HOW TO USE A GENERATOR
LIST OF THE SECTION
1.0 THE ATS PANEL
2.0 OFF MODE
3.0 MANUAL MODE
4.0 AUTO MODE
5.0 TEST MODE
6.0 USING A PORTABLE GENERATOR
7.0 USING A STATIONARY GENERATOR
1.0 THE ATS PANEL
This description refers to the advanced ATS panels EVOLVE and CONECT. Cost-effective products may have performances below the European standards regarding safety and generator control and monitoring. For this reason, the kind of panel is not taken into consideration in this presentation.
The main purpose of the ATS panel is to connect the generator to your electrical system without allowing the connection of the generator to the utility power network.
An advanced ATS panel has 4 operating modes: OFF-MANUAL-AUTOMATIC and TEST. There are many models of ATS panels on the market. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions. Certain ATS panels have the possibility of remote control by mobile phone (so-called GSM monitoring).
A good ATS panel should offer a scheduler (you can disable or enable the generator at certain hours of the day) and a complete set of parameters to protect the engine, the generator and your critical items.
2.0 OFF MODE
This mode of operation disables all functions and lets the utility power supply your house. When the utility power fails, the panel will not react. The internal charger will continue to hold the battery of the engine in good ‘shape.’
Some indicators on the panel will continue to indicate the status of the system. (utility power status, instruments indications and so on.)
3.0 MANUAL MODE
The manual mode of operation allows you to manually start the engine and manually choose to supply your house from the utility power or generator. This mode of operation is useful in case you connect a portable generator.
In case of power failure, you have to start the portable generator and manually switch the power. See section [7] to read more about portable generators.
4.0 AUTO MODE
This mode of operation, when the utility power fails, triggers a programmable timer (hereinafter referred to as 'TIMER', programmable in seconds, minutes and hours) to delay the disconnection of your house from the utility power. Then, another 'TIMER' take care to delay the starting of the engine. The start-up sequence consists of intelligent starting attempts based on appropriate parameters. When the engine is running, the ' WARM-UP TIMER' is activated.
When the timer expires, the contactor that connects your house will be activated. Upon return of the utility power, a series of programmable 'TIMERs' perform backwards operations until the engine stops.
During operation, the panel controls all the electrical parameters of the engine and generator. If necessary, the panel triggers alarms or, in severe cases, stops and locks the system. User intervention is essential to restore automatic functions.
The transitions Generator-House and Utility power-House incudes a 2-second delay. This is a safe way to avoid connections of the generator to the utility power.
The AUTO mode of operation may include the possibility to disable the automatic start for a certain period of the week. It might provide the possibility to schedule a periodic test of the generator (for example an automatic start of 10 minutes once a week). Advanced ATS panels may offer more functions to adapt the generator to particular needs. Always refer to the instruction manual of the manufacturer.
5.0 TEST MODE
This mode of operation allows testing of the automatic functions without causing the interruption of the electricity supply. It is usually used by the installer to check the efficiency of the automatic settings. Some ATS panels allow programmable transfer of the electrical system to the generator while the ATS panel is TEST mode of operation.
6.0 USING A PORTABLE GENERATOR
The CONECT ATS panel is designed to connect a portable generator to your house.
1) Put the CONECT panel in the auto mode of operation. In case of a power failure, you are required to connect the cord to the generator. Disconnect the non-critical ITEMS (air conditioner, washing machine, or other items). This will avoid overloading the generator. Follow our guidelines.
2) Take care to position the generator according to our recommendations. Do all checks as recommended by the manufacturer. Connect the cord before starting the engine.
3) Connect the battery (if it is the case) & open the fuel valve (if it is the case). Start your portable generator. Check for at least 5 minutes of regular noise and smooth running. This will allow the engine to warm up a little. Close the circuit breaker on the generator. Check for exhaust gas!
4) On the CONECT panel check instruments for voltage; it must be within 220-245V. Check for frequency; must be within 50Hz up to 54Hz.
5) The CONECT panel will provide electricity to your house if the electrical parameters are within the settings.
IMPORTANT NOTE
PORTABLE GENERATORS ARE NOT INTENDED FOR HEAVY SERVICE. IN OTHER WORDS, DO NOT USE THE GENERATOR FOR MORE THAN 3 CONTINUOUS HOURS. MAKE A REST OF AT LEAST ONE HOUR. DO NOT USE A PORTABLE GENERATOR AT THE MAXIMUM POWER RATING. A SAFE USE IS NOT TO EXCEED 70% OF ITS NOMINAL POWER.
6) Check the voltage indicators on the CONECT panels. You are not allowed to exceed the power rating of the generator. The CONECT panels will shut down your house to protect the generator.
7) Make sure the CONECT panel operates in ATS mode. When the utility power restores, the CONECT panel will automatically switch to utility power.
8) When you will observe the transition, you need to let the engine run for at least 5 minutes. This will allow the engine to cool down.
9) After one hour of utility power stability, you can consider putting the generator at rest. Roll the cable into its place. Clean the cable and make sure is dry and clean.
10) Clean the generator, and remove dirt particles. Check oil and fuel. Close the gasoline valve. If you have an electric-start generator, disconnect the battery.
10) Once a month, regularly check your generator. verify battery, and check full functionality according to the user manual. Better to test it at 30% of its nominal power.
7.0 USING A STATIONARY GENERATOR
The CONECT ATS panel is designed to connect a stationary generator to your house.
The best solution to protect your house against a power outage is using the benefits of a stationary generator. If you followed our instructions during the installation process, it will be very simple to use a stationary generator. You have to keep your ATS panel, CONECT or EVOLVE, in the AUTO mode of operation. A good practice is to understand that a generator is an emergency tool. For this reason, we recommend that you stop the generator for 30 minutes every 4 hours. It is important to use the generator at a maximum of 70% of its power rating. But at the same time is important not to use the generator off-load for a long time.
If you have some appliances with low power requirements, as low as 30 watts, we recommend that you use UPS or similar battery power systems. As recommended for the portable generator, regular use, and good maintenance will provide you with long-term product satisfaction.
BERNINI DESIGN SRL
Zona Industriale
46035 Ostiglia Italy
VAT IT01453040204
bernini@bernini-design.com