Quick Read SummaryCopperfield Electric highlights a frequent oversight in solar + battery installations: critical circuits like the refrigerator are often left off the backup load panel. In an Irvine case, the fridge lost power during outages because it was wired to the main panel. The team corrected this by relocating the circuit to the backup panel and testing it under simulated outage conditions. Homeowners are urged to confirm which circuits remain powered, address multi-branch wiring complexities, and periodically test backup systems for reliability and compliance.
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Hi, Rene here from Copperfield Electric. We make your home wiring spark with joy, not problems, and today I’m going to walk you through a job we did recently in Irvine that reveals a surprisingly common wiring oversight for solar‑equipped homes.
The Situation
We were called to a home in Irvine where the owners had recently installed a solar panel system plus a battery backup. On the surface, everything looked fine: panels on the roof, battery bank in place, the promise of power when the grid goes down. But they discovered something alarming: their refrigerator shut off during a power outage.
Upon arrival and inspection, we found that the refrigerator circuit was not connected to the backup load panel. The homeowner assumed that because they had solar + battery, major appliances like the fridge would stay on when the grid went down, but that assumption proved incorrect.
What We Discovered: Wiring Details Matter
Here are the wiring specifics we uncovered:
The refrigerator was on a multi‑branch circuit: two hot conductors sharing one neutral.
The circuit remained on their main panel feed rather than the designated backup load panel that the solar/battery system supports when utility power fails.
Because the fridge’s breaker was not connected to the backup load panel, when the main panel lost utility power, the refrigerator went dark even though the solar + battery system could still power loads.
In short, the roof array and battery were ready, but the wiring inside the home prevented the critical load (refrigerator) from benefiting from that backup design.
Why This Error Happens
There are a few reasons this kind of oversight happens more often than you might think:
When homeowners install solar + battery, the focus tends to be “roof panels, battery bank, inverter” rather than “which circuits stay on in a blackout.”
The wiring inside the home was already set up, often long before solar, and it may not have been modified or mapped to the backup panel.
Multi‑branch circuits (two hots sharing one neutral) introduce complexity when re‑routing or reassessing loads for backup panels.
Without precise circuit mapping and verification, critical loads can be inadvertently left off the backup panel even though they should be on it.
How We Fixed It
| Description |
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| Identified the refrigerator’s wiring: two hot conductors sharing one neutral on a multi‑branch circuit. |
| “Picked up” (i.e., separated and moved) both hot feeds and the shared neutral from their original circuit feed and relocated them into the proper load feed destined for the backup load panel. |
| We also identified a bedroom circuit that was already present and assigned that to a 20‑amp breaker. |
| For the kitchen loads (including the fridge and microwave) we put them on the top and middle portions of the new panel feed: specifically, the microwave and fridge now share a 20‑amp tandem breaker (with proper handle tie) in the backup panel so they both remain powered when the main panel loses utility power. |
| After wiring changes and breaker designation, we tested by simulating a grid‑outage (via utility shutdown or breaker switch) to confirm that the refrigerator stayed powered via the backup load panel. |
The Result for the Homeowner
Thanks to the fix, the homeowner now has:
A refrigerator that remains on during a power outage, tied into the backup panel powered by the solar + battery system.
The microwave and selected kitchen loads are also powered in the backup mode.
A wiring layout that now aligns with best practice: critical circuits mapped to the backup load panel, clearly designated breakers, and multi‑branch circuit issues addressed.
Peace of mind: they won’t lose refrigerated foods during an outage simply because their wiring didn’t route the fridge to the backup load panel.
What Every Homeowner with Solar + Battery Should Know
Ask these questions:
| Backup Load Panel Questions |
|---|
| Which circuits in my home are tied into the backup load panel (the one your inverter/transfer switch will supply during an outage)? |
| Is my refrigerator (and freezer, if present) on that panel? If not, will it go dark when the grid goes down? |
| Are any of my circuits multi‑branch (two hots sharing one neutral)? If so, how does that affect how loads are assigned to the backup panel? |
| Has a full-load map been created that identifies which circuits remain energized during an outage and which do not? |
| Has the installer or electrician confirmed during a power‑outage simulation/test that the designated loads actually remain powered? |
Take these steps:
| Backup Power Planning Checklist |
|---|
| Walk through your significant appliance loads (refrigerator, freezer, HVAC, sump pump, lights, WiFi router, etc.). Identify what you want to stay on during an outage. |
| Review your main electrical panel(s) and backup/load‑subpanel arrangement. Ask to see which breakers are designated for backup mode. |
| If you discover your fridge is not on the backup panel, schedule an electrician to re‑map and re‑wire as necessary. |
| Ensure shared neutral circuits (multi‑branch) are handled correctly when moving a load to a different panel or subpanel. Improper handling can create code violations or imbalance issues. |
| Test your backup panel arrangement periodically: simulate a utility outage (if safe and allowed) or ask your installer to do so to ensure the designated loads stay powered. |
Why This Work Matters
At Copperfield Electric, we take pride in the “behind‑the‑walls” work, the wiring you don’t see but absolutely rely on. The fridge might not be the most glamorous appliance, but it’s one of the most critical. When it goes out during a blackout, you face spoiled food, inconvenience, cost, and frustration.
In solar‑equipped homes, the panels on the roof are only part of the equation. The wiring and load management inside the house complete the story. Without proper wiring, even a robust solar + battery system may not deliver as expected when you need it most.
Your Next Move
If you’re reading this and you’ve got solar + battery or are planning to install it, I encourage you to take this simple next step: open your main panel and backup panel. Trace your refrigerator circuit. Ask, “Is this on the backup panel?” If you’re uncertain or find it isn’t, reach out for an assessment.
At Copperfield Electric, we serve Irvine, Tustin, Costa Mesa, and the wider Orange County area. If you’d like us to review your wiring, especially around your backup panel and major appliance circuits, give us a call. Because when the grid goes down, you want your essentials to stay on.
Power safely and reliably
– Rene
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Not Sure If Your Backup Power Is Set Up Right? We Can Help
At Copperfield Electric, we make sure your solar and backup systems truly support your home when the grid goes down. Our licensed electricians review your panel layout, backup load panel, and key circuits—like your refrigerator, Wi-Fi, sump pump, and HVAC—to ensure every critical load stays powered.
If you need additional protection, we also install standby generators or safe portable power setups with transfer switches and clearly labeled, code-compliant circuits. We’ll help you choose the right power source—whether that’s your existing solar + battery system, a generator, or a hybrid setup that combines both for longer outages.
Our goal is simple: reliable power, quieter nights, and complete peace of mind, knowing your essentials stay on when the lights go out.
