What Causes Power Outages?

Power Outages

 

As we become more dependent on a wide variety of electrical services and devices, power outages may seem more important than they were years ago. Today a power outage may interfere with lighting and entertainment, but also with safety and our ability to work. These are a few of the common causes of power outages.

  • Equipment

Our modern electrical system is composed of many different components. Electrical equipment is susceptible to failure as it ages or is damaged, just like the various parts in your car may fail over time. An equipment failure in the electrical system may result in a power outage to one home or to an entire area, depending on the equipment that failed.

  • Weather

As recent hurricanes in Texas and Florida have demonstrated, severe weather events may disrupt electric service to entire communities. A more typical example or weather-related power outages might involve lighting strikes, wind, or ice accumulation during winter.

  • Trees

Trees are often responsible for power outages. As the trees grow, their branches may come into contact with electrical lines or components. Trees may also indirectly trigger a power outage if a limb or the entire tree comes down during a storm. Falling limbs and trees may cause faults or damage to electrical lines.

  • Human Damage

Sometimes a power outage is caused by human damage. Common examples of human-caused outages are car crashes or construction equipment that cause damage to electrical components or lines.

  • Wildlife

Wildlife like snakes, rodents, and birds are just going about their daily life and doing what animals do each day. Unfortunately, they also sometimes come into contact with power lines or electrical components. The result is sometimes a power outage. While utility companies make efforts to limit the impact of wildlife on electrical service, these animals still sometimes find a way to a dangerous spot.

There are many causes of power outages. While you cannot control the electrical system outside of your home or business, you can be sure that all of the wiring and components within the building are safe and reliable. Always On Electric, Inc. has earned a reputation for quality work in the western Colorado region. Contact us today at 970-309-2616 to learn more about our services.

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