Emergency Power Q&A

Emergency Power connection solutions Q&A

Many questions arise when beginning your first emergency power connection equipment project. ESL has put together some Frequently Asked Questions from customers throughout the years to assist as you move forward with choosing your back up power solution.

General

Q: How do I know what product will best work with my specific needs?
A: ESL’s knowledgeable sales personnel will gladly assist with helping to identify the proper product for your application. The key factors will be the voltage system and the desired emergency load that is to be fed.

Q: What is UL 1008 and how does it affect me? 
A: Local building inspectors typically require all new electrical equipment installed in their jurisdiction to be “Listed” which means the equipment has been approved by Underwriter Laboratories or another recognized test lab. For standby systems that allow portable generator connection, UL 1008 is the proper standard to comply to. If the equipment is not Listed, it may not be acceptable to the inspector.

Q: Is it difficult to make the generator connection to the StormSwitch®, TripleSwitch® or TempTap® product line?
A: No, they utilize the industry standard 400A series 16 cam-style connectors. ESL’s StormSwitch, TripleSwitch and TempTap are color-coded to the voltage, e.g. 208Y/120 green, white, black, red, blue.

Q: Do the generators have the same color-coded plugs that the StormSwitch, TempTap, and TripleSwitch have? 
A: ESL cannot guarantee that. Industry standard is green for ground, white for neutral, and typically black for “A” phase, red for “B” phase and blue for “C” phase. When entering in an agreement for generator service, it is recommended that you request the aforementioned color-coding for the cams.

StormSwitch

 Q: What are the advantages/disadvantages of using a manual transfer switch with a portable generator versus an automatic transfer switch with a permanent generator?
A: Advantages:
Significantly lower cost
No on-site fuel storage required
No maintenance or standard periodic testing
Easier installation – days instead of weeks
Smaller size
Portable generator can be rented or used at other facilities
Permanent generator requires multiple permits

Disadvantages:
Longer time before generator power is established

Q: Can the StormSwitch be Service Entrance Rated?
A: Yes, the StormSwitch has the option to be SUSE (Suitable for Use as Service Entrance in the USA). This option should only be used when the StormSwitch is installed at the building service entrance.

 Q: What is the reason an additional circuit breaker is available with the purchase of a StormSwitch?
A: Circuit breakers provide over current protection; switches do not. If the supplied generator does not have built in over current protection, then it is recommended that the generator disconnect and the StormSwitch be equipped with a circuit breaker rather than a switch. Also depending on your specific application, you may or may not need over current protection on the utility side. Again, ESL’s knowledgeable Sales personnel will gladly help you in deciding what combination works best for your application.

 Q: How does the StormSwitch compare to a standard “double-throw” or “double-key” transfer box?
A: The traditional “safety switch” and/or “double-throw” switches do not provide the over current protection option that is available in ESL’s StormSwitch. These “safety switch” and/or “double-throw” switches are intended for “hard wiring” and therefore would require a licensed electrician (difficult to find one available as they are in high demand during power outages) to connect and disconnect the generator.

 Additional StormSwitch Q&A can be found here

 TempTap

 Q: What is a TempTap?
A; Also referred to as a docking station or tap box, ESL’s TempTap is a means for direct connection from the generator to the building’s switchgear.

Q: Is there any protection offered in a TempTap?
A: Locking doors and internal connection points to keep unauthorized persons from the device. The TempTap is designed to be a safe and simple pass-through box mounted to the outside of a building. It should be used in conjunction with a with a transfer switch or a utility disconnect.

TripleSwitch

 Q: What is the TripleSwitch designed to do?
A: The UL 1008 Listed TripleSwitch was designed to simplify and reduce the cost of load bank testing procedures and to provide a backup for the permanent generator. This unique 3-way manual transfer switch system provides a quick and completely safe way with mechanically interlocked breakers to supply power to the facility from a portable emergency standby generator in the event the utility power is disrupted due to a power loss when the permanent generators are offline.

Q: I know it’s easy to show the ease of use and the safety aspects of the TripleSwitch, but are there other advantages as well?
A: Yes, an added benefit is a reduction in down time when connecting and disconnecting for load bank testing. Having quick connect cam locks for connecting the portable load bank means set up time is reduced to minutes not hours.

Q: How difficult is this to install a TripleSwitch on a job site?
A: Being UL1008 Listed means the TripleSwitch is built in an enclosure designed to provide the proper bend radius and space for the cable amperage being used. The TripleSwitch is an integrated unit with all necessary breakers and cam-lock connections. This means the contractor is installing one unit thus reducing conduit runs and cable lengths as opposed to alternative multiple unit and switchgear solutions that would require multiple conduit runs.

Q: Can I install the TripleSwitch with an existing permanent generator?
A: Yes, very easily. Being an integrated unit, you typically do not need to design-in new breakers and interlock methods. It is a drop-in solution connecting into the existing connection between the ATS and permanent generator.

ESL’s knowledgeable sales personnel is here to answer any additional questions you may have. Please feel free to contact us! ESL is always here to help!

