THOMSON MEC 310 - WITH OPTION A AUTOMATIC MAINS FAILURE AND ISLAND MODE, MEC 310 Operator's Manual

MEC 310

GENSET CONTROLLER

OPERATOR’S MANUAL

Option A – Automatic Mains Failure

& Island Mode

PM090 Rev 2 10/02/09

9087A – 198th Street, Langley, BC Canada V1M 3B1  Telephone [phone]

Fax [phone]  E-Mail: [e-mail]  www.thomsontechnology.com

This description of options covers the following products:

MEC 310 SW version 1.2X.X

MEC 310 GENSET CONTROLLER with AMF – OPERATORS MANUAL

Table of Contents

1. ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT ................................................................................................................ 1

ENERAL PURPOSE

G

NTENDED USERS

I

ONTENTS/OVERALL STRUCTURE

C

.......................................................................................................................................1

..........................................................................................................................................1

.................................................................................................................1

2. WARNINGS AND LEGAL INFORMATION .................................................................................... 2

EGAL INFORMATION AND RESPONSIBILITY

L

LECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE AWARENESS

E

AFETY ISSUES

S

ACTORY SETTINGS

F

EFINITIONS

D

.............................................................................................................................................2

...................................................................................................................................... 2

................................................................................................................................................. 2

.................................................................................................. 2

.................................................................................................... 2

3. PUSH-BUTTONS, LEDS AND DISPLAY .......................................................................................... 3

IMENSIONS

D

USH-BUTTON FUNCTIONS

P
LED F
AMF C
AMF P
AMF LED F

ISPLAY FUNCTIONS

D

................................................................................................................................................. 3

SLAND CONTROLLER

- I

UNCTIONS

ONTROLLER OPTION (AUTO MAINS FAILURE

USH-BUTTON

..........................................................................................................................................5

/LED T

UNCTIONS

ERMS

................................................................................................................................. 7

& F

UNCTIONS

............................................................................

...................................................................................... 3

)................................................................................... 6

......................................................................................... 7

RROR

E

OOKMARK NOT DEFINED

! B

DISCLAIMER ............................................................................................................................................... 9

4. BASIC OPERATION ..........................................................................................................................10

.

NITIAL POWER UP AND FAULT CLEARING

I

ANUAL OPERATION MODE

M

UTOMATIC OPERATION MODE

A
AMF - M
AMF - A

ANUAL OPERATION (OPTIONAL FEATURE

UTOMATIC OPERATION

.......................................................................................................................11

..................................................................................................................11

.................................................................................................................13

.................................................................................................. 10

).................................................................................... 12

PM090 REV 2 10/02/09 THOMSON TECHNOLOGY

MEC 310 GENSET CONTROLLER with AMF – OPERATORS MANUAL

Please make sure to read this manual before working with the MEC 310

set to be controlled. Failure to do this could result

1. About this document

General purpose

This document is the Operator’s Manual for THOMSON TECHNOLOGY’s generator controller
MEC 310. The document includes information about push-buttons, LEDs, display readings, icon list
and basic operational theory.

The general purpose is to give the operator important information to be used in the daily operation
of the unit.

This Operator’s Manual is mainly intended for the daily user. On the basis of this document the
operator will be able to carry out simple day-to-day procedures.

controller and the gen­in damage to the equipment or human injury.

Intended users

Contents/overall structure

The document is divided into chapters, and in order to make the structure simple and easy to use,
each chapter will begin from the top of a new page.

PM090 REV 2 10/02/09 Page 1 THOMSON TECHNOLOGY

MEC 310 GENSET CONTROLLER with AMF – OPERATORS MANUAL

The notes provide general information, which will be helpful for the reader to

The warnings indicate a potentially dangerous situation, which could

certain

Be aware of the hazardous live currents and voltages. Do not touch any

2. Warnings and legal information

Legal information and responsibility

THOMSON TECHNOLOGY takes no responsibility for installation or operation of the engine/generator
set. If there is any uncertainty regarding how to install or operate the engine controlled by the MEC
310, the company responsible for the installation or the operation of the engine/generator set should
be contacted.

Sufficient care must be taken to protect the terminals against static discharges during the
installation. Once the unit is installed and connected, these precautions are no longer necessary.

