Forum Discussion

RAMPY's avatar
RAMPY
Explorer
Jul 30, 2016

Electricity Stopped Suddenly

Last night our electricity stopped suddenly at a site that we have been at for the last 5 days... w/good power the entire time. I figured it was a power surge and my "protection" device cut things down. So I went to the pedestal power and everything looked normal. I re-cycled the pedestal breaker and tried again....no luck. I also re-cycled my internal breaker
So, I figured that I would go to my Generator for power, which I did. It started as normal but when I activated the breaker at my panel...NOTHING ! So, shore power seems good and generator seems good. But I get NADA.
ANY IDEAS ??
Thanks
Class A
  • gbopp's avatar
    gbopp
    Explorer
    Jul 30, 2016
    Did you reset your main breaker?
    Never mind, you did reset it.

    Did you check the power at the pedestal with a meter?
  • wolfe10's avatar
    wolfe10
    Explorer
    Jul 30, 2016
    OK, if no 120 VAC from either source, the issue is between the "OUT" side of the ATS (Automatic Transfer Switch) and the main breaker box.

    IF, repeat IF you are safe working around 120/240 VAC power:

    Turn off generator, disconnect from shore power, turn off inverter. Open ATS and check for burned or loose connections. Same thing for the main breaker box.
  • MrWizard's avatar
    MrWizard
    Moderator
    Jul 30, 2016
    EMS power management system ?
    transfer switch ?
    30amp switch as either/or contacts, something is always connected, unless its an internal connection problem
    BUT 50 amp switch has TWO relays
    one for shore, one for generator
    control board failure in the TS and neither one works
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Jul 30, 2016
    What "protetion device do you have?

    Where is it installed........after transfer switch or only on shore power line?

    What indications/errors are showing on "protection" device?

    Are you sure IT is not shutting you down?
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Jul 31, 2016
    MrWizard wrote:
    EMS power management system ?
    transfer switch ?
    30amp switch as either/or contacts, something is always connected, unless its an internal connection problem
    BUT 50 amp switch has TWO relays
    one for shore, one for generator
    control board failure in the TS and neither one works


    Not always true

    Some ATS units have separate normally open relasys for Shore and Generator (And optionally inverter)

    Some have only a single Double Throw Relay.. Now they may have 3 of them (one for each leg and one for Neutral) but something is always connected.. Usually shore on those.. Generator power only connects after the generator has been running for a half to one and a half mninutes.

    I have worked with both types of switches.
  • 10forty2's avatar
    10forty2
    Explorer
    Jul 31, 2016
    Since you seem to have power from both shore and genset, then I would suspect your automatic transfer switch as others have said. Of course, depending on where your EMS is located in the line source, it could have taken a surge, blown the surge circuits and is now stopping the power. On mine, the surge protection doesn't reset when it takes a hit. It blows a component that has to be replaced. If you can, and you know that your power source is good, bypass the EMS and see if you get power.
  • RAMPY's avatar
    RAMPY
    Explorer
    Jul 31, 2016
    Thanks to everyone for their responses. I think it at the Transfer Switch but I'm not qualified to tackle it. I'm taking it in to the shop tomorrow. I'll pass along the outcome. Thanks again.
  • MrWizard's avatar
    MrWizard
    Moderator
    Jul 31, 2016
    wa8yxm wrote:
    MrWizard wrote:
    EMS power management system ?
    transfer switch ?
    30amp switch as either/or contacts, something is always connected, unless its an internal connection problem
    BUT 50 amp switch has TWO relays
    one for shore, one for generator
    control board failure in the TS and neither one works


    Not always true

    Some ATS units have separate normally open relasys for Shore and Generator (And optionally inverter)

    Some have only a single Double Throw Relay.. Now they may have 3 of them (one for each leg and one for Neutral) but something is always connected.. Usually shore on those.. Generator power only connects after the generator has been running for a half to one and a half mninutes.

    I have worked with both types of switches.


    I don't think I have ever seen an OEM 30 amp switch with two relays
    Only one relay
    Yes you could have seen a two relay 50amp switch used as replacement in a 30 amp service, it should never fail
    And yes I have seen three relay switches
    Shore power , generator, inverter
    I only described the single relay 30 amp and the two relay 50 amp,
    Because we don't know what service the op has

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