So what happens when the lights go out? After restoring power to critical community services like hospitals and fire departments, a utility�s main goal to restore power to the greatest number of customers in the shortest amount of time. A detailed plan helps the utility prioritize what to do, which includes communicating to restoration crews and the public to improve efficiency and maintain public safety. In general, the following steps occur:

• If a storm is approaching, local repair crews are put on standby so they can respond quickly to problems. They may be sent to the areas where the greatest impact is expected.
• The first priority is to repair downed transmission lines because these high-voltage lines (between 138,000 and 765,000 volts) supply power from a generating plant to one or more distribution substations and serve tens of thousands of customers.
• Substations, electrical facilities that contain equipment for switching or regulating the voltage of electricity, are repaired next. There are many of these substations, each serving thousands of customers.
• Main distribution lines are 7,200-volt to 14,400-volt lines along roadways that carry power from the substation. Each line may serve hundreds of consumers. When the problem is corrected at this stage, all customers served by the distribution line will have power restored.
• Tap lines are electric feeder lines with limited capacity that run from a main distribution line to transformer poles or underground transformers outside of buildings. Because these lines serve only a few customers, they have lower priority. Even if these lines are repaired, the customer will still be without power until the main line is repaired.
• Individual service lines run from the transformer to a building's meter. If this line is damaged, it may explain why your neighbor has power and you do not. This type of damage has the lowest priority since the line only serves one customer.

Tips for Customers

There are a variety of things a customer can do to minimize the impact of a power outage before, during, and after the event:

• If you or a family member depends on life support, contact the utility company before an emergency occurs. Always have a backup generator ready in case of an outage.
• Keep flashlights on hand (with extra batteries) for backup lighting. Candles are a fire hazard, and should be avoided.
• If you see a downed line, stay away from it and call 911 or the utility company immediately. If a power line contacts your car, stay in the vehicle and keep others away. Never drive over downed power lines.
• Call as soon as you are aware of the outage. Customer calls help repair crews locate damage. Provide the address where the outage occurred and a phone number/account number if requested.
• If your power has not been restored within a few hours of your first call, please call again and report your outage. You should also call again if power is restored to your neighbors, but not to your home.
• During an extended outage, some utilities like customers to call and report their outage each morning.
• Some damage, such as when the electric meter or meter cables have been pulled away from the building, must be repaired by a licensed electrician before the home can be reconnected to the grid. I
• nstall electric service lines to houses or buildings underground to protect them from wind damage.
• Crews may be working in your neighborhood. Slow down and give the line crews plenty of room when you see the orange, diamond-shaped Utility Work Ahead, or similar warning signs along the road.

Smart grids, which combine smart devices, automation, and applications that adapt in real time, will improve utilities' response to power outages as well as power reliability. According to one estimate, smart grids could decrease power interruptions by over 75% by 2020. Outages resulting from equipment problems will be prevented before they occur. In the case of an outage, smart grids will alert the utility to exactly which homes and businesses are out of service before a customer has to call. Before dispatching crews, specialized software will automatically reroute power to isolate damage. Crews will be sent to the exact location with the help of geospatial information systems (GIS), similar to Google maps. Power will be restored more quickly and efficiently than ever before.

(Image provided by Duke Energy.)

Looking for more happenings in the area? Check out Asheville.com's comprehensive visitor center.

all contents copyright © 2011, asheville.com. contact: [email protected] or 828.253.2880
For listing and advertising information...