Eaton ATS with bypass (Dual Draw-out) Manual Operation

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Electrical Engineer

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Electrical Engineer
Hello Friends
Can Eaton ATS with bypass be operated in manually in service (connected position) by handle or lever in absence of power to the controller ?
The online data shows that it can be operated manually, but with electrical operation only.
Somewhere else it shows, it can be operated manually only in test or isolated position.
Anyone has clarity here about manual lever or handle operation ?
Overall the published data is not clear.

Thanks for your time to reply suitability.
 
I could be way off here, but I would assume it's similar to an ASCO ATS with bypass/isolation.

If that is the case, the actual ATS mechanism can be manually operated with a "push to transfer" switch. (ie - switch to generator, or switch to utility). But that requires power.

The bypass and isolation mechanisms can be manually operated.

In addition, if the ATS is bypassed and isolated, it can be withdrawn, and there is a handle stored in the ATS that can be used to manually switch the ATS.

Again, I could be completely wrong if it isn't like an asco. See if you can download the Eaton manual - ASCO spells it out pretty clearly;

Operators Manual | ASCO 7000 SERIES Automatic & Bypass Isolation Transfer Switch (ATB) | 150-600 Amps | J Frame | 381333-307 | Schneider Electric

Operators Manual | ASCO 7000 SERIES Automatic & Bypass Isolation Transfer Switch (ATB) | 150-600 Amps | J Frame | 381333-307
www.se.com www.se.com
 
Electrical Engineer said:
Hello Friends
Can Eaton ATS with bypass be operated in manually in service (connected position) by handle or lever in absence of power to the controller ?
The online data shows that it can be operated manually, but with electrical operation only.
Somewhere else it shows, it can be operated manually only in test or isolated position.
Anyone has clarity here about manual lever or handle operation ?
Overall the published data is not clear.

Thanks for your time to reply suitability.
Click to expand...
My question to you is what are you trying to achieve? If you are performing maintenance or repair on the ATS then power to the ATS must be present (due to safety interlocks) in order to place it into the bypass mode and isolate it from the system. Once the ATS is bypassed and isolated it can be safely worked on. If it's a case where there is a power failure and the ATS fails to transfer to the alternate source then manufacturers recommend all power be removed before it is manually transferred. On your unit, for specific instructions as to the bypass and isolation procedure, we would have to know the model# of the ATS.
 
Last edited:
steve66 said:
I could be way off here, but I would assume it's similar to an ASCO ATS with bypass/isolation.

If that is the case, the actual ATS mechanism can be manually operated with a "push to transfer" switch. (ie - switch to generator, or switch to utility). But that requires power.

The bypass and isolation mechanisms can be manually operated.

In addition, if the ATS is bypassed and isolated, it can be withdrawn, and there is a handle stored in the ATS that can be used to manually switch the ATS.

Again, I could be completely wrong if it isn't like an asco. See if you can download the Eaton manual - ASCO spells it out pretty clearly;

Operators Manual | ASCO 7000 SERIES Automatic & Bypass Isolation Transfer Switch (ATB) | 150-600 Amps | J Frame | 381333-307 | Schneider Electric

Operators Manual | ASCO 7000 SERIES Automatic & Bypass Isolation Transfer Switch (ATB) | 150-600 Amps | J Frame | 381333-307
www.se.com www.se.com
Click to expand...
ASCO literature is quite clear.
One can use the bypass manually; with or without power on one/both sources or even in absence of power on both sources.
Unfortunately Eaton literature is not clear on this point.
 
ATSman said:
My question to you is what are you trying to achieve? If you are performing maintenance or repair on the ATS then power to the ATS must be present (due to safety interlocks) in order to place it into the bypass mode and isolate it from the system. Once the ATS is bypassed and isolated it can be safely worked on. If it's a case where there is a power failure and the ATS fails to transfer to the alternate source then manufacturers recommend all power be removed before it is manually transferred. On your unit, for specific instructions as to the bypass and isolation procedure, we would have to know the model# of the ATS.
Click to expand...
The aim is to select right product.
If the electrical circuit fails, then even in presence of power on one/both sources, the ATS will not switch the position transfer/re-transfer.
The use is in critical location. So if electrical circuit fails, there shall be a way to manually switch the bypass to desired source (which is possible with ASCO)
If we take the ATS/Bypass to test or isolate position, then manually operate it, that won't connect the source to the load. Hence manual (handle/lever) operation is desired in connected position only.
 
