Electrical security for a bank site in Nicaragua

Intervention type

Pre-study, Commissioning, Electrical diagrams, Control panel

Customer

BANPRO bank – Grupo Promerica

Date of completion

December 17, 2025

Location

Nicaragua

About installation

1. Installation context

The BANPRO bank, part of Grupo Promerica, required a high-availability power infrastructure for one of its critical sites in Nicaragua. Given the sensitivity of banking operations to any power interruption, the client requested a solution that would not only provide backup power, but also guarantee continuous operation under any single failure condition, including generator faults or utility outages.

To meet these requirements, a redundant Mutual Stand-by (N+1) power system was designed and implemented. This architecture ensures that the load remains energized at all times, as long as at least one energy source is available. The solution is reinforced by an Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) rated 3×1000 A, 120/208 VAC, 60 Hz, providing secure and fully automatic power transitions between sources.

The entire system was commissioned to operate autonomously with built-in intelligence for generator rotation, fault recovery, and safe return to utility power (Mains), ensuring reliable operation without the need for manual intervention.

ND Importaciones, CRE Technology's local distributor, successfully carried out this project, handling the design, integration, and commissioning of the solution.

2. Issues encountered by the customer

As a financial institution, BANPRO Bank cannot tolerate any loss of power. Even a brief interruption could compromise transaction processing, security systems, IT infrastructure, and customer trust.

The primary challenge was therefore to guarantee continuous power delivery under any single failure condition, whether caused by a generator fault or a utility outage.

In addition, the customer required a solution capable of surviving generator mechanical failures, electrical faults, and grid outages without any manual intervention or operational disruption. The system had to detect abnormal situations, manage redundancy automatically, and restore normal operation seamlessly.

Finally, the installation had to ensure balanced equipment utilization. To avoid uneven wear, fuel inefficiency, and maintenance concentration on a single generator, the system needed to provide automated runtime balancing, predictable maintenance scheduling, and maximum long-term reliability.

The solution we provided

To address these challenges, CRE Technology solutions were used to implement a fully automated Mutual Stand-by (N+1) architecture based on two generators and the utility grid.

The solution integrates generator control, source transfer management, and intelligent operating logic to ensure continuous power availability, safe transitions, and optimized generator usage.

1. AMF COMPACT module – Genset and ATS management

Three AMF COMPACT controllers were installed to manage the entire backup power system: two dedicated to genset control and one dedicated to Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) management. Together, these controllers ensure autonomous and coordinated operation of all power sources:

Automated generator start and stop: Each AMF Compact controller automatically manages generator start-up and shutdown sequences, ensuring rapid load supply as soon as a grid failure is detected.
Electrical and mechanical protections: The controllers integrate the necessary protections required for safe generator operation, protecting the equipment against abnormal electrical or mechanical conditions.
Mutual Standby Management (N+1): The genset controllers actively participate in the Mutual Stand-by logic, allowing one generator to supply the load while the second remains on hot standby.
Fault detection and communication with the ATS controller: Each controller continuously detects generator faults and communicates status information to the ATS controller. This coordination ensures that each generator operates safely, efficiently, and in full synchronization with the overall system.
Source supervision and load transfer control: The dedicated AMF Compact ATS controller supervises utility and generator availability, manages all source transfers, and ensures safe return to mains when utility power becomes stable.

2. i4Gen Suite 2 Module – Configuration, Monitoring, and Optimization

The system configuration and optimization were carried out using i4Gen Suite 2, which played a key role during commissioning and operation:

EasyFlex configuration interface: EasyFlex allowed the engineering team to configure the entire Mutual Stand-by logic, generator priority rules, and ATS behavior quickly and visually, without complex scripting. This resulted in a significant reduction in commissioning time, fewer configuration errors, and faster validation of operating scenarios.
Real-time monitoring and diagnostics: i4Gen Suite 2 provides real-time visualization of inputs, outputs, states, and alarms. This made it possible to validate all operating scenarios during commissioning and quickly diagnose abnormal behavior. As a result, troubleshooting was faster, commissioning quality was improved, and overall system reliability was increased, while reducing long-term support needs.
Scheduler for automatic generator rotation: The 12-hour generator rotation requirement was implemented using the Scheduler function. This ensures fully automated alternation between Generator 1 and Generator 2, delivering balanced runtime, reduced mechanical wear, simplified maintenance planning, and eliminating the need for manual switching.

3. Benefits for the customer

With this solution in place, BANPRO Bank benefits from guaranteed business continuity through a continuous power supply with zero interruption, even during generator or utility failures. The Mutual Stand-by (N+1) architecture provides true redundancy and fully automatic recovery, with seamless fail-over between generators and no manual intervention required.

Generator operation is optimized through 12-hour automatic rotation, which balances runtime, reduces wear, and lowers maintenance costs. Intelligent ATS management ensures safe and reliable power transfers, protecting sensitive banking equipment during every transition. In addition, automated control eliminates single points of failure, significantly lowering operational risk.

Finally, the scalable system architecture provides a future-ready infrastructure, capable of supporting long-term operational needs and potential expansion.

Conclusion

This project illustrates howCRE Technology solutions secure critical banking infrastructures through control , automation, and redundancy management. By combining AMF COMPACT controllers and advanced tools from i4Gen Suite 2, the installation guarantees continuous power availability. It also ensures secure source transitions and optimized generator operation. The system fully meets the strict requirements of the banking sector.

The Mutual Stand-by (N+1) architecture provides BANPRO bank witha robust, autonomous, and scalable backup system. This system maintains operations under all conditions while reducing operational risks. It also simplifies long-term maintenance. This project clearly demonstrates CRE Technology's expertise in designing control solutions. These solutions are dedicated to critical electrical applications.

CRE Technology would like to thank ND Importaciones for its expertise and commitment to this project. Their solid technical know-how and close collaboration with the end customer were decisive factors. They contributed directly to the success of this highly secure power supply solution.