Best transfer switch in transfer switches and surge protection
A service-entrance-rated manual switch that lets a 30 A portable generator feed the whole 200 A panel through its own L14-30 inlet; electrician-installed.
Our score: 7.5/10 out of 10Researched, not lab-tested
- Device
- Manual transfer switch
- Generator input
- 30 A
- Utility rating
- 200 A
- Warranty
- 2 years
Is it right for you?
Pros
- Switches the whole 200 A panel; you choose loads by breaker
- Generator cord plugs straight into its built-in L14-30 inlet
- Outdoor NEMA 3R aluminium enclosure
- Room for up to 12 extra branch circuits
Cons
- Licensed electrician install, and usually a permit
- Easy to overload a portable unless big loads are switched off
- No Canadian certification stated by Generac
- Two-year warranty
- Best for
- Owners of a 5,000 W or larger portable with an L14-30R who want to power hardwired loads such as a furnace or well pump without extension cords.
- Not for
- Generators with only 120 V outlets, homes whose service isn't 200 A single phase, DIY installers, and Canadian buyers who need a confirmed CSA-certified switch.
Our verdict
The 6382 is the safe, inspectable way to connect a 30 A portable generator to the whole house. It is service-entrance rated, with a 200 A utility main and a 30 A generator main at 125/250 V single phase, so it switches the home’s whole 200 A service. The generator cord plugs into an L14-30 inlet on the bottom of its outdoor NEMA 3R aluminium enclosure, so there is no separate inlet box to fit.
Because it switches the whole panel, any circuit can run in an outage, including hardwired ones such as a furnace or well pump. Generac pairs it with portables from about 5 kW that have a 30 A twist-lock, like the Generac GP8000E or the Westinghouse WGen9500DFc; a 50 A version, model 6335, suits bigger generators.
The price of that flexibility is discipline: a portable can’t carry a whole house, so you switch off big loads at the panel first. It is an electrician’s install, the warranty is two years, and Generac states no Canadian certification for it.
Setup and safety
Never backfeed. A generator plugged into a wall outlet or wired to the panel without a transfer switch can send power back up the line, injuring or killing line crews, damaging equipment and starting fires (see our interlock vs transfer switch guide). A transfer switch exists to prevent that; it only works if a licensed electrician installs it, to code, usually with a permit. The generator still runs outdoors, at least 6 m (20 ft) from the house (Health Canada).
Permits and notices. Installing a transfer switch is licensed electrician work and, in most places, needs a permit or a notice to your utility, sometimes before you buy; rules differ by province and state (see the rules by province and state).
Check the label. Generac states no Canadian certification for the 6382, so in Canada have the electrician confirm the label before you buy.
Using it in an outage. Generac’s advice is to switch off large loads at the panel, such as the range, dryer, water heater and central air, so the portable isn’t overloaded; follow the owner’s manual for the switching order. The enclosure has room for up to 12 extra branch circuits. Generac sells matching 30 A cords and inlet boxes; its owner’s manual is linked from the product page.
- Device
- Manual transfer switch
- Generator input
- 30 A
- Utility rating
- 200 A
- Needs a licensed electrician
- Yes
- Warranty
- 2 years
- Generator inlet
- NEMA L14-30, on the enclosure
6382 transfer switch questions
Will the 6382 work with my generator?
It needs a generator with a 30 A 120/240 V twist-lock outlet (L14-30R), and Generac suggests about 5 kW or more. Generators with only 120 V outlets, such as small inverters, can’t feed it. For a generator with a 50 A outlet, Generac’s model 6335 is the matching switch.
Can I install it myself?
No. Generac recommends a certified electrician, it is service-entrance equipment wired between the meter and the panel, and most places need a permit.
Transfer switch or interlock kit?
Both stop backfeeding when an electrician fits them. An interlock is a plate on your existing panel that stops the main and generator breakers being on together. A whole-panel switch like the 6382 replaces that with a separate, outdoor service-entrance device with its own inlet. Our interlock vs transfer switch guide compares the two.
Is the 6382 approved for Canada?
Generac’s product page and spec sheet state no Canadian certification for it. Have your electrician check the label, or pick a switch whose Canadian certification is confirmed.
