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ATS – automatic start
SPARK ATS switches and automatic start — worry-free power during a grid outage
Worried about what will happen to your home, business, farm or heat pump during a sudden power cut when you are not at home? ATS automation (Automatic Transfer Switch) combined with compatible SPARK generators provides fully automatic backup power without you having to be there.
Key features
When the system's automation detects a voltage loss in the public grid, it automatically starts the generator within a few seconds and transfers your building's power supply to the generator; once the grid is restored, it switches the building back and safely shuts down the generator. Protect your freezers, heating systems, security cameras and industrial processes from unnecessary damage.
23 items
SPARK 8000/3
1,045.00 € incl. 22% VAT
- Voltage
- 230 / 400 V
- Max. power
- 7 kW
- Rated power
- 6.5 kW
- Engine start
- Manual + electric (key)
- Sockets
- 1× DC 12 V/9 A banana socket, 1× 3P 230 V/32 A, 1× 5P 400 V/16 A
SPARK 8000iA
1,255.00 € incl. 22% VAT
- Voltage
- 230 V
- Max. power
- 6.5 kW
- Rated power
- 6 kW
- Engine start
- Manual + electric (push-button)
- Sockets
- 1× USB-A 5V and 1x USB-C 5 V, 1× DC 12 V/9 A car socket, 1× Schuko 230 V/16 A, 1× 3P 230 V/32 A
SPARK 6000iA
1,570.00 € incl. 22% VAT
- Voltage
- 230 V
- Max. power
- 6 kW
- Rated power
- 5.5 kW
- Engine start
- Manual + electric (push-button)
- Sockets
- 2× 5 V USB-A, 1× DC 12 V/9 A car socket, 1× Schuko 230 V/16 A, 1× 3P 230 V/32 A
SPARK 8000 DiA
2,095.00 € incl. 22% VAT
- Voltage
- 230 V
- Max. power
- 6.5 kW
- Rated power
- 6 kW
- Engine start
- Electric (push-button), 2-wire automatic start
- Sockets
- 1× Schuko 230 V/16 A, 1× 3P 230 V/32 A
SPARK 12000A
2,095.00 € incl. 22% VAT
- Voltage
- 230 / 400 V
- Max. power
- 9.5 kW
- Rated power
- 9 kW
- Engine start
- Manual + electric (key)
- Sockets
- 1× CEE 3P 230 V/63 A, 1× CEE 5P 400 V/32 A
SPARK 13000iA
2,995.00 € incl. 22% VAT
- Voltage
- 230 / 400 V
- Max. power
- 10.5 kW
- Rated power
- 9.5 kW
- Engine start
- Manual + electric
SPARK 15000/3 AVR
2,995.00 € incl. 22% VAT
- Voltage
- 230 / 400 V
- Max. power
- 11 kW
- Rated power
- 10 kW
- Engine start
- Electric (key)
- Sockets
- 2× Schuko 230 V/16 A, 1× 3P 230 V/32 A, 1× 5P 400 V/32 A
SPARK 9000 DiA
3,150.00 € incl. 22% VAT
- Voltage
- 230 / 400 V
- Max. power
- 7.5 kW
- Rated power
- 7 kW
- Engine start
- Electric (push-button), 2-wire automatic start
- Sockets
- 1× Schuko 230 V/16 A, 1× 3P 230 V/32 A, 1× 5P 400 V/16 A
SPARK 10000 DiA
4,195.00 € incl. 22% VAT
- Voltage
- 230 / 400 V
- Max. power
- 9.5 kW
- Rated power
- 9 kW
- Engine start
- Electric (push-button), 2-wire automatic start
- Sockets
- 1× Schuko 230 V/16 A, 1× 3P 230 V/32 A, 1× 5P 400 V/16 A
SPARK 15000iA
5,395.00 € incl. 22% VAT
- Voltage
- 230 / 400 V
- Max. power
- 13 kW
- Rated power
- 12 kW
- Engine start
- Electric (push-button)
- Sockets
- 1× USB-A 5V and 1x USB-C 5 V, 1× 3P 230 V/16 A, 1× 3P 230 V/63 A, 1× 5P 400 V/32 A
SPARK 20000iA
5,665.00 € incl. 22% VAT
- Voltage
- 230 / 400 V
- Max. power
- 18 kW
- Rated power
- 17 kW
- Engine start
- Electric
SPARK BD 22 kVA
Price on request
- Voltage
- 400 V
- Max. power
- 18 kW
- Rated power
- 16 kW
- Engine start
- Electric
Buying guide:How does an ATS switch work, and why do you need one?
The ATS switch (Automatic Transfer Switch) is the brain of your backup power system. Its job is not just to start the engine, but above all to safely separate two energy sources (the public grid and the generator).
