In using a transfer switch for a backup generator?

Wire code says one circuit, one breaker. But I think you can take the output of the transfer switch and run it to several breakers, each with it's own circuit, as long as the wire sizes are ok. But you should check the wire code on that.

that's no different from taking a 50 amp line, via a 50 amp breaker and driving a small secondary panel with 6 breakers and 6 circuits.

A single breaker IN the transfer switch?

You seem confused.

The purpose of the transfer switch is to disconnect your circuit breaker panel TOTALLY from the power company, and connect it to your generator.

The whole POINT of a transfer switch is if you are going to connect your generator to your circuit breaker panel, then you MUST disconnect from the power company lines, otherwise you could electrocute a power company repair person who is working on a deactivated power line.

The average homeowner is NOT smart enough to turn their MAIN circuit breaker off, while backfeeding a branch circuit to energize their house from a generator. Someone like you, who asks a crazy question that doesn't make sense. Sorry.

There are code-compliant ways to hook it up to power one circuit, some circuits, or all circuits in the house. Discuss with an electrician your goals, and they can tell you what needs to be done (like maybe putting in a subpanel).

Your question requires a lot of information to be supplied for a proper response.

The switching MUST meet certain essential requirements.

First, your generator must never put power out into the supply lines coming into your home. That, potentially, could kill the people attempting to reestablish power to your home.

Then consider the power output of your generator. You do not want to overload it. If it ca't supply as much power as the combined use of every appliance and other major energy draining piece of equipment in your home you should not use it as a total replacement for the power supply available from your electricity generating utility company.

Another consideration is the type of output from your generator. For many uses the frequency of the power output is important. If you generator has a an electronically controlled power management device you should be safe.

Be sure to use surge suppressors on all electronic devices you may be powering.

Professional advice is wise.

I have a generator that does not supply adequate power to my entire home. In the event of a power failure I place the portable generator outside of my home. I have a plug in hook-up. No Carbon Monoxide can get inside of my home. I open the Main Circuit Breaker so the generator can't feed power out to the supply lines. I close a circuit breaker which supplies power to the main panel.I turn off all the breakers that supply any non-essential energy user in my home.

My generator is large enough to power my HVAC system.That is important since i live in an all electric home. It can also, at the same time, power my refrigerator/freezer. But I turn off my water heater since that is a massive power hog that could overload the generator. I also limit my cooking to using my microwave and never turn on the stove or oven. My lighting is 100% LED so that load is rather negligible. If, during longer term power outages, I need hot water i shut off the refrigerator for a couple of ours and avoid using the microwave. then switch back after the water is warm.

As you can see, knowing the power demands of your various appliances is essential.

If your generator has enough power capacity that single breaker would be the MAIN breaker and feed all the sub-panels and individual breakers.