Had to use the generator this morning as I woke up and no dice on street power. Came across this video after getting a refresher on the transfer switch wiring from the install videos. The six-part series of videos is awesome, RC has this down to a science that anyone with some basic DIY knowledge of home electrical can do the install safely. Because I'm currently on gen power, I identified another circuit that I want to use. I've had my RC Pro/Tran 2 for 8 years now. For anyone toying with the notion of putting one of these in their homes, do it! The first time you lose line power, the time, effort, and expense of having the generator with the switch and inlet box pays for itself. A little careful planning to identify the circuits needed during an outage goes a long way. For me, I figured that the power is going to go out during the winter, with baseboard electric heat, that's a problem. Enter in the propane-fired fireplace insert. I have the blower motor of the fireplace on the transfer switch along with the refrigerator, lights, and propane-fired tankless water heater. Couple that with powering the home's computer network/Wi-Fi. So let's see, the wife and two kids are warm, all can access the kitchen and garage refrigerator/freezer, microwave and coffee pot work, lights work, and there's TV and Internet (provided by cable company which has not had a simultaneous outage with electric. Plus we can still enjoy a hot shower. Life is good. As I figure it, the only thing I need to concern myself with is good preventative maintenance on the generator, having a good surplus of fuel (with stabilizer,) and keeping an eye on the neighbors--as they are living like Swiss Family Robinson, while we're enjoying the good life with all the creature comforts. Only a matter of time before they stop by, HA! Buy from Reliance Controls...you'll be glad you did. Cheers, -Matthew
Matthew, we are honored to have such a glowing review of our Transfer Switch. It goes without saying that this is why we do what we do - but it always makes our day to hear how it helped someone! Would you mind if we used your review on our additional social channels? We're so proud!
@@RelianceControls As far as the other reviews, have at it. Based on the outage I wrote about previously and the additional circuits I wanted to add--I was all set to get into the guts of my box. I thought I had two circuits of my 6-circuit transfer switch available, but all six were taken. Likely will upgrade to the RC 10-circuit model in the near future.
You should consider adding a video on installing the proper inlet receptacle on the front of the Reliance enclosure for battery backup systems. Those systems are now capable of providing up to 9 kwh in a small package that can be located near the transfer switch inside the home.
Yes, we have. One question though, are you referring to GFCI protection on the generator itself or branch circuits in the home? This will help us give you more specifics!
@@rcnitro001 Hey, sorry for the late reply. There are two different ways to handle this, depending on which you're most comfortable with. Option #1 - Simply connect the transfer switch per the instructions and leave the neutrals connected to the afci/gfci. In this case, the afci/gfci only provides protection under utility power. The breakers in the transfer switch are used when under generator power, so there would be no arc or ground-fault protection while operating under backup power. One of the biggest drawbacks of this scenario is the afci/gfci breakers in your panel will trip if utility and backup power are running simultaneously. More of a nuisance than anything, but worth mentioning. Option #2 - We offer a "neutral kit" to allow afci/gfci breakers to be installed in the transfer switch. For 4 & 6-circuit switches, the model number is NK06. For 8 & 10-circuit switches, it's NK10. While this solution adds complexity to the installation, you would retain afci/gfci protection under backup power, and there would be no nuisance tripping. Hopefully, this helps point you in the right direction. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any additional questions or concerns. You can also reach our tech support @ (800)634-6155 if that's easier. Thanks!
Hi and thanks for watching! Yes, you may either look into purchasing our 125 Volt only transfer switches models will have a 1 at the end of the part number. Or you can look into using an adapter cord that would bridge the hot from the generator to power both sides of the transfer switch. Hope this helps :)
I was looking to buy a 10 switch unit and wondering if it was possible to switch out all of the 15 amp breakers with 20 amp breakers? All of my circuit breakers in my home are 20 amp, is that okay to do on this unit?
Yes, you can switch out the 15 amp breakers for 20 amp or you could connect 20 amp breakers in the main panel to a 15 amp breaker on the transfer switch if you believe the home circuit is oversized. The only side effect of this is that the circuit would trip sooner than under normal utility conditions. Does this help? Let us know and thank you for your question!
That does answer my question, Thank you. On another note and question I have realized with the generator that I (around 7200 running steady, 9000 peak) I must use the 30 amp 6 switch not the 50 amp 10 switch (which should be around 12500 I think running steady?), so I know that it will still work switching out the 15 amp breakers for 20amp. But my question is, do you not HAVE to cut off your MAIN BREAKER when power is lost and the generator is running, just in case a lineman is near and could he be in danger from MY generator? Or is the Manual Transfer Switch protecting that lineman. Thanks@@RelianceControls
@jbaker43 No, you don’t need to do anything with your main panel when using the generator with the transfer switch. The 3-position switch (GEN-OFF-LINE) ensures that power from the generator will not feed back to the line even with the restoration of utility power. Happy to elaborate if you'd like!
Not a problem@@jbaker43 Give us a call and we can talk through it. Want to be sure we're addressing all your questions and in a quicker manner :) 262-634-6155
Had to use the generator this morning as I woke up and no dice on street power. Came across this video after getting a refresher on the transfer switch wiring from the install videos. The six-part series of videos is awesome, RC has this down to a science that anyone with some basic DIY knowledge of home electrical can do the install safely. Because I'm currently on gen power, I identified another circuit that I want to use.