Without proper safety interlocks in the ATS switch, a fatal "backfeeding" effect could occur – where your generator sends electricity back into the public grid. This poses a lethal danger to distribution network workers repairing a fault on the power line, and would destroy your generator in a way not covered by the warranty when the public grid suddenly returns.
Comparison table:Manual transfer (MTS) vs. automatic transfer (ATS)
More = better
ATS – SPARK automatic switch
- Installation and connection
- Carried out exclusively by a qualified electrician
- Response time
- Automatically within 10–30 seconds
- User presence
- Not required (works even when you are on holiday or at work)
- Battery monitoring
- Built-in automatic battery maintenance and charging
- Ease of use
- No operation required at all by the end user
- Suitable for
- Houses, heat pumps, farms, cold stores, commercial buildings
MTS – manual cam changeover switch
- Installation and connection
- Mandatory professional wiring in the distribution board
- Response time
- Depends on how quickly a person reacts (from a few minutes to several hours)
- User presence
- Physical presence required for manual start and transfer
- Battery monitoring
- Manual battery condition check
- Ease of use
- Requires knowledge of the correct switching sequence
- Suitable for
- Workshops, occasional backup power where the user is always present
Service and installer insight:Key details when installing ATS automation
From the practical experience of our installers and service engineers, we highlight the following points to consider before buying and installing:
Important safety warningProfessional installation and connection
Installation of the ATS cabinet, wiring to the building's main distribution board and the complete connection of the generator in automatic mode may only be carried out by a qualified electrician.
Working on a building's main supply lines without the proper qualifications poses a direct risk of electric shock, fire or serious damage to equipment. Professional installation ensures correct mechanical and electrical interlocking of the contactors, appropriate cable sizing and complete safety for your building and the distribution grid.
Must be carried out by a professional
Installing an ATS cabinet requires precise knowledge of wiring diagrams, proper earthing and correct wiring of the control and power cables. Unprofessional installation voids the warranty and poses a high safety risk.
The difference between ATS for the public grid and 2-wire start for solar systems
Do not confuse a classic ATS switch with 2-wire automatic start (2-wire start)!
Classic ATS: Monitors the mains voltage (230 V / 400 V). When the grid fails, it starts the generator and uses contactors to physically switch the entire house over to the generator.
Solar 2-wire start: The generator does not monitor the grid; instead, it is controlled by the solar inverter, which only sends a dry contact signal when the batteries run down. Our range includes generators that support both.
Maintaining the generator's starter battery
ATS automation cannot start the generator if its battery is flat! Modern SPARK ATS switches contain a built-in smart battery maintainer/charger that keeps the generator's starter battery 100% charged and ready to start at all times (even after several months of standstill).
How does the automatic transfer process workduring a grid outage?
Outage detection
The ATS switch continuously monitors the voltage in the public grid. When the voltage drops below a critical threshold or fails completely for more than 2–3 seconds, the switch triggers the start signal.
Automatic start and engine warm-up
The generator starts automatically (including automatic choke on petrol models or glow-plug preheating on diesel models). The engine runs at idle for a few seconds so that speed and voltage can stabilise.
Safe load transfer
Once the ATS detects stable voltage from the generator, it mechanically switches over and directs the electric current into your building.
Grid restoration and cool-down
When the public grid is restored, the ATS waits a few minutes (to make sure the grid is stable), switches the building back to the public grid and lets the generator run for another minute or two without load so that the engine and alternator can cool down properly, then shuts it down.
Not sure which model suits your appliances?
Calculate the power you need or consult our engineering team — we will help you choose the right size and configuration of generator.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
No. Because of safety regulations, the danger of electric shock and the need for correct connection to the grid, installation of the ATS cabinet and connection of the generator in automatic mode must be carried out by a qualified electrician. Unprofessional installation can cause life-threatening backfeeding into the public grid or damage to equipment.
No. The generator must have a built-in electronic start module with an electric starter (E-start), an automatic control circuit board and a dedicated connector for the ATS cable. Generators that can only be started manually with a pull cord are not compatible with ATS switches.
Modern SPARK ATS automation has a programmed multi-stage start cycle. If the generator does not start on the first attempt, the automation waits a few seconds and repeats the attempt (usually 3 to 5 times). If the generator still fails to start (e.g. due to lack of fuel), the ATS reports a fault and prevents the battery from being drained.
Not quite. An ATS switch is not a UPS (uninterruptible power supply). The transfer time is between 10 and 30 seconds, as the generator first has to physically start and stabilise its speed and voltage. For devices that must not lose power even for a millisecond (e.g. servers), a combination of a UPS unit and an ATS generator is recommended.
The ATS switch is usually installed near the building's main electrical distribution board or directly next to the generator. It is connected to the mains power cable, the output cable to the house and a control cable running to the generator.