Q: Last night, the power went out and, luckily, came back on only an hour later¡ªsoon enough for the food in the fridge to stay fresh. What causes power outages like this one? Is there anything we should do to ensure it doesn’t happen again?
A: An outage, or ¡°blackout,¡± occurs when something interrupts the flow of electricity to the end-user, and an outage can affect a few homes or an entire city. With improved technology, outages are less common than they once were, but they still happen¡ªsometimes lasting for days. Most of the time, there’s not much a homeowner can do to prevent an outage, though you could invest in a reliable personal generator that produces a limited amount of electricity until the power comes back on.
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As soon as you experience an outage, do alert your utility provider. While some electric utilities have upgraded to digital systems that automatically detect outages on their lines, others still rely on notification from their customers before they come out to investigate the cause and restore power. Ahead are eight of the most common reasons your power might go out.
I’ve been through a few outages myself, and it’s always a hassle¡ªlights go out, Wi-Fi’s gone, and you’re left wondering how long it’ll last. While technology has made outages less frequent, they’re still a reality we all deal with. Investing in a generator isn’t a bad idea, but it’s not always practical for everyone. For instance, I know folks who’ve spent a couple grand on a good one, only to use it once in five years. Still, it’s worth considering if outages hit your area often. Another tip? Keep your utility provider’s number handy. I learned the hard way that some companies won’t know about an outage unless you call it in¡ªcrazy, right? According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average U.S. household experiences about 5 hours of power outages per year, so it’s not like these are rare events.
Lightning is responsible for many power outages.
If the lights go out in the middle of a thunderstorm, lightning is probably the culprit. Bolts can strike the tall poles that support power lines, damaging the lines and/or other equipment on the poles (fuses, transformers, relays), which interrupts the flow of electricity. Depending on the extent of the damage, the utility company may be able to make repairs in a few hours.
Living in an area prone to thunderstorms, I’ve seen this one firsthand. A single lightning strike can pack a punch¡ªsometimes up to 100 million volts! When it hits a power line, it can fry transformers or snap cables like they’re twigs. The National Weather Service notes that lightning causes about 10% of all power outages in the U.S., which is wild when you think about how quick those strikes are. If you’re in a storm-heavy region, it’s smart to have surge protectors for your electronics. They won’t stop an outage, but they can save your TV or computer from a voltage spike when the power comes back on. Also, if you hear thunder, don’t wait for the lights to flicker¡ªunplug sensitive devices just in case.
Ice presents a big risk to overhead power lines.
During an ice storm, heavy ice can build up on power lines, causing the lines to sag and break under the weight. If an ice storm is severe, it’s not uncommon for numerous power lines to break, and it can take a utility company a day or longer to repair them all.
Ice storms are no joke¡ªlast winter, my neighbor’s power was out for two days after a big one hit. Ice can add hundreds of pounds to power lines, and when they snap, it’s not just one or two. The Department of Energy says severe ice storms can cause outages affecting thousands of homes, sometimes for over a week. If you live in a cold climate, check your trees for weak branches before winter hits. I make it a habit to trim anything near my property’s lines¡ªit’s not foolproof, but it helps. Also, keep a stock of blankets and battery-powered lights; you don’t want to be left freezing in the dark.
Water and electricity don’t mix, so flooding is another weather-related risk of outages.
If high waters flood an electrical sub-station (where electricity is distributed to various neighborhoods), the utility company will shut down the power to prevent damage to their equipment, and if the electricity to your home runs through that substation, you’ll be out of luck until the utility company can safely restore service. Fortunately, most substations are located on higher ground that’s unlikely to flood.
Floods can wreak havoc on electrical systems. I remember a news story about a nearby town where a substation got swamped, leaving 5,000 homes without power for days. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reports that flooding accounts for about 5% of outages nationwide, but in coastal or low-lying areas, that number spikes. If you’re in a flood-prone spot, consider elevating critical appliances like your water heater or backup generator. It’s also worth checking if your utility has a flood response plan¡ªsome do, and knowing it can give you peace of mind. Oh, and never mess with electrical stuff during a flood; I’ve seen folks try to ¡°check¡± their breaker box in standing water, and that’s a disaster waiting to happen.
Some power outages are planned maintenance.
If a utility company has to perform maintenance on their equipment, they may need to temporarily turn off the power to protect their workers from electrical shock. When this is necessary, the company usually tries to notify customers in advance, either by phone call, email or snail mail. Planned outages usually last about one to three hours.
