A method for providing frequency load shedding in a power distribution network. The network includes a number of distributed switch-gear assemblies that control whether AC power is provided to groups of loads. The distributed switch-gear assemblies monitor the frequency of the AC signal to determine if a frequency event is occurring and also determine the direction of the power flow at the time of the event. The switch-gear assembly may open in an underfrequency event only if the loads are drawing power from the network, and the switch-gear assembly may open in an overfrequency event only if there is reverse power flow during the event. In addition, the order of operation of which switch-gear assemblies may open first in response to the frequency event is determined in advance by the location of the switch-gear assembly in the network and a corresponding time delay and coordinated frequency set-points.