Quick answer
Essential-loads wiring splits your distribution board so the inverter powers only selected circuits — lights, plugs, fridge, Wi-Fi and security — while high-draw circuits like the geyser, stove and air conditioning stay on the grid side. It is what makes a backup system work economically, because sizing an inverter to carry a geyser means buying several times the equipment for no practical benefit.
What you can do now
- 1List what genuinely needs to run during an outage, and be honest about the difference between need and habit
- 2Keep the geyser, stove, tumble dryer and aircon on the grid side
- 3Include the router and the security system, which are easy to forget and very missed
- 4Consider whether one lighting circuit is enough rather than backing up all of them
- 5Review the split after living with it for a month; it is adjustable
When to call a professional
Always specify essential-loads wiring when installing an inverter — without it you are sizing the whole system around the geyser. A registered electrician does the board split and issues the Electrical COC for the work. Ask to see the proposed circuit list before installation, because that document is what determines whether you are satisfied with the system.
Typical cost in Johannesburg
Essentials re-wire R4,500–R8,500
Indicative ranges only. We provide written, itemised quotes before any work.
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