"The aim is to select right product."
From that statement I'm not sure you understand how all ATS/ Bypass switches operate. All manufacturers of ATSs provide a way to manual transfer it if the automatic feature fails. The first thing my customers ask me when there is a failure, "can I operate the bypass mech to manually transfer the ATS." I tell them to forget about the bypass feature to manually transfer the ATS. It is only there for maintenance or repair of the ATS. For manual operation you take the manual handle provided with all ATSs and switch the ATS mechanism to the alternate source (generator or utility) to bring power back to the load. For safety reasons remove all power to the ATS first. Read the instructions in the manual that come with the unit. DO NOT TOUCH THE BYPASS MECHANISM WHEN MANUAL TRANSFERRING! I hope I made myself clear.
 
ATSman said:
"The aim is to select right product."
From that statement I'm not sure you understand how all ATS/ Bypass switches operate. All manufacturers of ATSs provide a way to manual transfer it if the automatic feature fails. The first thing my customers ask me when there is a failure, "can I operate the bypass mech to manually transfer the ATS." I tell them to forget about the bypass feature to manually transfer the ATS. It is only there for maintenance or repair of the ATS. For manual operation you take the manual handle provided with all ATSs and switch the ATS mechanism to the alternate source (generator or utility) to bring power back to the load. For safety reasons remove all power to the ATS first. Read the instructions in the manual that come with the unit. DO NOT TOUCH THE BYPASS MECHANISM WHEN MANUAL TRANSFERRING! I hope I made myself clear.
Click to expand...
Walked many a tech thru a manual bypass on a transferswitch via FaceTime, absolutely a must, as you said, turn off all power sources, disconnect the controller cable before transferring! Most of the time, it’s a hung up solenoid, or controller failure, but sometimes it’s a component that has broke. Bad news with the cabinet open with the power on!
 
Electrical Engineer said:
The aim is to select right product.
If the electrical circuit fails, then even in presence of power on one/both sources, the ATS will not switch the position transfer/re-transfer.
The use is in critical location. So if electrical circuit fails, there shall be a way to manually switch the bypass to desired source (which is possible with ASCO)
If we take the ATS/Bypass to test or isolate position, then manually operate it, that won't connect the source to the load. Hence manual (handle/lever) operation is desired in connected position only.
Click to expand...
Let me tell you my understanding. Yes, bypass is for maintenance purpose. But the maintenance may not be complete in a few minutes or hours or even couple of days. During these hours if the power switching is required from Soutrce-1 (to load) to Source-2 (to Load), then these operations shall be possible manually i.e. completely manually because electrical control circuit has a problem.
It may not be prudent to consider that manual operation is only for maintenance purpose and maintenance will be over within a few minutes. The manual operation shall be possible anytime (any duration) till ATS is serviced.
Let me know if my understanding is clear.
 
hillbilly1 said:
Walked many a tech thru a manual bypass on a transferswitch via FaceTime, absolutely a must, as you said, turn off all power sources, disconnect the controller cable before transferring! Most of the time, it’s a hung up solenoid, or controller failure, but sometimes it’s a component that has broke. Bad news with the cabinet open with the power on!
Click to expand...
Thanks... you got my concern and the point perfectly.
It was so obviously required and is still not there. Hence I had to look for various forums to clarify, I am right.
 
ATSman said:
"The aim is to select right product."
From that statement I'm not sure you understand how all ATS/ Bypass switches operate. All manufacturers of ATSs provide a way to manual transfer it if the automatic feature fails. The first thing my customers ask me when there is a failure, "can I operate the bypass mech to manually transfer the ATS." I tell them to forget about the bypass feature to manually transfer the ATS. It is only there for maintenance or repair of the ATS. For manual operation you take the manual handle provided with all ATSs and switch the ATS mechanism to the alternate source (generator or utility) to bring power back to the load. For safety reasons remove all power to the ATS first. Read the instructions in the manual that come with the unit. DO NOT TOUCH THE BYPASS MECHANISM WHEN MANUAL TRANSFERRING! I hope I made myself clear.
Click to expand...
Let me tell you my understanding. Yes, bypass is for maintenance purpose. But the maintenance may not be complete in a few minutes or hours or even couple of days. During these hours if the power switching is required from Soutrce-1 (to load) to Source-2 (to Load), then these operations shall be possible manually i.e. completely manually because electrical control circuit has a problem.
It may not be prudent to consider that manual operation is only for maintenance purpose and maintenance will be over within a few minutes. The manual operation shall be possible anytime (any duration) till ATS is serviced.
Let me know if my understanding is clear.
 
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