Reliance Controls CSR202 Easy/Tran Transfer Switch

I purchased this to install as a transfer switch for a 3250W Generac portable unit. My key was to power my furnace (120v) and power my bedroom lights on the second floor. This was very simple to install and setup. The most difficult part was really finding the best place to place the switch so that the cables reach into my main panel. I could have gone for a 6 circuit unit, but there is so little room in my old 1979 main panel with spaghetti of cables that this was best option. I purchased 40ft of cable to connect to my generator through a basement window. Simple and free installation. <$200 and my generator now can power my most essential needs in upcoming power outages.As a side note, this switch is meant to connect two 20A 120V circuits, or one 20A 240V. Either way be careful not to connect two 15A circuits to it as the wiring in your walls is not meant to be fed 20A. The Generac unit I am using has a breaker for 14.5A which made it ok for me to connect to 1 15A circuit and one 20A.Also, this switch does NOT come with any wire looms or anything to help you connect to your panel, but nothing to worry about as you can get all of these at your local home depot for a few $$.The construction seems super heavy duty and durable and it is said to be waterproof for outside use, however I used mine inside my basement.Very happy with it and happy to be prepared for a power outage... last year Sandy left me with two weeks of no power--lesson learned!

The instructions are very simple if you under stand electrical terms. Make sure you go to the Reliance website to check the specs needed before you order the switch. They all look the same but are designed for very specific configurations. Install was easy. I connected the circuits for my fridge and small freezer, wifi, lights, and some wall outlets on to the two switches in this transfer switch. I've included a better pictures of the male generator cord inlet interior with wires. About a week after install, the power went off for 6 hours. My 3000 watt generator made it on the fuel in the tank and I had fridge, wifi, tv, lights, and chargers for my phone/ipad/etc.

I like the way it is constructed. It is very sturdy, and the wiring diagram is easy to read. However, it turned out to be the wrong part for what I was trying to do. I live in the panhandle of Florida, and the forecast is for a very active hurricane season this summer. I want to be able to connect a portable generator so that when power goes out, I don't have to string a bunch of extension cords. This part didn't meet my need. Instead, I bought a transfer switch and a emergency power inlet plug. Now, I can run almost everything in the house except the dryer. I can even run the water heater as long as it is in the heat pump mode.

would have worked great if it was 30amp

I ended up having to disassemble and re-wire it to use it in my makeshift motorbike, to switch between battery and generator/shore power. But it’s working very well for me!

Good box you can install it outsideEasy installationAnd also came on timeVery happy with the quality product

I bought this thing believing it was 30 amp. My daughter was diagnosed with breast cancer before I could install it. This thing been in the garage literally 2 years. She beat her cancer and finally life is resuming around here. I get a chance to install it and it’s 20 amps. Won’t work. Extremely unlikely they’d let me return it, even though it’s still brand new. Seller needs to be a lot more specific in the specs of these things. I’ve read several reviews and there is a lot of confusion on this item. 20 amp is pretty useless. Might as well use an extension cord from generator to the refrigerator if all you need is 20 amps.

Do your homework before you order this. It is limited to 20 amps. Your small generator will do 30 amps. If you are wanting to power up most of your house items this won’t work for you. I spent 730.00 for it and installed. Should have bought a 730.00 generator and been WAY ahead.Won’t run my furnace fan even by itself. Looks good on the garage wall though.