I'm really pleased with this panel. I don't know why it's this way exactly, but it's SOOOOO hard to shop for a manual generator disconnect for some reason. Especially one that's outdoor rated which I needed for this application since my main panel is on the outside of the house. I checked Home Depot, Lowes, online, and at a local electrical supply store all before buying this switch. Everybody seems focused on the much more expensive automatic whole-house generator setups they will sell you for thousands of dollars, or the cheap indoor only "pre-wired" six circuit system. Neither option was what I wanted, since I already owned a generator, had my panel outside, and didn't want to spend thousands of dollars for an occasional requirement. Now that I've installed this one I am very pleased with the results. I still need to plug into my actual generator (probably tomorrow) and do a GEN powered test run, but everything is running fine on utility power right now (including this computer I'm typing on). I replaced two slots of main panel breakers with a new 100A breaker, and fed 2 AWG wire into the provided 100A QO breaker. I ran 10 AWG for the ground and neutral. The four actual circuit breakers are not included and sold separately because what you use depends on what you need on the actual usage end. But the 100A and 30A with mechanical lockout are included. I bought four tandem 20A QO breakers from the local Lowes and am happy with my 8 circuits. I have my fridge, microwave, living room, bedroom, blower fan for the heater, and some other lights all available for generator power. Perfect for the almost annual ice storm and week long power outage we get here in Arkansas. I also freed up two more slots/four circuits on my main panel if I decide I need to run more circuits later (since my panel is basically full already, as you can see). I love the fact that this box already had the generator plug installed. Be mindful that it's a four prong L14-30P connection. You can hook it up to the three prong generator or RV cable but you need an adapter. Adapters are also available here on Amazon. That's how my setup is, since my generator is a relatively small 4,000 peak watt generator (3,500 running). But that's all the power I need, honestly. My house is pretty efficient, and I already had the generator so there wasn't much I could do and had to buy the adapter. But if you don't own a generator yet, get one with the four prong outlet if you want to use this panel without buying an extra adapter. See my pics for how the switch is setup. I wish the Amazon pictures included the INSIDE of the panel. I still wasn't entirely sure what I was getting. But now I know. There's a safety cover (and on my main panel as well) but they are not included in the pics because that would defeat the purpose! Good luck with your generator transfer switch install. It can be a little intimidating at first, but it's really not too bad. You're essentially just bypassing the breaker. By the way, this setup prevents you from backfeeding into the utility as well, which could endanger a lineman's life. That gives me a little peace of mind. Keeping a fridge running is not worth risking someone's life! Do it properly if you're going to hook up a generator to your house!
