Generator Transfer Switch

How to Connect A Generator to Your Home

To connect a generator to your home, you need to install a generator transfer switch.

Unless you are electrically skilled, you may want to hire a professional to install this generator transfer switch.

This will be the most safe and easy way.

This transfer switch is an electrical device that is installed next to the electrical panel in the home, and it connects to the circuits within the electrical panel that you will want to power in the event of a power outage.

The benefit? You won't have to run extension cords to various devices because you can power the circuits simply by connecting your generator to the transfer switch.

Why A Generator Transfer Switch Is Needed

The National Electric Code requires the installation of a generator transfer switch for any power connection in a home. Below are some of the benefits of installing a transfer switch.

1. Safety - The only safe way to directly connect a generator to your home is through the use of a generator transfer switch. The transfer switch allows for the isolation of selected circuits in your home from power lines, thereby protecting against the risk of back-feed which happens whenever power goes back down the utility lines.

   Back feed is dangerous as it can cause damage to your generator, cause a fire, or even result in the electrocution of technicians who may be working on the lines in your neighborhood, leading to injury or death.

2. Convenience -Using a generator transfer switch is the easiest way to power a home in the event of a power outage. It can be inconvenient and time consuming to run extension cords to and from your appliances.

   By using a transfer switch, you utilize the wiring system in your home to power any device with you generator easily and quickly. So, a transfer switch is the safest and easiest means through which you can connect items which cannot be connected to a generator, using an extension cord, such as a well pump or a furnace.

3. Simplicity - You can also optimize the use of your generator by utilizing a generator transfer switch, which greatly simplifies power management in your home. In this way, you will be able to quickly turn on and off the various circuits in the home in order to accommodate your changing power requirements.

   As such, you can make use of a smaller and less costly generator, which saves you money in the long run, while eliminating the need of applying too much effort in the efficient use of your generator.

   Some generator transfer switches available today are able to optimize the usefulness of a generator, and give it capabilities equal to models that are up to 20% larger.

How They Work

Before you can use your generator, you will need to have an electrician install the transfer switch into your home and connect it with the main breaker box, which switches the power source from the utility to the generator.

You cannot have your home connected to both the utility power and the generator at the same time, as the main breaker facilitates the transfer of power from one source to the other.

As such, this protects against the risk of back-feeding of the generator power through the utility lines, as well as protecting against back-feeding of the utility power into the generator.

Your transfer switch contains several circuits each of which may be assigned to a different load. For instance, you may assign different circuits to power your well pump, furnace, refrigerator, lights or even an entire room.

It also makes it easier to switch between different loads, in the event that you have more items on various circuits at the same time which exceed your generator’s powering capabilities.

All you will need to do is simply turn one circuit off, and another on, thus enabling you to better manage your use of power, while maximizing the effectiveness of your generator.

Types of Generator Transfer Switches

Manual Transfer Switch - Allows you to manually turn the circuits on and off in order to prevent overloads and manage the load on your generator. These are not expensive to install and are therefore normally less expensive. They are also available in a range of models and styles which may be expanded up to 16 circuits.

Automatic Transfer Switches - These will automatically handle a lot of your power needs in the event of a power outage. The UTS is an integral part of the Honda Portable Power Systems (HP2S) and is highly programmable; enabling you to determine which items will have the highest priority during an outage.

Other Generator Parts and Accessories

Generator Power Cords - 3 and 4 pronged, twistlock and straight blade type of pins