초록 ▼

An automatic transfer switch apparatus for use with a stand-alone generator, for supplying emergency power to a residence or small business. The automatic transfer switch apparatus is configured to sense a utility line failure, start up and stabilize the generator, and switch over the household circ

An automatic transfer switch apparatus for use with a stand-alone generator, for supplying emergency power to a residence or small business. The automatic transfer switch apparatus is configured to sense a utility line failure, start up and stabilize the generator, and switch over the household circuits from the utility to the generator, and switch back when the utility recovers. A load-shedding feature is provided for shedding and restoring different circuits within the residence, that represent loads of different priority, with loads being shed and restored, according to their priority.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An automatic transfer switch apparatus for use in association with a stand-alone generator, for enabling a stand-alone generator to supply electrical power to a plurality of electrical circuits of a structure, such as a residential structure, in the event of failure of el

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An automatic transfer switch apparatus for use in association with a stand-alone generator, for enabling a stand-alone generator to supply electrical power to a plurality of electrical circuits of a structure, such as a residential structure, in the event of failure of electrical power being supplied to the structure by an electrical utility, the automatic transfer switch apparatus comprising:a plurality of electrical utility inputs, operably configured to be connected to a corresponding plurality of outputs from a residential electrical distribution box, which outputs are connected, at least indirectly, to a utility voltage source;a plurality of electrical residential outputs, operably configured to be connected to selected ones of specific electrical circuits within the residence;a plurality of electrical generator inputs, operably configured to be connected to the voltage output of a stand-alone electrical generator;a plurality of switches, corresponding and connected to respective ones of the plurality of electrical residential outputs, each switch being operably configured for switching between two contact positions, a first contact position connecting at least one electrical residential output to at least one electrical utility input, and a second contact position connecting the at least one electrical residential output to at least one electrical generator input, the switches being actuatable to move from one of the contact positions to the other of the contact positions, upon receipt of an actuation signal;a controller, operably configured, following installation of the automatic transfer switch, and connection of same to the voltage outputs and starter circuit of a stand-alone generator, to selected ones of the outputs of a residential electrical distribution box, and to the selected ones of the specific electrical circuits of the residence, to detect utility voltage failure, subsequently start the generator, monitor output voltage of the generator, and, upon detection of a minimum nominal output voltage from the generator, and generate actuation signals to cause the switches to move from respective ones of the contact positions to respective others of the contact positions, the controller further being operably configured to transmit actuation signals to corresponding ones of the switches, according to a preselected prioritized hierarchy, corresponding to prioritized ones of the specific electrical circuits of the residence, wherein switches corresponding to higher priority residential electrical circuits will be actuated to connect the generator output to the residential circuit, before switches corresponding to lower priority residential circuits are actuated to connect the generator output to the residential circuit;the controller further being operably configured to continue to actuate switches corresponding to successively lower priority residential circuits, until total load on the generator exceeds a predetermined maximum load,the controller further being operably configured to substantially continuously monitor total loading on the generator, de-actuate switches corresponding to lower priority residential circuits, in ascending order of priority, when total load on the generator exceeds a predetermined maximum load, and subsequently reactuate switches corresponding to residential circuits in descending order of priority, when the total load drops below the predetermined maximum load.