When a bad storm rolls through Scotts Valley, CA, or a nearby area, and your power blinks out, the fridge goes warm, the heat or AC shuts off, and you're left fumbling for flashlights, wondering how long it will last. Outages are a regular part of life around here, and for those who are tired of being caught in the dark, KM Electric offers generator services that keep your home or business running when the grid quits. We take the worry out of the next outage so your property stays powered no matter what the weather throws at it.
KM Electric is a licensed electrical company based in Scotts Valley, CA, serving residential and commercial customers with generator-related electrical work. Our team specializes in full generator installations, whole-home generators, standby generator installation, generator interlock kits, transfer switches, generator troubleshooting, generator maintenance, and more.
The problem is one most folks around here know well. The power cuts out during a storm or a planned shutoff, and suddenly the fridge warms up, the well pump stops, and the house is dark with no clear end in sight. For anyone who works from home, relies on medical equipment, or just wants to ride out an outage in comfort, that uncertainty gets old fast.
The cause usually has nothing to do with your property itself. Our area sees outages from winter storms, high winds knocking down lines, and utility shutoffs meant to reduce fire risk during dry spells. The grid simply wasn't built to guarantee power around the clock, and many properties have no backup plan when it goes down. That's where a proper backup generator comes in, giving your home or business a second source of power that does not depend on the utility.
Setting it up the right way takes more than dropping a unit in the yard. As your electrical contractor, we start by figuring out how much power you need, then recommend the right system, whether that's a permanent standby generator or a setup built around a portable generator for lighter needs. From there, our generator installation work includes the concrete pad, the gas or propane hookup, the transfer switch or interlock, and the tie-in to your panel, all permitted and inspected to ensure everything runs safely. A licensed electrician handles every connection so the system starts cleanly and powers only what it should.
Once the work is done, the next outage becomes a non-event. A whole-home generator can power your entire property automatically the moment the grid drops, while a smaller setup keeps your essentials running until the lights come back on. You stop worrying about spoiled food, frozen pipes, or a dead sump pump, and you get the peace of mind.
Our generator services help homeowners and businesses plan, install, connect, and maintain backup power systems.
Every property has its own list of must-haves when the power goes out, from the well pump to a home office. We sit down with you to map out which circuits matter most and how much runtime you need.
Installing a new unit involves much more than the generators themselves. Our team handles the pad, the fuel hookup, the electrical tie-in, the permits, and the inspection from start to finish. You get a complete, code-compliant system that is ready to run when you need it.
A standby unit sits quietly outside and switches on by itself the instant the power drops. We install these permanent systems and tie them into an automatic transfer switch for hands-free operation.
A whole-house generator powers everything from your HVAC to your kitchen without you lifting a finger. We size and install these larger systems so your home keeps running like normal during an outage. For households that want zero compromise during a blackout, a home generator of this size is the way to go.
Connecting a generator to your home safely is where many do-it-yourself attempts go sideways. We wire the proper connection between your unit and your electrical system so power flows where it should and nowhere it shouldn't.
An interlock kit is a budget-friendly way to power key circuits from a generator without the cost of a full automatic system. We install the kit on your panel so you can safely switch over to backup power by hand.
Backup power only helps if it actually starts when the moment comes, which is where generator maintenance earns its keep. We inspect, test, and service your unit so it stays ready year-round.
When a unit won't start, runs rough, or trips offline, the cause isn't always obvious. Our crew diagnoses the problem, from fuel and battery issues to control and wiring faults, and gets your system back in working order.
The transfer switch is the component that safely alternates between utility and generator power. We install both manual and automatic switches matched to your system.
Tired, outdated wiring in your walls can become a hazard before you ever notice, and our electrical rewiring service takes that risk off the table. We swap out old, unsafe runs, refresh the grounding, and bring the whole system up to current code.
A panel that trips constantly or feels warm is overdue for attention, and our electrical panel upgrades take care of it. We replace dated panels and fuse boxes, add subpanels, increase capacity, and coordinate with the utility, all to code.
Plugging in at home beats hunting down a public station every week, and our electric vehicle (EV) charger installation service makes it easy. We set up Level 2 and Tesla chargers, run the dedicated circuits, check panel capacity, and handle the permits.
Power-hungry appliances run best on their own line, and our circuit installation and dedicated circuits service deliver exactly that. We wire up kitchens, laundry rooms, garages, workshops, hot tubs, spas, pool equipment, and HVAC systems.
A clear read on what's happening inside your walls brings real peace of mind, and our electrical inspections and safety services spell it all out. We perform home and real estate inspections, safety audits, and code reviews, then install detectors, surge protection, and other necessary upgrades.
A fresh build or an open wall is the perfect time to plan power the smart way, which is where our new construction and remodel wiring service comes in. We wire new and custom homes, accessory dwelling units, garages, shops, additions, and kitchen and bathroom remodels, with up-front design help.
A business runs on steady power, and our commercial electrical services keep it that way. We handle rewiring, tenant improvements, service upgrades, panel installs, lighting retrofits, dedicated circuits, troubleshooting, and repairs. Clean, low-disruption work keeps your doors open while we sort out the wiring.
Choosing the right team for your backup power matters, so here's why we're a solid choice.
A new generator is a real investment, and our financing options help spread the cost over easier-to-handle payments.
Our credentials run deep, including Licensed Journeyman Electrician, Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) certified, Arc Flash Safety certified, Aerial Lift certified, Generac Certified Installer, and Tesla Wall Connector Installer.
We install trusted equipment from Generac, Tesla, ChargePoint, and JuiceBox because reliable gear is the whole point of backup power.
Punctual arrivals, genuine care for your property, and higher-end materials ensure we do the job right, even when it takes a little longer.
Backing our work with a 20-year workmanship warranty, we cover electrical work that fails due to incorrect installation and defects caused solely by workmanship errors during the original installation or service.
Yes, permanent generator installations in California require an electrical permit and often a gas or plumbing permit as well, so the work gets inspected and approved. A licensed electrician usually pulls the permits and schedules the inspection for you. That step keeps the install safe, legal, and properly documented.
Most standby generator installations take one to three days once the unit and permits are in hand, depending on the fuel hookup and any panel work involved. There's often a lead time beforehand for permitting and equipment delivery. An electrician can provide a clearer timeline after assessing your property and power needs.
A good rule of thumb is a professional service once a year, plus a quick monthly self-test to make sure the unit starts and runs. Standby units typically perform a weekly self-check, but the annual visit catches worn parts and fluid issues. Regular maintenance is the best way to make sure it actually fires up when an outage hits.
It depends on your needs: a whole-home standby unit powers everything automatically, while a portable generator covers just the essentials at a lower cost. For long utility shutoffs and storm outages common in our area, a standby unit offers far more convenience and runtime. A portable option can make sense for smaller budgets or lighter backup needs.
The right size depends on which circuits and appliances you want to keep running, from just the basics to your entire home. An electrician runs a load calculation to match the generator's output to your actual demand. Sizing it correctly avoids both overloading a unit that's too small and overpaying for one that's too large.
FAQs reviewed by Keaton Mayers, owner of KM Electric, a licensed and certified electrician.
Whether you want to keep a few essentials running or power your whole house automatically, we're happy to walk you through your backup power options.
Business Name: KM Electric
Address: 5042 Scotts Valley Unit F, Scotts Valley, CA 95066
Phone: 831-566-2838
Business Hours:
Mon - Fri: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Sat-Sun: Closed
Financing Available
20-year Workmanship Warranty