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Restoring power after a major outage is a big job that involves much
more than simply throwing a switch or removing a tree from a line.
The
main goal is to safely restore power to the greatest number of
customers in the shortest time possible.
Transmission
lines and substations are repaired first...
Transmission towers and lines supply power to one or more
transmission substations. These lines seldom fall, but they can be
damaged by ice storms or tornadoes. Tens of thousands of people
could be served by a single high-voltage transmission line, so if
there is damage here it gets attention first.
A
co-op may have several local distribution substations, each serving
thousands of consumers. When a major outage occurs, the local
distribution substations are checked first. A problem here could be
caused by failure in the transmission system supplying the
substation. If the problem can be corrected at the substation
level, power may be restored to a large number of people.
Then
distribution lines are repaired...
Main distribution supply lines are checked next if the problem
cannot be isolated at the substation. These supply lines carry
electricity away from the substation to a group of customers, such
as a town or housing development. When power is restored at this
stage, all consumers served by this supply line could see the lights
come on, as long as there is no problem farther down the line.
Finally
individual services are restored...
The final supply lines, called tap lines, carry power to the utility
poles or underground transformers outside houses or other
buildings. Line crews fix the remaining outages based on
restoring service to the greatest number of consumers.
Sometimes,
damage will occur on the service line between your house and the
transformer on the nearby pole. This may explain why you have no
power when your neighbor does. Your co-op needs to know you have an
outage here, so a service crew can repair it.
Consumers
themselves (not the co-op) are responsible for damage to the service
installation on the building. Your co-op can't fix this. Call a
licensed electrician.
Special
needs may be accommodated...
Individual households may receive special attention if loss of electricity affects life support systems or poses another immediate
danger. If you or a family member depends on life support, call your
cooperative to notify them of this situation before an emergency
arises.
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