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- Aug 11, 2020
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I purchased a Westinghouse 7500DF Generator last fall. I finally got the Reliance R306A 120/240 Volt, 30 Amp Outdoor Transfer Switch ($280) hooked up. A couple of days ago I made a test run, and powered kitchen Fridge, Portable AC 120v unit in the bedroom, TV, and optional microwave successfully with the flip of a switch. Having a battery powered generator start is a very nice feature And being able to run a single electrical cord from the generator to the transfer switch is much better than running individual extension cords from the Gen through a window to various locations. I’ve got 50 gallons of gas on the garage so I figure I’m good for maybe 3 days of self power.
It’s a simple thing to add, this switch acts as a sub-panel. Run a neutral (white) and ground (green) and tie it into the main box, along with the 12 circuit connection wires though conduit ( which is seen under the two boxes).
I thought about going with a natural gas Gen hooked up to the house, but that is another story too much work and expense, unless you want to talk about it.
It’s a simple thing to add, this switch acts as a sub-panel. Run a neutral (white) and ground (green) and tie it into the main box, along with the 12 circuit connection wires though conduit ( which is seen under the two boxes).
- Pick a circuit to be powered by the generator, in the main CB Box, turn that CB off and unscrew the wire going to it.
- Connect the newly disconnected wire to the appropriate transfer switch circuit wire, say circuit 1.
- Then connect the second wire from the same transfer switch circuit, to the CB in the main CB Box you just removed the wire from.
- Now that circuit instead of going directly to the CB in the Main Box, takes a detour through the Transfer Switch box to the Switch located there. This Transfer Switch switch has 3 positions, Line, Off, And Gen.
- When the power goes out, you will hook up the generator to the transfer switch box (30A plug on bottom), start the generator, open the Transfer Switch Box, and flip circuit 1 from line, to off, to Generator. That circuit will now be powered by the generator.
I thought about going with a natural gas Gen hooked up to the house, but that is another story too much work and expense, unless you want to talk about it.
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