Jackery Transfer Switch Guide: Smart Transfer Switch vs Manual 120V and 240V

A Jackery transfer switch lets your power station feed selected household circuits through your electrical panel instead of extension cords. Jackery offers an automatic Smart Transfer Switch for the Explorer 5000 Plus series and manual switches in 120V 30A and 240V 50A versions. This Jackery transfer switch guide explains how they differ, which stations each one pairs with, and why installation is a job for a licensed electrician.

What a Jackery Transfer Switch Does

A transfer switch connects the power station to specific circuits in your home and keeps the station and the grid from feeding those circuits at the same time. Without one, you run extension cords to each appliance and can't power hardwired loads such as a furnace blower or a well pump at all.

Jackery Smart Transfer Switch: Automatic Backup

The Jackery Smart Transfer Switch switches circuits over automatically and is managed from the Jackery app. According to Jackery's Smart Transfer Switch page:

• It works with the Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus series and supports up to two Explorer 5000 Plus units at once.
• It handles up to 12 circuits at 120V or 6 at 240V, and 120V and 240V circuits can be mixed.
• Switchover is 20ms or less with UPS enabled in the app; without it, about 5 seconds.
• Jackery's FAQ states that professional electricians must handle the installation.

Pick the Smart Transfer Switch when you have, or plan to buy, an Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus (currently on pre-order, ships around November 28) and want backup to start on its own when the grid drops.

Jackery Manual Transfer Switches: 120V 30A and 240V 50A

A manual transfer switch costs less and works by flipping the selected circuits to the power station yourself.

The Jackery Manual Transfer Switch 120V 30A ($399) is the add-on Jackery's HomePower 3600 Plus page lists for the HomePower 3600 Plus. It suits 120V essentials: refrigerator, lights, internet and a furnace blower.

The Jackery Manual Transfer Switch 240V 50A ($499) is the panel Jackery's Explorer 5000 Plus spec sheet sells as an add-on for the Explorer 5000 Plus, with ten breakers. Choose it when you need 240V circuits from the 5000 Plus but don't need automatic switchover.

Smart vs Manual Jackery Transfer Switch Comparison

Installing a Jackery Transfer Switch

Have a licensed electrician install any transfer switch. It ties into your home's electrical panel, and local permit and inspection rules vary. Before the electrician visits, list the circuits you want backed up and the wattage of what is on them so the switch and the station are sized together; our Jackery runtime guide shows how.

Which Jackery Transfer Switch Should You Buy?

Explorer 5000 Plus owners who want hands-off backup: the Smart Transfer Switch, or save by buying the Solar Generator 5000 Plus Kit with the transfer switch and two SolarSaga 500X panels (currently on pre-order, ships around November 28). HomePower 3600 Plus owners: the 120V 30A manual switch, also sold as the HomePower 3600 Plus with Manual Transfer Switch kit (currently on pre-order, ships around November 22). Explorer 5000 Plus owners on a budget: the 240V 50A manual switch.

Find every switch in our Jackery accessories collection, pair it with a station from Jackery portable power stations, or check Jackery deals. Urban Supply is an authorized Jackery dealer, every unit carries Jackery's full manufacturer warranty, and we offer free shipping on orders over $299, certain exclusions apply.

About the author: Jacky Chan is the founder of Urban Supply Inc, an online retailer of home appliances, fireplaces, power equipment and outdoor living products.

Related reading: Is the Explorer 5000 Plus Enough for Whole-Home Backup? · Best Jackery for Home Backup · Jackery Battery Pack Compatibility · Jackery Explorer vs HomePower