Before installing any electric equipment, the main concern of everyone is the benefit it provides in comparison to its cost. A transfer switch makes generator or portable generators usage reliable and easy and at the same time adds a lot to its total cost.
The transfer switch is a must, especially when you live in an area where power outage is a thing and standby generator is necessary. It will work while ensuring your safety, but if you use a portable generator only in case of an emergency, then no need to spend your money on buying and installing it. Let me guide you on how to connect generator to house without transfer switch.
Read My blog on How To Make Your generator Quiet As a Cricket Here.
How To Connect Generator To House Without Transfer Switch
While getting the required materials, keep your generator power supply capacity in mind, get a power line that’s capable of holding your generator power supply, and the same goes for the outdoor plug, circuit breaker panel, and interlock kit. Otherwise, the system would not last long and will damage the power inlet, plug. or generator breaker box.
Required Tools:
Things Needed?
Read my guide on how to connect generator to house with transfer switch here.
Why Should You Connect Your Generator Without A Transfer Switch
A transfer switch is a must to install when you use your generator power often as it operates for the safety of your all-home electric appliance and even wiring. So, you must install a transfer switch with a generator if your grid power supply outage happens often due to the following reasons.
- Safety of your home appliances
- Quick and easy to function
Safety of your home appliances
The safety of your electric appliance, wiring, and yours should be the priority. A generator is a power generation machine if you have already taken generator supply as incoming power and have not disconnected grid supply. Then if the grid supplies power simultaneously with your generator, you will surely face a huge blow. It will result in a damaging short circuit that will damage your connected electric appliance, generator, and even your street transformer in case if a generator is capable of producing high power.
Quick and easy to function
All issues with the transfer switches arise before installing them, and once you install them, they make everything easier for you. Now, you will not have to take care of generator to load connections, and if you have an automatic transfer switch that will work as an auto controlling junction between your grid supply and generator. When the grid supply goes off, it will disconnect from the circuit and switch on the generator, and when the grid supplies power again then it will disconnect the generator supply from the circuit, switches it off, and connect the grid supply to the load in a matter of seconds.
Why You Should Not Connect Your Generator Without A Transfer Switch
This answer totally depends upon your dependence on a generator for power production. If you use a generator couple of times in a season, and only when extreme weather condition disturbs the grid power supply, then better to use a generator without a transfer switch, and we say that with valid reasons as below.
- Initial cost of switch
- Installation cost
- Reliability of power connection
Initial cost of switch
Buying a transfer switch would cost you between $350 to $1000 depending on the type. Automatic transfer switch is a bit expensive than manual transfer switch but much safer. If you don’t use portable generator for backup power, then you can save this much money by using a portable generator without a transfer switch.
Installation cost
Installing a transfer switch requires expert-level technical skills, and a licensed electrician may charge you $150 to $500 depending upon the size of the system you are installing on. The cost behind installing a transfer switch is the main issue, and that is why we tell you how to install it without a transfer switch if you do not use your portable generator regularly.
Reliability Of Power Connection
It is easier to rely on electric equipment or device that is used regularly than the one that is not in use for months. When you don’t need a generator for months, then a transfer switch may lose its quality and react at false signals. That reaction of a transfer switch on false signals can create problems.
Difference Between Extension cords Vs. Generator cords Vs. Using A switch
The extension cords are nothing but cables with a plug and socket from different sides. Cords do not contain power on its own and do not connect directly to the power source of the electric circuit. Extension cords take power from the generator cords through sockets, while switches make or break the circuit in the process, and it offers control.
| Feature | Extension Cord | Generator Cord | Switch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application For Power Generator System | Essentially Required | Essentially Required | Power switch is not essentially required |
| Power carrying capacity | Medium | Very High | Designed accordingly |
| Cost | Low | Affordable | Affordable |
| Installation | Easy | Easy | Requires technical skills |
Manual Transfer Switch Vs. Automatic Transfer Switch
We use transfer switch with high power generators. It works as a power junction that does not allow more than one power supply to operate at once, but there are again two further types of transfer switch, which are manual transfer switch and automatic transfer switch. They differentiate from each other in the following aspects.
| Feature | Manual Transfer Switch | Automatic Transfer Switch |
|---|---|---|
| Product design | Simple | Complex |
| Cost | Low | High |
| Installation Cost | Low | High |
| Installation Skills | Required | Required |
| Generator Start/Off | Manual | Automatic |
| Power Disruption detection | No | Yes |
| Power Supply Transfer | Manual | Automatic |
| Operator | Required | Not Required |
| Maintenance Cost | Low | High |
| Preferred Application | Domestic use | Domestic, Commercial, Hospitals, and where power interruption can be critical |
Common Questions and Answers about Transfer Switch
You can connect a generator to house without using a transfer switch. It’s cost effective but unsafe. You better get a transfer switch if you plan to use a generator as your primary or secondary backup power source. Read why does zippo fuel run out so fast here.
