Have you ever noticed your lights blink for just a moment and then come right back on?
It can be frustrating, especially when you have to reset a digital clock or another electronic device. But that quick interruption may actually be a sign that GEA’s electric system is working as designed.
A “blink” occurs when there is a momentary interruption or fault on the electric system. These interruptions can be caused by a variety of things, including lightning, a vehicle striking a utility pole, a tree limb contacting a power line, or an animal coming into contact with energized equipment.
When something causes a fault on an electric line, GEA uses special switchgear like reclosers and circuit breakers to help protect the system; one such type of recloser is an OCR
What Is an OCR?
An OCR is essentially an automatic breaker for the electric distribution system. Similar to the breaker panel in your home, it is designed to interrupt the flow of electricity when a fault occurs.
The difference is that an OCR can automatically attempt to restore power after a temporary fault.
For example, if a tree limb briefly touches a power line, the OCR can open the circuit and stop the flow of electricity. After a short period, it can automatically close the circuit and restore power.
If the fault has cleared, electricity continues flowing normally, and customers may only experience a brief blink instead of a prolonged outage.
Why Do Lights Sometimes Blink More Than Once?
If a fault is still present, the OCR can open and close the circuit again in an attempt to determine whether the problem is temporary.
This is why you may sometimes notice multiple blinks close together before an outage.
If the fault clears, the OCR can restore power without requiring a crew to respond. That can prevent a temporary problem from becoming a longer outage.
If the fault does not clear, the OCR will remain open and stop the flow of electricity. This helps protect power lines, transformers, and other electrical equipment from additional damage until GEA crews can safely locate and repair the problem.
In other words, that frustrating blink may have prevented you from sitting in the dark for much longer.
Why Do I Have to Reset My Clock?
Although a blink may last only a fraction of a second, the interruption can be enough to cause some electronic devices to lose their stored settings or memory.
You may notice that you have to reset:
- Digital clocks
- Microwaves
- Ovens
- Other appliances with digital displays
- Certain electronic equipment
There are a few ways you can reduce the inconvenience caused by momentary power interruptions.
Consider these tips:
- When purchasing digital clocks or small appliances, consider models with a battery backup or automatic reset capability.
- Use a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) for computers and other sensitive electronics that need continuous power or could lose important data during an interruption.
- Consider using quality surge protection for electronic equipment to help protect against electrical surges.
The Next Time Your Lights Blink…
A blink can certainly be annoying, but it can also be a sign that GEA’s protective equipment responded to a problem on the electric system and worked to keep a temporary fault from becoming a longer outage.
So the next time your lights blink, remember: your electric system may have just blinked to keep you from sitting in the dark.