Installing the MEC 310 controller implies work with dangerous currents and voltages. Therefore,
authorized personnel, who understand the risks involved in working with live electrical equipment,
should only undertake the installation.

The controllers are not to be opened by unauthorized personnel.

If opened / warranty seals broken, the warranty will be void.

Electrostatic discharge awareness

Safety issues

AC measurement inputs as this could lead to injury or death.

Factory settings

The unit is delivered with certain factory settings. Given the fact that these settings are based on
generic values, they are not necessarily the correct settings for matching the individual engine.
Therefore precautions must be taken to ensure the suitability of the settings before running the
engine. In some cases protection settings may be disabled in an effort to allow the commissioning
agent ease of initial startup. As such all alarm/shutdown protection settings must be reviewed to
ensure the engine generator set is adequately protected against catastrophic failure.

Definitions

Throughout this document a number of notes and warnings will be presented. To ensure that these
are noticed, they will be highlighted in order to separate them from the general text.

Notes

Warnings

bear in mind.

result in death, personal injury or damaged equipment, if
guidelines are not followed.

PM090 REV 2 10/02/09 Page 2 THOMSON TECHNOLOGY

MEC 310 GENSET CONTROLLER with AMF – OPERATORS MANUAL

will immediately stop.

3 seconds.

3. Push-buttons, LEDs and Display

Dimensions

Front dimensions H x W

Unit depth

Push-Button Functions - Island Controller

The push-buttons on the unit have the following functions:

160 x 220 mm (6.30” x 8.66”)

54 mm (2.13 “)

:

RUN

Permits local
engine Start/Run.

Operation Mode
must be in MAN
to enable this
Push-button.

▲:
Normal Display: Scrolls
the display up once.

Program Menu:
Increases set point
value.

:

Silences Local Horn and
resets horn relay output.

Hold for 2 seconds to
display alarm list.

▼:
Normal display: Scrolls the
display down once.

Program Menu: Decreases
set point value.

ENTER

Enters value or
acknowledges alarm.

ESC

Escape\Exit from Parameter
Menu, Alarm Lists or Event
Logs to the Normal Display.

TEST

Activates the programmed timed
test (i.e. timed based off load test).

:

:

:

:

OFF

Stops the engine
immediately.

If the unit is running in
AUTO, the operation
mode will change to
MAN and the engine

PM090 REV 2 10/02/09 Page 3 THOMSON TECHNOLOGY

AUTO:

Automatic Operation
Mode selector.

Requires a Remote
Start Input to Initiate
Start/Run Sequence.

LAMP TEST

Activates all LEDs for

MAN:

Manual Operation Mode
selector.

Requires RUN Push-button
be depressed to initiate
Start/Run Sequence

:

MEC 310 GENSET CONTROLLER with AMF – OPERATORS MANUAL

: Permits local engine start and run. Mode Selection must be in MAN to enable this push-

RUN

button.

: Stops the engine instantaneously. If the unit is in AUTO mode, the mode will change to

OFF

MAN and the engine will immediately stop.

Note:

the ENTER button. If the condition is still present the shutdown is acknowledged and will
self–clear when the field device or programming logic permits a return to the none-fail
state.

: AUTO running mode selector.

AUTO

: Manual Operation Mode selector. Requires RUN Push-button be depressed to initiate

MAN

Start/Run Sequence

: Initiates the test sequence selected for the push-button. Test type only programmable

TEST

using TPS300 utility software.

LAMP TEST

: Escape\Exit from Parameter Menu, Alarm Lists, Event Logs or Fault Banner to the Normal

ESC

Display. Hides pop-up messages.

: Resets horn relay. Extra function: Press and hold button 2 sec. to see alarm list.

▲: Normal display: Scrolls the display up once. Programming: Increases set point value.

▼: Normal display: Scrolls the display down once. Programming: Decreases set point value.

ENTER

: Enters value/acknowledges alarm.

For Shutdown fault clearing the OFF button

: Lamp test. One push will illuminate all LEDs for 3 seconds.

