Within a short span of two centuries, electricity has become
indispensable to our day to day lives. Be it official work, entertainment,
economy, healthcare or even simple activities of our livelihoods, we are
totally dependent upon the constant supply of electrical power. In such
scenarios, even a temporary loss of electricity can affect us greatly. It may
lead to a relative chaotic situation, monetary setbacks may be faced, there may
also be a possibility of loss of life. Power stoppage can especially cause
mayhem when it comes to life-support systems such as in hospitals and nursing
homes or in co-ordination facilities like traffic control, railway stations and
airports.
Fortunately, most life support facilities have power backup
which takes over automatically in the case of a power outage. Power backup is
also increasingly being utilized in corporate offices, mining, manufacturing,
businesses, and now even in residential complexes with the growing dependence
on computers and electronics in everyday lives. So, though loss of power in
small scale settings may not be lethal, it can still result into loss of data,
missed deadlines, decreased productivity levels and also cause loss of revenue.
Thus, it is very important to know about the possible causes
of power failure in order to be armed at all times, to protect ourselves and
our businesses from its ill effects. When we have identified all that can
possibly go wrong, it would be easier to ensure that adequate safeguards have
been put into place.
Shared below are some of the major causes of power failure:
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1. Weather conditions :-
Power failures are majorly caused due to weather conditions.
Lightning, wind, rain, snow and even dust are the various natural phenomenon
that can cause power failure. While it is very difficult to guard against major
power failures caused due to natural calamities as floods and storms, it is relatively
easier to safeguard electrical systems from water and dust. Water can lead to
short circuits and power outages. The damage caused due to water in electrical
circuits are pretty expensive and thus it makes sense to ensure protection from
it. Electrical switchboards, wires, and circuits should be protected and not
exposed to water. Dampness and excessive moisture can lead to serious damages. Living
in areas with higher levels of humidity makes it important to invest in specially
sealed circuit protection devices.
Dust can also wreak havoc with electrical systems and lead
to short circuits and power failures. Areas that are exposed to dust and
sandstorms are in dire need to ensure that the electrical circuits are
protected from dust exposure at all times. Sealed circuit boxes can be helpful
in ensuring protection of your critical electrical equipment and prevent power
failures.
Natural disasters have historically been the root cause of
the world’s most severe power outages. Floods, tsunamis, earthquakes,
windstorms, and other severe weather conditions can completely destroy critical
power infrastructure and result in outages that leave extensive geographic
regions without power for months.
2. Short Circuits :-
‘Short circuit’ is the most commonly used term to describe
the cause of power
failure. At the same time, the term is also most bandied about without
understanding the meaning very well. So, let us explain what exactly is a short
circuit.
Short circuit occurs when electric current travels along a
path which is not the intended path for it in an electrical circuit. Due to
this, there is an excessive electric current which damages the circuit, cause
fire and even an explosion to the extent that it’s one of the main causes of
electrical fires all over the world.
3. Blackouts:-
‘Blackout’ refers to a total loss of electrical power in a
given geographical area. It is also the severe most form of power outage that
can occur. Depending upon what is the main cause of a blackout, restoring power
is usually a very complex task for utilities and power stations and, repair
time frames greatly depend upon the configuration of the affected electrical
network.
4. Brownouts:-
4. Brownouts:-
A brownout refers to a drop in the power supply. It is
called, ‘brownout’ as it leads to a drop in voltage which causes the lights to
dim. Brownout is not a total power failure, but it can adversely affect your
electrical equipment. Induction and three-phase electrical motors (like the
ones used in industrial diesel
generators) are at greater risk during brownouts as they can get overheated
and their insulation can be damaged. In case your main power supply is
inconsistent and you’ve been experiencing brownouts frequently, you must invest
in power back up system like diesel generators. They will automatically take over and
provide your equipment with necessary electrical power whenever the voltage
drops.
5. Power Surges:-
Power surges are a bane when it comes to electrical systems.
It can rapidly overheat and thus damage expensive electrical equipment. Surge
protectors and circuit breakers can readily provide the much needed protection
from such surges.
6. Electrical treeing:-
Electrical treeing affects high power installations like
transformers and high power voltage cables. If there are any impurities and
mechanical defects in the equipment used in high voltage installations, then it
can lead to partial electric discharges in the equipment. The process of
damaging manifests in a tree-like pattern and hence the name ‘electrical
treeing’. If over a period of time it goes undetected, it can continually
degrade the equipment and eventually result into a complete breakdown.
To combat electrical treeing, one must only use top quality
materials designed to handle the electric load. Maintenance by trained
engineers can also help to identify and fix electrical treeing before a major
breakdown.
Other Causes:-
When animals such as large birds come into contact with
electric lines, power outages are bound to occur. Additional causes of power
failures are primarily man made. Example, road accidents and accidents at
construction spots with power poles and lines, maintenance issues and human
error.
We at Mahindra Powerol offer solutions to combat these
issues of Power failures. Visit us at www.mahindrapowerol.com
to know more.
