What Is an AMF Panel?
Automatic mains failure (AMF) panels, often referred to as automatic transfer switch (ATS) panels, make the power switch to emergency standby generators in the event of a significant loss of mains power or total blackout. Without AMF panels, generators need to be operated manually and that can mean lost data, potential damage to electrical equipment, and huge amounts of disruption.
AMF and ATS panels monitor the incoming AC mains supply, activate the standby generator when mains power fails, and make an automatic electrical transfer of the building’s load from the mains to the generating set. When the mains supply returns, the AMF panel controls a return to the mains supply and shuts down the generator after a suitable cooling run.
How Do AMF Panels Work?
Have you ever wondered how in the event of mains failure Uninterruptible Power Supplies and Standby Generators reinstate power? Automatic Mains Failure (AMF) panels, also referred to as an Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) are the key.
Power Cut to Power Back in Seconds
Monitoring a building’s incoming AC mains supply, AMF panels instantaneously activate the standby generator when mains power fails, automatically transferring a building’s load from the mains power supply to the backup generator after about a 15 second warm-up.
When the mains supply returns, the AMF Panel controls a return to the mains supply and shuts down the generator after a suitable cooling run.
Without AMF panels, organisations would have to manually change over from mains to the generator and therefore suffer a longer break in electricity and depend on personnel being available to carry out this task.
Do I Need an AMF Panel for My Backup Generator?
The likelihood is, if you’ve invested the capital expenditure in a backup generator, then you would want that generator to start automatically in the event of a mains power failure. An AMF panel will enable this automatic changeover.
AMF panels ensure that the break in the switchover to UPS or standby generators is kept to a minimum.
AMF Panel Manufacturer & Designer
Shenton Group design and manufacturer AMF panels, ensuring that the continuous power solutions we provide operate superfluously, linking ATS, UPS and standby generators in conjunction with Shenton Group’s remote monitoring solutions.
To discuss your continuous power requirements in detail, speak to a member of the UK’s leading technical experts in Standby Power, Uninterruptible Power Supplies and Combined Heat & Power Systems.
What Is the Difference Between ATS and AMF Panels?
Automatic Transfer Switches (ATS) and Automatic Mains Failure (AMF) panels are designed to switch the electrical load of system from the normal supply to a standby supply, normally a generator, and then back when required.
The difference between the two is how the generator is started. ATS includes a volt free contact that the generator uses to start/stop via its set mounted control panel, while the AMF includes a generator controller with start stop, speed, oil pressure, water temperature and full level alarms.
Delivery of an AMF Project in Bristol
For IT companies, power continuity is of critical importance. For a project in Bristol, the client required the relocation of an existing 3-phase generator. The new location requirements meant that the existing 3-phase generator had to be modified to support the single-phase load at the new site. The new site conditions meant that the generator also required adaptation to support multiple mains supply.
For each mains supply there was the requirement of an automated transfer switch (ATS) and associated cabling, so the AMF panels can sense mains supply and start the back-up generator, in the event of a failure.
On site, there were two mains supplies to be supported, one of which was split into two, supporting a total of three separate buildings. This allowed Shenton Group to use just two AMF panels keeping costs at a minimum. One AMF was located outside in an IP rated enclosure mounted on a plinth and stand, whilst the other was at high level in the building by the mains header it supported.
Connections to the external AMF were local to the generator. The second cable run was more involved being approximately 60 metres running at high level across one building and then through a cable trench under a drive way to the building it was supporting.