Solution Control Systems

🔧⚡ Transfer Switch Control Power – Tech Tuesday ⚡🔧

When utility power is lost, an automatic transfer switch must continue to have control power available to detect the outage, initiate generator start-up, and complete the transfer sequence. A UPS is one common solution used to maintain uninterrupted control power during the transition from utility to generator power.

❓ Tech Tuesday Question:
What other methods can be used to provide uninterrupted control power for an automatic transfer switch during the transition period between utility and generator power?

Share your thoughts, experiences, and preferred solutions in the comments below. Let's see how many different approaches our industry has come up with.

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Tech Tuesday – Lean Designs Build Better Products ⚙️

As the title says, lean designs create better products — systems that are easier to understand, build, maintain, and troubleshoot.
Sometimes designs introduce unnecessary complexity by adding extra components to achieve something that can be accomplished with fewer, standard, commonly available parts.

Example from a PLC Panel Design
We recently reviewed a PLC panel where one terminal strip was raised and isolated from the back pan. Additional grounding terminals were then installed on this isolated rail to terminate shielded or isolated grounds. (It is hard to see in the picture, but it is done that way)

A Leaner Approach
This can be achieved more simply just using feed-through terminals for isolated grounds.
Key advantage of this method:
• If the PLC card includes an isolated ground terminal, individual shields can be extended from the feed through terminals and terminated directly at the card.
• Otherwise, all terminals connected to the shield wires can be jumpered together, with a single conductor routed to the isolated ground point.
• Provides flexibility to easily isolate or relocate the ground reference point

Lean design helps reduce parts, simplify assembly, and improve long-term serviceability — all while maintaining proper electrical practices.