What Is Load Shedding?
Load Shedding is a power-management method that temporarily reduces or pauses selected electrical loads when total demand approaches a system limit. The control system gives priority to essential circuits while delaying flexible equipment, such as an EV charger. This approach helps prevent an overloaded service, feeder, or panel from operating beyond its intended capacity.
Quick Facts About Load Shedding
Category
Electrical load management
Used for
Controlling demand from flexible equipment
Common confusion
A controlled pause, not a breaker failure
Also called
Load Management, Demand Management
Often discussed with
EV charger load-management installation
Key Takeaways About Load Shedding
- Load shedding manages demand, not a fault in the electrical system.
- An EV charger may pause while essential household circuits remain powered.
- Load shedding is not the same as a power outage or circuit trip.
How Load Shedding Works
Load Shedding uses a controller to watch electrical demand and coordinate equipment that does not need continuous power. When demand reaches the configured limit, the controller pauses a selected load, such as an EV charger. Essential circuits continue operating while the flexible load waits for available capacity.
Related glossary terms: Electrical Load, Load Calculation, Main Breaker.
An EV charger load-management system may monitor the service conductors, electrical meter, or panel conditions, depending on the installation design. After demand falls, the controller allows charging to resume. The system may also assign priority, so charging yields to household equipment that needs power immediately. Proper settings depend on the service capacity, charger characteristics, and the loads connected to the panel.
From the Center Electric Service team
When we plan load shedding for an EV charger, we review the service capacity, panel layout, and loads that may operate at the same time. We verify that the control equipment responds correctly and that the charger resumes operation without creating a new overload condition.
Load Shedding in Practice: A Real-World Example
A Riverside homeowner adds an EV charger to a panel that also supplies heating and kitchen equipment. Load shedding pauses vehicle charging when those household loads demand more capacity, then permits charging to resume after demand drops.
Related Services
Related Terms
Electrical Load
Electrical load is the amount of power that connected devices and equipment draw from an electrical…
Load Calculation
Load Calculation is an electrical engineering process that estimates the power demand of a property, circuit…
Main Breaker
A Main Breaker is the primary overcurrent protection device in an electrical panel. The device controls…
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