How to Install a Reliance Transfer Switch

Mount the transfer switch 18 inches away from the main power panel using a screwdriver and the mounting screws. Using a drill to drill pilot holes will make mounting easier. Shut off power to the main power panel. Use a screwdriver to knockout one of the knockout holes in the bottom of the main power panel. Route the output cable from the transfer switch to the main power panel and push the wires up into the main power panel.

Locate the green and white wire from the transfer switch. Strip 1/2 inch of insulation from the ends of each wire. Connect these wires to the ground-neutral bar in the main power panel.

Decide which circuits in the main power panel need to go through the transfer switch. For example: a freezer circuit usually runs on a 120-volt circuit. Locate that circuit breaker and turn it off. Disconnect the black wire from that circuit breaker. Each switch at the transfer switch has two wires. Connect the first wire of the first transfer switch to the black wire you just disconnected and use a plastic twist cap to secure the splice. Next, take the second wire of the first transfer switch to the refrigerator circuit breaker you removed the original black wire from. The refrigerator is now connected to the first transfer switch. Each transfer switch is connected to maintain a specific circuit. This setup is for 120-volt circuits only.

Locate any 240-volt circuits that must be maintained. These circuits are handled the same as 120-volt circuits except that they require two transfer switches per 240-volt circuit since a 240-volt circuit uses a double breaker. Treat the double breaker as two 120-volt circuits.