3 Reasons Why UL 1008 Should Be Specified

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When comparing NRTL Listings of different products, it is important to know what the appropriate UL standards are and how they apply to your specific application. You may not always be purchasing what you think you are purchasing. UL 1008 was specifically created for transfer switch equipment. Products with a UL 1008 certification ensure the complete assembly is certified and has undergone rigorous testing to validate performance, safety, and reliability. Non-Automatic transfer switches that are Listed under the UL 1008 standard are evaluated in accordance with Articles 517-Health Care Facilities, 702-Optional Standby Systems of the National Electrical Code (ANSI/NFPA 70) and the National Fire Protection Association Standard for Health Care Facilities (ANSI/NFPA 99). The local inspection process by the AHJ is typically much easier when emergency power transfer switch equipment is UL 1008 Listed. So what are some basic reasons to purchase UL 1008? How about these three…

  1. Your UL 1008 listed Manual Transfer Switch will be listed the same as an Automatic Transfer Switch unit. This means continuity of Listing in all your transfer switch designs.
  2. No need to “reinvent the wheel”. With a UL 1008 listed transfer switch for your project, there is no need to verify if your design meets all the requirements for a transfer switch. This should shorten your design time on your project.
  3. By specifying a UL1008 Listed unit, you are assured that the unit supplied is not just a UL 50 enclosure and/or UL Listed components but has been tested as a complete unit. AHJ are becoming more aware that a manual transfer switch should be listed the same as an automatic transfer switch since they perform the same basic function.

When there is a proper solution why go any other way? It just makes sense!

ESL’s line of emergency power connection equipment for commercial and industrial applications is UL/cUL 1008 Listed for StormSwitch® – Manual Transfer Switches up to 3000A, TempTap® – Generator Docking Stations up to 3200A, and TripleSwitch® – 3-Way Manual Transfer Switches up to 3000A. To get a quote on your next project contact us!

ESL Announces “OSP” Special Seismic Certification

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ESL Announces OSHPD “OSP” Special Seismic Certification of StormSwitch™ and TripleSwitch™ Emergency Power Products

Date: March 25, 2019

Corona, CA — ESL Power Systems, Inc. now features Emergency Power connection equipment that is Special Seismic Certified from the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD). This approval is intended to assist specifiers in meeting NEC and local code requirements for seismic certification of emergency and standby power equipment in critical facilities.

“We determined that obtaining approval by OSHPD would provide enormous value in knowing  our core products have been shaker-table tested and certified to endure major earthquakes without fail” states ESL’s President Michael Hellmers.  In addition to offering pre-approved seismic emergency back-up products to help end users meet the strict OSHPD-requirements for projects based on the current California Building Code (2015), ESL’s Emergency power product line includes UL/cUL  1008 Listing up to 3000 amps  for manual transfer switches  and 3-way manual transfer switches.

Where hospitals and critical care facilities need back-up power they must choose equipment that is OSHPD certified; critical equipment not pre-approved will require 3rd party testing and projects will be delayed which translates into added costs. The OSHPD Special Seismic Certification (OSP) was created to help streamline and simplify hospital construction.

In addition, ESL’s StormSwitch™ and TripleSwitch™ are designed and tested in compliance with IBC 2015. For specific information on ESL’s OSHPD seismic certified emergency power equipment and to download Specifications for Engineers, visit eslpwr.com/oshpd.

Established in 1995, ESL specializes in engineered power distribution solutions that are safe to use and easy to operate. ESL’s line of emergency power connection equipment for commercial and industrial applications are UL/cUL 1008 Listed for StormSwitch™ – Manual Transfer Switches up to 3000A, TripleSwitch™ – 3-Way Manual Transfer Switches up to 3000A and TempTap™ – Generator Docking Stations up to 3200A.

As a certified small business, ESL is proud to provide Made in the USA solutions with the lowest cost of ownership in the industry. ESL demonstrates its continuous commitment to customers by delivering sound workmanship on time and within budget. For more information, visit eslpwr.com/oshpd.

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What is a Company Switch?

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Many engineers may know that during the planning and design stages of a project, an electrical disconnect will be needed. However, do you really know what you’re specifying, and what the differences are between your disconnect options? A question not so rarely asked by many engineers is, “What is a Company Switch?”

Here’s your short, to-the-point answer if you are one of the many who aren’t quite sure:

A Company Switch is a specialized type of electrical disconnect that is used extensively in the entertainment industry for set stage applications (such as lighting) by entertainers, road-shows, media personnel and the like. Company Switches include cam lock receptacles to allow single-pole cam connections to be made quickly and easily. Company Switches incorporate safety features and ease-of-use features that are not found in simpler electrical disconnects. These include safety-interlocked circuit breakers and lights to indicate which phases are live.

Any time there is a need for safe and easy connections to facility power, a Company Switch is the obvious choice.

ESL is here to help:

ESL Power Systems’ Company Switches utilize a mechanically interlocked safety scheme. This prevents access to live parts inside the Company Switch by interlocking the circuit breaker with the door handle. In order to plug in cams it is necessary to open the access door, which in turn disconnects the breaker.

ESL Power Systems’ Company Switches have lights to indicate when cams are inserted, and when power is available (circuit breaker is on). These lights are easily visible even in darkened theaters and performance spaces.

For a more in depth look at Company Switches, stay tuned for part two, “Eight Things to Consider When Selecting a Company Switch.”

Let us make your job easy, Download our Company Switch Standard Specifications or contact us if you have additional questions.