Universal Transfer Switch (UTS) Questions

[Kremer_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 2/16/2011

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Hello,

I have a 2kVA (red brand) inverter generator and 2.2kva SmartUPS

I have a couple questions about the UTS.

Are the relays similar in type to the extremely fast switching ones used in the Rack ATS products? i.e. sub cycle and loads will not typically shutdown or restart upon switching between utility/UPS/generator?

Does the ATS combine the output power of the generator and UPS when needed, before just outright shedding loads? Obviously not on the same circuit, paralleling them, but say the generator is fully loaded and an existing circuit ramps up briefly and there is capacity on the UPS to handle it. Does the UTS shed the UPS feed (circuit 1), causing it to go to battery, then transfer a loaded circuit from generator to the UPS to alleviate/prevent the overload condition on the generator? (all without connected loads other than the UPS input seeing an outage, refer to my relay type question). Then once the total output condition has dropped back to what the generator can handle everything goes back to normal and the UPS batteries recharge. This seems like a really smart way of managing resources and I hope the UTS does this.

Is there something going on with the UTS6H? (discontinue? redesign?) I see it removed from the product pages but still existing in literature and cannot find it in stock at any resellers at the moment, all say out of stock, drop ship from manufacturer.

Thanks and regards.

[Kremer_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 2/17/2011

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Thanks for the help. now I have a couple more questions...

What happens when circuit 1 ( the UPS/convenience outlet) it set to delayable/shed enabled and a UPS is connected to it. and other circuits are set to the 'either' setting for source? it sounds like the logic might do something like what I'm asking. I'd love to see one of these somewhere in action.

Looking at the wiring diagram in the manual of the UTS 6 and 6H and reading the descriptive differences also in the manual is the 6H just the 6 with a different flanged inlet for the generator and both hot lines bonded together there?

[Boatingrtb_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 12/9/2011

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any luck using the uts10bi with a 120v genset?

I also have an eu2000i and would like to the go the uts10bi route with the idea of upgrading to a larger gen some day.

This info would be expremely helpful to many of us.

[fool4wheelin_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 3/20/2011

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Well, I think I'm going to buy the UTS10BI and see how it works. If I can't get "Backup 1" to work off of 120V input, then I can always use "Backup 2" set as a generator. I'll let you know how it goes.

[fool4wheelin_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 3/17/2011

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I have the same questions as you and I am very interested in the answers.

-Can the UTS operate on both Backup Source 1 & 2 at the same time (supplying different circuits)? Previous poster says No. What if one of the circuits is set to "Uninteruptable", then doesn't it always run off of the UPS regardless of input source?
-Are the UTS6 & UTS6H the same unit with a different input plug? They both require circuits 5 & 6 to be connected to opposite phases (240V) in the main panel, which seems odd since the UTS6H is a 120V unit.
-If the UTS6 needs a 240V input, then how does it function when powered by a 120V UPS?

Message was edited by: fool4wheelin

[Kremer_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 3/18/2011

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fool4wheelin wrote:
I have the same questions as you and I am very interested in the answers.

-Can the UTS operate on both Backup Source 1 & 2 at the same time (supplying different circuits)? Previous poster says No.

The manual seems to indicate yes, as each circuit but #1 can be set to preference of UPS or generator as alternate source. The wiring diagram in the manual agrees that the hardware is capable of it, there is a multi position relay for each circuit that lets it independently switch between utility power, UPS (except #1), generator, or nothing (open/shed).

What if one of the circuits is set to "Uninteruptable", then doesn't it always run off of the UPS regardless of input source?

My interpretation of the manual is that means UPS, utility, or generator. Meaning it cannot be shed, only transferred.

-Are the UTS6 & UTS6H the same unit with a different input plug? They both require circuits 5 & 6 to be connected to opposite phases (240V) in the main panel, which seems odd since the UTS6H is a 120V unit.
-If the UTS6 needs a 240V input, then how does it function when powered by a 120V UPS?

They both are 120V output models, again looking at the wiring diagram I deduct that they use both phases connected to utility for voltage sensing (and internal power) not as 240V but as two monitored 120V inputs. If it only sensed one phase then you would have to move loads/breakers around in your main panel to get everything you wish to tie to the ATS on that same phase. Monitoring both lets you just tie in/grab any circuit you want since it will detect deviations/outages on both phases..

[fool4wheelin_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 3/18/2011

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Well, here is what one of the UTS6 manuals says about the "Uninterruptible" circuit setting. My interpretation is that this means the circuit is powered by the UPS 100% of the time.

