GenTran 3028 30 Amp 8-Circuit Transfer Switch/Power Inlet Box/Power Cord Kit For Up To 7,500-Watt Generators
by GenTran
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List Price: Category: Lawn & Patio See more product details |
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of GenTran 3028 30 Amp 8-Circuit Transfer Switch/Power Inlet Box/Power Cord Kit For Up To 7,500-Watt Generators
Customer Review: 3028 Transfer Panel
Summary: 5 Stars
First of all, you need to go to the "Gen Tran" web site and download the correct installation instructions as the one that comes in the box is NOT the correct sheet. It will work but I found that the "3028" is not listed. I prefer to have the right info and materials when working on a electrical panel. There are few second chances working there.
So for my install, I put the panel in the basement and ran a 10/4 cable 30ft to the exterior box supplied in the kit. I removed the NEMA male plug from the transfer panel and covered the hole with the round plate supplied. After connecting the 10/4 to the transfer panel (just put the same color wires from cable that were used on the NEMA plug to the circuit breakers in the transfer panel). Next, install the NEMA plug you took out of the panel into the exterior box and wire it to the 10/4 cable. Now you just hook one end of the extention cord that came in the kit to the generator and the other to the exterior box you just wired.
Back at the main panel and transfer panel, follow the instructions for hooking it up. I will tell you that if you have any doubt about doing this, call an electrician and save the cost of screw ups and a trip to the morgue. But you can do the previous steps easily which will save you money when the electrician comes. Most of the previous steps will take the most time of the hook up. The main panel hook up shouldn't take more than 2 hours. I say 2 hours because in my case, I had to switch around some circuit breakers so that I could install the 2 pole 60 amp breaker in the main panel.
That is about it, although I would write down the switching instructions and have them posted by the main & transfer panels. Pilots use check lists to prevent screw ups...you can too.
To sum it all up, a very good product, a great price and easily installed for most home owners, but a minimial cost if done by a professional.
Protect your investment (your house) by installing this product.
Don't backfeed as you are responsibile for damage at the pole AND if your insurance co. finds out what you've done....no more insurance. Do it the right way for the sake of your family.
Customer Review: Excellent Transfer Switch, Upgrade from the 3026 kit
Summary: 5 Stars
The GenTran 3028K Kit is actually an upgrade from the 3026kit and is an excellent Transfer Switch kit. The 3026 only comes with a 10 foot power cord, the 3028 has a 25 foot power cord. The 3026 has 6 circuits which can be converted to 10, the 3028 has 8 circuits expandable to 12 and the 3026 does not have a male plug on the transfer switch box like the 3028. I highly recommend the 3028K over the 3026kit. The 3028 Transfer Switch has a male plug built in to the face of the unit where you can plug the 25 foot power cord directly into it. This is very convenient if you want to set the Switch up in a garage or basement and run the cord under the door or through a window. The kit also comes with the 25 foot power cord and a power inlet box. You can use the power inlet box for thru the wall hookups if you like. The male plug on the Transfer Switch can be removed and relocated on the power inlet box, then hard wired to the transfer switch. Two years ago we had a terrible ice storm in southern Indiana and we were without electricity for almost a week. I installed this kit in my house in a couple of hours and I'm not an electrician. I could run everything we needed off this Transfer Switch, the furnace, stove, refrigerator, lights, television, computers etc. It was a life saver. Since 2009 we have had several power failures up to a day at a time and it is very convenient to plug the power cord into the inlet box from the generator, start the generator, and say hello to electricity. No more worries, no more fears. I highly recommend this GenTran 3028K Transfer Switch over any of the competitors. NOTE: If you are not an electrician and you install a transfer switch I also highly advise having the work inpected by a licensed electrician.Customer Review: The correct method for emergency power transfer
Summary: 5 Stars
I installed this transfer switch several weeks ago and have the following comments;
This unit comes pre-wired and with excellent instructions. I installed it myself as I have worked in the building trades for many years and always do my own wiring. For those of you not quite so comfortable with electricity, a licensed electrician is highly recommended.
As noted in the product description, there is an interlock on the "main" breaker of this unit to prevent back-feeding generator power through the utility transmission lines. This feature allows me to exercise the generator monthly, (which should be done to avoid fuel/carburetor problems on the generator) under load, so seamlessly that I don't even have to reset my electronic appliance clocks. It also means that I will not be contributing to the death or injury of a electrical utility worker due to a back-feed situation.
Another plus with this unit are the dual watt meters that allow you to monitor the load so that you don't exceed your generators' capacity. It also allows you to monitor the load on both 110 volt "legs" of the generator to make sure they are more or less balanced. This is said to extend the life of your generator.
Over-all this is the most pleased I've been with a product in some time. I'm also pleased that it's made in the USA.
Customer Review: Did the job
Summary: 4 Stars
Everything was great with this transfer switch except if you have to change out the breakers and put in more on the left leg side. You have to get more wire to do that. The problem is the tube that comes out of it which goes to the main fits just right with the wires they gave but is too tight to sqeeze 2 more 14gauge wires in it. I had to cut off the plastic end for the wires to make it through. They give you 2 20A breakers on the left and I needed 3 15A and 1 20A breaker in replace of those. So I bought a 15/15 and a 15/20 breaker then added two extra wires. They don't tell you what breakers you will get with it so I had to wait until I received it to plan on what breakers I would need to buy. It had 2 30A double breakers (one double for the generator and one for something else like your hot water heater)on the right side, 2 20A singles on the right, and 2 15A singles on the right. These were two quad breakers- one has 2-15A and a Double 30A. The other is a 2-20A and a Double 30A. On the left they had 2 Single 1" 20A breakers. I removed those and put in 2 doubles noted above. Overall I was pleased with it. The option to take the outlet out of the box so that I could run it up to my garage was nice. Just had to buy the 10AWG cable.Customer Review: Well designed, well made easy to install transfer switch
Summary: 5 Stars
I installed one at my son's house yesterday. I stretched it out to an all day project just to enjoy his company. It took about three hours plus two trips to the hardware store and lunch. Not a bad day at all!
We had to change circuit breakers inside the switch to achieve our goal of 6 each 20 amp 120 volt and 2 each 15 amp 120 volt circuits. The switch comes assuming you have at least one 220 volt appliance (like a well pump) and a couple circuits needing 30 amps. It is VERY important to use the same size breaker as the existing breaker in the house.
I am not an electrician but do understand household wiring and am comfortable working inside a home distribution box. If you have done home wiring before you will have no problems. If you are not comfortable with wires and electricity, have an electrician do it. An electrician should be able to do it in about a half day.
(Note that if you don't need the cord or optional outside box you can buy this product elsewhere for a little less money.)