar engineer and in the past I have been using two separate contactors to switch from mains to inverter power and it switches fine, but there is a time delay between one and the other and things like TV, computers, and other appliances see the delay and switch off, it is only for a Millie second but they are off and a lot of things have to reboot. So switching from mains to inverter power has got to be seamless so a very fast switching system is needed.

I need a contactor to be connected to mains in deactivation mode, and over to inverter power when activated 1 contactor doing both jobs and as fast as possible can you help

 

[OffGridInTheCity]

I'm off-grid and my ATSs (240v@50a level) switch twice daily and I have exactly what you describe. I use APC UPS circuits for all my sensitive equipment because I don't know of a solution. Will follow this thread with interest

 

[DJSmiley]

That is why there are solutions like a multiplus.

An external ATS (Automatic Transfer Switch) is availabe from eg APC to switch between power feeds, but it all gives a short interrupt.

That is also why enterprice UPSses are online UPSses: They have no switching interrupt at all. (Basicly AC -> DC/batter -> AC). Also acts as power stabilizer, but it does have off course lower efficieny than only swithing on power failures.

 

[12VoltInstalls]

solar engineer

Did you get this solved out?
I’m curious if you elected to go go with a ups or if you opted fo go with a samlex/top tier system or one of the commodity units like mpp that advertise a zero transfer time?

 

[timselectric]

A transfer switch is designed to complete the switch in milliseconds, to avoid this issue.
A contactor is not.
Just use the proper equipment for the job.

 

[A.Justice]

I also use smaller "office" UPS units on my computer, modems, and routers. I don't even use a set of contactors, I'm super old-school and have to manually hook everything up to the batteries during an outage. My transfer time is in the ~5 min range, and the UPS's work great.

The only two options I see are to use a fast transfer switch (or AIO unit) or an independent UPS.

 

[robbymax]

Did you get this solved out?
I’m curious if you elected to go go with a ups or if you opted fo go with a samlex/top tier system or one of the commodity units like mpp that advertise a zero transfer time?

went for the fastest relay i could find but i have just bought on advice from will prouse a ATS