Reliance Controls 306CRK 30A 6-Circuit Kit Review
The classic 6-circuit manual transfer switch, complete with cord and inlet box in one kit.
The verdict
The 306CRK is the standard answer to 'how do I connect my portable generator to my furnace and well pump?' Six circuits, individual per-circuit switching with built-in wattmeters for load balancing, and the kit includes the 30A cord and outdoor inlet box that à-la-carte buyers forget. Made in the USA, installed by any electrician in an afternoon.
Typical price: ~$379 (typical street price — current price shown on Amazon)
Buy on AmazonWhat we like
- +Complete kit: switch, 10-ft 30A cord, PB30 inlet box
- +Per-circuit switching + twin wattmeters make load management foolproof
- +Works with any generator with an L14-30R outlet
- +Reliance has made these for 100+ years; parts availability is forever
- +Straightforward install next to the main panel
What to know
- −Six circuits means choosing — no whole-panel flexibility like an interlock
- −30A ceiling (7,500W); bigger generators can't deliver full power through it
- −Wattmeters are analog-charming but approximate
Full review
Transfer switches are unglamorous, which is why the same Reliance design has quietly protected homes for decades. The per-circuit toggle design has a real advantage over interlocks for non-experts: you physically cannot overload the generator by accident, because only your six chosen circuits exist, and the wattmeters show you what each one draws.
Buy the CRK kit version specifically — the cord and inlet box included would cost $150+ separately, and matching plug types across three separate purchases is where DIYers get stuck. Electrician install typically runs $300–$500 for this unit; many quote it flat-rate because they've each done fifty of them.
Best for: The standard essential-circuits setup: furnace, fridge, freezer, well pump, some lights, one more.
Specifications
| Circuits | 6 (individually switched) |
|---|---|
| Rating | 30A / 7,500W |
| Includes | Switch, 10-ft L14-30 cord, PB30 inlet box |
| Meters | 2 analog wattmeters |
| Install | Surface-mount beside main panel |
| Origin | Made in USA |
| Warranty | 5 years |
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~$379 typical price
Buy on AmazonHead-to-head comparisons
Alternatives in Transfer Switches & Installation
Premium Pick
Generac HomeLink 50A Manual Transfer Switch Kit
A 50A switch that feeds your whole panel today and accepts an automatic-start upgrade later.
Reliance Controls PB30 30A Power Inlet Box
The weatherproof outdoor socket your generator cord plugs into.
Best Value
Champion 25-ft 30A Generator Cord (L14-30)
The heavy cord that connects generator to inlet box — 25 feet keeps the fumes away from the house.