Steps to restoring service
Tornadoes or other weather-related disasters often bring widespread power outages. Most electric utilities follow a similar methodical plan that ensures power is restored to the greatest number of people in the shortest amount of time in the safest manner possible. To do that, SCI REMC utilizes this priority system when line crews are working on outages.
Priority 1: Transmission lines
These high-voltage lines carry electricity from generating plants to substations (or between substations). They are supported by tall towers, usually of steel lattice framing or tall wooden poles in an “H” or “M” configuration. Since tens of thousands of people could be served by one transmission line, damage here needs to be taken care of first.
Priority 2: Substations
These electrical facilities contain equipment that switch or regulate the voltage of electricity. They lower the voltage from the transmission lines so the electricity can be transmitted through the distribution lines. If problems are taken care of at the substation, power to a large number of people can be restored.
Priority 3: Main distribution lines
You see these along roadways. They carry electricity from the substations to groups of consumers, like towns or housing developments. They are usually T-shaped and support three or more wires. When power is restored here, all consumers from this supply line will see their lights come on unless there is a problem farther down the line.
Priority 4: Tap lines
These are electric feeder lines running from the main distribution line to utility poles and underground transformers outside houses or buildings. They serve small numbers of consumers.
Priority 5: Individual service
These lines run from the transformer on the nearest pole to the individual consumer’s electric meter.
Repairs to individual homes come after all other larger fixes. Consumers may see lights on at neighboring homes and see line crews working in the area, but they may still not have power. When this happens, it generally means the service line between their home and the nearby transformer has been damaged.
If a family member relies on life-sustaining medical equipment, please notify your electric cooperative now so it can be aware of the situation. Do not wait for an outage. Have an emergency generator or backup power in place.
In addition, unless you are personally affected, stay away from storm-damaged areas. Utility and other emergency vehicles will need access to the roads. If you see utility workers along your road or in your yard, please do not approach them for updates. It slows the progress and is dangerous for you and the lineworkers who are focused on their job.
Keep your co-op informed and stay informed during outages
Power restoration can be a tricky business, so if you lose service in your home or neighborhood, remember the following:
- Report the outage to your electric cooperative as soon as possible.
- Make sure your cooperative knows if loss of power affects life support systems or could cause any additional threat to health and safety. While you should let your co-op know this during an outage, inform your co-op whenever life support equipment dependent on electricity is brought into your home so it can keep this information in your file.
For updated information on outages, stay connected to SCI REMC on social media.
Keep safety in mind during a power outage
If you are experiencing a power outage, before calling your electric cooperative, check to see if others in your area are without power. If those around you have power, check your home’s panel box. A blown fuse or tripped circuit could be at fault.
If you’ve determined the outage isn’t due to an issue on your end, or if it’s a widespread outage, report it. Don’t assume others have done so already.
Once you have reported the outage, please know that the line crews will work diligently to restore power. Make sure you are connected to the co-op’s social media pages to receive restoration updates.
Other tips to keep in mind during an outage:
- Use generators, grills, and similar items outdoors only.
- Turn off appliances and electronics to prevent circuit overload when the power returns. Leave a lamp on, though, so you know when power is restored.
- Avoid downed power lines around your home. The lines could still be energized.
- Keep the door to your refrigerator or freezer closed. If your door seals are tight, your food will normally be safe for several hours.
No one wants or likes a power outage. However, knowing the steps to take during an outage will keep you safe and help you through it.