Generators, ATS, & Inverters, oh my

Status
Not open for further replies.
George Stolz

George Stolz

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Windsor, CO NEC: 2017
Occupation
Hospital Master Electrician
1. What does an anuerism feel like?

2. Up in the hills, I have a 12k generator accompanying the solar system for a house. The neutral is bonded to the frame of the generator. I am going to install a disconnect for the generator, and make the hookups, a first for me.

I am not sure how the solar installer wired the ATS, and am not sure if it switches the neutral yet. In this case, I'm not convinced it matters.

Here's the thing: Since the generator is to energize the 120/240 panel in the house, and also to charge the batteries via the inverters (which would be the 'other' supply for the house) I kind of assume the ATS isn't conventional at all. The operation of the system makes it sound more like a disconnect than a transfer switch.

My question: in this circumstance, where the supplies are intentionally to be tied together, do I need to concern myself with traditional grounding methods? Generally, if the generator is bonded neutral to ground, then the neutral must be switched in the ATS. Is there an opportunity for objectionable current if the neutral is not switched? It seems more like an extension of the same system in this case.

If I had my druthers, the neutral/grounding bond would take place in the proximity of the inverter/battery room, and I would just remove the bond at the generator (if I could find it). Whether the neutral is switched or not seems unimportant in this case.

Given the high-tech nature of the equipment involved, I doubt I can just tone through and see if the ATS switches the neutral. With the inverters, the ATS, controllers, etc, there's more LCD's and LED's than Radio Shack. I'm probably going to get ahold of the solar installer and determine the switch operation from him.

I'm probably overthinking this. (That whole well pump thing: Yeah, somebody else is taking care of it. :eek: )
 
Re: Generators, ATS, & Inverters, oh my

George,

Pimp my ride,that is such a cool thread.

So,this house has no POCO serving it at all?

As far as the ATS for the single phase system,if it has three poles I would say the "neutral" is to be switched.
Which is the main system and which is the SDS?
 
Re: Generators, ATS, & Inverters, oh my

The ATS probably chooses which source, solar or gen. Which ever source is chosen, it then charges the batteries and other non inverter power stuff.
The inverter then takes the battery power and generates AC for inverter powered stuff.
If the gen has a n-g bond in the gen, then the trans sw must transfer the neutral. If the trans sw doesn't switch the neutral, then you need to disconnect the n-g bond at the gen.
 
Re: Generators, ATS, & Inverters, oh my

No POCO present.

By reputation, the inverter does all the work. When the batteries get low, the inverter senses it and activates the 240VAC generator, and the inverter takes that power to charge the batteries and also power the panel.
 
Re: Generators, ATS, & Inverters, oh my

Originally posted by georgestolz: 1. What does an anuerism feel like?
Click to expand...
Like any other typo might feel like? :D

Let's hope that the only way any of us have to learn is by way of a google search:
The most common symptom of a brain aneurysm is a severe headache. There are many symptoms of a brain aneurysm and each person with an aneurysm may not experience the same symtoms. Some of the other symptoms are: Localized Headache, Nausea & Vomiting, Stiff Neck or Neck Pain, Blurred Vision or Double Vision, Pain Above and Behind Eye, Dilated Pupils, Sensitivity to Light (photophobia), and Loss of Sensation.
Click to expand...
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top