1st be depressed before pressing

must

PM090 REV 2 10/02/09 Page 4 THOMSON TECHNOLOGY

MEC 310 GENSET CONTROLLER with AMF – OPERATORS MANUAL

:

LED Functions

The LEDs provide the following status:

Running feedback present

(selectable in program)

•

•

•

•

•

Power LED

Power OK

Oil Pressure
Magnetic Pickup
DC Charging Alternator
AC Voltage
AC Frequency

: Power OK indicator.

Power

Alarm LED

: Flashing: Active, non-acknowledged alarm(s) present.
Steady: Active, acknowledged alarm(s) present.
Amber: Alarm only condition
Red: Shutdown condition present, alarm condition may be present but

shutdowns have higher precedent.

Additional alarm
Indication LEDs:

Flashing: Active, non-acknowledged alarm(s) where output A or B is

configured to LED 1, 2, 3 or 4.

Steady: Active, acknowledged alarm(s) where output A or B is configured to

LED 1, 2, 3 or 4.

Running Feedback:

Provides crank disconnect or backup means and visual indication of engine
running. More than type one can be used at the same time.

Generator Volts/Hz Ok

: Illuminates once generator voltage & frequency have been within

acceptable limits for a programmed period of time.

Alarm LED:

Flashing: Active, non-acknowledged alarm(s) present.
Steady: Active, acknowledged alarm(s) present.

Red = Shutdown / Amber = Alarm

Additional alarm indication LEDs:

LED on when the configured alarm
or condition is present

(For more information, see relay
configuration in the “Installation and
Operators Manual”).

LED ON

LED ON

– Auto Mode selected

– Manual Mode selected

Generator Voltage and Frequency OK

Illuminates after Voltage & Frequency

•

are within limit for programmed delay
(channel 6221)

PM090 REV 2 10/02/09 Page 5 THOMSON TECHNOLOGY

MEC 310 GENSET CONTROLLER with AMF – OPERATORS MANUAL

= Utility out of limits delay

AMF Controller (Auto Mains Failure) Optional Feature

The AMF controller has the following push-buttons in addition to the those on the Island Controller:

The AMF breaker control push-buttons are only active in the Manual Operation Mode.

GCB Close Push-button

Active only when the generator

•

voltage & Hz are within programmed
limits, associated delays expired
and USB close removed.

UCB Close Push-button

Always active when the manual mode

•

is selected, not dependant on voltage
and Hz within programmed limits

GCB

UCB

GCB Trip Push-button

Always active when in

•

Manual Operation Mode.

UCB Trip Push-button

Always active when the manual mode

•

is selected, not dependant voltage &
Hz within programmed limits

AMF Status LEDs

Utility Supply Status LED

= Generator Circuit

Breaker

= Utility Circuit

Breaker

GCB CLOSE

LED illuminates (delay programmable - channel 6221)

, only permitted once Gen Volts & Hz Ok

The GCB and UCB breaker status LEDs are only illuminated when the breaker close output
contact is closed. When either of the trip push-button is depressed its associated the LED
is immediately extinguished.

PM090 REV 2 10/02/09 Page 6 THOMSON TECHNOLOGY

Flashing Red LED

= Utility out of limits

delay, inhibit engine start.

Solid Red LED

complete, engine start sequence and
transfer blocks removed.

Flashing Green LED

and in Transfer Return Delay.

Solid Green LED

transfer to generator initiated or complete

= Utility healthy

Utility healthy and

=

MEC 310 GENSET CONTROLLER with AMF – OPERATORS MANUAL

= Generator Circuit Breaker

GCB

= Utility Circuit Breaker

UCB

GCB Trip

GCB Close

UCB Trip

UCB Close

: Generator or automatic transfer switch breaker trip/open push-button. This push-button

is always active when the Manual Operation Mode is selected.

: Generator or automatic transfer switch breaker close push-button. This push-button is

only active if the generator is running, its voltage and frequency are within acceptable
limits for the set delay time as defined in programming and the USB Close has been
removed (press UCB Trip to remove GCB close inhibit condition).

: Utility or automatic transfer switch breaker trip/open push-button. This push-button is

always active when the Manual Operation Mode is selected.

: Utility or automatic transfer switch breaker close push-button. This push-button is

always active when the Manual Operation Mode is selected. GCB close must be
removed to permit operation.