I've had my RC Pro/Tran 2 for 8 years now. For anyone toying with the notion of putting one of these in their homes, do it! The first time you lose line power, the time, effort, and expense of having the generator with the switch and inlet box pays for itself. A little careful planning to identify the circuits needed during an outage goes a long way. For me, I figured that the power is going to go out during the winter, with baseboard electric heat, that's a problem. Enter in the propane-fired fireplace insert. I have the blower motor of the fireplace on the transfer switch along with the refrigerator, lights, and propane-fired tankless water heater. Couple that with powering the home's computer network/Wi-Fi. So let's see, the wife and two kids are warm, all can access the kitchen and garage refrigerator/freezer, microwave and coffee pot work, lights work, and there's TV and Internet (provided by cable company which has not had a simultaneous outage with electric. Plus we can still enjoy a hot shower. Life is good.
As I figure it, the only thing I need to concern myself with is good preventative maintenance on the generator, having a good surplus of fuel (with stabilizer,) and keeping an eye on the neighbors--as they are living like Swiss Family Robinson, while we're enjoying the good life with all the creature comforts. Only a matter of time before they stop by, HA!
Buy from Reliance Controls...you'll be glad you did.
Cheers,
-Matthew
Matthew, we are honored to have such a glowing review of our Transfer Switch. It goes without saying that this is why we do what we do - but it always makes our day to hear how it helped someone! Would you mind if we used your review on our additional social channels? We're so proud!
@@RelianceControls As far as the other reviews, have at it. Based on the outage I wrote about previously and the additional circuits I wanted to add--I was all set to get into the guts of my box. I thought I had two circuits of my 6-circuit transfer switch available, but all six were taken. Likely will upgrade to the RC 10-circuit model in the near future.
Thank you for this video.
So glad you found it helpful @robalan9975
You should consider adding a video on installing the proper inlet receptacle on the front of the Reliance enclosure for battery backup systems. Those systems are now capable of providing up to 9 kwh in a small package that can be located near the transfer switch inside the home.
Do the breakers work other then the switches
Could you elaborate on your question or word it differently? We'd love to help clear up any questions you have.
On the pro tran 2 310C could the 30A double pole be switched out for 20A singles?
Have you figured out how to work these transfer switches with AFCI/GFCI breakers?
Yes, we have. One question though, are you referring to GFCI protection on the generator itself or branch circuits in the home? This will help us give you more specifics!
@@RelianceControls My issue would be the afci gfci on the home panel. How do I connect the wire to those type of breakers?
@@rcnitro001 Hey, sorry for the late reply. There are two different ways to handle this, depending on which you're most comfortable with.
Option #1 - Simply connect the transfer switch per the instructions and leave the neutrals connected to the afci/gfci. In this case, the afci/gfci only provides protection under utility power. The breakers in the transfer switch are used when under generator power, so there would be no arc or ground-fault protection while operating under backup power. One of the biggest drawbacks of this scenario is the afci/gfci breakers in your panel will trip if utility and backup power are running simultaneously. More of a nuisance than anything, but worth mentioning.
Option #2 - We offer a "neutral kit" to allow afci/gfci breakers to be installed in the transfer switch. For 4 & 6-circuit switches, the model number is NK06. For 8 & 10-circuit switches, it's NK10. While this solution adds complexity to the installation, you would retain afci/gfci protection under backup power, and there would be no nuisance tripping.
Hopefully, this helps point you in the right direction. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any additional questions or concerns. You can also reach our tech support @ (800)634-6155 if that's easier.
Thanks!
Can you connect those switch with an L5 inlet for use with 120 only appliances ?
Hi and thanks for watching! Yes, you may either look into purchasing our 125 Volt only transfer switches models will have a 1 at the end of the part number. Or you can look into using an adapter cord that would bridge the hot from the generator to power both sides of the transfer switch. Hope this helps :)
I was looking to buy a 10 switch unit and wondering if it was possible to switch out all of the 15 amp breakers with 20 amp breakers? All of my circuit breakers in my home are 20 amp, is that okay to do on this unit?
Yes, you can switch out the 15 amp breakers for 20 amp or you could connect 20 amp breakers in the main panel to a 15 amp breaker on the transfer switch if you believe the home circuit is oversized. The only side effect of this is that the circuit would trip sooner than under normal utility conditions. Does this help? Let us know and thank you for your question!
That does answer my question, Thank you. On another note and question I have realized with the generator that I (around 7200 running steady, 9000 peak) I must use the 30 amp 6 switch not the 50 amp 10 switch (which should be around 12500 I think running steady?), so I know that it will still work switching out the 15 amp breakers for 20amp. But my question is, do you not HAVE to cut off your MAIN BREAKER when power is lost and the generator is running, just in case a lineman is near and could he be in danger from MY generator? Or is the Manual Transfer Switch protecting that lineman. Thanks@@RelianceControls
@jbaker43 No, you don’t need to do anything with your main panel when using the generator with the transfer switch.
The 3-position switch (GEN-OFF-LINE) ensures that power from the generator will not feed back to the line even with the restoration of utility power.
Happy to elaborate if you'd like!
Yes Please, I'm guessing it's just like a breaker in the box but I want a little more detail. @@RelianceControls
Not a problem@@jbaker43 Give us a call and we can talk through it. Want to be sure we're addressing all your questions and in a quicker manner :) 262-634-6155