Generator Transfer Switch - Do You Really Need One?

It is always a good idea to have a professionally installed transfer switch connect your portable generator to your household control box. Nevertheless, most conscientious homeowners can safely use this source of backup power if they will confine its use to smaller essential home appliances.

Generator Transfer Switch - Do You Really Need One?

Generator Transfer Switch - Do You Really Need One?

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Generator Transfer Switch - Do You Really Need One?

Generator Transfer Switch - Do You Really Need One?

When the electricity goes out, the first thing to do is provide enough light within your living environMent so that you and your family can move about safely. Depending on the length of the blackout, you always must be sensitive to the potential spoilage of the Food in your refrigerator.

Keep in mind that you can rotate power to the various appliances. In other words, you can keep the frig going for a couple hours and then switch your power outlet to other devices like the television or Computer.

An average household can usually get by adequately with 5500 watts of power. However, smaller portables such as 1000 watts units can be used for such things as microwaves, toasters and other electrical Cooking devices.

Remember to always check with a professional electrician about the need to install a transfer switch. This is especially true if you have appliances that create power surges as a result of their startup operation. Or, perhaps you have high watTAGe requireMents from such things as heat pumps, central Air conditioning or deep well water pumps.

A transfer switch provides a safe method to hook up your generator with selected circuits that you identify inside your home. When professionally installed next to your breaker box, it will help to prevent any power from accidentally becoming live and dangerous outside your home where workers might be servicing the utility lines.

Manual transfer switches connect power with either individual breakers or with a large master unit. The automatic transfer switch is a digitally controlled system which is programmed to be fully automatic. It permits you to set individual circuits by preference ahead of time.

In summary, do not assume that because a generator is portable it does not require the safety net provided by a professionally installed transfer switch. While it is certainly possible to operate your small unit safely, it is always better to seek the advice of a professional electrician before taking unnecessary chances.

And, finally, never operate your generator in an enclosed environMent where others may be present. Generator exhaust fumes contain poisonous carbon monoxide gas that can be lethal.

Generator Transfer Switch - Do You Really Need One?

Transfer Switches For Portable Generators

A transfer switch prevents electricity from flowing simultaneously between your portable generator and the utility grid. It is mounted next to your home circuit breaker box and can operate manually or automatically.

Transfer Switches For Portable Generators

Transfer Switches For Portable Generators

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Transfer Switches For Portable Generators

Transfer Switches For Portable Generators

In the event of a blackout, you can power several appliances to include the refrigerator, television, lights and even your sump pump. However, you must first position the generator into place no less than 15 feet from your home to prevent carbon monoxide consumption.

One way to provide power is to run extension cords from the generator to your lights and appliances. This can be inconvenient and unwieldy while making it difficult to operate some critical circuits like the furnace fan or well pump.

Another way is to connect the portable generator directly to your household wiring by installing a manual transfer switch. This will permit the use of only one cord to provide electricity to several or all of your most important household circuits, including the furnace fan and well pump. Bear in mind the National Electrical Code mandates that a transfer switch be properly installed for safety precautions.

By way of comparison, permanently installed standby generators come with transfer switches that automatically kick in when the utility power goes down. Conversely, the transfer switch for portable generators is an additional cost item that can average 0 to 0 depending on the total circuitry and watTAGe requireMents.

It is highly recomMended that you engage the services of a licensed electrician to install the transfer switch and connect it with the main breaker box. Although most transfer kits come with excellent instructions for the do-it-yourself person, you always run the risk of creating a back-feed through the utility lines should you innocently make an error while wiring. This can cause severe damage to equipMent, as well as death to those who might be working to restore power in your vicinity.

The transfer switch contains several circuits and the electrician can assign each circuit to a different load. This provides efficient management of usage and extends the effectiveness of the portable generator. When the utility power goes out, you simply Plug your generator into the transfer switch, start it up, and flip the transfer switch from the Utility position to the Generator position.

For convenience, you might wish to purchase a remote power inlet box to be installed in a location away from the actual transfer switch unit itself. This would permit Plugging into a separate receptacle that is positioned closer to the operating generator. You can then have a shorter and less cumbersome master cord running from the generator all the way to the switch panel inside the house.

In summary, the procedure works like this:

When the utility company power goes out:

Plug the generator cord into the transfer switch or optional power inlet box. Turn all circuit breakers in the transfer unit to the off position. Start the generator and give it time to warm up. Flip the main breakers in the transfer unit to the Generator position. Turn on the desired circuits individually to prevent overloading the generator.

Once power is restored:

Turn the main breakers in the transfer unit back to Utility Power. Turn on any other circuits that were turned off. Turn off the generator. Disconnect the cords.

Transfer Switches For Portable Generators