Portable generators rated for 5,000 watts and above can connect to your home’s circuit breaker panel with a transfer switch—a small board that looks a bit like a circuit breaker panel itself.

This makes a portable home generator a popular piece of gear to keep on hand, but connecting one to the house takes a bit of know-how and planning.

When integrated with a high-performance automatic transfer switch, a home standby generator forms a closed-loop system that delivers immediate, automatic power to full home and essential home systems.