Procedure for Restoring Power

Though it is impossible to predict exactly when power will be restored, we can tell you the procedure used to restore power.

Outages are most commonly caused by downed tree limbs, high winds or other acts of Mother Nature. Once this occurs, our crews work to pinpoint the exact location of the damaged area so that the line or equipment can be taken out-of-service and fixed. These outages are typically contained to smaller areas, and many times the utility is able to serve the customer from an alternate source so power is not lost for a long period of time. Restoration in this sort of event includes rerouting the electricity through a backup feed, or bringing in a mobile generator, substation and/or transformer, until the repairs are made and the equipment is put back into service.

When power is lost, work begins first at the substations, then continues down the process through sub-transmission lines, then local distribution lines before it reaches your home, farm or business. See the diagram below. The idea is to take care of problems which are affecting the largest number of customers first. Repairing a substation first can bring power back to a large number of customers, where a repair to a distribution line brings power back to a smaller number of customers.

Diagram courtesty of Nebraska Public Power District