Changing the operating mode from Manual to Auto will not cause opertional errors. Making
this change will only revert automatic breaker and generator control to the MEC 310. Mode
changes can be made at anytime, however if changing from Automatic to Manual all
operational sequences must be carried out manually. Automatic generator starting and
transferring of essential loads will not occur.

AMF Push-button/LED Terms & Functions

GCB LED

UCB LED

Utility Supply Status LED

: Green LED illuminates when generator circuit breaker is closed.

: Green LED illuminates when utility circuit breaker is closed.

Flashing Red LED
Solid Red LED

Flashing Green LED
Solid Green LED

= Utility out of limits delay complete, engine start sequence and

AMF LED Functions

: Provides at a glance health status of the utility supply, these are:

= Utility out of limits delay, inhibit engine start.

transfer blocks removed.

= Utility healthy and in Transfer Return Delay.

= Utility healthy and transfer to generator initiated or complete

PM090 REV 2 10/02/09 Page 7 THOMSON TECHNOLOGY

MEC 310 GENSET CONTROLLER with AMF – OPERATORS MANUAL

The available parameters depend on the set options. Some parameters can only

be changed using the TPS 300 software. The parameter list will automatically be

2 alarm(s)

0.0 s 10.0 s 100.0 s

Display functions

The display indicates both readings and alarms. Illustrated below are examples with icons and
English language.

MEC 310

Battery 24.0 V
RPM 0

1 0 d 0 h
2 0 d 0 h
27/11 2006 14:30:55

Alarm list

High Battery

Ack

2 alarm(s)

Parameter

Type and software version.

Battery voltage, RPM and running hours counter.

Service timer 1 and 2.

Date and time.

Press to enter the list of active alarms.

Active alarm list

automatically, when an alarm appears. When the
arrow is present, more alarms are active. Press ▼
to scroll through the list. Exit the list by pressing
ESC.

Press to enter the parameter setting.

. The alarm list pops up

D+ delay

Min. value Actual value Max. value

PM090 REV 2 10/02/09 Page 8 THOMSON TECHNOLOGY

abandoned, if no button is pressed during a 30 sec. period.

Parameter example: D+ delay setting. Use ▲ or ▼
to scroll through the settings list. If change of
settings is necessary, press and enter the
password. Then use ▲ or ▼ to change values.
Use ESC to leave settings.

MEC 310 GENSET CONTROLLER with AMF – OPERATORS MANUAL

Disclaimer

Disclaimer

The Product is delivered with certain factory setting. The factory settings are based on
typical values and not to be considered acceptable for the equipment it is intended to
operate and protect. Thus precautions must be taken to confirm all settings meet the
requirements of the equipment being put into service.

Thomson Technology takes no responsibility for the installation or operation of the engine­generator set controls. If there is any doubt about how to install or operate the engine­generator set controlled by this unit, the company responsible for the installation or the
operation of the equipment must be contacted.

To better understand the programming and methods of programming please refer to the
MEC310 Installation and Operation manual.

PM090 REV 2 10/02/09 Page 9 THOMSON TECHNOLOGY

MEC 310 GENSET CONTROLLER with AMF – OPERATORS MANUAL

4. Basic Operation

Basic Operational Theory

The operation instructions provided are based on the assumption the controller has been
previously reviewed, programs modified and the controls and engine generator set
commissioned as acceptable for it’s intended use. It is also assumed the engine
generator set is ready to operate and all necessary house keeping has been completed
such as, checking oil and coolant levels, all mechanical and electrical fundamentals
proven to be in good working order.

Initial Power up and Fault Clearing

On initial power up of the controller it is probable that various alarms or shutdowns may be
presented. These will need to be cleared prior to placing the equipment into service or operation.

Fault alarms can
causing the fault has returned to the non-fail state or the associated alarm is programmed to be
ignored during initial start up (bypassed on start) and the ENTER push-button depressed. If the
field device remains in its fault state during the reset process and its fault condition is not
programmed to be ignored during initial start up pressing the ENTER push-button will only result in
acknowledging the alarm.

Shutdown states require the OFF push-button be depressed prior to the ENTER push­button to allow fault clearing. This ensures the engine generator set cannot unintentionally
restart after the fault is cleared if an automatic start is being requested.

