Generator Power Management

Why Power Management Matters

Investing in a home standby generator is a smart decision, but managing its power efficiently is the key to getting the most from that investment. When utility power fails, many homeowners risk generator overload—a scenario where too many appliances, or loads, try to draw power simultaneously, causing the generator to shut down completely. The solution is load shedding technology, which allows for efficient management of a generator's limited power budget.

This guide covers how load shedding works and how it can help maximize generator performance.

What Is Load Shedding?

Load shedding refers to a home standby generator's ability to selectively turn off, or "shed," lower-priority electrical loads to ensure that essential, high-priority systems remain powered.

When the generator's capacity is fixed but the demands of the appliances are too high, cutting—or "shedding"—low-priority items, like a hot tub, ensures essential needs, like the refrigerator or furnace, are met. If power becomes available, the system can automatically turn those shed loads back on—a process called load management.

How Load Management Works

Load management ensures power is distributed efficiently, especially when high-wattage appliances cycle on.

Startup Load Management

When the utility power fails, the automatic transfer switch (ATS) moves the home to generator power. Instead of powering everything at once (which risks overload), the load management system first dedicates power to the highest-priority, highest-wattage appliances, like an air conditioner, which require extra power to start. Once the power draw stabilizes, other loads are powered on as capacity allows.

Ongoing Load Management

Throughout the outage, the system constantly monitors power draw. If a high-wattage appliance needs to cycle on again, the generator automatically sheds power from lower-priority appliances to meet that surge demand. This prevents the generator from ever exceeding its capacity.

Most systems allow for manual prioritization of loads, customizing which appliances receive guaranteed power and which are only powered if excess energy is available.

Benefits of Load Shedding

Integrating load shedding capability offers three main advantages that result in a more efficient and cost-effective power solution.

Guaranteed Power for Essentials

High-priority systems—such as the refrigerator, furnace, or sump pump—never lose power, even if lower-priority items like an air purifier must be temporarily sacrificed.

Prevents Generator Overdraw

The system automatically turns off secondary systems in a pre-set order when a risk of overdraw is detected, preventing the generator from shutting down all power to the home.

Saves Money on Generator Size

Because load management distributes power intelligently, it's often possible to choose a smaller, less expensive generator that still meets the home's essential needs during an outage.

Power Management Accessories

Different manufacturers offer different load management accessories for their generators. Some major options include Generac Load Managers, Kohler Power Relay Modules, and the Briggs & Stratton Symphony II Power Management system.

Generac Load Managers

Generac sells small load management modules that connect directly to loads on a home circuit breaker. Each module is assigned a priority level, and that is the order in which its connected load will receive power during an outage.

If turning on a second priority load would cause an overload, the module will prevent it from engaging. If the generator begins to overload, the modules use frequency-sensing technology to lock out specific loads until power stabilizes. Up to eight load management modules can be connected.

Kohler Power Relay Module

Kohler's power relay modules work similarly to Generac's. They attach to up to four individual power loads and are controlled by a load management device, built into the transfer switch, which signals the relays to open or close.

When open, the connected load is not powered; when closed, power flows from the generator to the appliance. Users can prioritize loads.

Briggs & Stratton Symphony II Power Management

Briggs & Stratton also offers power modules that communicate with a load management system built into the transfer switch. Up to eight power modules can prioritize systems that require high surge watts.

Once the high surge power needs are met, the modules will power other high wattage appliances, in order of priority. If there is a risk of overdraw, the modules will start turning off only the lower-priority loads without shutting down all power, reducing interruption.

Cummins Integrated Load Management

Every air-cooled 13kW, 17kW, and 20kW Cummins standby generator has load management built into the controller that can handle up to four loads (an add-on kit is needed to manage more loads).

When the generator first starts up, all managed loads are dropped, allowing power to stabilize. Then, each managed load comes on in order of priority, based on available power. The system learns the amperage of each load and is able to keep it turned off should it determine it would cause an overload.

Is Load Management Worth It?

For those looking to power their entire home during an emergency economically, a standby generator with load shedding and power management capabilities is a great option.

Power management not only allows the purchase of a less expensive, lower-wattage generator, but it also efficiently distributes that generator's power across essential appliances, saving precious energy and fuel in an emergency.

Important to remember is that each separate power management or load-shedding module is typically a separate accessory. If a homeowner wants to manage four loads, they will need four power modules in addition to the generator and automatic transfer switch.

That means, in some cases, the cost of buying several load modules may cancel out the money saved by choosing a smaller generator. However, those who have luxury homes may need both a large generator and load modules to distribute power effectively.

On average, most homeowners should benefit from load management, which will be an efficient, cost-saving solution for the next power outage.

Ready to find the right generator and power management solution? Shop standby generators and load management accessories at Ferguson Home.