What Causes A Home Power Outage?

You’re casually going about your business when your home suddenly goes dark. Your power has gone out. You’re unable to watch television, use electrical appliances, charge your devices or do anything else that requires electricity.

You may be wondering what has caused this and may worry that there’s something wrong with your Broussard home’s electrical system. Tim’s Southern Air has some insights for you.

Causes Of A Power Outage

A home power outage can be due to various factors inside and outside your home. Some common causes include:

• Severe weather – Severe weather events such as thunderstorms, hurricanes, ice storms and heavy snowfall can lead to power outages. This is because the effects of the storms can damage power lines, transformers and other electrical components.
• Electrical failures – Electrical equipment within the power distribution system, such as transformers, circuit breakers and switches, can fail due to age, defects and other technical issues.
• Electrical system overloads – Using too many electrical appliances or devices at the same time can overload the electrical system, which can lead to a power outage.
• Accidents, construction and maintenance – Accidents involving vehicles crashing into utility poles or other infrastructure can lead to power outages. Construction and grid maintenance can also cause outages.

You may even experience your lights flickering without experiencing a total outage. These are caused by the same issues as an outage. However, they result in fluctuations with your electrical supply instead of a complete cut-off of the supply.

Regardless, if your power isn’t dependable, you should schedule professional electrical service. Reach out to our team to get started.

Getting Your Home Powered After An Outage

Restoring power to your home after an outage can vary depending on the cause of the blackout, the severity of the damage and the response of your local utility company. Here are some actions you can take during a power outage.

Check For Local Updates

Check for local news updates on a radio or mobile device. Utility company websites also post updates about outages. Utility companies often provide estimated restoration times and updates on their progress in resolving the issue.

Reset Circuit Breakers

If a tripped circuit breaker caused the power outage, locate your home’s breaker box and check for any tripped breakers. A breaker that has tripped will be in the “OFF” position. To reset it, switch it to the “ON” position. If the breaker immediately trips again, seek help from a professional on our team.

Generator Use

If you have a generator, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper usage. When used with caution, generators can be helpful during power outages to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning and electrical hazards.

Wait For Restoration

Be patient, as restoration times can vary based on the nature of the outage. This is especially true for outages caused by severe weather and other factors outside your home. Before restoring power, unplug major appliances and electronic devices to prevent a sudden surge of electricity when the power is restored, which can damage those items.

Choosing An Electrical Repair Service

If the power outage in your home is caused by an issue with your electrical system or you need electrical maintenance services, Tim’s Southern Air is your go-to company in the Lafayette area. With our policy of “Fixed Right or It’s Free!” there’s no reason to wait. Contact us today!