Previously acknowledged alarms or shutdowns will clear automatically when its associate
field device returns to its non-fail state.

Shutdown conditions differ from Alarm conditions in that only one shutdown can exist at a time, 1st
shutdown in locks out subsequent shutdowns. If multiple shutdowns were permitted it would be
impossible to determine which state was the actual cause making troubleshooting a nearly
impossible task.

The controller provides a quick reference as to the alarm state level. The alarm LED on the
controller can change between an amber or red state. If both alarms and a shutdown are present
the LED will be red indicating the highest level of alarm, this being a shutdown condition. When
there are only alarms present, the alarm LED will be amber. Multiple alarms are permitted and will
be displayed on the alarm list with an up/down arrow advising to scroll through the list to view all.
Only the displayed alarm can be cleared, unviewed alarms cannot be cleared unless displayed or
previously acknowledged.

A flashing alarm LED is an indication of a new alarm/shutdown, which is unacknowledged.
Pressing the ENTER push-button will acknowledge and/or clear the alarm if the associated field
device or program permits. If not permitted the alarm LED will change to a solid state, if multiple
new alarms are present the LED will continue to flash until all new alarms are acknowledged or
cleared.

be cleared if the alarm message appears on the display, the field device

only

PM090 REV 2 10/02/09 Page 10 THOMSON TECHNOLOGY

MEC 310 GENSET CONTROLLER with AMF – OPERATORS MANUAL

The Horn Silence push-button only silences the local controller horn and reset the horn
relay output, it will not acknowledge or clear alarm states. The MEC310 internal alarm horn
must be enabled using M-Logic if desired.

The Horn Silence push-button provides a secondary function, by holding this push-button
for greater than 2 seconds the alarm list is displayed.

Manual Operation Mode

Pressing either the

In the Manual Operation Mode the remote start input is ignored, starting and stopping of the engine
generator can only be achieved with the RUN and OFF push-buttons on the left side of the
controller.

Once a manual RUN is initiated the engine generator set will continue to operate until
manually requested to stop by pressing the OFF push-button (immediately stops without
cooldown) or by pressing the AUTO push-button (the cooldown sequence will be initiated
prior to the engine stopping), the fuel supply blocked/exhausted or a shutdown action
resulting from a protection setting.

With the Manual Operation mode selected, pressing the
sequence.

The

start sequence

1. Preheat delay is posted if programmed (also pre-start delay for preheat, prelube, etc…)

2. Initiate starter motor engagement and cranking of engine.

3. Disengages the starter motor automatically once the speed of the engine rises above the
run setpoint. Additional crank and rest cycles are added if the engine fails to start in its first
attempt. Fail to Start shutdown protection is activated should the engine not start after the
programmed number of attempts has been exceeded.

4. All protection and alarm functions, which were bypassed when not running, are enabled
after the engine starts (generally within 10 – 20 seconds of the starter motor being
disengaged).

5. Engine generator set continues to operate until requested to stop.

The

stop sequence

1. Press the
cooldown sequence.

2. Press the
a cooldown sequence before stopping the engine generator set. The stop/cooldown
sequence is not initiated until the remote start input is removed.

or

MAN

is as follows:

is as follows:

push-button. The engine generator set stops immediately without a

OFF

push-button. The engine generator continues to operate and will include

AUTO

push-buttons will select Manual Operation Mode.

OFF

push-button initiates the start

RUN

Pressing the

The start sequence is as follows:

1. When a remote start contact is closed to a binary input configured for remote start the
Preheat delay is posted (if programmed).

PM090 REV 2 10/02/09 Page 11 THOMSON TECHNOLOGY

push-button selects Automatic Operation Mode.

AUTO

Automatic Operation Mode

MEC 310 GENSET CONTROLLER with AMF – OPERATORS MANUAL

For detailed information about changing parameters and setup, please see the

Installation Instructions in Reference Handbook on CD.

The available parameters depend on the set options. Some parameters can only

r list

2. Initiates starter motor engagement and cranking of engine

3. Disengages the starter motor automatically once the speed of the engine rises above the
run setpoint. Additional crank and rest cycles are added if the engine fails to start in its first
attempt. Fail to Start shutdown protection is activated should the engine not start after the
programmed number of attempts has been exceeded.

