The foundation of every design.
WHY IT DETERMINES EVERYTHING
Sizing without measured load produces systems that fail or cost far too much.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
Every item the customer wants supplied Its power draw How many hours daily it runs Whether it runs at night Its starting requirement, if it has a motor
WHY STARTING REQUIREMENT
It determines inverter sizing.
WHAT TO MEASURE RATHER THAN ASSUME
Actual power draw.
HOW
A meter, where possible.
WHY NOT NAMEPLATE RATINGS
They are frequently higher than actual draw, and sizing on them is expensive.
WHAT TO PRODUCE
A list: item, watts, hours, watt-hours per day.
WHAT TO SEPARATE
Loads that must be supplied Loads that are desirable Loads that should be excluded
WHY EXCLUSION MATTERS
Heating and cooling loads transform the cost of a system.
WHAT TO ADVISE EXCLUDING OR REPLACING
Resistive heating: kettles, irons, water heaters
Older refrigeration Inefficient lighting Anything with a substantial motor, where avoidable
WHY THOSE SPECIFICALLY
They consume disproportionately and they drive battery cost.
WHAT REDUCING LOAD ACHIEVES
A smaller, cheaper, more reliable system.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH WITH THE CUSTOMER
What they will actually run, honestly.
WHY HONESTLY
Systems fail because customers connect loads that were never in the design.
WHAT TO DOCUMENT
The agreed load, signed.
