What causes power outages
Tips on what to do when the power goes out
Our energy expert, Meredith O’Brien, has the following tips for when your home loses power.
Meredith O'Brien
Head of Energy
Check if your neighbours have power
If your neighbours’ lights are on, it might just be an issue with your circuit breaker. Otherwise, it’s worth checking your distributor to see if there are any reported outages in your area. Your distributor is usually listed on the front page of your electricity bill.
Turn off and unplug your appliances
Power surges could potentially damage any electrical equipment that was running before an outage. Switch the power off at the wall and even consider unplugging your appliances and devices to avoid damage when the power comes back on.
Don’t open your fridge or freezer
Keeping your fridge and freezer closed during a power outage will keep the cool air in and help you avoid food spoilage.
Don’t use a portable generator inside
Due to gas emissions, backup power generators can be dangerous to run inside your house, if you have one. Always make sure your portable generator is outside, in a well-ventilated area.
Only use your phone when necessary
Since you won’t be able to charge your phone during a power outage, consider only using it for emergency services or to get updates from your electricity distributor.
Types of power outages
Blackouts occur when there’s a total loss of power in a specific region. These are typically caused by extreme weather events or anything else that might have a direct impact on power lines or the electrical grid.- Rolling blackouts work like regular blackouts, only they’re done intentionally. Your electricity distributor may cut power to certain areas to control high demand on the electricity supply and prevent overloading the power grid.
- Brownouts happen when there’s not enough electricity to power your household. They may cause your lights to flicker and electrical appliances to run at a diminished capacity. Brownouts can be used as a preventative measure by your distributor.
- Permanent faults occur when there’s an issue with the power lines in your area. When the fault is fixed, power is typically restored to your home.
- Planned power outages are typically implemented by your distributor so they can perform upgrades and routine maintenance on the power grid. You’ll generally receive notice of this happening. If you’re on life support equipment, you should inform your retailer so backup plans can be arranged when the power goes out.
Common causes of power outages
Anything that can impact the electricity grid or overhead power lines could potentially cause a loss of power. Here are some things that might cause a power outage.
Weather events and natural disasters
- Thunderstorms and high winds. Lightning strikes and strong winds can cause trees to fall onto overhead power lines or even cause direct damage to these transmission lines.
- Heat waves. Extreme heat can cause increased demand on the power grid, as more households require cooling during these periods.
- Bushfires. Fires can cause direct damage and overheat conductors to electrical infrastructure.
- Heavy rain and floods. Flooding can damage underground cables and may also cause long term damage to infrastructure.
Electrical issues
- Overloading. Power outages may occur when high voltage items or an increased demand overloads electrical systems like power grids and circuit boards.
- Equipment failure. Faulty electrical appliances could short circuit your power supply.
- Wear and tear. Electrical infrastructure damaged over time could be more prone to outages than newer power systems.
Animal damage and human error
- Wildlife damage. Birds, snakes, possums and other wildlife may come in contact with power lines and cause an outage.
- Car accidents. Single and multi-vehicle collisions into a utility pole could cause power outages in the local area.
- Vandalism. This may include malicious damage to power lines, electrical grids, substations or any other electrical infrastructure.
- Unpaid Bills. Households may experience power cuts (disconnection) when they don’t pay their electricity bills. If you’re struggling to pay your electricity bills, you should contact your electricity retailer to let them know. If you’re following a payment plan organised by your retailer, disconnection is prohibited under the National Energy Retailer Law in Australia.
How long do power outages last?
It depends on the nature of your power outage – they generally last anywhere between a few minutes to several hours. In extreme cases, power outages may last for days or even longer if there’s significant damage to power stations or substations.
How to report power outages
Power outages should be reported to your electricity distributor. Details about your distributor can be found on the first page of your electricity bill under “faults or emergencies” or on the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) website.
During an outage, your electricity distributor is responsible for organising qualified electricians to perform maintenance or repairs on power lines. You should never attempt them yourself.
Meet our energy expert, Meredith O’Brien
As the Head of Energy at Compare the Market, Meredith O’Brien believes in educating Australian customers about the everchanging gas and electricity market so they can adjust their energy usage habits and get the most out of their energy plans.
Meredith has six years within the energy industry, following 15 years of experience in financial services and is currently studying a Master of Business Administration. Meredith is a dedicated customer advocate who is passionate about empowering Australians to find the right products to suit their needs by removing the confusion from comparing.