What are Power Blinks?

Providing our Members with reliable electricity is part of our core mission that is shared by everyone from the executives to the linemen in the field.

Sometimes Members may notice a power blink, a short service interruption that lasts a few seconds and then power returns.

These blinks, while inconvenient, are actually proof that our electric infrastructure is working properly to prevent a larger and longer outage.

Blinks are created when a breaker, or switch, opens along any portion of the power system. The breaker usually opens because of a large, quick rise of electrical current. This large rise, called a fault condition, can occur when a tree branch touches a line, a small animal climbs on a switch or lines, lightning strikes or a wire breaks.

When this happens, a relay senses the fault and tells the recloser to open, preventing the flow of power to the problem site. After opening, the recloser quickly closes. The brief delay, which allows the fault to clear, usually lasts less than 2 seconds. If the fault is temporary, every home or business that receives electricity from that power line has just experienced a blink. The recloser has done its job to prevent a longer outage.

CoServ operates an active system maintenance program and actively investigates blinks when they occur to prevent them from causing larger problems in the future. Even though blinks will never disappear from our electrical energy delivery system, by working together we can minimize the effects of the interruptions and the frequency with which they occur.

CoServ also employs proactive methods such as tree trimming and installing animal deterrents.

Members can help by following these planting guidelines near power lines and transformers.

If you are experiencing any of these issues, please use your SmartHub account to report an outage. Please provide details in the comments section.