Power Restoration

How Does OUC Restore Power?

If a storm causes large-scale power outages, OUC immediately launches an established restoration response plan. To restore service in an orderly and safe fashion, OUC will:

• First, evaluate the damage to our electric system then start repairing our major infrastructure: power station, transmission lines and substations.
• Begin restoring power to critical facilities such as water treatment plants, hospitals, police and fire stations, and other emergency locations.
• Repair main distribution lines that will restore power to the largest number of customers in the quickest manner possible.
• Finally, repair damage that often affects only a few individual customers at each location.

OUC's typical restoration process follows this sequence:

• Power Station generates electricity that is sent to substation through transmission lines.
• Transmission lines supply electricity to large numbers of customers and large geographic areas. These lines deliver electricity from the power station to the substations.
• Substation equipment adjusts the transmission line voltage to lower levels that are appropriate for our main distribution lines.
• Main distribution lines, also known as primary lines, deliver electricity to large subdivisions and commercial areas.
• Local distribution lines, installed either overhead or underground, deliver electricity to smaller neighborhoods and businesses. These secondary lines are also known as “tap” lines.
• Service lines deliver electricity to your individual home or business either overhead or underground.

Where Your Power Comes From

1. Electricity flows from a power plant through high-voltage transmission lines to reach OUC’s service area.
2. At substations, transformers reduce voltage and re-route electricity to many main feeder lines (or circuits) that take power out into the community. Each feeder line is protected by its own circuit breaker.
3. Lateral lines connected to main feeder lines route electricity through smaller areas like neighborhoods and subdivisions.
4. Near the end of the line, transformers on individual poles reduce voltage and distribute electricity to homes and businesses. Typically, one transformer services about four homes.
5. The electric connection at your house is the last stop for electricity. Here, individual service lines connect to your house.

Why Does My Neighbor Have Power and I Don't?

After a storm, there are several reasons you might not have power while your neighbor does:

• You may be on a different feeder line or transformer. (See Power Generation)
• The service line to your home may be damaged.
• Your main breaker might be off.
• You may need to repair your home before you can be connected.

Check for Damage to Your Home

After a storm, check the weatherhead connection on your home for damage.

The weatherhead is where the electric lines meet the electric meter at the side of your home. The customer is responsible for devices like the weatherhead for overhead services, the buried conduit for underground services, and the meter base.

You may need to call a licensed electrician to make repairs to these devices before OUC can restore power. OUC is responsible only for repairing the service line and electric meter.

For help finding a licensed electrician, visit OUC's Preferred Contractor Network.