Planned outages are annoying but necessary. I got a letter once about a four-hour shutdown for line upgrades¡ªbetter than a surprise blackout, I guess. Utilities schedule these to maintain or upgrade aging infrastructure, which the American Society of Civil Engineers says is a growing issue, with 70% of U.S. power lines over 25 years old. If you get a notice, mark your calendar and charge your devices beforehand. I also like to freeze a few water bottles to keep my fridge cool during the outage. It’s a small trick, but it saved my groceries once when a planned outage ran longer than expected.
Automobile accidents can lead to an outage.
With electrical poles spread across most communities, it’s not uncommon for an automobile accident to involve a pole, knocking it over or damaging the power line. This will lead to an outage in the area served by that particular power line, usually just a few homes.
Car crashes into poles are more common than you’d think. A buddy of mine lost power for six hours after a drunk driver took out a pole down the street. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates about 1,000 utility pole crashes happen yearly, many causing localized outages. There’s not much you can do to prevent these, but if you see a downed line after a crash, stay far away and call 911. I’ve heard stories of folks getting too close, and it’s not worth the risk. Keeping an emergency kit with flashlights and a portable charger can tide you over for these short outages.
Work-related outages are avoidable but still all too common.
Excavation contractors and homeowners who plan to dig on their property are always advised to call Dig Safe (811) before breaking ground. Dig Safe is a national notification center that alerts local utility companies that have buried lines in the area so that they can send out technicians to mark the ground above their lines. Without clear locations, a contractor or homeowner could hit a buried electrical line (not all power lines run overhead) and trigger an outage.
I learned about Dig Safe the hard way when a neighbor’s DIY project cut power to our block. One wrong shovel strike, and bam¡ªno lights. The U.S. Common Ground Alliance says over 20% of underground utility damages come from folks not calling 811 first. It’s a free service, so there’s no excuse¡ªcall before you dig, whether it’s for a fence or a new garden. I keep the number saved in my phone now, and it’s saved me a headache or two. Plus, avoiding a hit means you won’t get stuck with a hefty repair bill from the utility company.
Trees are responsible for numerous outages.
Falling tree branches that land on power lines are a recurring cause of power outages, but trees can also trigger outages if they’re growing directly below a power line and their branches make contact with the line. For that reason, most utility companies are permitted by law to cut down trees located on private property (or trim them) to ensure that the branches do not pose a risk to the lines.
Trees are a big culprit where I live¡ªevery fall, branches come down and someone’s without power. The U.S. Forest Service estimates that tree-related issues cause nearly 20% of outages in wooded areas. If you’ve got tall trees near power lines, get them trimmed before storm season. I had a maple tree that was getting too close to the lines, and the utility company trimmed it for free after I called. Also, if you hear a storm coming, take a quick walk around your yard to spot any weak branches. It’s not a guarantee, but it’s better than waking up to a dark house.
Outages can be caused by squirrels.
Squirrels have been known to chew through power lines, which can result in the electrocution of the squirrel and a quick surge of electrical power that damages the power line and causes an outage. In communities where squirrels are abundant, utility companies will often install squirrel guards around utility poles to keep the squirrels from climbing the poles.
Squirrels are sneaky little troublemakers. A few years back, one took out my street’s power for a whole afternoon. Apparently, they cause thousands of outages yearly¡ªthere’s even a ¡°Squirrel Outage Map¡± online tracking these critters’ chaos! Utility companies use guards, but you can help by keeping bird feeders away from poles; squirrels love jumping from those to lines. I started using squirrel-proof feeders, and it’s cut down on the furry invaders in my yard. It’s almost funny how something so small can cause such a big headache.
If your lights flicker or dim, you’re experiencing a brownout.
While an outage is a total disruption of electrical service, a brownout is only a partial disruption. Brownouts typically occur during peak energy usage periods, such as hot summer afternoons when many people are using their AC units and drawing more electricity than the electrical grid can supply. Appliances and electronics can be damaged by fluctuations in voltage (electrical pressure), so if you experience a brownout, it’s a good idea to unplug your computer, turn off the air conditioner, and don’t operate appliances, such as the microwave or dryer until the brownout is over.
Brownouts are the worst¡ªyou’re stuck in this weird limbo where the lights work, but barely. I’ve had my computer crash during one, and it was a pain to recover my files. The Electric Power Research Institute says brownouts can reduce voltage by 10-20%, which is enough to mess with your electronics. Surge protectors are a lifesaver here, but I also recommend a battery backup (UPS) for your computer or gaming setup. It’s saved my work a couple of times. If you notice flickering, check your utility’s website¡ªsome post real-time grid status to let you know if it’s a brownout or something else. And yeah, resist the urge to crank the AC higher; it only makes things worse.