Whether at home or in an office, a blackout or brownout can have a knock-on effect and cause a lot of downtime for everyone. Here, you’ll learn all about these electrical outages so you can take the best course of action: contacting Astley Electrical.
A brownout is a drop in voltage that reduces the power supply to a facility but doesn’t cut it off completely. In most cases, a brownout will only last for a short period while the demand is corrected or the equipment causing the technician fixes the problem. On the other hand, a blackout is a complete loss of power. Depending on the situation, you may be able to correct it yourself, or you may need to wait for a utility company representative to arrive and solve the problem.
There’s no question that a blackout is worse than a brownout. A blackout is a complete loss of power, while a brownout is a partial loss of power. With a blackout, you’re left in the dark, unable to do anything that requires electricity. With a brownout, you may be able to do some things.
A brownout can quickly turn into a blackout if the voltage falls below acceptable levels and no power reaches the facility. The standard voltage in Australia. is 230 volts, but this can drop when there is an extreme amount of demand in a specific area. If the voltage drops too far, the power can turn off, and a blackout will occur. How low the voltage can go before it turns off depends on the type of circuit the facility uses.
A brownout could occur due to these reasons:
Brownouts happen when the electrical demand on the grid is greater than the power supply. It occurs during a heat wave when everyone is running their air conditioners, or a problem at a power plant could cause it.
Electrical equipment malfunctions cause a sudden voltage drop, leading to a brownout.
If the electrical wiring in your home or office is old or damaged, it causes a voltage drop leading to a brownout.
When the power grid is overloaded or has problems with the power lines, it generates a fall in voltage, causing a brownout.
Hurricanes and earthquakes can also yield brownouts by damaging power lines and causing power surges.
A blackout can happen due to the following reasons:
Electricity demand can sometimes exceed the available supply, leading to momentary blackouts. It usually happens during periods of high demand, e.g, summer days when everyone is running their AC. Some utilities practice load management to prevent widespread blackouts. They reduce or interrupt service to some customers to even out the demand.
High winds can damage power lines and knock out power poles, while heavy rains can flood substations and other critical equipment. In addition to causing immediate damage, storms can lead to long-term problems such as corrosion on power lines. These severe weather elements could also cause a blackout:
When you plug too many devices into one circuit, it causes an overload, leading to a blackout.
This is a relatively new cause of blackouts but is becoming increasingly more common. A cyberattack involves hackers taking control of the power grid and shutting it down remotely.
Here’re a few things you can do to avoid experiencing a brownout or blackout in your home or business.
The best way to handle a brownout or blackout is to have a backup generator to provide power to your facility. It will allow you to keep critical systems running until the utility can fix the problem.
LED lights are more energy-efficient and consume less power than traditional incandescent bulbs. They also produce less heat, which will help reduce your AC costs in the summer.
Unplug electronics when not in use to prevent them from drawing too much power and causing electrical surges.
Power surges protect your electronics from power surges that cause blackouts or brownouts. Astley Electrical will install surge protection to prevent this damage, keeping your business or home running smoothly.
A breaker controls the flow of electrical current through a circuit. Install breakers at the main panel in your facility and each circuit box.
Have a plan in place for how you’ll handle a power outage. Ensure that your employees know what to do and have alternative lighting sources available.
Checking your equipment regularly can help you identify problems before they cause blackouts or brownouts. Astley Electrical provides inspection and maintenance services all over Sydney to help keep your equipment in good condition and your facility safe.
Whether you need a general check-up, a quick fix, or a complete overhaul, our expert electricians are ready to help all Sydney Metropolitan homeowners and businesses. With 38+ years of experience under our belts, we’re sure to have you up and running in no time. So don’t delay, call us today at 02 9456 4586. We hope you find these tips helpful as you prepare for our team to arrive!
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