SURAIELEC 50 Amp Generator Power Inlet Box, NEMA SS2-50P Generator Box for 3-Prong Generator Cord, 120/240V, 12000W Weatherproof Outdoor Outlet Receptacle

Why I picked this inlet box

Power outages aren’t theoretical where I live, so I like my backup setup to be boringly dependable. I installed the Suraielec 50‑amp inlet box on an exterior wall feeding a manual transfer switch, pairing it with an SS2‑50 cord and a 12 kW portable generator. After a full install and a couple of shakedown runs (including one long, wet weekend), I came away impressed by how thoughtfully this box is put together—and aware of a few quirks that are worth knowing before you buy.

Build quality and weather protection

The first thing that stood out is the construction. The enclosure is heavy‑gauge galvanized steel with a clean, even finish and a sturdy hinge. It’s 3R rated, which means “rainproof” rather than “hose‑down proof,” and it’s built like it. The cover is extra‑deep and closes down over a plugged‑in cord without fighting you. With the lid latched, the downward‑facing cable path creates a natural drip loop and shields the connection from wind‑driven rain.

I also appreciate the small but meaningful touches aimed at keeping crud out. The cord entry opening in the lid is tight and shaped well, so you don’t end up with a gaping hole around the connector. The inlet itself is ETL‑listed and feels robust; there’s no play in the twist‑lock, and the face sits flush with the panel.

After a day of steady rain, the interior stayed dry. No signs of streaking or intrusion at seams, and the hardware didn’t flash rust. It’s the kind of simple confidence you want for an exterior power connection.

If I could change one thing about the enclosure, it would be to delete the small plastic access cap on the top panel. It’s not essential for installation, and I’d prefer a continuous metal surface for long‑term UV exposure. It’s a minor nit in an otherwise solid box.

Interior layout and working room

This inlet box is big for what it does—and that’s mostly a positive. If you’ve ever wrestled 4–6 AWG conductors in a cramped pocket, you’ll appreciate the generous bend radius and the ability to position wires without contortions. The detachable front panel is especially helpful: I could pull it off, land the conductors and torque the terminals comfortably, then reassemble without having to work around the enclosure.

There are six knockouts (bottom, sides, and back), so you can orient the conduit to suit the wall and interior run. I used liquid‑tight from the bottom and a short run of EMT from the back on another test wall, and both were straightforward. One note: on my unit, a 3/4‑inch watertight connector’s rubber gasket felt a touch loose in one knockout, and swapping to a slightly beefier gasket solved it. Plan to dry‑fit your fittings before you commit.

Wiring experience and capacity

The SS2‑50 inlet is rated for 120/240 V up to 12,000 W and accepts 4–6 AWG. The lugs are properly sized and clamp down evenly; mine tightened smoothly to spec with a torque screwdriver. Conductor markings are clear (X, Y, W, G), and the labeling inside the box is legible.

Grounding is the one area where I wanted a little more forethought. The device bonds the grounding terminal to the metal enclosure, which is common, but there isn’t a separate ground stud or bar provided. In practice, that means landing your equipment grounding conductor at the same point as the bond strap. It’s absolutely workable (a pre‑formed copper pigtail makes it tidy), yet a dedicated stud would have made it cleaner and more obvious.

The built‑in pilot light is a nice touch. It gives you instant “power present” confirmation at the inlet—a small but reassuring check before you move to the panel. It’s pre‑wired in a way that expects a neutral to be present. If you’re running a 120/240 setup with neutral, it just works. If you planned a straight 240V‑only configuration with no neutral, the pilot won’t illuminate without rewiring. For most home transfer switch installations, this isn’t an issue; just be aware of how your system is configured.

Day‑to‑day use

The ergonomics of the cord connection are excellent. The inlet face is angled so that the heavy 50‑amp cord drops downward, which reduces strain at the connector, keeps the lid closing easily, and helps with water shedding. The twist‑lock mechanism is tight in a reassuring way—you do need to line it up and give it a firm twist, but once locked it doesn’t feel like it will back off.

With the cover closed over the cord, the seal is good. I still recommend covering the lid opening when not in use (a simple piece of exterior‑grade tape works) to discourage insects and debris. That’s true of most inlet designs, and the tight geometry here already helps a lot.

In operation, voltage drop and heat were non‑issues at my test loads. The inlet face stayed cool, and there was no buzzing or intermittent contact even when cycling larger appliances on the transfer switch.

Installation notes and tips

A few things that made the install smoother:

• Map your conduit path first. The removable front panel and multiple knockouts give you options; pick the route that gives your conductors the gentlest bend.
• Pre‑form the equipment grounding conductor and add a short pigtail if needed so you’re not fighting the bond strap at the lug.
• Bring a torque screwdriver. The labeling provides torque specs; using them keeps you within listing and avoids over‑stressing the device.
• If your generator/inlet is 120/240 with neutral, the pilot light will function out of the box. If you’re building a 240‑only system, expect the LED to remain off (or plan for a wiring change).
• Leave enough clearance around the box for the lid to open fully with a cord attached. This is a roomy enclosure; tight soffits and deck joists can make lid travel awkward if you mount too close.

If you’re mounting in a cramped location, measure twice: the roomy interior that makes wiring easy also means it takes up a bit more wall space than minimalist inlets.

Safety and certification

The inlet is ETL‑listed and clearly labeled, which matters to inspectors and, frankly, to me. The 3R rating is appropriate for a wall‑mounted inlet under normal weather; I wouldn’t aim a pressure washer at it, but I’m confident in rain. The finish and hardware feel like they’ll hold up to years of exposure.

What I liked

• Sturdy galvanized steel enclosure with a deep, protective lid
• Roomy interior and removable front panel make heavy‑gauge wiring civilized
• Multiple knockouts (bottom, sides, back) for flexible conduit routing
• Down‑angled cord path reduces strain and helps keep water out
• ETL‑listed SS2‑50 inlet with solid, precise twist‑lock
• Pilot light offers quick power‑present confirmation

What could be better

• No dedicated ground stud; landing the EGC on the same point as the bond strap is a little inelegant
• The enclosure is on the larger side; plan mounting space accordingly
• The small plastic access piece on the top isn’t strictly necessary and could age faster than the metal
• Some conduit gaskets may fit loosely in certain knockouts; test and select appropriately
• Pilot light expects a neutral; 240‑only configurations won’t light it without a tweak

Who it suits

If you’re wiring a 50‑amp generator inlet for a home transfer switch or interlock and want something that’s robust, easy to wire with 4–6 AWG, and genuinely weather‑ready, this Suraielec inlet box is a strong choice. Electricians will appreciate the working room and straightforward layout; DIYers (working to code) will find the installation forgiving as long as they plan the conduit route and grounding ahead of time.

If you have extremely tight mounting constraints or a strong preference for a dedicated ground bar in the enclosure, you might want to look at more compact or premium boxes with that feature. For most users, though, the combination of build quality, usability, and weather protection hits the mark.

Recommendation

I recommend this inlet box. It’s well‑built, thoughtfully laid out, and proven weather‑resistant, with practical touches like a power‑present pilot light and a lid that actually closes over a 50‑amp cord. The generous interior and removable panel make landing heavy conductors far less frustrating than with cramped alternatives. Its minor drawbacks—a bulky footprint, a less‑than‑perfect grounding arrangement, and a pilot light that expects a neutral—are easy to work around and don’t undermine the core function. If you need a reliable 50‑amp SS2‑50 inlet for outdoor use, this one earns a place on the wall.