Reliance Controls 30216BRK - Manual (Page 5)

PRE-INSTALLATION PLANNING OF THE GENERATOR LOAD
Before you begin installing your Reliance Controls transfer switch, you need to create a plan for the
appliances you choose to run during a power outage. To do this, it’s helpful to first know how your generator
produces power. If your generator has four-prong twist-lock 20 or 30 Amp output receptacles, and is set-up for home
stand-by operation, it likely will produce 120/240 Volt power, or power similar to your electrical utility. This type of
power generation is useful as it: 1) allows common 120 Volt circuits, such as lights or small appliances, to be
operated, and 2) allows two 120 Volt circuits to be linked together to operate a 240 Volt device, such as a well pump.
Because of the way in which larger portable generators are designed, they generate power in two equal
halves. A generator which has output of 5000 continuous running watts, for example, generates power from two
2500 watt “sides”. In setting up a transfer switch to get the most power from your generator, it is desirable to
“balance the load” between the two halves of your transfer switch, or the left side and the right side. Devices which
will consume the most of the generator’s wattage should be divided between the two sides. Load balancing is shown
in Figure 1. For example, on the 6-circuit transfer switch shown in Figure 1, consider wiring the breaker controlling
the refrigerator to toggle switch A, the furnace breaker to toggle switch B, the sump pump breaker to switch E and
the breaker controlling your TV and VCR to toggle switch F. You may want to reserve switches C and D to be linked
with a handle tie and wired to a double pole breaker controlling, for example, a 240 Volt well pump.
The Residential Wattage Requirements Table below shows sample wattages used by typical household
appliances and can help you plan the set up of your transfer switch. Use the running watts of your appliances rather
than starting watts when dividing them between the two halves of the transfer switch. Check your appliances for
actual wattage requirements if possible.
Your Reliance Controls transfer switch also allows you to manage the load on your generator manually by
switching appliances on and off as you need them, so the capacity of either half of your generator is not exceeded.
However, if you prefer not to manage your transfer switch loads manually, leave a buffer equal to the largest start-up
wattage requirement of all of the appliances you are going to run continually when doing your calculation. This
buffer, along with the peak wattage of your generator, will allow for the periodic motor start-up of any one large
appliance, such as your refrigerator. If your transfer switch is equipped with watt meters, you can visually monitor
the amount of wattage being used by the appliances your generator is powering at any time.
Examples of load balancing calculations are shown on the worksheets on page 5. Use these to create your
own plan.
Page 4
Additional
Running Start-Up
Appliance Wattage Wattage
Furnace (1/3 HP)
700 1,400
Furnace (1/2 HP) 875 2,100
Window Air Conditioner
6000 BTU 1,200 2,100
12,000 BTU 1,700 2,900
Well Pump (1/3 HP) 750 1,400
Well Pump (1/2 HP) 1,000 2,350
Sump Pump (1/3 HP) 800 1,300
Sump Pump (1/2 HP) 1,050 2,150
Refrigerator 800 2,300
Garage Door Opener (1/4 HP) 550 1,100
Garage Door Opener (1/3 HP) 750 1,400
Home Security System 200 0
Lights On Bulb On Bulb
Stereo 200 0
TV / VCR 200 0
Computer 200 0
Microwave Check oven Check Oven
Coffee Maker 1,750 0
Toaster 1,300 0
Electric Fan 200 0
Clothes Washer 1,150 2,300
Clothes Dryer (Gas) 700 1,800
Dishwasher (Cool Dry) 700 1,400
Dishwasher (Hot Dry) 1,450 1,400
Vacuum Cleaner 1,000 0
Hair Dryer Check Dryer Check Dryer
Iron 1,200 0
Circular Saw 800 2,000
TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL WATTAGE REQUIREMENTS
Figure 1
Furnace
(875 Watts)
Refrigerator
(800 Watts)
TV / VCR
(200 Watts)
Sump Pump
(1,050 Watts)
Well Pump
(1000 Watts)