How to Install a Transfer Switch

Decide which home conveniences you'd like to be generator accessible., Access your fuse box and calculate the amount of power that will be demanded of the generator to run each of these devices separately. , Confirm that the amperage of needed power...

34 Steps 1 min read Advanced

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Decide which home conveniences you'd like to be generator accessible.

This usually includes the refrigerator, stove and other essential appliances.

Step 2: Access your fuse box and calculate the amount of power that will be demanded of the generator to run each of these devices separately.

, The combined amperage may exceed the generator's capacity as long as the instruments aren't running simultaneously. , The sizes of the assigned breakers must be equal in both the transfer switch and the home's load center. ,,,,,, The wires should be drawn through 1 of 3 knockouts located on the underside of the switch.

They should join the circuit breaker through a knockout found at the bottom of the box. , The transfer switch should be placed roughly 1 1/2 feet (45.72 cm) away from the midpoint of the main circuit breaker. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, If a ground bar is not present, join the green wire to the neutral bar. ,,

Step 3: Confirm that the amperage of needed power does not exceed the generator's capacity.

Step 4: Assign each appliance a number which coincides with its circuit and label this in the circuit breaker of the switch.

Step 5: Cut the main power supply to the circuit breaker.

Step 6: Take the cover off of the circuit breaker.

Step 7: Remove the cover of the transfer switch.

Step 8: Trim the unit's insulating tube

Step 9: which will cover the wires

Step 10: to a workable length using a utility knife.

Step 11: Attach the connectors to the wires using PVC cement.

Step 12: Use the transfer switch's wiring harness to connect the unit to the circuit breaker.

Step 13: Lift the transfer switch up to the wall where it is to be installed and label the placement of the mounting screws.

Step 14: Affix the transfer switch to the wall

Step 15: using mounting screws.

Step 16: Pull the bundle of wires through the insulating tube.

Step 17: Trim 5/8 inch (1.59 cm) from the covering of each individual wire.

Step 18: Join the wires to the transfer switch referring to the labels created previously.

Step 19: Label each wire according to the appliance it supplies.

Step 20: Attach the miscellaneous black wires to the Utility 2-pole breaker in the transfer switch.

Step 21: Join the white wire to the neutral area located in the middle of the transfer switch.

Step 22: Join the green wire to the grounding bar on the left side of the lower portion of the switch.

Step 23: Put the cover back on the transfer switch.

Step 24: Confirm that the power supply is cut off at the main load center.

Step 25: Detach the assigned wires for each appliance from the circuit breaker box.

Step 26: Trim 5/8 inch (1.59 cm) from the covering of each individual wire.

Step 27: Attach to the transfer switch using wire connectors and again referring to the labels.

Step 28: Join the miscellaneous black wires to the new 2-pole breaker.

Step 29: Detach the 2 individual pole breakers from where each assigned appliance wire was removed.

Step 30: Attach the white wire to the neutral bar.

Step 31: Join the green wire to the ground bar.

Step 32: Put the cover back on the main circuit breaker

Step 33: and restore the power supply.

Step 34: Convert to generator power and return to utility power as per manufacturer's instructions.

Detailed Guide