Power Outage
A power outage can occur for any number of reasons. Typical reasons would include a damaged power generator or substation, damaged power lines or other part of the power distribution system. One common cause is overloading the electricity mains. This happens most frequently in locations where a lot of construction is occurring. As housing developments grow, the need to power those houses increases rapidly. Because they are being added to an existing grid, the houses that are already on the grid experience an increase of power outages.
There are a number of synonyms in use for a power outage. Some of the more popular are: power cut, brownout, power failure, blackout, power loss and dropout. It should be noted that there are three different types of power outages. Even though these terms are used interchangeably by most people, they have specific symptoms and meanings.
A dropout is a very brief power outage. Often the power is out for less than a second. If you have seen the lights in your home flicker, you have probably experienced a dropout.
A brownout is a drop in voltage. The power does not go completely out. If you have noticed the lights suddenly dim, this would indicate you are experiencing a brownout. Brownouts can damage electric motors. Electric motors require a specific level of power to function correctly. If they are completely cut off from power, they simply stop. If they continue to get power but are receiving less power than they require to function correctly, this can cause the motor to overheat and malfunction.
A blackout is a complete loss of power. A difference between a blackout and a dropout is the duration of the power loss. A dropout occurs so quickly that many appliances, such as televisions and microwave ovens, will continue to operate uninterrupted. When a blackout occurs such appliances will not continue to operate. Even if the blackout is very short in duration, a matter of seconds for instance, the television will need to be turned back on when power returns. Computers are particularly susceptible to damage as a result of a blackout. Running your computer with a battery backup is recommended at all times because a blackouts can occur with no warning at all.
Protecting your electrical equipment from damage due to a power outage is an important consideration. Not all of your appliances need special consideration. Lamps, for instance, will not suffer damage from any type of power outage. Blenders and other devices using electrical motors are at no risk during dropouts and blackouts. Brownouts, however, can cause these motors to overheat. During a brownout, it is advisable to turn off devices powered by electrical motors. Computers are by far the most at risk devices in the typical home.
A battery power backup system is the best way to protect your computer and other electronic storage devices. These devices will continue to operate as if nothing has happened because they are drawing their power from the battery backup rather than from the power socket itself. The battery backup is drawing its power from the socket. In essence, the battery backup is constantly charging itself. In the event of a power outage, it is advisable to turn off your computer. The battery power backup system gives you the time to save your work and power down the computer correctly.
Power companies have examined ways to reduce the frequency and duration of power outages. Reducing the frequency and duration of power outages will not only keep consumers happy but benefit the power company as well. The power company makes no money when people and businesses are not able to use their electrical devices. Additionally, it can be expensive and time consuming to restore power after a blackout.
It is logical that if you do not run the power generator near its maximum limits, you reduce the frequency of power outages. This option has been tested using computer modeling and found to be economically detrimental. As the power needs on a grid increase, system overhauls and upgrades are necessary to remain well below the maximum power output capacity. Because the power company is operating below capacity, it is not generating enough revenue to cover the operating costs and the frequent need for upgrades. The increase in energy prices to make this option feasible would not be acceptable to the consumer.
The Electric Power Research Institute is promoting a method of shifting power according to needs. Essentially, a computer would determine how and when to distribute power. Residential grids would receive less power when most people are at work. In the evening when everyone is home, a portion of he power used in commercial districts would be redistributed to residences. Maintaining the correct balance is the key to making this system work.
DCPowerSupplies.org
©2010 DC Power Supplies, All Rights Reserved
