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Is Alliant Energy responsible for power surges? Large power surges, such as lightning, can instantly ruin your TV, computer and other electronics. Smaller "everyday" surges can slowly destroy your expensive electric appliances - a process called "electronic rust."Įxternal power surges are generally caused by uncontrollable events, such as lightning strikes, animals interfering with electrical equipment, and vehicle accidents with utility poles. Common culprits of internal surges are power tools, refrigerators, printers and hair dryers. Up to 80% of all power surges originate within the home - when devices with motors shut off or start up, diverting energy to and from other appliances. Power surges last less than 1/100th of a second and range in intensity depending on the situation. Older digital clocks and other devices are the most vulnerable to blinks newer models are designed to ride out these small voltage fluctuations.Ī power surge is a variation in electrical voltage. Power blinks rarely cause damage to equipment. If the obstruction is still on the line after the third try, the breaker opens and does not close automatically.Īt this point, a utility worker must be dispatched to remove the obstruction and manually reset the breaker. If the limb remains on the line, the breaker opens (power is interrupted) and tries to close again. To prevent damage to the utility system or your home, a circuit breaker interrupts the electricity for a fraction of a second. Have you ever come home to find your digital clocks flashing "12:00"? It's caused by a power blink – a brief interruption that's designed to prevent a longer power outage.īlinks occur when an obstruction, like a tree limb, comes into contact with a power line or transformer. You will need to contact a licensed electrician. Otherwise, it means there is damage to your home's electrical system. For customers with backup generation, make sure you have the proper disconnect switch.

When this process is complete, your home may still be without power. Service lines receive power from secondary lines through a transformer, then connect to your individual home or business. These lines may be visible alongside the road or buried underground. Power is one step closer! Now we restore the secondary lines that bring electricity to your neighborhood. Once we restore primary lines, we restore power to emergency and essential services like hospitals, police stations, fire departments and water facilities. Primary lines take electricity from the substation and carry it throughout your city. Repair primary lines and restore power to emergency services.We must address problems at substations before we can restore power. Substations take the high-voltage electricity from transmission lines and reduce it so it’s safe for neighborhood use. We coordinate with the transmission company to address any damage to transmission lines. High-voltage transmission lines carry electricity from our generation sources (like a wind farm or a natural gas plant) to local substations.

The transmission system is the backbone of the electric grid. We send crews to take care of downed wires and enlist local authorities to block dangerous streets to keep the public safe. Storms can cause power lines to fall onto roads and create electrocution hazards.