We’ve all been there. You’re simply going about your day when—BAM—the power goes out. The weather’s fine, so what’s the deal?
Believe it or not, there are many reasons you could be out of power, aside from bad weather. Anything from a curious critter to human error could be the cause. Read on to find out all of the elements that can affect your power supply.
Weather
Weather is probably the most well-known reason for power outages. It’s also the most common. According to the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) weather accounts for 31 percent of power interruptions. Storms can knock down trees and tear down power lines and strong winds or flooding can damage co-op equipment. Hurricanes and thunderstorms are the major cause for concern in South Texas, but the rare winter ice storm can also pose a problem.
Equipment and Maintenance
It’s not always bad weather that can knock out your power, sometimes it’s a problem with the co-op’s equipment. This is particularly true in the Coastal Bend where salty, humid air can cause damage to equipment. Dust can also be a factor—it has been known to contribute to pole fires. All in all, equipment problems make up about 14 percent of power disruptions. SPEC does its best to prevent these issues, which is one of the reasons the co-op started installing advanced meters. These meters can alert co-op employees immediately if there’s an issue and can direct crews to the problem area.
Animals
Critters also cause their fair share of power outages—the NRECA says animals are the cause of 11 percent of electricity disruptions. Squirrels, in particular, are notorious for climbing on electrical equipment and causing outages. Raccoons, foxes, possums, snakes and birds can also trigger disruptions. Even larger animals, such as bobcats, have been known to cause problems on electric poles.
Planned outages
Occasionally SPEC, and other cooperatives, have to make upgrades or provide routine maintenance to the electricity infrastructure. These planned outages account for 7 percent of service interruptions for cooperatives in the United States. With planned outages, however, you get the benefit of knowing the power will be out in advance, as well as an estimate for how long.
Public
Sometimes the public can cause power outages as well. For example, the theft of co-op equipment, such as copper, can cause outages. Accidents also pose a problem. When people crash their vehicles into electric poles or transformers it can damage our electricity infrastructure and cause an outage. We even had an incident in 2014 where a crop-duster knocked down one of our lines. These types of public-induced outages make up about 5 percent of outages for co-ops overall.
Power Supply
Limited power supply is responsible for about 5 percent of service disruptions nationwide. During peak electricity hours—usually during summer afternoons—there is a heavy load on the electric grid. Basically, there are too many people using too much power. When this happens, there may not be enough electricity available to meet the demand. The stress on the electric grid can sometimes cause large blackouts unless the appropriate measures are taken. In times of serious strain, utilities will often institute brownouts—usually with warning—in which the utility either intentionally lowers electric voltage or plans power outages in certain areas for small periods of time.
What to do when the power goes out
Despite all of the reasons for power outages, the reason you’re without power could be related specifically to your home. If you have an AMI meter, check to see if the digital screen says “closed”. When the meter is functioning properly, the connection will be closed in, which means power is moving freely through your meter. If it says closed and you’re still without power, the issue is most likely on your side. Check your breakers to make sure that’s not the reason for the power disruption.
If you do have a power outage you can always reach us by calling 361-364-2220 or our 24-hour, toll-free number 1-800-740-2220.