Which circuits stay on when the grid goes down
Which circuits stay on when the grid drops
Essential Loads Notes explains how a backup system decides which circuits keep running in an outage. It covers backup panels, transfer switches and the loads list you'd take to a licensed electrician.
All the pages
- Whole-home versus partial backup: what the difference meansWhether a backup system powers every circuit or only a chosen few, and why that choice shapes the wiring, the cost and what works in an outage.
- What an essential loads panel (backup subpanel) isA backup loads panel is a second, smaller breaker panel that holds only the circuits you want kept on in an outage. Here's how it differs from the main one.
- What a transfer switch does and why it existsA transfer switch moves a load between two power sources and keeps them apart. Here's why backup power needs one and what the main kinds are.
- Why backup panels and transfer switches are licensed electrician workBackup panels and transfer switches connect to your main service. Here's why that work belongs to a licensed electrician, not a home owner.
- Making a loads list: which circuits matter in an outageHow to decide which circuits and appliances to keep powered in an outage, and how to write the list down so a licensed electrician can use it.
- Finding watts and amps on appliance labels for your listWhere to find how much power each appliance uses, how watts, volts and amps relate, and what to do when a label gives only one of them.
- Big loads that need care: pumps, heat pumps, ovens, EV chargersWhy big loads like well pumps, heat pumps, electric ovens and EV chargers are often left off backup circuits, and what to ask before putting them on.
- Questions to bring to a licensed electrician about backup circuitsWhat to prepare and what to ask before you get a quote for a backup panel, transfer switch or battery wiring, so the quote covers the right circuits.