Kohler Power Systems has launched its redesigned and expanded Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) product line, designed and manufactured in-house to work with the company’s full range of backup power solutions.

Nicole Dierksheide, product manager at Kohler Power Systems, said proper selection of ATS units improves the overall performance of a backup power system. “Sizing the right ATS is crucial to the effectiveness of a backup power solution,” she said. “Too often we see customers purely focused on getting the right generator configuration, only to install any ATS they find that fits the set-up. Engineers should know that if they specify their ATS correctly, they will improve the reliability and operation of the backup power system. At Kohler, we can work with specifiers to design the whole system and make the process that much simpler.”

Kohler Power Systems offers one of the broadest ranges of generators in the industry, with gas-powered units from 25 kW to 400 kW and diesel-powered units from 10 kW to 3,250 kW. To meet the wide variety of demands for the applications its generators are used in, such as data centers, healthcare, water and waste water treatment, the company has created a new line of ATS product offerings flexible enough to meet all of these demands.

“At Kohler we work with our customers from specification to installation, and then we stay on for support,” she said. “We know a lot of specifying engineers want to get the backup power system right for their clients. We’re here to work with them to make their jobs easier and make sure the backup power solution is right one.”

There are three ATS types in the Kohler range to cover all applications. The Standard Transfer Switch has a single mechanism and transfers the load from one power source to another. The Bypass Isolation Transfer Switch combines an automatic and manual transfer switch in a single unit, so power can transfer to the manual switch to maintain power while the ATS is serviced. This feature is essential for hospitals, data centers and other critical facilities. The third ATS option from Kohler is the Service Entrance Transfer Switch, which functions as both the automatic transfer switch and the utility disconnect.

Controllers crucial to ATS functionality

Central to the performance of any ATS is its controller, which controls the timing, operation and monitoring of the ATS. Kohler manufactures its own controllers for ATS units. This means Kohler can assure the quality and suitability of the controllers within the ATS systems it specifies.

As part of the new ATS line, Kohler now offers three controller options. The new entry-level KOHLER Decision-Maker MPAC 750 model is suited to applications where there is open transition between primary and backup power options.

The new KOHLER Decision-Maker MPAC 1200, which replaces the MPAC 1000, offers excellent functionality and is suited for the vast majority of application needs. It works on open, programmed and closed transition and offers a wide variety of programming flexibility with optional inputs and outputs.

The updated KOHLER Decision-Maker MPAC 1500 is compatible with bypass and service entrance ATS systems as well as standard ones. It includes built-in load control, which allows it to control up to nine different loads without the need for additional switchgear. It enables a three-source system, so it can power the loads from the utility and then alternate between two different backup generators during a loss of utility power.. It also has a prime power function to allow use in a prime power application. In addition, it offers expanded input and output programming options.

Also as part of the updated KOHLER ATS product line, the company has introduced a new remote serial annunciator (RSA), which can accommodate up to four ATS units. The new RSA is NFPA-110 compliant and offers a test push-button for remote generator testing and five programmable inputs for customer customization.

Dierksheide said the better performance and ease of specification of the KOHLER ATS product offerings are complemented by Kohler’s superior customer support network. “Having one supplier for the entire backup power system means our customers will just have one number to call to resolve issues or get questions answered: Kohler,” she said.