The Explorer 5000 Plus supplies 120V/240V split-phase power from a single unit, so it can back up 240V circuits without pairing two stations. To connect it to a house you have two Jackery options: the 240V 50A Manual Transfer Switch, which a licensed electrician installs beside your main panel, or the Smart Transfer Switch, an automatic switch whose installation Jackery arranges after purchase. Either way, the station never plugs into a wall outlet to feed the house.
Not sure you need a transfer switch at all? Start with Do I need a transfer switch to use a Jackery for home backup? This page covers the 5000 Plus 240V setup once you have decided you do.
Manual or Smart Transfer Switch?
| Manual Transfer Switch 240V 50A | Smart Transfer Switch | |
|---|---|---|
| Switching | By hand, circuit by circuit, when the power goes out | Automatic; Jackery quotes UPS handover within 20 ms |
| Inlet / connection | CS6375 power inlet; the station plugs in when needed | Connects to the 5000 Plus's dedicated Smart Transfer Switch port with the Power Input/Output Cable |
| Circuits | 10 circuits: one 2-pole 30A, one 2-pole 20A and six 1-pole 15A | Whole-home backup, per Jackery |
| Solar | Through the station's own solar inputs | Also integrates rooftop PV through the 5000 Plus |
| Monitoring | Color-coded wattmeters on the switch | Jackery app |
| Installation | Licensed electrician; indoor metal cabinet | Arranged through Jackery's STS installation request form after delivery |
| Also works with | 2000 Plus, or two 3600 Plus with a parallel combiner | Explorer 5000 Plus series only |
What the 5000 Plus can deliver at 240V
- Outlets: a NEMA L14-30R twist-lock and a NEMA 14-50, both 120V/240V. Jackery's manual rates them together at 30A and 7,200W, with 14,400W surge.
- Household outlets: four NEMA 5-20 at 120V, 20A, 2,400W each.
- A limit to know: the L14-30R and 14-50 cannot be used in bypass mode while the station is charging from the wall. In online UPS mode (0 ms), only the 5-20 outlets work, up to 3,600W.
- Capacity: 5,040Wh per unit, expandable toward 60kWh with Battery Pack 5000 Plus units.
A 7,200W ceiling can cover essentials such as a well pump, furnace blower, fridge, lights and internet together if their combined watts fit, but not an electric range, electric water heater and central air at once. Pick circuits so their combined running watts stay under it.
Jackery transfer switch wiring, in plain terms
This is the power path for the manual switch. It is a description for planning, not an installation drawing; your electrician works from Jackery's manual and local code.
| Step | From | To | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Utility | Main panel | Unchanged |
| 2 | Main panel breakers for chosen circuits | Transfer switch "utility" side | Pre-wired switch, installed beside the main panel |
| 3 | Transfer switch | The chosen branch circuits | Each circuit is fed by either utility or station, never both |
| 4 | Explorer 5000 Plus 240V outlet | CS6375 inlet on the switch | Jackery ships a power cord and the CS6375 inlet in the box with the switch |
The switch's job is to stop back-feeding: station power cannot reach the utility lines, and utility power cannot reach the station through the house wiring.
What the installation involves
- Choose the circuits. List the loads you need in an outage with their running watts. Mark which are 240V (well pump, some furnaces).
- Get a permit and a licensed electrician. Jackery says only a qualified electrician should install it. Many areas require a permit and inspection for any transfer switch.
- Mount the switch. The cabinet is for indoor use, close to the main panel.
- Place the station indoors. Jackery's manual says the 5000 Plus is for indoor use only. A garage or utility room near the switch works; it weighs about 134.5 lb, so put it where it can stay.
- Test. With the station charged, the electrician moves each circuit to the station side and checks every load runs, then returns them to utility.
During an outage
- Connect the 5000 Plus to the switch inlet and turn on its AC output.
- Move each circuit from utility to the backup position, starting with the most important loads.
- Watch the wattmeters and the station's display; stay under 7,200W.
- When the grid returns, move every circuit back to utility before disconnecting the station.
With the Smart Transfer Switch, steps 1 to 4 happen automatically.
Two stations and other models
- Two 5000 Plus units on the Smart Transfer Switch need a second Power Input/Output Cable; one ships with the switch.
- HomePower 3600 Plus (and the original 2000 Plus) uses the 120V 30A Manual Transfer Switch with an L5-30 inlet; ask us to confirm it for the HomePower 2000 Plus v2.
- HomePower 3600 Pro Max uses its own Pro/Tran 2 manual transfer switch.
Sizing the battery for your outage is covered in Jackery home backup sizing and Jackery HomePower for RV and home backup.
Which to buy
- Selected circuits, lowest complexity: Explorer 5000 Plus with the 240V 50A Manual Transfer Switch.
- Automatic whole-home backup with rooftop solar: Explorer 5000 Plus with the Smart Transfer Switch.
- Station and panels together: the Explorer 5000 Plus Solar Generator bundle.
Comparing flagships first? Read Anker SOLIX F3800 Plus vs Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus.