30A and 50A Transfer Switches...difference

[1.21 Gigawatts]

Anyone look at the Reliance 310A and 510A Transfer Switches side by side? They are the same except for one thing. The 310A supports up to 7500 watts. The 510A supports up to 12,500 watts.

Breaker sizes are the same. Max breaker sizes are the same.. Wires are all the same sizes including temp rating except for the Neutral. On the 50A 510A it's a 8 gauge. On the 30A 310A its a 10 gauge.

I spoke to tech support there and he acknowledged yes, its the same except the neutral wire. He said you can basically put a larger size wire in the 30A TS and call it a 50A TS but it would pose problems if something happened and they see the model number, ect.

Just thought I point that out. Essentially $100 bucks more for a larger neutral wire only 2 feet long. Unless you guys know something else.

50A on left. 30A on right.

 

[Coppersmith]

I once bought an electric typewriter. It had two models. The more expensive model had an auto-repeat feature. Just hold down a key and the key repeated across the page. I examined them both in the store and bought the cheap one. When I got it home I twisted off the metal tab that kept the auto-repeat feature from working. Instant upgrade.

 

[Little Bill]

I would buy the 30A, then replace the neutral wire with an 8awg, but save the original #10. If warranty issues arose, I would put the #10 back in before sending it back. I highly doubt there would be any but would save it just in case.

 

[LarryFine]

I would much rather have or install a whole-house interlock kit than one of those multi-circuit transfer switches.

I do not like them, Sam-I-Am.

 

[Little Bill]

I would much rather have or install a whole-house interlock kit than one of those multi-circuit transfer switches.

I do not like them, Sam-I-Am.

I don't like them either. I was just replying as to which one I would buy if I wanted the same capacity without spending another $100.
I also like the interlock over the manual transfer switch. You know customers are going to wish they had chosen some of the circuits not added to the MTS panel. With an interlock, they can pick and choose at will providing they're not overloaded.

 

[infinity]

It's cheaper for the manufacturer to make 50 amp one unit and re-label it as a 30 amp unit.

We once had a manual transfer switch on the job that was supposed to be 600 volts. The guys installed a 240 volt version by mistake. When the 600 volt switch came in it was identical to the 240 volt switch. The foreman just swapped the covers.

I would much rather have or install a whole-house interlock kit than one of those multi-circuit transfer switches.

I agree. And where is the AFCI protection in that generator panel?

 

[jaylectricity]

It's cheaper for the manufacturer to make 50 amp one unit and re-label it as a 30 amp unit.

We once had a manual transfer switch on the job that was supposed to be 600 volts. The guys installed a 240 volt version by mistake. When the 600 volt switch came in it was identical to the 240 volt switch. The foreman just swapped the covers.



I agree. And where is the AFCI protection in that generator panel?

They're plug-in breakers, so you'd just replace the ones that require AFCI with the proper brand arc-fault breakers...in this case, Siemens.

 

[jaylectricity]

I suppose you'd have to run the extra branch circuit neutrals, update the raceway, etc on that particular model.

 

[infinity]

I suppose you'd have to run the extra branch circuit neutrals, update the raceway, etc on that particular model.

Yes, I don't see any branch circuit neutrals in those whips which means that you would be required to modify a listed product not too mention those whips are pretty full. Sounds like these units are not set up for use with AFCI circuits.