It always seems to happen at the worst possible moment, just as you're making dinner, helping with homework, or settling in for a movie night, the lights flicker and... out they go.

Power outages are more than just inconvenient, they can disrupt your safety, comfort, and peace of mind. Whether caused by severe storms, overloaded grids, or downed lines, losing power reminds us just how much we rely on electricity every day

At Corrigan Electric, we’ve seen firsthand how the right backup power solution can turn a stressful outage into a non-event. Here’s a look at what actually happens during a blackout, and how whole-home generators keep you going without skipping a beat.

Why Do Power Outages Happen?

Outages aren’t just about bad weather. While thunderstorms and ice storms are common culprits in Kentucky and Indiana, there are other causes too:

Grid overloads during extreme heat or cold
Utility equipment failure
Fallen trees or vehicle collisions with power lines
Scheduled maintenance or emergency utility repairs

When your home loses power, it’s typically due to a disruption at the transformer or along the service lines connecting your home to the main grid. The result? Your appliances shut off, lights go dark, and anything without a battery loses function.

How a Whole-Home Generator Protects Your Comfort

This is where backup power systems come in. Specifically, automatic standby generators: the kind Corrigan specializes in, are designed to respond instantly when utility power fails.

Here’s how it works:

Outage Detected
Your generator’s automatic transfer switch (ATS) senses the loss of utility power: usually within seconds.
Power Transfer Begins
The ATS signals the generator to start. Once it’s running, it safely transfers your home’s electrical load from the utility to the generator.
Steady Backup Power
Essentials like your refrigerator, HVAC, sump pump, medical devices, and lighting stay powered. Some homeowners choose full coverage; others prioritize critical systems.
Automatic Reversion
When utility power is restored, the ATS safely switches everything back, and the generator powers down. No lifting a finger.

It’s seamless. It’s safe. And it’s a game-changer during emergencies.

Real-World Power Peace of Mind

One Corrigan customer in Louisville shared this during a January ice storm:

“We didn’t even know the neighborhood had gone dark until a neighbor called us. Our Generac system kicked in so fast that nothing even blinked—we stayed warm and comfortable while everyone else scrambled.”

That’s the reliability we build into every generator installation and service.

Certified Service for the Generators You Trust

We’re proud to be factory-certified for Briggs & Stratton systems, including the Fortress series, and authorized service providers for Generac. That means:

Licensed electrician installation that meets all local codes and permits
Scheduled preventative maintenance and repairs
Priority emergency response during regional outages
Manufacturer-backed warranties honored in full

Our technicians train continuously to keep up with the latest systems, and we treat every job, big or small, with the same focus on safety, clarity, and respect for your home.

Should You Get a Generator? Key Questions to Ask

If you’ve experienced an outage recently, or just want the peace of mind that backup power brings, here are a few questions to consider:

Do you rely on electric heat or well water?
Do you have critical medical devices at home?
Do you travel often or live alone?
Have you lost food or experienced basement flooding due to outages?

If you answered yes to any of the above, it might be time to explore your options.

Corrigan Makes It Easy

From the first conversation to final inspection, our team walks you through everything:

Load calculation and system sizing
Permits and utility coordination
Turnkey installation
Ongoing service plans to keep you protected year-round

No pushy sales. Just a straightforward evaluation you can trust.

Get a Free Generator Consultation

Ready to take control during the next power outage? Schedule your free site evaluation today. We’ll help you understand your options and design a backup power plan that fits your home—and your peace of mind.

What Happens During a Power Outage? And How a Generator Keeps You Running