4. All protection and alarm functions, which were bypassed when not running, are enabled
after the engine starts (generally within 10 – 20 seconds of the starter motor being
disengaged).

5. The engine generator set will continue to operate until requested to stop.

The

stop sequence

1. When the remote start contact opens the engine generator set will continue to operate for
it’s programmed cooldown period and then stop.

be changed using the PC utility software (USW) for MEC 310. The paramete
will automatically be abandoned, if no button is pressed during a 30 sec. period.

is as follows:

AMF - Manual Operation (Optional Feature)

Pressing either the
AMF breaker control push-buttons.

The

start sequence

described.

The following describes the AMF operation utilizing the push-buttons provided:

1. With the engine generator set operational and producing acceptable voltage and frequency
the

generator volts/frequency ok LED will illuminate

(programmable in TPS300 - channel 6221). Once the V/Hz Ok LED lights and the UCB
Trip is given the GCB close push-button inhibit is removed and the GCB Close push-button
becomes operational.

2.

Press the UCB Trip push-button

button. This action may move the transfer mechanism to the off/open state or have no
effect (operation will vary based on logic design).

3.

Press the GCB Close push-button

utility/mains supply to the generator supply. Note: The GCB LED may light prior to the
breaker closing if switch position indication is not used, typically no breaker position feed
back is incorporated and the LED follows the output contact action (breaker auxiliary
contacts can be monitored, in this case the LEDs will follow the breaker action).

or

MAN

for the generator is covered under manual operation mode as previously

push-buttons selects Manual Operation Mode and enables the

OFF

after a programmed time delay

to release the UCB and enable the GCB Close push-

. This will move the essential load from the

4. The transfer mechanism will remain in this position even if the generator stops for any
reason.

PM090 REV 2 10/02/09 Page 12 THOMSON TECHNOLOGY

MEC 310 GENSET CONTROLLER with AMF – OPERATORS MANUAL

The

stop sequence

1.

Press the GCB Trip push-button

is as follows:

. This releases the GCB breaker and enables the UCB

Close push-button.

2.

Press the UCB Close push-button

. The transfer mechanism will open the generator

breaker and close the utility/mains breaker.

3.

To stop the generator press OFF

reasonable period of time.

pressing AUTO

. With the load on the utility/mains and within proper limits the engine

Alternatively

after the generator has operated without load for a

the Auto Operation Mode can be selected by

cooldown will be initiated, the generator will continue to run until the cooldown timer expires
then stop.

AMF - Automatic Operation

Pressing the AUTO Mode push-button selects Automatic Operation Mode; in Auto Operation Mode
the AMF breaker control push-buttons are disabled.

The basic

start/stop sequence

previously described, the only exception is, the AMF feature starts and stops the engine generator
set based on monitoring of the utility/main sensing voltage.

The following describes the automatic AMF operation:

1. On detection of utility/mains out of limits the engine generator starts, once producing
acceptable voltage and frequency for a period of time as defined in program the

volts/frequency ok LED will illuminate.

TPS300 software - channel 6221).

for the generator is covered under automatic operation mode as

generator

(V/Hz delay time is programmable only using

2. Once the V/Hz Ok LED illuminates the UCB Closed LED will extinguish and the GCB
Closed LED will illuminate. This is the indication the transfer mechanism is in transition or
transferred to the generator supply.

Breaker auxiliary contacts can be added to permit the LED indicators to only

Note:

illuminate once the breaker closes.

3. The MEC 310 will maintain generator operation until the load is retransferred to the
utility/mains.

4. When the utility/mains voltage returns within acceptable limits the retransfer to utility/mains
is inhibited is maintained until the transfer return delay timer has expired. This ensures the
load is not returned to an unstable supply. Once the transfer return timer expires, the GCB
close is removed and the UCB close permit given.

5. The transfer mechanism moves the essential load from the generator supply to the
utility/mains supply.

6. Once the load transfer has occurred the generator continues to run for the programmed
cooldown time then stops.

THOMSON TECHNOLOGY reserves the right to change any of the above.

PM090 REV 2 10/02/09 Page 13 THOMSON TECHNOLOGY