Power Outage FAQ

How do I report a power outage?

• In Warren County call 843-9710. In all other service areas call 1-888-604-4321.
• Give your name, address, and telephone number. If you cannot get through, please be patient and remember many other customers may be calling to report the outage. Warren RECC uses a special automatic answering system during large outages. If you have an emergency, please explain. Your telephone call helps us track the size and severity of the outage.

What are some factors that cause power outages?

• High winds blowing trees and branches onto power lines
• Vehicles striking and breaking utility poles
• High winds breaking utility poles
• Cold load problems- (service load problems when putting lines back in service)
• Animals such as birds, snakes and squirrels climbing poles and contacting both pole and the power line
• Snow and ice causing power lines to break or touch tree branches
• Overloaded lines
• Substation problems

How does Warren Rural Electric Cooperative restore power?

Power restoration procedures are very simple. First, power is restored to areas where the greatest number of homes and businesses are affected. Below is the order in which Warren RECC restores power:

• Primary transmission lines from the generation facility
• Substations
• Main feeder lines (69,000 volts) in populated residential areas
• Three-phase lines in the most populated areas
• Three-phase lines in all other areas
• Single-phase lines
• Individual services and transformers are the last to be repaired

What other steps does the Cooperative take to be prepared for and respond to severe/prolonged outages?

Warren RECC is committed to doing everything possible to restore power as quickly as can be done. During a severe outage lasting several days the Cooperative will:

• Pre-position employees and materials in any area expected to be hit hard by severe weather
• Call in employees from other, unaffected, Warren RECC offices
• Request outside help from other rural electric cooperatives and utility companies
• Hire additional tree-trimming crews
• Work long hours every day and night until power is restored
• Use local media to update customers as to our progress

What should my business or industry do when the power goes off?

• Check the fuse box(s) or circuit breakers to determine if a fuse has blown or a breaker has tripped. If the fuses and breakers are okay, check your neighbors to determine if the problem is at your facility or area wide. If your neighbors have power, the problem may be just at your facility.
• If your neighbors do not have power, call Warren RECC and report the outage.
• Turn off heat pumps, large equipment and lights. This decreases the initial power demand when the electricity is restored.

How often should I report the outage?

Once you report an outage, please give Warren RECC time to respond and repair the damage. The cause of the outage may be miles from your business; therefore, you may not see our vehicles in your area. If your power has not been restored within a few hours of your first call, please call again. You should also call again if power is restored to your neighbors but not to your business. If severe weather strikes, it could take several days for the power to be restored. During such an extended outage it is helpful to call and report the outage each morning. A special employee team evaluates all calls.

What is cold-load pick-up and why does it cause problems for Warren RECC?

Cold-load pick-up problems occur during severe cold or hot weather when we try to restore power. When power is disrupted, many homes and businesses leave their heating or air conditioning equipment on. When power is restored, the equipment causes a huge drain on the power lines, causing line circuit breakers to trip out. Cold-load pick-up problems are prevented when electric heating or air-conditioning systems, lights and other machinery are turned off until the power has been restored.

How should I use a portable generator?

Portable generators, especially generators designed for home use, may not be powerful enough to run your business. Never plug your generator into regular outlets. A generator connected to your wiring system must have a special switch that disconnects the generator and your business from Warren RECC's power system. Large commercial generators must be installed with a switch that disconnects the building from Warren RECC's power system while the generator is being used. This switch should be installed by a licensed electrician and should be inspected by an electrical inspector.

Should I help by removing trees from power lines?

No, it is impossible to tell just by looking at them if power lines are energized. Live trees are excellent conductors of electricity, as are metal chain saw blades and bars. If power is out in your area, be aware that neighbors using electric generators incorrectly could be sending electricity into the lines. This could be deadly.

Why does my neighbor have lights while by business is still without power?

Your neighbor may be on a different line. For example, a three-phase line may run in front of your business, but you may receive power through a single-phase line running behind your business on a different circuit. Also, the problem may be on the wire between the pole and your service, or your phase of a three-phase line may be out while the other two are still operating.