There is continuous backup power supplied by a UPS. Utility power flows into the UPS and from the UPS to the connected load. This provides power and protection for the load during any utility power fluctuation.

So if the UTS6 can be used with a 120V generator, I am curious if the UTS10BI could be as well. I wouldn't be able to use the lone 240V circuit for now, but if I ever bought a larger 240V generator in the future, then I would have more circuits and a 240V circuit.

[Kremer_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 3/18/2011

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fool4wheelin wrote:
Well, here is what one of the UTS6 manuals says about the "Uninterruptible" circuit setting. My interpretation is that this means the circuit is powered by the UPS 100% of the time.

There is continuous backup power supplied by a UPS. Utility power flows into the UPS and from the UPS to the connected load. This provides power and protection for the load during any utility power fluctuation.

Hrmm, I agree with that meaning that the designated circuit's relay would be locked onto the UPS at all times.

[fool4wheelin_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 3/21/2011

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How do you know this, do you own one or do you have experience using one? When the manual says "continuous backup power supplied by a UPS", I don't think "continuous" means "except for when the generator has stabilized." IMHO, the "UNINTERRUPTIBLE" setting is meant for computers or other sensitive electronics, so why would I want the UTS to switch the power for these devices from the protection of the UPS to generator power?

[fool4wheelin_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 3/22/2011

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I argree with what you're saying now. The power will ultimately be coming from the generator, but it is run through the UPS for protection, not directly from the generator. The UTS can still shed circuit 1 (convenience outlet) in an overload condition and the UPS & connected circuits will be on battery power again.

You have me confused on your load sharing statement though. Each circuit on the UTS can only be powered by by one source, but at any given moment, the UTS can power different circuits from multiple sources. For example, circuit one could be off, circuits 2-4 could be powered from the generator and circuits 5-6 could be powered from the UPS. This is my understanding anyway.

[fool4wheelin_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 4/1/2011

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The UTS10BI arrived the other day and its now installed. Pretty straightforward installation. Observations so far:

- I have the circuit that powers my computer set to "UNINTERRUPTIBLE" and that circuit receives power only from the UPS, while the rest of the circuits are powered directly from utility.
- The power meter for each circuit is handy, although it doesn't track usage on the above "UNINTERRUPTIBLE" circuit. It appears that circuit's usage is added to that of Circuit 1 (The convenience outlet the UPS is powered by).
- I have yet to test it by cutting utility power or hooking it up to my generator. Will post details if I learn anything new with operation or compatibility with a 120V generator.

[doofoo_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 9/6/2011

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Any update if you were able to run on the 120V genset?

[noc_at_prs.k12.nj.us_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 9/24/2011

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I also have a combination of a EU2000i and a Smart UPS 2200XL (loaded at only about 800 watts maximum, power outage load 200 watt typical). I am also very interested in knowing if there is a way to install one of the 240 volt UTS versions to use initially with my EU2000i inverter units that only puts out 120 volts, then later migrate to a larger generator that produces 240 volts. I really like the low fuel consumption rate on the EU2000i.

The EU2000i happily powers my sump pump, fridge and UPS (for computers, home theater) but currently I need to be sure the fridge is off when the pump starts or the UPS is not terribly happy. Yes, I have adjusted the sensitivity on the UPS. It is just too much load for the EU2000i. The UTS should be able to very readily automate my current "sump high water alarm sounds, unplug fridge, plug in pump" manual operation.

Message was edited by: noc@prs.k12.nj.us

[fool4wheelin_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 9/26/2011

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No, the power/flooding issues this spring weren't that bad so I haven't spent much time on it. The UTS does work great with the used UPS that I bought. We had a small power outage in our area and my neighbors were wondering why my lights were on when no-one had power.

On a side note, I also found that the UTS10BI trips arc-fault breakers when switching from utility to UPS power.

[skola28_apc · Accepted solution]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 5/4/2021

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Has anyone been able to figure out how to power up the UTS10BI Controls from 120V?  (Other than with a UPS?)

There has to be an AC/DC converter which is taking the 240V from 9/10 and converting it to DC24V (probably).  Clearly there is an AC/DC converter which takes the 120V from the UPS and powers the UTS10BI Controls.  I want to be able to use the system without powering the UPS backup circuitry.  Much like was implemented on the UTS6H.

I wonder if one of the headers works as a jumper to set/send 120V to the controllers instead of the voltage across 9/10?