A sudden power outage can be a disorienting experience. If you’re unprepared for a sudden halt in electrical services, it could even be dangerous. However, by learning about the causes of power outages, you can better prepare yourself for these unexpected situations. In some cases, you may even be able to help prevent them from happening in the first place.

What Causes Power Outages?

Electrical Service Equipment

Electricity crosses countless components on its path between its source and the outlets in your home from power lines to transformers. It’s only inevitable that one of these parts to eventually malfunction if not properly maintained. As electrical service equipment ages, it becomes more vulnerable to damage, and it weakens during periods of high demand.

Environmental Factors

You’ve probably seen a birds line up on telephone lines, but many other species make contact with your local electrical system. Snakes, squirrels, and other creatures seeking food or shelter may damage wires or other essential parts of the system. They may even chew through cables.

Electrical systems are also vulnerable to extreme and unpredictable weather, such as harsh winds, lightning, or fallen trees. Power outages may be caused by anything from stray branches to catastrophic tornadoes.

Public Damage

A power outage may occur when a car crashes into a telephone pole, or when a construction worker makes a mistake with a hydraulic crane. It’s even possible for repair personnel to make matters worse. On the other hand, some power outages are simply caused by an excessive demand for voltage. If your household electrical system isn’t capable of handling the power it pulls in, your home could be the origin of an outage.

How Can They Be Prevented?

If a storm or car crash brings down a utility pole, stay as far away from the scene as possible. While you can’t prevent these accidents, you can avoid doing further damage to the local power system.

If your yard contains trees as well as cables that run over your property, prevent power outages by hiring a professional to regularly trim back the branches. Since some power outages are caused by overuse, you can also do your part by hiring an electrical service professional to survey your household usage. If your wiring is outdated, or if you’re using too many appliances at once, your system may not be able to safely accommodate your needs. In this case, have your home professionally rewired to avoid electrical fires and power outages.

If you want a trusted electrician to take a look at your household electrical service system, get in touch with Brian’s Heating & Electrical of Mifflinburg, PA. They have over 30 years of experience serving residents of the Union, Northumberland, and Snyder counties. To learn more about their HVAC and electrical services, including rewiring, visit their website. Call (570) 966-7295 to make an appointment today.