Best transfer switch
Generac Whole House 200A Utility / 30A Generator Manual Transfer Switch
Whole-panel manual switch with built-in L14-30 inlet
Transfer switches and surge protection
A transfer switch lets a generator power the house safely, without feeding the grid; a whole-home surge protector shields the panel. Both are electrician jobs.
Used for: Backup power for your home
Our picks
Best surge protector
Square D HEPD80 Whole House Surge Protective Device
Type 1, 80 kA per phase, UL 1449 and cUL, any panel brand
Best with alarm
Leviton P2120-B Type 1 Whole Home Surge Panel
Type 1 with audible alarm, remote contacts and 200 kA SCCR
Compare side by side
| Specification | Best transfer switch Generac Whole House 200A Utility / 30A Generator Manual Transfer Switch | Best surge protector Square D HEPD80 Whole House Surge Protective Device | Best with alarm Leviton P2120-B Type 1 Whole Home Surge Panel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Our score | Our score: 7.5/10 out of 10 | Our score: 7.9/10 out of 10(best in this row) | Our score: 7.8/10 out of 10 |
| Device | Manual transfer switch | Surge protector, Type 1 | Surge protector, Type 1 |
| Generator input | 30 A | not listed | not listed |
| Utility rating | 200 A | not listed | not listed |
| Surge current | not listed | 80 kA(best in this row) | 50 kA |
| Short-circuit rating (SCCR) | not listed | 25 kA | 200 kA(best in this row) |
| Needs a licensed electrician | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Safety listing | not listed | UL 1449 4th ed. Type 1, cUL, CSA rated (per Schneider Electric) | UL 1449 (per Leviton) |
| Warranty | 2 years | not listed | not listed |
| Where to buy |
US retailers |
US retailers |
Before you buy
- Match the generator Pick a switch rated for your generator’s amps, with the same inlet plug (for example L14-30 or 50 A).
- Use certified equipment A transfer switch certified to CSA C22.2 No. 178.1 or UL 1008, or the panel maker’s interlock. Our guide compares them.
- Hire a licensed electrician Most places need a permit or a notice to your utility first; rules differ by province and state.
Need a standby generator or transfer switch installed?
Pick the job, then your city.
We don’t store what you type.
Guides
Comparison
Interlock vs transfer switch: which generator hookup is right?
Two safe ways to connect a portable generator to your panel, which one fits your house, and the rules by province and state.
Buying guide
What size generator do I need? A load worksheet
A fill-in load worksheet for sizing a generator from your own nameplates: running vs starting watts, 240 V, furnaces, and portable vs standby vs battery.
Best-of
The best generators for a power outage in Canada
Five portable generators with CO shut-off for winter outages, ranked for Canadian homes: size, safe hookup, fuel and the Canadian mark.
Transfer switch questions
What kinds of transfer equipment are there?
The common ones are a manual or automatic transfer switch (certified to CSA C22.2 No. 178.1 or UL 1008), an interlock kit from the panel’s own maker, and a double-throw safety switch (CSA C22.2 No. 4 or UL 98). Automatic switches go with standby generators; manual switches and interlocks suit portables.
Is an interlock kit as safe as a transfer switch?
Both stop backfeeding when they are certified and fitted properly; an interlock should be the panel maker’s own accessory for your panel. Our interlock vs transfer switch guide covers cost and which circuits each can run.
Do I need a permit?
Usually, and your electrician files it. Connecting a generator to your panel needs a licensed electrician and, in most places, a permit or a notice to your utility; rules differ by province and state, and our rules guide sets them out.