When a power outage strikes, your whole house generator manual transfer switch can help keep you protected. These switches are permanent devices that monitor the influx of electricity into your home and automatically transfer it to a backup generator.
The power is transferred one circuit at a time to avoid overloading the generator and damaging the home. Then, when utility power is restored, the switch automatically returns your home to normal grid power and the generator shuts down.
Pre-Wired Breakers
When it comes to supplying your home with generator power, there are a few different options. One option is to install a backfeed breaker in your home’s main service panel and connect it to branch circuits that you wish to supply with generator power.
Another option is to connect the generator to a transfer switch, which is installed next to your home’s circuit panel. This allows you to use the generator to provide power to your furnace, central air conditioning, sump or well pump, electric range and other electrical appliances that are usually wired directly to dedicated circuits.
If you opt for a transfer switch, consider purchasing a pre-wired model. These switches come equipped with the necessary wiring to hook up to your generator and the main breaker panel.
Easy Installation
A whole house generator manual transfer switch is a simple and safe way to connect a backup generator to your home’s electrical system. It works by physically switching circuit breakers from utility power to generator power when the grid goes out.
The best part is that it’s relatively easy to install, and in most cases requires only a building permit and an inspection.
If your main electric panel is in your garage, it’s even easier to install a manual transfer switch, since you can simply run a power cord from the generator into the garage and then connect the switch to the panel.
In addition, it’s a good idea to choose a transfer switch that has the proper amperage rating for the generator you intend to use. These switches come in a wide range of amps, from 30 to 3,000, so you should be able to find one that fits your needs.
Safety
In a power outage, you need to quickly connect all major appliances to your portable generator for backup power. This means running extension cords from your home’s main electrical circuits to the generator outside. This is a lot of work and requires you to leave windows or garage doors open, which could pose safety risks.
A manual transfer switch takes the extra work out of this process and ensures safe, reliable operation in case of a power outage. It seamlessly transitions your entire house from electricity to backup generator power.
This is crucial to avoid back feeding, which can lead to serious problems with your utility lines and put workers at risk. It can also cause fires and explosions in your generator if it’s too close to a building or any other structure.
When choosing a whole house generator manual transfer switch, you should make sure that it correctly matches the maximum current draw of your generator. It’s also a good idea to get advice from a qualified electrician about which type of transfer switch is best for your electrical wiring system.
Reliability
Whole house generators offer a simple solution to ensuring your home stays running during power outages. During a blackout, you can power your essential appliances like refrigerators, well pumps and furnaces with a portable generator that runs on propane or natural gas.
A manual transfer switch allows you to connect a portable generator directly to your home electrical circuits. This eliminates the need to run extension cords through your home during a power outage.
The manual transfer switch looks like a small circuit breaker panel and includes up to 10 toggle switches, each controlling a single circuit. Each circuit can be assigned to different loads.
The breakers in the transfer switch panel must match those in the main load center in terms of amperage and type of protection. They must also be interchangeable. For example, if arc or ground fault circuit interrupters are used in the main load center, they must be used in the transfer switch as well.