When electric service is out in your area, you plug your portable generator into an outdoor outlet that’s connected, through the house, to a transfer switch inside.

A transfer switch is like a mini circuit breaker panel that allows you to draw electricity from your generator instead of from the power company.

Without a transfer switch, you can only use a portable generator’s built-in outlets, which can power some appliances and electronics through an extension cord (for more, see below).

A transfer switch allows a portable generator to supply power directly to key circuits, keeping important systems running without manual rewiring.

For portable genset use, they do make manual transfer switches that accept a heavy-duty power cord - they typically have a recessed plug that the genset power cord's receptacle end goes in. Lots ...

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