Mini automatic transfer switch
AssigneeZonit Structured Solutions, LLC
InventorsWilliam Pachoud, Steve Chapel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An automatic transfer switch (100) for automatically switching an electrical load between two power sources is provided. Two power cords (106) enter the ATS (A power and B power inputs) and one cord (109) exits the ATS (power out to the load). The ATS has indicators (107) located beneath a clear crenelated plastic lens (108) that also acts as the air inlets. The ATS (100) also has a communication portal (103) and a small push-button (104) used for inputting some local control commands directly to the ATS (100). The ATS (100) can be mounted on a DIN rail at a rack and avoids occupying rack shelves.
Claims24
An automatic transfer switch system, comprising;
- a switch unit having a first input for receiving a first power signal via a first power cord extending between said switch unit and first power outlet associated with a first power source, a second input for receiving a second power signal via a second power cord extending between said switch unit and a second power outlet associated with a second power source, an output for providing a power signal to a connected load, and a switch for selectively connecting one of said first and second inputs to said output depending on a power signal status of at least one of said first and second power signals;
- an optical coupler device for sensing said power signal status of said at least one of said first and second power signals;
- and
- a power surge managing circuit, responsive to said optical coupler device, for managing power surges at said switch unit, said power surge managing circuit being disposed at at least one of:
- 1) between said switch unit and one of said first and second power outlets, and 2) between said switch unit and said load.
A method for operating an automatic transfer switch system, comprising;
- providing a switch unit having a first input for receiving a first power signal via a first power cord extending between said switch unit and first power outlet associated with a first power source, a second input for receiving a second power signal via a second power cord extending between said switch unit and a second power outlet associated with a second power source, an output for providing a power signal to a connected load, and a switch for selectively connecting one of said first and second inputs to said output depending on a power signal status of at least one of said first and second power signals;
- operating an optical coupler device for sensing said power signal status of said at least one of said first and second power signals;
- and
- operating a power surge managing circuit, responsive to said optical coupler device, for managing power surges at said switch unit, said power surge managing circuit being disposed at at least one of:
- 1) between said switch unit and one of said first and second power outlets, and 2) between said switch unit and said load.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.