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What happens in a blackout with a Sigenergy battery, and how do I check my backup is working?

Short answer. With a Sigen Energy Gateway fitted, Sigenergy says the home switches to solar and battery with no load-side disruption (0 ms), so you should not notice the switch. You can check your set-up is ready from the mySigen app without testing it at the switchboard.

A typical Sun Connect Solar install gives full home backup, running all circuits unless you asked us to leave some out (an EV charger, for example). How long it keeps going depends on how full the battery is, how much you are using and how much sun there is.

Safety first. Do not test your backup by switching things off at the switchboard or the unit. Never open a switchboard, remove a cover from your battery or inverter, or touch any wiring. Anything beyond the app, a light you can read from a safe distance, or your own router is a job for a licensed electrician. If you see smoke, smell burning, hear arcing or see water on or near the unit: keep everyone away, switch off at your main switch only if it is safe to do so, and call 000 if there is any fire or smoke.

How to check your backup is set up (no blackout needed)

  1. Open mySigen and tap Device. Backup needs a Sigen Energy Gateway: you should see it listed alongside the battery. Sigenergy’s manual says the backup settings only apply if a Gateway is configured.
  2. Look at your Backup Reserve. It is the share of battery the system holds back for a blackout: while the grid is on the battery stops discharging at that level, and in a blackout that energy is there for your home. It is a setting you can change in the app to suit how much you want held back. We set a backup reserve at install and show you how to change it in the app, so if you want more kept for outages, ask us or raise it.
  3. Check the battery percentage is comfortably above the reserve, especially before a storm.
  4. Check there are no alarms under Home, then Notice, or Service.
  5. If anything is unclear, or you want us to confirm which circuits are on your backup, call us.

What to expect in a blackout

  • Your battery takes over automatically. By day your solar keeps running the house and recharges the battery; at night the battery runs the house.
  • Using less helps it last longer. Big loads such as ovens, heaters and air conditioners drain it fastest.
  • Sigenergy’s manual says that if something goes wrong during an outage (abnormal solar, not enough battery and so on), backed-up circuits can still lose power.

Medical equipment

Please do not rely on the battery alone for life-support or critical medical equipment. Sigenergy’s manual carries the same warning. Talk to us so we can help you plan properly.

If your home lost power in a blackout when you expected it to stay on, see why did my battery not switch over in a blackout.

When to call us

If we installed your system, call us on 0483 903 020. Our service help for existing customers is free: we start by working through it with you by phone. If you are not yet a customer, a service call is $250 + GST, which covers one hour on site within 20 km of Mullumbimby; travel further out is quoted separately. Contact us or call 0483 903 020 (Mon-Fri 7am-6pm, Sat 7am-4pm).

Quick questions

Will I notice the power go out?

Sigenergy states 0 ms load-side disruption with the Sigen Energy Gateway, so you should not notice the switch. If your lights flicked off, tell us.

How long will my battery last in a blackout?

It depends on how full it is, what you are running and how much sun there is. We do not give a fixed time because it changes every time.

Do all Sigenergy batteries back up the home?

No. Backup needs a Gateway and the right wiring. A typical Sun Connect Solar install is designed for full home backup, and we confirm what is on backup at the site visit.

Can I change the Backup Reserve?

Yes, it is a setting in mySigen. Changing it affects how much is kept for blackouts, so call us if you would like a hand.

Sources

Last checked 6 October 2026. Only the manufacturer’s or the network’s own documents are used; app menus change between versions, so if your screen looks different, call us rather than guess.

Related guides: Whole-home vs essential-circuits battery backup

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