Transfer switch for existing switchboard

electrofelon

electrofelon

Senior Member
Location
Cherry Valley NY, Seattle, WA
Occupation
Electrician
Hey guys, my client wants me to go Indiana (12 hours away) to finish a 400 kw generator install. Just trying to get a rough game plan. As you can see, it's a 2000A Siemens switchboard with a Pringle switch. Anyone happen to be familiar with these Siemens switchboards? Questions:

1. Is there metering below the service disconnect ? Doesn't seem like there's much room under there. There is an instrument meter on the exterior so it's definitely not metered at the transformer spades.

2. Any idea what fuse type this is likely to have? Service is 120/208 I suspect this is grossly oversized and may down grade it to make it easier.

3. Transfer switch is not service rated. Would have to intercept load side bussing. Can't think of anything else to do besides remove bussing between the load side of the switch and the distribution section and put lugs on. Seems like this isn't an uncommon thing, how is this typically done? Do manufacturers offer kits for this?

Thanks
 

Attachments

  • Switch Rating Label.JPG
    Switch Rating Label.JPG
    1.3 MB · Views: 16
  • thumbnail.jpeg
    thumbnail.jpeg
    25.5 KB · Views: 18
Did they send you photos of the siemens stickers on all sections?

Why is the pull section have like 6" more of depth than the distribution section? Doesn't that normally only happen when the distribution section is a lower ampacity? I am thinking they have smaller fuses than 2000A installed.

Is it UG feed or OH? I can't tell from the photo. It is kind of small and doesn't show if there is bus duct above the pull section.
 
Will they let you change the name on the permit?

Where there ever Engineering Drawings for the project?

I've seen utility metering on the top of the Pringle switch section, but it would have a tag to prevent tamper. Maybe the utility metering is outside?

I would suggest NOT to mess with removing bussing between the load side of the switch and the distribution section as it is likely listed together.
 
Elect117 said:
Did they send you photos of the siemens stickers on all sections?

Why is the pull section have like 6" more of depth than the distribution section? Doesn't that normally only happen when the distribution section is a lower ampacity? I am thinking they have smaller fuses than 2000A installed.

Is it UG feed or OH? I can't tell from the photo. It is kind of small and doesn't show if there is bus duct above the pull section.
Click to expand...
Yes I have all the stickers. I will send later, hard to do on my phone. Section 2 is 2000A supply, 1000A section. #3 is 1200A supply, 1200A Section. It could have 1200 amp fuses. I'll see if I can get demand data, but I'm guessing based on my experience with their other facilities, demand is somewhere around 400 to 500 amps.
 
ron said:
Will they let you change the name on the permit?

Where there ever Engineering Drawings for the project?

I've seen utility metering on the top of the Pringle switch section, but it would have a tag to prevent tamper. Maybe the utility metering is outside?

I would suggest NOT to mess with removing bussing between the load side of the switch and the distribution section as it is likely listed together.
Click to expand...
There will probably not be A permit for this. I don't care about listings and have no problem adding lugs and removing bussing. I'm an electrician not an installer. How would you typically insert a transfer switch in this case?
 
electrofelon said:
Hey guys, my client wants me to go Indiana (12 hours away) to finish a 400 kw generator install. Just trying to get a rough game plan. As you can see, it's a 2000A Siemens switchboard with a Pringle switch. Anyone happen to be familiar with these Siemens switchboards? Questions:

1. Is there metering below the service disconnect ? Doesn't seem like there's much room under there. There is an instrument meter on the exterior so it's definitely not metered at the transformer spades.

2. Any idea what fuse type this is likely to have? Service is 120/208 I suspect this is grossly oversized and may down grade it to make it easier.

3. Transfer switch is not service rated. Would have to intercept load side bussing. Can't think of anything else to do besides remove bussing between the load side of the switch and the distribution section and put lugs on. Seems like this isn't an uncommon thing, how is this typically done? Do manufacturers offer kits for this?

Thanks
Click to expand...
The one I done in Indiana had a cabinet with the CT’s outside. Utility pulled to that point, customer was responsible for the load side. Yeah, since it’s not service rated, what you mentioned doing, is probably the only way. Do they have enough room for the transferswitch in the same room? Usually in that situation, we would use a service rated transferswitch outside intercepting the underground feed.
 
electrofelon said:
There will probably not be A permit for this. I don't care about listings and have no problem adding lugs and removing bussing. I'm an electrician not an installer. How would you typically insert a transfer switch in this case?
Click to expand...
If the utility metering was upstream of the Pringle switch, I would provide a service switch upstream (NEMA 3 if needed) and swap the existing pringle with the ATS (if it fits)
 
hillbilly1 said:
The one I done in Indiana had a cabinet with the CT’s outside. Utility pulled to that point, customer was responsible for the load side. Yeah, since it’s not service rated, what you mentioned doing, is probably the only way. Do they have enough room for the transferswitch in the same room? Usually in that situation, we would use a service rated transferswitch outside intercepting the underground feed.
Click to expand...
ron said:
If the utility metering was upstream of the Pringle switch, I would provide a service switch upstream (NEMA 3 if needed) and swap the existing pringle with the ATS (if it fits)
Click to expand...
Yeah I don't know where the metering is. Meter is outside and the conduit goes out the bottom and into the ground.

Intercepting the service conductors and routing them into a new service rated ATS I don't think is an option. They already have an ats, so I think it's going to be a tough sell. Perhaps remove the service section and replacing with a 1000 or 1200A safety switch is an option, but there is probably no legit way to refeed the distribution section after the transfer switch. While I don't really care about "legit", if it's not going to be legit, might as well just keep what's there and and do what I need to do and not have to buy a big safety switch.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top