Emerson ASCO 185, ASCO 185SE FAQ
Series 185 Frequently Asked Questions
Service ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
How will I know if the controller is non-operational? .......................................................................................................... 3
What should I do if the indicator lights are faulty? ............................................................................................................... 3
How do I contact a service technician? ................................................................................................................................ 3
Why won’t the engine exerciser light blink after setting (press and hold the button) the exerciser? ..................................... 3
Why doesn’t the engine exerciser light blink to indicate the remaining number of days until the next exercise period? ...... 3
Why won’t the generator shut down? .................................................................................................................................. 4
Why doesn’t the ATS transfer to emergency? ...................................................................................................................... 4
Why won’t the engine start contacts work? .......................................................................................................................... 4
Why does the generator crank up when load is connected to the utility and then shuts down when utility fails? ................. 4
Why won’t the utility acceptable LED light up? .................................................................................................................. 4
Wiring ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Where do I connect the engine start wires? .......................................................................................................................... 5
What generators are compatible with the series 185-transfer switch? .................................................................................. 5
Is the switch supplied with current limiting fuses? ............................................................................................................... 5
What is the DC voltage on the controller? ........................................................................................................................... 5
Features .................................................................................................................................................................................. 6
Are the time delays adjustable? ............................................................................................................................................ 6
How do I specify the ATS? .................................................................................................................................................. 6
What is the 14A and 14B feature for? .................................................................................................................................. 7
What auxiliary features does the ATS offer? ....................................................................................................................... 7
Operation ................................................................................................................................................................................ 8
How do I set the engine exerciser? ....................................................................................................................................... 8
How does the ATS work? .................................................................................................................................................... 8
How can I exercise with load? ............................................................................................................................................. 9
Why does the generator automatically shut-off? .................................................................................................................. 9
Rev. A 1
How do I perform a transfer test? ......................................................................................................................................... 9
How does the engine exerciser work? .................................................................................................................................. 9
What does the engine exerciser light indicate? ..................................................................................................................... 9
Will the 185-switch work with a non-generator emergency source? .................................................................................... 9
Product
Others.................................................................................................................................................................................... 12
Installation
How do I install the ATS? ................................................................................................................................................. 10
Where is the ground bus located? ...................................................................................................................................... 11
Where do I connect the power cables? ............................................................................................................................... 11
Parts Inquiry ...................................................................................................................................................................... 12
Pricing Inquiry ................................................................................................................................................................... 12
............................................................................................................................................................. 10
Rev. A 2
Service
How will I know if the controller is non-operational?
1. The indicator lights are not showing proper indications.
2. The switch transfers even if there is no loss of utility power and no transfer test operation or exercise with transfer
is confirmed.
3. The relays are not operating according to the normal sequence (no voltage from the board socket to supply the
relay coils).
4. The engine exerciser has malfunctioned even if the battery is new, or exercises at a random schedule, or does
not function.
5. The generator would not start even when a start signal is verified or does not shut down.
6. The command buttons, DIP switches or potentiometers are non operational.
7. Discoloration or indication of damaged components visible on the circuit board.
8. Remote control switches are not functioning even though proper values have been set.
9. No power present at inputs from the harness.
Consult technical support group to verify the conditions
What should I do if the indicator lights are not functioning properly?
1. Check to determine if correct voltage is applied across the main contacts. This requires opening the enclosure
door and wearing the appropriate PPE.
2. Check that voltage sensing wires have continuity.
3. If the voltage across the terminals is acceptable, but the lights are not operational, then the controller should be
replaced.
Note: Checking these items requires an ASCO Services technician or a licensed electrician!
How do I contact a service technician?
1. You can contact a local ASI representative by calling the toll free hotline at (1-800-2726) and then go to option 2,
then option 3 on the prompt.
2. Customer service assistants can also transfer you to a technician’s office in your area.
Why won’t the engine exerciser light blink after setting (press and hold the button)
the exerciser?
1. Check engine start contacts to confirm they change position. If it doesn’t, controller may be non-conforming,
replace controller
2. If start contacts change position, generator may have a problem. Contact local generator distributor.
3.
Check the 9-volt battery and the S2 dipswitch setting of the battery. It should be ON.
Note: Checking these items requires an ASCO Services technician or a licensed electrician!
Why doesn’t the engine exerciser light blink to indicate the remaining number of
days until the next exercise period?
1. After the exercise period stops, the flashing light will remain on to indicate that the exercise is enabled and another
exercise will be conducted after a week.
Rev. A 3
Why won’t the generator shut down?
1. Generator is still running on cool-down state. Approximately 5 minutes.
2. If the ATS has transferred to the utility source and the generator is still running after 5 minutes, check if generator
has its own cool-down timer/setting. Contact local generator supplier
3. If the generator has no cool-down timer but is still running after 5 minutes, check the engine start contacts on the
transfer switch.
4. If there is continuity on the N.O. contacts (no continuity on the N.C. contacts) and switch is connected to the utility
source, the controller may be non-conforming. Controller should be replaced.
Note: Checking these items requires an ASCO Services technician or a licensed electrician!
Why doesn’t the ATS transfer to emergency?
1. Verify that the generator accepted light is on. The ATS will not transfer load to an unacceptable source.
Check generator breaker. Contact local generator supplier.
2. Voltage across the emergency terminals is not acceptable.
3.
The generator frequency is too low or too high.
4.
The solenoid operator is non-operational.
5. The controller is non-operational.
Note: Checking these items requires an ASCO Services technician or a licensed electrician!
Why won’t the engine start contacts work?
Conduct a “transfer test.” The engine start contacts should change position. If they don’t, controller may need to be
replaced.
Contact an ASCO Services technician or a licensed electrician!
Why does the generator crank up when load is connected to the utility and then
shuts down when utility fails?
1. Controller does not sense the proper outage of the normal / utility source. May need to be replaced.
Why won’t the utility acceptable LED light up?
1. Normal/utility source is not acceptable. Voltage and/or frequency are not within acceptable parameters.
2.
Utility breaker is OFF. Turn the breaker ON.
3. LED has malfunctioned; contact Parts Department or local distributor and replace LED.
Verify if the transfer switch harness is connected properly to the controller.
Note: Checking this item requires an ASCO Services technician or a licensed electrician!
Rev. A 4
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