We’re taking advantage of all the resources that are readily available and one of them is electricity. It’s an integral part of our lives, but if you think about it, we are wasting a lot of energy every single day. That’s precisely why schools and colleges stress on ‘saving electricity.’

Basic things like switching off the lights before leaving the house and turning off the central air conditioning when the rooms are cool enough are being endorsed everywhere.

What happens when you suddenly lose electricity? It can affect your work and even your everyday life. Although big cities are finding ways to restore power, there are times when the electricity system fails and power runs out.

It’s called a power outage. What causes power outages and what can you do about it? In this article, we will shed light on this subject, so keep reading.

What Causes a Power Outage?

A power outage is when the electrical grid or the power network is unavailable. There are different reasons for power outages, but the most common thing is that they affect all the regions or areas and not a single unit or a home.

Here are some of the reasons that may have caused the power outage:

#1 A Heavy Storm May Have Caused the Power Outage

A heavy storm can knock down power lines and so can lightning. Heavy rains, high winds, and strong guests can do immense damage in a short span of time.

This could even block roads and electricity poles may also topple over the sides. It takes several days to restore power as workers may be busy with clearing the debris and making repairs at the respective substations.

What to do about it:

In case you are stuck in a home without power during stormy time, it is best to stay indoors. Do not use any appliances that may require electricity till it has been fully restored.

#2 Equipment Failure Could Be a Reason for a Power Outage

Equipment failure is also one of the reasons for power outages. It is possible that trees fell and brushed against the wire during a storm or there was an overload of electricity usage.

The result is the following: no power or no electricity.

What to do about it:

The best thing you can do is to stay indoors and wait for the power to restore.

#3 Overloaded Transformers and Circuits

The third case for power outages is when there is an overload in transformers or circuits. The load being put on the circuit could be a major reason. Let’s take an example: when people switch on their air conditioner and dishwasher at the same time, this may be exceeding more than what the circuit or transformer could handle.

Overload may cause major spikes and this could be a reason for power outages.

What you can do about it:

Unplug the appliances when they are not in use. It is best to install surge protectors too so that there is less chance of a power outage.

#4 Excessive Usage of Electricity

In case you experience a power outage then it is possible too much electricity has been used. It is possible that there is too much of a demand for electricity on a circuit or the circuit is overloaded from being used too often.

There are some cases where heavy appliances such as a washing machine or a fridge running at high speed could cause the outage.

What to do about it:

It is best to not use too much electricity all at once. One example is you must wash all your clothes at once and not in batches. This way you will be using less electricity.

#5 Lightning Could Be a Cause Too

Lightning is a cause of power outage. It can strike anytime and cause major damage. When heavy rain or thunderstorms come, the spark may jump from one cable to another one.

What you can do about it:

It is best to unplug all the appliances when the weather is bad.

#6 Electricity and Water are Not the Best Companions

When a flood comes into a city or a town, it is possible that the utility company may shut down the electrical system to protect the people and not cause any damage to the equipment.

It is in the best interest of people that utility officials shut down the electricity equipment to safeguard it from damage and also protect the people.

What you can do about it:

You must wait for the utility officials to restore power. They are not doing it deliberately to disturb your peace or daily life. It is best for people to be without electricity for some time during heavy rains or a flood.

#7 It Could Be a Planned Maintenance Work

The utility company might be doing maintenance work, and so they might have temporarily turned off the electricity system.

Usually the company will inform you beforehand when this happens. This way people are prepared that there will be a power outage and so, the inhabitants should not get worried.

What you can do about it:

Planned outages may last for an hour or maximum of three to four hours. You should not get disturbed by the temporary outage. Simply wait for the power to get restored.

#8 It Could Be a Fluctuation in Voltage

If you are experiencing a power outage in the area you are living in, it might be a total shutdown or simply flickering of lights.

In case of flickering of lights or power going on and off, it is possible that there is a fluctuation in voltage.

What you can do about it:

You can simply ask the utility company about the problem. Ideally, it is best to turn off all the heavy gadgets and wait for the power to fully restore.

Concluding Thoughts

Now that you know the reasons for a power outage and things you can do to handle it, it is best to stay calm and not let anything unsettle you. Power outages are common during stormy weather, heavy rain, tree destruction, and overuse of electricity. So, the best bet is to let the power get restored on its own. And if there is no electricity in one house and not the others, you must speak to the electricity providers.