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Outage Reporting Process
What happens behind the scenes when the lights go out?
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Call BEC
Today, BEC still depends on Member calls to know where to start looking for a problem that caused a power outage. In the next few years the Co-op will integrate advanced features of its new metering system which, coupled with other systems, will allow us to better pinpoint outage causes. But, this capability is several years away. Before you call BEC, be sure to check your breakers so that you know the problem is not in your home. BEC has crews on standby 24 hours per day, seven days a week. Call toll free at 866-226-3372 to report a power outage. |
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Automated System Answers Call
If you are calling after normal business hours or at the same time a number of others are calling, an automated phone system capable of handling over sixteen calls at the same time will answer your call. If your phone number is correct in BEC’s records, the system will find your account and log your outage call. The system records your call and groups it with other calls displaying it on a computer system monitored by a BEC dispatcher. Trouble shooters are able to analyze this information to determine where to start looking for problems on a line. |
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Crews Dispatched
Once your outage has been logged the BEC dispatcher will contact the on-call service crew who will begin the process of determining the cause of the outage and what repairs need to be done. BEC outage crews follow a process designed to safely and efficiently restore power. Each BEC Member is served from one of 15 substations. The substations are where BEC pulls power off the state-wide power grid. There are a series of electric circuits in each substation with lines carrying power to different areas within a few miles of the station. Each of the circuits in a substation includes a breaker that is designed to turn off the power if a problem is detected. In some cases these automatic breakers will turn the power off for an instant allowing a temporary problem, such as lightning, to correct itself. On occasion you may have noticed a blink and then the electricity comes back on. This is a healthy sign that the BEC system is operating the way it was designed. |
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Crews Patrol and Repair Lines
However, if there is a more permanent fault on the line the breakers will turn off the electricity. BEC crews will have to patrol the circuit by driving along and looking at each span of wire to find the cause and make repairs. This may take an hour or several hours depending on the circumstances of the circuit and the nature of the problem. |
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Power Restored
Once BEC crews have found the source of the outage and have safely repaired the damage they will reset the substation circuit breaker and power will be restored. BEC crews verify that power is flowing by making calls to some of those affected or by checking voltage at a home in the outage area. If an outage is restored late at night it is helpful to BEC for Members to leave on an outdoor light so that BEC can see that power was restored when they drive by your place.
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Last Modified: November 5, 2009
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