If you’re dealing with a partial power outage in house, it isn’t an ideal scenario. Many homes rely on their electrical power to keep food fresh, stay cool, and keep their homes warm. The last thing you want to have to do is find alternative ways to power these necessities.

However, it’s sometimes unavoidable. The next best thing is knowing how to prepare for this situation so that you can keep yourself and your family comfortable in the meantime.

Read on to find out more.

Safety First

Safety should be the first priority. Always ensure that all house occupants are aware of the power out in part of the house. All young children should be supervised, and all powered equipment should be disconnected. Appliances with exposed and heated internal parts, specifically those containing heating elements, should have power removed completely.

All candles and portable heat sources should be extinguished. Extra caution should be taken if using a flashlight or portable generator, as they can cause fire hazards if not used properly.

Identify the Source

It is important to first determine the source of the outage. Check the main electricity box and circuit breakers for any blown fuses. If a fuse appears to be blown, to replace it, make sure to switch off the breaker before replacing it with a brand-new fuse of the same rating.

If all the fuses and the main switch are normal, then the problem may be with an overloaded power strip, which needs to be unplugged and reset. Check inside electrical panels and rooms for any apparent problems and for any damaged or overheated wires. If the source of the outage can’t be identified, contact the local electricity provider.

Reset Circuit Breakers

To determine which ones require resetting, you’ll first need to identify the affected outlets in your home and compare them to the circuit map in your home’s electrical panel. Once the circuit breaker has been located, switch it off and wait for a few minutes before flipping it on again.

Your circuit breaker should be ready now, and if this resolves the issue, power should be restored to the affected outlets. If unsuccessful, you may need to address an overloaded circuit, damaged wiring, or a faulty outlet.

Check the Utility Provider

The utility provider will be able to give a specific reason for the outage and instructions on how to proceed. To contact the utility provider, use the contact information indicated on the electric bill. The next step is to check for safety hazards, such as frayed cords or sparks coming from any outlets within the house.

Test the Outlets

Make sure that all the devices in the room are turned off, and start testing each outlet. If any of them do not turn on, then that outlet may be affected and should be checked further. It is also important to check if any breakers may have tripped in the circuit breaker boxes.

If so, then they should be reset. If the issues persist, try plugging a device into an outlet in another room to see if that one is working. 

Call an Electrician

Your electrical expert will be able to diagnose the issue and provide you with a solution to the power outage. They will be able to tell you if the cause of the partial power outage is due to a wiring issue, a poor connection, tripped breakers, or a power overload.

Once they have identified the cause of the power outage, they will be able to make recommendations to fix the problem in a safe and efficient manner. They are trained to work with electrical wiring and will have the experience and expertise to get your home back to its full electrical power.

Use Extension Cords

To safely use extension cords in the home, it is important to limit the power consumption in the connected devices. Extension cords can be used to power a laptop, TV, desktop computer, or any device with a total wattage of under 800 watts.

It should never be overloaded and should always be checked for wear and tear before use. In some cases, it may be more efficient to utilize multiple cords in order to safely provide power to more than one device. 

Communicate with Neighbors

Communicating with neighbors, one can share any information they may have about the partial power outage, nearby incidents that may be the source of the issue, as well as when their power did or did not eventually return. It is also a good idea to inquire with neighbors to see if anyone has noticed any number or contact they can reach out to for assistance from a power provider or emergency services. 

Prepare for Emergencies

Ensure you keep an emergency kit prepared with non-perishable food items, bottled water, flashlights, and batteries, as well as a radio and a portable cellular phone charger in case of power out in half of the house. Make sure to have fresh batteries for the flashlights and the radio. If available, use a camping stove or a barbeque to cook or prepare food.

Check the circuit breakers to identify the cause of the outage and contact your local power company or have an electrician inspect it, if necessary. Stay informed by tuning into the news on the radio or television for updated information from emergency services or your local power provider.

Inform Utility Provider

The first and most important step is to inform the utility provider. Doing so will help them understand the severity of the situation at hand and act accordingly. The best way to contact them is by either calling the:

• local emergency phone number
• filing a written complaint online
• simply walking into the local office

Make sure to provide as much information as possible, such as the location of your house and the extent of the power outage. After lodging the complaint, the utility provider will investigate the issue and take suitable measures in order to resolve the electricity problem.

Start Dealing With Partial Power Outage in House Today

Dealing with a partial power outage in house can be a challenging experience. It is important to plan ahead and be prepared for any emergency power outage situations. Make sure to contact your local power company and have them check the entire power distribution system. Utilize new energy-efficient technologies and other safety measures to minimize the risk of power outages. As always, stay safe and call us today to discuss how we can help!

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