What Is a Partial Power Outage?
While most of us have experienced a complete power outage at some point, partial outages are less common. However, when a partial power outage does happen, trying to solve the problem can be confusing and frustrating. When your home or business loses only some electricity, you’ll want to know how to resolve the issue. Today, we’re discussing the reasons partial power outages occur and offering tips to get back on the grid!
What is a partial power outage?
Partial outages render certain devices or areas of your house without power. Here’s a closer look at these events:
What causes partial power outages?
Many people find that a failing electrical panel or faulty circuit breaker is the cause of their partial power outage. However, there are plenty of other reasons these events occur. Overloaded outlets are a leading culprit of diminished power. Loose connections, damaged wires, and weather events can also lead to partial outages.
How to tell if you have a partial power outage
A partial power outage causes only some of your lights, appliances, and devices to stop working. Half of your house could be running normally while the other half is in a blackout. In some cases, you may have full use of efficient devices, but large items like refrigerators won’t run.
Are partial power outages dangerous?
Partial power outages can signal an underlying issue within your home’s electrical system. If you lose power in a single room, especially more than once, you’ll want a licensed electrician to inspect your home to prevent further complications. After all, electrical fires can start in an instant.
How to fix a partial power outage
If you’re comfortable handling electrical issues, you can safely troubleshoot your partial power outage to determine the root cause. Here are a few tips to help you navigate these interruptions:
Ensure your safety
Electricity is nothing to play around with. If you’re unsure what you’re looking for, we suggest you call a professional electrician. Only attempt to diagnose the issue if you know what you’re doing.
Check the electrical panel
Your home’s electrical panel (sometimes called a fuse box) can offer valuable insights into your partial power outage. When you open the cover, it’s easy to identify tripped breakers that can clue you into the problem’s origins.
Reset the tripped breaker
A quick breaker reset might be the only fix needed to restore full power. Of course, if you lose partial power again — and you’ve already ensured each breaker is managing a safe load — you might have a faulty appliance on your hands.
You can also reset any GFCI outlets by pressing the “Reset” button on the socket plate. Be aware that the affected outlet may be in a room that isn’t affected by the outage.
Don’t overload your outlets
In many cases, a tripped breaker offers a clue to the cause of a partial power outage. Each breaker should correspond to a particular room or device in your house. From there, you can inspect the outlets to determine if any were overloaded.
Call a professional electrician
When partial outages keep occurring, it’s worth hiring a qualified electrician to diagnose the problem. They can help you determine the source and prevent future issues.
Tips for preventing a future partial power outage
In order to avoid partial power outages in the future, you’ll want to take the right steps to care for your electric system. Here are a few tips to help you prevent potential problems:
Inspect your electrical panel regularly
Routine electrical maintenance is an essential aspect of responsible homeownership. While you can do this on your own, establishing a relationship with a professional electrician can benefit you in the long run. They’ll understand how your home’s system operates and be better equipped to resolve any issues that may arise.
Upgrade old electrical wiring
Electrical wiring doesn’t last forever. In fact, if your home is over 50 years old, it might be time to update your system. Loose, frayed, or failing wires can drastically increase your risk of electrical fires. Unfortunately, partial power outages may be a sign that you need to upgrade your electrical wiring.
Use surge protectors
Surge protectors safeguard your devices from voltage spikes by redirecting excess energy to a grounding unit. When voltage fluctuates due to downed power lines, weather events, or electrical malfunctions, your TVs, computers, and gaming devices will be safe.
Monitor your power use
If you live in an area that experiences frequent blackouts or partial power outages, the existing infrastructure may not be equipped to handle the region’s needs. In these instances, it’s particularly important to unplug unused devices and limit unnecessary power consumption.
Schedule regular maintenance with the pros
Regular inspections with an experienced electrician can save you a lot of trouble down the road. They can troubleshoot and diagnose existing issues and monitor your system over time to ensure it’s in peak operating condition. They’ll also be able to address minor problems as they appear to help you avoid disaster in the future.
Experiencing partial power outages? Young Cardinal is here to help!
At Young Cardinal Electric, we’re committed to helping our customers keep the lights on. Whether you need assistance with a partial power outage or an inspection to prevent power loss, we’re only a phone call away! Contact us today to learn more.