When electric service is out in your area, you can plug your portable generator into an outdoor outlet that’s connected, through the house, to a transfer switch inside.

To make the best use of your portable generator—and to better ensure its safe use—have an electrician install a transfer switch. That’s a sort of mini-circuit breaker that sits alongside ...

A transfer switch is like a mini circuit breaker panel that allows you to draw electricity from your generator instead of from the power company.

A transfer switch is like a mini circuit breaker panel that allows you to draw electricity from your generator instead of from the power company.

Scott Caron installs a portable generator with a manual transfer switch. How to Install Vinyl Plank Flooring in a Kitchen Nathan Gilbert replaces old vinyl floor with modern vinyl plank.

The best choice will be a permanently installed stationary generator. If you want to have a generator permanently installed to your home's wiring, an electrician can install a power transfer switch.

When the power goes out, the transfer switch disconnects the utility line, and a new power connection connects from the generator to almost instantly restore power.

Sizing Up Your Backup Power Needs When your power goes out, it’s very unlikely that even a very large portable generator will be able to power every single thing in your home.