Clivevan Posted May 24, 2022 Posted May 24, 2022 Can someone explain to me what it means when an ATS (automatic transfer switch) is rated at 63A? It will transfer between an inverter fed by a 12 volt battery and mains. 1. Does it mean it can handle a current sufficient to deliver 14 490 Watts to the implements ?? (230V x 63A) or 756 Watts? (12V x 63A) . 2. Why specifically 63A? 3. What happens if the 63A is somehow exceeded? 4. Does the switch work if the usage is very low - ie is there a MINIMUM threshold type current required? If someone can illuminate the darkness here in Idiotville please? Quote
GreenFields Posted May 24, 2022 Posted May 24, 2022 Disclaimer: Please get a professional to do the job. It's 63A at 230V, switching between mains and the 230V output of your inverter to the load. The input voltage of the battery to the inverter is not the issue here. Typically this switch will keep your mains active, and when mains goes dead, then it will switch to your reserve power source like a generator or backup battery inverter. Typically the mains supply to your house is rated at 63A, or at least it's a fairly common size for residential houses. The standard series of circuit breaker sizes is such that each breaker in the range is approx 1.6 times the capacity of the one before. 10A, 16A, 25A, 40A, 63A Quote
Scorp007 Posted May 24, 2022 Posted May 24, 2022 3 hours ago, GreenFields said: Disclaimer: Please get a professional to do the job. It's 63A at 230V, switching between mains and the 230V output of your inverter to the load. The input voltage of the battery to the inverter is not the issue here. Typically this switch will keep your mains active, and when mains goes dead, then it will switch to your reserve power source like a generator or backup battery inverter. Typically the mains supply to your house is rated at 63A, or at least it's a fairly common size for residential houses. The standard series of circuit breaker sizes is such that each breaker in the range is approx 1.6 times the capacity of the one before. 10A, 16A, 25A, 40A, 63A Not sure where you got this list. Here are the commonly used sizes: 2A 6A 10A 16A 25A 32A 63A. In between you also get the 40A and 50A. May be some suppliers only keep what sells and might say other sizes are not available. Quote
Clivevan Posted May 24, 2022 Author Posted May 24, 2022 OK got it. Tx so much. And don't worry the mayor of Idiotville can ask questions and receive answers but I am not going to wire a 63 Amp goodie myself. So for backup load shedding at the TV/DSTV/2 -or-3-lights-and-laptop station I use no more than 400 - 500 Watts translates to about 2 or 3 amps - right? (230 x 2)? So a 63 amp ATS is complete and utter overkill. Will it even work? Seems I do not need more than 10Amp ATS? But from where?? I had in mind this one TOMZN ATS TOQ5 63A AC 2P 230VAC for inverter https://e-glow.co.za/products/ats-toq5-63a-ac-2p-230vac-tomzn?gclid=CjwKCAjw4ayUBhA4EiwATWyBri3soJdr-0Zav0onxQWuuwkZaCDbU0SUTaA-eyd9nEUB7JYMIeUW5RoC7_YQAvD_BwE Quote
Clivevan Posted May 26, 2022 Author Posted May 26, 2022 Can I repeat these questions and ask someone kindly to have a look? So for backup load shedding at the TV/DSTV/ station I use no more than 400 - 500 Watts translates to about 2 or 3 amps - right? (230 x 2)? So a 63 amp ATS is complete and utter overkill. Will it even work? Seems I do not need more than 10Amp ATS? But where can it be sourced?? Quote
Coulomb Posted May 26, 2022 Posted May 26, 2022 (edited) 4 hours ago, Clivevan said: So for backup load shedding at the TV/DSTV/ station I use no more than 400 - 500 Watts translates to about 2 or 3 amps - right? (230 x 2)? Yes. 4 hours ago, Clivevan said: So a 63 amp ATS is complete and utter overkill. Will it even work? Yes and yes. 4 hours ago, Clivevan said: Seems I do not need more than 10Amp ATS? Correct. 4 hours ago, Clivevan said: But where can it be sourced?? I can't answer that, as I live in Australia. Many inverters have a transfer switch built-in, in which case there is no need to source them. Edited May 26, 2022 by Coulomb Quote
Scorp007 Posted May 26, 2022 Posted May 26, 2022 9 hours ago, Clivevan said: Can I repeat these questions and ask someone kindly to have a look? So for backup load shedding at the TV/DSTV/ station I use no more than 400 - 500 Watts translates to about 2 or 3 amps - right? (230 x 2)? So a 63 amp ATS is complete and utter overkill. Will it even work? Seems I do not need more than 10Amp ATS? But where can it be sourced?? I presume what you want to power is close together and you can in fact power them from a multiplug on one of these trolley inverters and use a pure sine wave that can power motors for fridge if the need arises? Quote
