Generator change-over...

[sponge23]

Hi I work on a site where we have generator back-up, so if the power goes down we can change-over to the generator. The problem we have is knowing when the mains is back on.
What I want to do is have a light that turns on when the mains comes back on - on a timer, for about an hour after the power comes back on.
So I was thinking of taking a feed from the mains side of the changeover, then circuit protection. Just not sure how to control the timer. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Billythekid]

@E54 and Tony 2.5 MW Mini Power Station MISC06, I may have got my wires crossed (pun intended) if its not permissible to do so but im sure while it was been discussed I was told power was switched back to mains uninterrupted and synchronisation was needed before the panel will do the swap which was all automated. Im open to correction as I was told this second hand but it does seem plausible. The link shows such a system that synchronises with other genny's as well as mains.

I'll get my coat :smartass:.

I've seen centralized UPS's working in conjunction with gen set via auto C/O, but never anything like this.

How can it possibly maintain synch, I'm stumped?

 

[Darkwood]

Yes apologies probably a bit extreme as a option but just to note they exist and are out there.

 

[Knobhead]

A bit OTT for keeping the office light on

 

[Darkwood]

Ill admit Tony deffo OTT but have been told of these systems a few times and although ive never worked on them I know a few places using them so assumed they were more common place but obviously not from your replies ... the link probably is misleading as its in the Mw range but Kw systems available and yes close communication with DNO is required when planning and installing. The situation where a so called Electrical maintenance Engineer was showing a new collegue how to test the system was at a local hospital to us and while waiting for synchronisation with the mains he thought the contactor was faulty and proceeded to say "this happened last time" on pushing it in manually the out of sequence mains hit the genny like an instantaneous brake meaning all that inertial force went into ripping it up from the floor and through the wall..... nearly killed everyone in room....