ATSE for Industrial Plant Backup Power
Industrial changeover problems are usually motor problems. Where a plant board carries direct-on-line motors, the changeover must be specified around restart current and process priority, not only around the rated current of the board.
- 01
MOTE Electric ATSE equipment for industrial plants is tested to IEC 60947-6-1 and available from 100A to 3200A in PC class and CC class.
- 02
Adjustable transfer delays allow motor-heavy boards to be staged so restart current stays within generator capacity.
- 03
Plant incomer changeover is commonly supplied as an integrated switchgear assembly with metering and downstream distribution.
Which loads need changeover
Group the boards by the loads they serve, then read the tolerated interruption from the most sensitive load on that board.
| Load | Tolerated Interruption | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Essential process control and PLC | ≤ 1 s (usually UPS supported) | Small frame changeover at control board level |
| Critical pumps and compressors | ≤ 5 s – 15 s | Check restart current and soft-start arrangement |
| Production line drives | Process dependent | Staged restart preferred over simultaneous transfer |
| Workshop lighting and ventilation | ≤ 15 s | Essential lighting board with 3P changeover |
| Utilities — water, effluent, air | ≤ 15 s | Motor loads — verify generator step-load capability |
| Non-essential plant | Not time critical | Deferred or manual transfer |
Typical ATSE configuration
Ratings, poles, class and delay settings commonly used on each board type.
| Board | Current Rating | Poles | Class | Transfer Time Setting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main plant incomer | 1000A – 1600A | 3P / 4P | PC / CC | 1 s – 10 s |
| Process essential board | 400A – 800A | 3P / 4P | PC / CC | 0.8 s – 5 s |
| Utilities board | 400A – 800A | 3P | PC / CC | 0.8 s – 5 s |
| Control and instrument board | 100A – 320A | 2P / 3P / 4P | CC | 0.5 s – 3 s |
What to settle before the order
Size the changeover for restart, not only running current
Motor restart current can exceed running current several times over. Confirm the generator and the changeover device both accept the restart step before fixing the rating.
Stage the restart by process priority
Transferring a whole plant board at once can step the generator beyond its capacity. Set different delays so critical processes recover first.
Decide essential versus non-essential early
The split between essential and non-essential boards determines the changeover count and the generator rating more than any single device choice.
Products used on these boards
Questions on this application
Why is motor restart current the key sizing input?
Because the changeover and the generator must both accept the restart step. Sizing on running current alone can produce a transfer that stalls the generator.
Can a plant use one ATSE for all loads?
It can, but staging by board is more common. Separate changeover on essential and utilities boards lets critical processes recover first without over-sizing the generator.
What is the typical transfer time for a plant sub-board?
Around 0.8 s to 5 s for essential boards, with longer settings where the process tolerates a longer interruption and generator capacity is tight.
Does MOTE Electric supply plant incomer assemblies?
Yes. Plant incomer changeover can be supplied as an integrated low voltage assembly with the ATSE, metering and downstream distribution.
Continue with another sector
Ask for a configuration review
Send the board schedule and the interruption each board tolerates. We will return a class, rating and delay proposal.