Clivevan Posted May 28, 2022 Author Posted May 28, 2022 I presume what you want to power is close together and you can in fact power them from a multiplug on one of these trolley inverters and use a pure sine wave that can power motors for fridge if the need arises? Correct. I am trying to put together a small (ish) UPS that can do what the powerpacks/trollies do but high quality and more adaptable. Maybe not pure sine but it should still run the TV. The main problem is to achieve an ATS install that works. I only need to run 500 watt max. So why does the market offer me a 63A ATS when I need no more than 5A? The only ATS available that I could find is 63A and the seller says he had complaints that it does not work with small inverters. Quote
Clivevan Posted May 28, 2022 Author Posted May 28, 2022 Thanks so much to both Scorp007 and Coulomb for your valuable time. Quote
Scorp007 Posted May 28, 2022 Posted May 28, 2022 4 hours ago, Clivevan said: Thanks so much to both Scorp007 and Coulomb for your valuable time. I just wonder why you insist on a change over while a UPS has it internally. I have installed the old tech heavy transformer based average.co.za unit and know of a couple of people that have no problems. High current (5-40A)adjustable charge voltage adjustable. Fan is not noisy. Does not come with charge controller. 6 models pure sine from 350W - 1000W in 12V and 1600W - 3500W in 24V. Comes with economy setting to go into sleep mode if needed. Web only shows 2 models as a trolley combo but inverter, trolley and batteries available as separate items. Quote
Clivevan Posted May 28, 2022 Author Posted May 28, 2022 I just wonder why you insist on a change over while a UPS has it internally. I think we miss each other here. I do not have a UPS. I am CREATING one. I have nothing INTERNALLY. So if you could suggest where I can get a UPS with an internal change-over I will jump at it. All I intend to do is to combine separate components - inverter, battery and charger. So where do I find the UPS with the internal change over?? Quote
Scorp007 Posted May 28, 2022 Posted May 28, 2022 1 hour ago, Clivevan said: I just wonder why you insist on a change over while a UPS has it internally. I think we miss each other here. I do not have a UPS. I am CREATING one. I have nothing INTERNALLY. So if you could suggest where I can get a UPS with an internal change-over I will jump at it. All I intend to do is to combine separate components - inverter, battery and charger. So where do I find the UPS with the internal change over?? All UPSes have the change over fitted internally. Cost and size wise a UPS has all the blocks you need. The average unit I mentioned is a pure sine.. I found pure sine just tend to have a better regulation around 230V. Quote
Clivevan Posted May 29, 2022 Author Posted May 29, 2022 6 models pure sine from 350W - 1000W in 12V and 1600W - 3500W in 24V. Web only shows 2 models as a trolley combo but inverter, trolley and batteries available as separate items. OK got you - but where are these available? I am especially interested in considering the separate items. Can you recommend a site? Quote
Clivevan Posted May 29, 2022 Author Posted May 29, 2022 Reason I am reluctant to acquire trolleys is that our family has been through 3 of them in 18 months (partly why I had a fairly large system installed and wired into the house/outside office - x2 Victron Multiplus 3000VA) Then a colleague tried one of these nifty little boxes with LiFe battery of about 500Wh and it ran beautifully for 15 minutes or so - enough time to send me a smiley WhatsApp. Which was followed by an expletive - his house power had tripped out and he smelt rubber. (perhaps not funny) He sent it back. Attempted a different make. This time lucky and it works like a charm but it turns out the specs are a con. His TV/DSTV does not survive through a loadshed. So when the football goes into extra time . . . I want to CONTROL what goes into the box especially re size quality etc. For one or two people an ATS is necessary. For a few I am only doing a 12v system - they have no mains to begin with - effectively been off-grid all their lives. I will try the 63A ATS - will get a tech savvy person to help with the wiring. Hopefully we avoid that rubbery smell. Thanks again for all the help. Even from Australia!! Quote
Scorp007 Posted May 29, 2022 Posted May 29, 2022 4 hours ago, Clivevan said: 6 models pure sine from 350W - 1000W in 12V and 1600W - 3500W in 24V. Web only shows 2 models as a trolley combo but inverter, trolley and batteries available as separate items. OK got you - but where are these available? I am especially interested in considering the separate items. Can you recommend a site? Sustainable Power Stellenbosch The Woodmill, 2nd floor, Vredenburg Rd, Stellenbosch, 7600 Quote
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