Installing a Generator Transfer Switch: A Complete Guide for Homeowners

A home generator is a lifesaver in the event of a sustained power outage. A huge segment of the American population is at risk of hurricanes, tropical storms, blizzards, tornadoes, or other violent storms that can down power lines and leave affected residents without power for days. A portable or standby generator can help you weather such an outage in relative comfort.

Portable generators are reasonably easy to use and offer a reliable power source for your refrigerator, cooking appliances, lamps, and essential electronics. Often it’s just plug and play. But what about your home’s hardwired electronics, such as your heating system, water heater, lighting, well and sump pumps, dishwasher, and so on? Giving these systems and appliances some juice during a power outage requires a generator transfer switch installation. 

This article will walk through the benefits of a home generator transfer switch and share some guidance on how to manage the transfer switch installation.

 

Importance of a Transfer Switch for Generator Safety

Be aware that there are safety risks associated with installing a generator transfer switch because it involves direct wiring in your home’s electrical system. If you don’t have experience with high voltage electrical work, we strongly suggest you reach out to a professional electrician to install generator transfer switch wiring. It’s not only a question of personal safety; others can be put at risk too. If a transfer switch is installed incorrectly, there is the risk of backfeeding, which is essentially a surge of power that runs back into the utility lines. This can cause fires in the home and at points in the electrical utility system, and it puts workers in danger as they attempt to relieve local power outages.

And even safety hazards aside, a pro can provide more reliable work than someone working on a transfer switch install for the first time. This means you can be sure that your generator will give you the power your home needs in the event of an outage.

Some localities may also require that you get a permit before installing a transfer switch, and a pro can help facilitate that process.

Benefits of Installing a Transfer Switch for Home Backup Power

A generator transfer switch is a device that connects a generator directly to a home’s electrical system — no cords needed. Standby generators typically need to be installed with a transfer switch, but portable generators are compatible with transfer switches as well. 

The primary benefit of a generator transfer switch is the seamless and effortless transfer between home power sources. If there’s an interruption in power from your utility company for any reason, you can simply flip a switch to regain power to your home via your generator. In some setups, your generator can even turn on automatically. You’re spared the hassle of setting up a portable generator and manually connecting your essential appliances with extension cords. For this reason, generators equipped with transfer switches are popular among residents in areas prone to powerful storms. They are also especially beneficial for homeowners who encounter frequent problems with the home electrical system.

Another significant benefit of a transfer switch is that you can use your generator to power appliances and systems that are wired directly to your home’s breaker box. Most refrigerators, for example, have electrical cords that plug into wall outlets, and if you suffer a power outage, you can unplug the fridge from the wall and plug it into a portable generator. This isn’t necessarily possible with appliances that are hardwired. Your water heater, for instance, might not have an electrical cord, so you can’t power it with a portable generator unless that generator is also hardwired to your electrical system.

Finally, a transfer switch helps you protect your generator from overloading and overtaxing because you can have control over which circuits receive power. Similarly, generator transfer switches enable home energy efficiency because you can easily conserve power and fuel for your generator by cutting power to select circuits in your electrical panel.

Types of Generator Transfer Switches

There are two basic types of generator transfer switches:

• A manual generator transfer switch has to be triggered by hand to alternate between electrical utility power and generator power. Homeowners with portable generators that are hardwired typically use manual transfer switches.   
   
• An automatic generator transfer switch triggers by itself when the device detects an outage in utility power. This type of switch is common for permanent standby generators.

How to Install a Generator Transfer Switch

If you have limited electrical experience, it is best to hire an electrician who can install generator transfer switch wiring and hardware. The work is potentially hazardous, and you don’t stand to save a remarkable amount of money by completing the install yourself. But if you have a little electrical know-how, take adequate safety precautions, and secure the permits that are required in your jurisdiction, you can theoretically install a transfer switch with some basic electrical tools and equipment.

Always defer to expert guidance, local laws, and information supplied by the manufacturers of your generator and switch, but a transfer switch install follows the general sequence outlined below.

1. Gather all the necessary tools and protective equipment. The materials you will need on-hand include:

• A generator transfer switch kit
• Electrical cable and wire
• Electrical conduit and appropriate fittings
• A reliable drill and bits large enough for the electrical cable and conduit
• A multimeter or voltage tester
• Tools to remove various fasteners (e.g., a flathead screwdriver, Phillips-head screwdriver, adjustable wrench, Allen wrench or hex-key set, etc.)
• Wire cutters and strippers
• Pliers
• Insulated electrician’s gloves

Remember that all your hand tools should have insulated handles for additional safety. Avoid using an all-metal adjustable wrench, for instance.  

2. Turn off your home’s main source of power. It is essential that no power is supplied to the wires while you are working on them. Use a battery-powered lamp if you need additional light to work by. Use the voltage tester or multimeter to confirm that power is off.

3. Mount the generator transfer switch. You should secure the switch to the wall beside the main electrical panel in your home’s basement, garage, or utility room.

4. Mount the electrical box that pairs with the transfer switch. This will live outside on an exterior wall. Use a 1.5-inch drill bit to create a hole through the wall of your house. Mount the electrical box so it covers the hole you just drilled.

5. Wire together the transfer switch and breakers in your home’s electrical panel.

6. Connect the component parts with electrical cable. First run a cable from the mounted transfer switch to the outdoor electrical box. Connect the cable to the receptacle outside, then attach the receptacle to the electrical box. Return inside and connect the cable to the transfer switch.

7. Test that the generator properly supplies power. Leave your home’s utility power off. Set up your portable generator outside and plug it into the outdoor electrical box. Start the generator, then go back inside to flip the transfer switch. You should see power supplied to the circuits you have wired the switch to.

Average Cost to Install Generator Transfer Switch Kits

Generator transfer switch kits vary in price. Most fall between $200 and $400, but there are outliers. Simpler switches can retail for less than $100, and more complex models go for well over $500. Automatic transfer switches tend to be more expensive.

There is also the expense of tools and additional materials to consider. New tools, electrical cable, wiring, fittings, and so on can inflate the cost of a switch installation by a couple hundred dollars.

If you opt to have a professional electrician install your generator transfer switch (as most homeowners should),you have to factor in labor as well. Labor costs might be $150 to $300 for a simple job. More complicated switches and more powerful generators require additional time to install, which means higher labor costs.

Excluding the cost of the generator itself, a simple transfer switch install could be done within a $500 budget or so. If you hire someone to hardwire a complex switch for a more robust generator, the cost can run to $2,000 or more.

Additional Considerations for Self-Installation of Transfer Switches

Installing a generator transfer switch as an amateur requires more than technical research. You will also need to research local guidelines and regulations. Most areas require permits for residential electrical work to ensure that it is in compliance with safety codes. Shoddy electrical work can result in injury, home fires, and — in the case of something like generator transfer switch install — can damage local infrastructure and endanger utility workers.

Remember to never run a portable generator indoors because you risk carbon monoxide poisoning. Your generator should be well away from the house, but shielded from the rain.

Finally, be careful about when and how often you run your generator, and consider how much power your appliances and systems draw while your home’s electrical system is running on generator power. You want to conserve as much fuel as possible. As needed, refer to home energy saving tips to minimize your power consumption.

Maintenance Tips for Generator Transfer Switches

Transfer switches generally require low maintenance. Test the switch once per month to ensure it is operating correctly. Inspect the components and surrounding area for any signs of damage or wear and tear. And consider protecting your generator with warranty coverage to ensure that it will be swiftly repaired or replaced if a problem does crop up. Learn about Liberty Home Guard’s plans by calling (833)-545-5590.