How does a transfer switch for portable generator work?

Think of a transfer switch as a miniature circuit breaker panel that draws electricity from your generator instead of the power company. When electric service is out in your area, you plug your portable generator into an outdoor outlet that’s connected, through the house, to a transfer switch inside.

How do I change power to my generator?

Transfer Switches

1. Connect the generator to the transfer switch using a gen cord.
2. Start the generator outside.
3. Flip the main breakers in the transfer switch from “Line” to “Generator” power.
4. One at a time, turn on the circuits you want to power.

Where does a generator transfer switch go?

This makes it possible to quickly switch power from the utility source to the generator during an electrical outage. Transfer switches are installed directly next to the electrical panel of your home. This allows the generator to connect to a single source instead of multiple appliances.

Does transfer switch have circuit breaker?

The automatic transfer switch includes a circuit breaker that turns off the utility service to the home. All homes are required to have a primary disconnect. Sometimes this is a fused switch located near the utility meter.

Where is the transfer switch?

A transfer switch is an electrical device that allows you to safely connect a generator to your household wiring. It is permanently installed near the service panel in your home to make using a generator as safe and easy as operating a light switch.

Can generator transfer switch be installed outside?

Portable transfer switches Manual power switches can either be installed inside or outside depending on their NEMA rating. During an outage, you will need to plug the generator into the inlet box, turn on the manual transfer switch, and then turn on the portable generator.

Why do I need a transfer switch with a generator?

It is required by the National Electric Code There is law set forth by the National Electric Code ( NEC 700.5 and 701.5) according to which it is mandatory

It increases the efficiency of the generator One of the biggest issues of directly running a generator is that you cannot decide which appliance you will be running in

It is the safest way to connect your generator to your house

How much does it cost to install a transfer switch?

With a transfer switch (about $500 to $900 to install, including labor), you’ll have one connection to make—plugging one end of a cable into the portable generator and the other into a dedicated box connected to the transfer switch. GenerLink is installed outside your home at the electric meter in less than 30 minutes by a utility technician.

Why does a generator need a transfer switch?

A transfer switch is the key to safe and convenient operation of portable generators for standby power. By isolating those circuits using generator power, a transfer switch eliminates the risk of back-feeding the electrical utility which can cause injury to workers and property damage.

How do you hook up a generator?

Connect generator to indoor appliances by one of the following ways: Run one gen cord from the generator and connect multiple appliances. Run several extension cords from outside to connect to appliances.