What is a recommended type of manual transfer switch for a 6000w portable generator? 30AMP 10 switch? 50AMP 10 switch? 30AMP 5 switch? What would be a safe way to go?
This depends on what you're going to running with generator. I have a 30 amp 5 switch., which will run my whole house with ease. Now remember during power outages you won't be living normally and you need to make sure you don't have lights on that's not needed during outages. Remember each switch has it's own breaker of 15/20 amps. The 30 amps means that that the Max that the 240v can handle. Most A/c units have a 30 amp breaker anyways, but in no way would I recommend running a A/c off a 6000w generator.. Maybe a small window unit. But our goal during power outages is to have the frig/lights and maybe a TV. I have gas heat..so I'm able to run my central heat during outages, but no A/C, I bought my transfer switch off of Ebay for half the price of what Lowe's and Depot were asking.. It was the same brand/model.. If I remember the brand is Reliance or something like that.
The transfer switch itself has to be rated higher than the generator capacity.
The generator should have the maximum current draw for each of its circuits on the nameplate. Also look up the manual.
As portable generators that large usually supply 120/240 volts, that means the highest continuous current available is 6000 / 240 or 25 amperes. That also means if you don't have any 240 volt loads each 120 volt circuit is also limited to 25 amperes. The windings in the generator can't handle higher currents in continuous use.
Using a 30 Amp transfer switch is therefore adequate for your needs.
30 amp 10 switch gives the most bang for the buck. A 50 amp is too large for the generator and you will trip the breaker in the generator before the transfer switch main. Your 6KW is only rated at 25 amps so the 30 is as close as you get.
Many electrical panel manufacturers now make breaker interlock kits for their panels designed for generators, these allow you the choice of any supplying any circuit in your panel up to the capacity of your generator. With these kits you just connect the generator to receptacle that is connected to a breaker in the panel that is interlocked with the main breaker so that the generator and the main breaker cannot be turned on at the same time.
A 6000 watt generator would be 25 amps at 240v, which would normally be equipped with a 20 receptacle to supply inrush above 20 amps for starting inrush current. No harm will be done with a higher rated transfer switch, the switch itself puts no load on the generator. The reason I recommend using a panel transfer method over a limited number of circuits is that I experience multiple day power failures, and find that at one time or another I need to run many different loads, and running cords in dark rooms during a storm is just creating too many safety hazards for me.
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This depends on what you're going to running with generator. I have a 30 amp 5 switch., which will run my whole house with ease. Now remember during power outages you won't be living normally and you need to make sure you don't have lights on that's not needed during outages. Remember each switch has it's own breaker of 15/20 amps. The 30 amps means that that the Max that the 240v can handle. Most A/c units have a 30 amp breaker anyways, but in no way would I recommend running a A/c off a 6000w generator.. Maybe a small window unit. But our goal during power outages is to have the frig/lights and maybe a TV. I have gas heat..so I'm able to run my central heat during outages, but no A/C, I bought my transfer switch off of Ebay for half the price of what Lowe's and Depot were asking.. It was the same brand/model.. If I remember the brand is Reliance or something like that.
The transfer switch itself has to be rated higher than the generator capacity.
The generator should have the maximum current draw for each of its circuits on the nameplate. Also look up the manual.
As portable generators that large usually supply 120/240 volts, that means the highest continuous current available is 6000 / 240 or 25 amperes. That also means if you don't have any 240 volt loads each 120 volt circuit is also limited to 25 amperes. The windings in the generator can't handle higher currents in continuous use.
Using a 30 Amp transfer switch is therefore adequate for your needs.
Until you get a bigger generator !
30 amp 10 switch gives the most bang for the buck. A 50 amp is too large for the generator and you will trip the breaker in the generator before the transfer switch main. Your 6KW is only rated at 25 amps so the 30 is as close as you get.
Many electrical panel manufacturers now make breaker interlock kits for their panels designed for generators, these allow you the choice of any supplying any circuit in your panel up to the capacity of your generator. With these kits you just connect the generator to receptacle that is connected to a breaker in the panel that is interlocked with the main breaker so that the generator and the main breaker cannot be turned on at the same time.
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A 6000 watt generator would be 25 amps at 240v, which would normally be equipped with a 20 receptacle to supply inrush above 20 amps for starting inrush current. No harm will be done with a higher rated transfer switch, the switch itself puts no load on the generator. The reason I recommend using a panel transfer method over a limited number of circuits is that I experience multiple day power failures, and find that at one time or another I need to run many different loads, and running cords in dark rooms during a storm is just creating too many safety hazards for me.
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