Blackout

It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness. - Eleanor Roosevelt

A blackout refers to the total loss of power to an area and is the most severe form of power outage that can occur. Blackouts which result from or result in power stations tripping are particularly difficult to recover from quickly. Outages may last from a few minutes to a few weeks depending on the nature of the blackout and the configuration of the electrical network.

The biggest Blackout in U.S. history occurred on August 14, 2003, throughout parts of the Northeastern and Midwestern United States and Ontario, Canada leaving roughly 50 million people without power. Blackouts can happen anywhere, and to anyone, so being prepared is important.


Terminology

  • Transient Fault - Is a momentary (a few seconds) loss of power typically caused by a temporary fault on a power line. Power is automatically restored once the fault is cleared.
  • Brownout - Is a drop in voltage in an electrical power supply. The term brownout comes from the dimming experienced by lighting when the voltage sags. Brownouts can cause poor performance of equipment or even incorrect operation.
  • Electrical Grid - Is an interconnected network for delivering electricity from suppliers to consumers. It consists of three main components: 1) generating plants that produce electricity; 2) transmission lines that carry electricity from power plants to demand centers; and 3) transformers that reduce voltage so distribution lines carry power for final delivery.
  • Rolling Blackout - Is an intentionally-engineered electrical power outage where electricity delivery is stopped for non-overlapping periods of time over geographical regions. Rolling blackouts are a last-resort measure used by an electric utility company to avoid a total blackout of the power system. They are usually in response to a situation where the demand for electricity exceeds the power supply capability of the network.

Before a Blackout

  • To begin preparing, you should build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan.
  • Follow energy conservation measures to keep the use of electricity as low as possible, which can help power companies avoid imposing rolling blackouts.
  • Fill plastic containers with water and place them in the refrigerator and freezer if there's room. This chilled or frozen water will help keep food cold during a temporary power outage, by displacing air that can warm up quickly with water or ice that keeps cold for several hours without additional refrigeration.
  • Be aware that most medication that requires refrigeration can be kept in a closed refrigerator for several hours without a problem. If unsure, check with your physician or pharmacist.
  • Keep your car tank at least half full because gas stations rely on electricity to power their pumps.

During a Blackout

  • Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to keep your food as fresh as possible. If you must eat food that was refrigerated or frozen, check it carefully for signs of spoilage.
  • Turn off or disconnect appliances, equipment or electronics in use when the power went out. Power may return with momentary "surges" or "spikes" that can damage them.
  • Listen to local radio and to a battery- or generator-powered television for updated information.
  • Leave on one light so that you'll know when your power returns.
  • Dress appropriate for the current enviromental conditions.
  • Using a Generator:
    • Get advice from a licensed professional, such as an electrician if you are considering obtaining a generator.
    • Plan to always keep the generator outdoors never operate it inside, including in the basement or garage. Do not hook up a generator directly to your home's wiring.

After a Blackout

  • Listen to a battery-operated radio or television for the latest emergency information.
  • Check with local authorities to be sure your water is safe.
  • Throw away any food that has been exposed to temperatures 40' F for 2 hours or more or that has an unusual odor, color or texture. When in doubt, throw it out!
  • Never taste food or rely on appearance or odor to determine its safety. Some foods may look and smell fine, but if they have been at room temperature too long, bacteria causing food-borne illnesses can start growing quickly.
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