How To Install A Power Transfer Switch For Generator

GeneratorGrid.com is an independent review business concern. I am not affiliated with whatsoever manufacturers and do not accept paid reviews. When you buy through my links, I may earn a commission which helps me purchase more than generators for testing. - Scott Krager

Last Updated on Baronial xx, 2022 by

Installing a transfer switch to your home allows you to hands and safely switch incoming power from your main electrical panel to a portable generator in the effect of a black out/power outage.

Transfer switches come in two configurations, manual and automatic, and both have their pros and cons.

Tabular array of Contents

• Parts Needed to Wire a Transfer Switch
  • Portable Generator
  • Individual Transfer Switch
  • Ability Inlet Box
  • Generator Power String
• Transfer Switch Installation Process
• In Conclusion

Once yous have your switch, you can make up one's mind to have it professional installed or tackle the simple process yourself. In this commodity, I will walk y'all through the process of wiring a transfer switch to your home and guide you lot to my top function picks.

Parts Needed to Wire a Transfer Switch

In lodge to become your transfer switch properly installed, y'all are going to need some parts.

You tin can buy a comprehensive kit that includes everything y'all need, or you can piece them together yourself.

We volition look at all of your options to salvage you the time researching on your ain.

Portable Generator

Obviously you are going to need a decent sized portable generator.

Lucky for you, I take broken downwards the top portable generators available in an easy-to-use buyer's guide. You can check that out here – https://generatorgrid.com/

Individual Transfer Switch

Image credits: Interlock Kits

If y'all want to order merely a switch, yous can order a manual or automatic transfer switch individually. Here are a couple of my suggestions:

Bank check Cost on Amazon

• Maximum running generator watts: 7,500
• cUL1008 listed
• five-year product warranty

Check Toll on Amazon

• Maximum running generator watts: 7,500
• Outdoor capable
• 1-year warranty

Power Inlet Box

The ability inlet box mounts on the outside of your business firm on the other side of the wall of your indoor transfer switch.

It allows you to easily plug in a power cord to connect to your generator. Here are a couple of inlet boxes I found to exist dandy picks.

Auction

Check Price on Amazon

• thirty Amp
• 125/250 volts
• Up to seven,500 running watts

Check Toll on Amazon

• 50 amp
• 125/250 volts
• Upwards to 12,500 running watts

Generator Power Cord

To connect the generator to the transfer switch, yous are going to demand a power string . A xx-foot cord is standard and usually plenty to brand the connection.

Sale

Cheque Price on Amazon

• 30 amp
• 20 foot
• Upwardly to 7,500 running watts

Check Price on Amazon

• • l amp
  • 20 human foot
  • Up to 12,500 running watts

Transfer Switch Installation Process

Wiring a transfer switch to your home tin be a daunting process, but with a little chip of electrical cognition and an attention to particular of the process, you can have the job washed in a few hours .

If you do non feel comfy working with your home's primary electrical panel, please seek professional help.

Since you will exist working with your home's principal electrical supply, we highly recommend reviewing your local and state laws and lawmaking requirements earlier tackling this install to prevent any cleaved laws or code violations.

Disclaimer
This is a general guideline and we assume no liability for property impairment or injury incurred as a result of any of the information independent in this article.

Have a wait at the video to a higher place from This Old House

1. First, effigy out where you lot would similar the switch to exist mounted. You will desire this nigh your panel box for easy installation.
2. Once you figure out a safety place for your switch, away from an obstructions, you can deeply mount your switch to the wall.
3. Switch off the master power to your house at the main electrical panel. You can exam your appliances to double bank check that the power is off.
4. Locate the wires that are coming from the transfer switch and connect them to the circuits in your panel box that you wish to command.
5. Drill a ane ½" pigsty through your house wall (from the outside) virtually the switch. This will be used to experience wires through from the switch to the electric receptacle.
6. If your switch came with an outdoor electric box, mount this above the pigsty on the exterior wall.
7. Now, connect the electrical cable from the transfer switch to the electrical box, snaking it through the drilled hole.
8. Connect the electrical receptacle to the electrical cable in the outdoor box and spiral/mountain it to the box.
9. Earlier testing your piece of work, make sure that your portable generator is in expert working order.
10. To exam your work, with your primary power all the same off, use the generator power string to connect the generator to the outdoor electric receptacle.
11. First your generator and flip the transfer switch (from line to generator). Your continued appliances should now have power.
12. Once everything is confirmed to exist working properly, turn the transfer switch from generator to line. You tin can at present plow your master ability dorsum on.
13. Information technology is a expert idea to seal the hole that you have drilled to prevent bugs, wet, and dirt from getting in your domicile.

In Decision

Wrapping things up, the install is not as daunting every bit about may retrieve.

The virtually important takeaways are to ensure you lot take a generator capable of powering the appliances you need, ensure you have all of the correct parts that you lot need, review code regulations, install the parts correctly, and check for proper function when finished.

Installing a transfer switch is not a mutual task and I want to hear from those who have installed them.

What was the hardest part of your install? Would yous install ane again?

Scott Krager purchased generatorgrid.com in the summer of 2022 and chop-chop began to purchase every generator under the dominicus! He currently has over a dozen generators and the number is growing quickly. He lives in Portland, OR near his family and friends.

Last update on 2022-04-03 Affiliate links & images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Source: https://generatorgrid.com/blog/wire-switch/

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