Reliance Controls Corporation 31406CWK 30 Amp 6-circuit Pro/Tran Transfer Switch Kit for Generators (7500 Watts).,Gray

Why I added a transfer switch and how this one performed

After a couple of outages reminded me how much I dislike stringing extension cords around a dark house, I installed the Reliance Controls Pro/Tran 6‑circuit transfer switch to pair with a portable generator. The goal was straightforward: power the essentials safely, avoid backfeeding, and make switching over during an outage something anyone in the house could handle without fuss. After living with it through multiple tests and a few real outages, I’m convinced this is the right approach for most portable‑generator setups—and this model hits a smart balance of capability, simplicity, and price.

Installation experience

If you’re comfortable working around a service panel—or you’re hiring an electrician—this is a very approachable install. The switch arrives prewired with clearly labeled pigtails, and the layout inside the enclosure is logical. The included 10‑foot L14‑30 cord is a nice touch; plan for appropriate building wire, conduit, clamps, and mounting hardware to connect your outdoor inlet (if you’re adding one) to the switch. Depending on your wall construction and panel location, expect some carpentry or masonry work.

My panel is surface‑mounted, so I had a relatively clean run from the switch to the panel. If your panel is recessed, be ready to open a section of drywall and route the whip from below or from one side. That extra hour of preparation pays off in a cleaner, code‑compliant installation. Managing conductor length matters more than you’d think: cut too short and you’ll fight for reach; too long and you’ll struggle to tuck everything neatly. Dry fit, mark, and trim conservatively.

Plan your six circuits before you start. I prioritized fridge, freezer, gas furnace, well pump, a lighting circuit with key outlets, and a small office circuit for modem/ONT/charging. Label the circuits as you go; Reliance’s faceplate labeling makes it easy to remember what’s what when the lights are out.

A few practical notes:
- You’ll likely need additional 10/3 building wire for the inlet run and a pair of 3/4‑inch cable clamps for strain relief.
- If you’re mounting the inlet on brick or block, leave a small standoff or use sealant/foam to create a gap so the cover can seat fully.
- Pull a permit if required locally, and follow your jurisdiction’s grounding/bonding requirements.

Design and build

The Pro/Tran enclosure is a simple, metal gray box that feels robust and workmanlike. The six circuit toggles are clearly marked with three positions—Line, Off, Gen—and the center handle doubles as a tied 2‑pole for 240‑volt loads if you need it. Dual analog wattmeters show real‑time load on each leg, which is incredibly useful for balancing. The meters aren’t lab instruments, but they’re responsive and give you a safe margin to stay under generator capacity. The overall layout makes sense at a glance, which matters during an outage when you don’t want to troubleshoot.

Operation under load

In practice, the user experience is excellent. Start the generator, connect the L14‑30 cord, let it stabilize, then flip the selected circuits from Line to Gen. There’s no mystery or menu to navigate, and every family member can understand the steps after a two‑minute walkthrough.

With a ~5.5kW generator, I was able to run heat (oil‑fired), hot water, refrigeration, networking gear, lights, and a TV without creeping past half load. The wattmeters helped me balance high‑draw items across legs and avoid nuisance trips. On a smaller 120‑volt‑only inverter unit I occasionally use, I ran the switch via a properly “tied” adapter that bridges both hot legs on the L14‑30 input. That fed all six 120‑volt circuits just fine (no true 240‑volt loads, of course). If you’re going the adapter route, make sure it’s specifically tied for 120V service; an untied adapter will only energize half the switch.

The switch isolates generator power from utility power, so lineworkers are protected and you’re not backfeeding the grid. Transitioning back is equally simple: flip circuits back to Line, shut down the generator, and stow the cord.

Compatibility and circuit strategy

This is a 30‑amp (7,500‑watt max) manual transfer switch designed around a standard L14‑30 120/240V feed. A few tips from my setup:

• If you need a 240‑volt circuit (well pump or deep‑well jet pumps, for example), the tied double‑pole in the center is ready for that. If you don’t, you can split it into two 120‑volt circuits to gain flexibility.
• For 120‑volt‑only generators (L5‑30 or TT‑30 output), use a tied/bridged adapter to feed both legs. Do not expect to power actual 240‑volt appliances with this arrangement.
• Balance high‑draw appliances across legs using the analog meters; it’s the easiest way to keep the generator happy and avoid overloads.
• Six circuits force you to think about priorities, which I consider a plus for portable setups. If you find yourself wanting to power whole rooms rather than key loads, consider stepping up to a 10‑circuit model.

Performance notes and quirks

• The wattmeters are helpful but conservative; I found them to underreport compared to my inline meter. That’s fine—treat their readings as guides, not absolutes.
• The toggles have a firm detent and don’t invite accidental bumps. That said, label your faceplate clearly; in a hurry, it’s easy to forget which general‑lighting circuit controls which part of the house.
• Heat buildup never presented as an issue. The enclosure has adequate spacing and the internal wiring is tidy from the factory.
• Noise is whatever your generator produces; at the switch itself, operation is silent aside from the tactile click of the toggles.

Safety and compliance

This switch does what a transfer device must: positively isolates the generator from the utility. It leaves neutral and ground properly arranged for typical residential systems. If your generator has a bonded neutral and GFCI on its receptacles, plan to use the L14‑30 (usually non‑GFCI) output to avoid nuisance trips. As always, local code may require a permit and inspection; it’s worth doing this by the book.

What I liked

• Clear, intuitive controls with a straightforward Line‑Off‑Gen workflow
• Dual leg wattmeters that make balancing loads easy
• Solid, metal enclosure and good build quality
• Prewired leads and logical layout that speed up installation
• Included 10‑foot L14‑30 cord reduces accessory hunting
• Works well with both 120/240V generators and 120V‑only units (with the correct tied adapter)

What could be better

• The six‑circuit limit is great for essentials, but I could easily use four more circuits; consider your needs before you buy
• The analog meters aren’t perfectly accurate; they’re guides, not precision instruments
• You’ll probably need to source a few small parts (clamps, wire, mounting hardware) depending on your install; a more complete hardware pack would simplify things
• Adapter selection for 120V‑only generators can be confusing—clearer guidance in the box would help prevent powering only half the switch

Who it’s for

• Homeowners with a portable generator up to 7,500 watts who want a safe, code‑compliant way to power key circuits
• DIYers comfortable working inside a panel (or anyone planning to hire an electrician) who value a clean, permanent solution over extension‑cord gymnastics
• Households prioritizing essentials—heat source, refrigeration, a well pump, lighting, networking—during outages

Recommendation

I recommend the Pro/Tran 6‑circuit transfer switch for most portable‑generator users who want a dependable, easy‑to‑operate backup solution. It installs cleanly, isolates the generator properly, and makes managing an outage as simple as flipping a few switches. The built‑in wattmeters are genuinely useful for balancing loads, and the 30‑amp capacity aligns well with common 5–7.5kW generators.

If you know you’ll want more than six circuits, step up to the larger model. Otherwise, this 6‑circuit version hits the sweet spot: solid build, sensible features, and a user‑friendly interface that turns a chaotic outage into a manageable routine.