SplendiX ← All Courses
Standard / Professional Technical & Energy

Manual and Automatic Changeover Systems: Design, Installation, and Troubleshooting

Bridge the gap between traditional power distribution and automated backup control. Learn to design, install, and troubleshoot critical switchgear for seamless transition between main grid power and backup sources.

📅 Date Sep 9 - 10, 2027
📍 Location Nairobi, Kenya
⏱️ Duration 2 Days Intensive
💰 Investment USD 450 / KES 56,000
📋

Technical Standards Focus

IEEE 2030.7-2017 (Microgrid Controllers), IEC 61850 (Substation Automation), Modbus TCP/IP, OpenADR 2.0, and EPRA Grid Stability & Demand-Side Management Frameworks.

Course Curriculum

Day 1: Manual Transfer Switches (MTS) & Mechanical Interlocking System Infrastructure

Day 1 establishes the foundational electrical principles of load transfer, safety mechanisms, and manual system configurations.

01

Module 1: Principles of Power Sources Transfer

  • Risk Abatement: Understanding the extreme dangers of out-of-phase asynchronous connections and grid back-feeding.
  • Transition Topologies: Deep dive into Open Transition (Break-Before-Make) vs. Closed Transition (Make-Before-Break) application constraints.
  • Phase Allocation: Single-phase vs. Balanced Three-phase power distribution characteristics in localized transfer networks.
02

Module 2: Manual Changeover Switch Architecture

  • Hardware Categories: Industrial knife switches, multi-position rotary changeover switches, and modular DIN-rail mounted switchgear variants.
  • Sizing Parameters: Engineering math for continuous current ratings, short-circuit withstand tolerances, and utilization classes (AC-22, AC-23).
  • The Core Safety Rule: Implementing absolute mechanical interlocking architectures (trapped-key locks, sliding physical bars) to strictly guarantee isolation paths.
03

Module 3: Hands-on Benchmarking & Installation Best Practices

  • Field Termination: Precise cable lug crimping, correct scaling of oversized neutral links, and system earthing/grounding topologies across standalone vs. grid-connected profiles.
  • Bypass Engineering: Designing and wire-mapping an islanded manual maintenance bypass branch for solar inverters or critical server racks.
Day 2: Automatic Transfer Switches (ATS) & Controller Logic Telemetry & Data

Day 2 transitions completely into automation, detailing control electronics, contactor logic, and diagnostics required for zero-intervention backup power restoration.

04

Module 4: Components of an Automatic Changeover System

  • The Actuators: Motorized dynamic changeover switches vs. interlocking electrically held industrial contactor arrays.
  • The Central Processing Units: Programming dedicated digital ATS controllers (DeepSea, SmartGen) vs. modular custom PLC/relay logic.
  • Instrumentation Inputs: Integrating auxiliary feedback blocks, voltage sensing relays (VSRs), and continuous under/over-voltage diagnostic lines.
05

Module 5: ATS Control Logic & Timing Sequences

  • The Failure Curve Sequence: Mains Failure Detection → Engine Start Command Delay → Warm-up/Stabilization Delay → Safe Transfer to Standby Source.
  • The Grid Restoration Sequence: Mains Recovery Monitoring → Stabilization Timer Verification → Re-transfer Loop → Generator Cooldown Loop → Controlled Shut Down.
  • Phase Parameters: Configuring automated phase rotation synchronization checking and source priority weighting.
06

Module 6: Advanced Protection, Commissioning, and Troubleshooting

  • Electrical Hardening: Cross-wiring interlocking schemes via NC (Normally Closed) secondary contacts to completely eliminate hazardous arc flash or contactor welding short-circuits.
  • Field Fault Diagnostics: Troubleshooting system hunting errors (chattering contactors), failure to transfer under single-phasing utility faults, and digital controller telemetry drops.
  • O&M Maintenance Routines: Executing milliohm contact resistance testing and managing unannounced manual override testing exercises during critical control system failures.
  • Practical Capstone Session: Designing, wire-mapping, and testing a functional hardware ATS control circuit layout utilizing raw contactor blocks and relay timers.

🚀 Advanced Learning Outcomes

  • ✔ Correctly size and specify robust manual and automatic transfer switches matching precise inductive motor vs. resistive load envelopes.
  • ✔ Design and wire a dual mechanical/electrical interlock scheme that entirely neutralizes utility back-feeding liabilities.
  • ✔ Calibrate internal ATS controller software modules (stabilization, cooldown timers) to maximize backup engine lifespan.
  • ✔ Systematically track, diagnose, and isolate intermittent panel faults using a standard multimeter and analytical schematic tracing.

Ready to master Changeover control architectures?

Corporate site team slots and customized integration programs are available.

Book Seats Now!