Outages can happen unexpectedly, so it's essential to always be prepared. But did you know that some power outages are actually planned? Read on to discover why energy companies schedule a power outage and how it can benefit you in the long run.

The basics

Planned power outages are scheduled blackouts that typically impact a small group of customers and last for a short period of time.

Maintenance, minor improvements and large growth projects are the main reasons a power outage may be scheduled. These measures allow your energy company to replace damaged or aging equipment and upgrade the system to increase electric reliability and support future growth. But planned power shut-offs can also be necessary in more severe situations.

Emergency outages

Your energy company maintains electrical equipment to the best of its ability, but some events are unpredictable and unavoidable. Severe weather incidents, accidents and other unexpected events can damage transmission lines, substations or other parts of the grid. If power continues to flow through these damaged systems, consequences could include uncontrolled future power failures to an even more widespread area of customers.

By shutting off the power in a controlled and planned manner for only a set number of customers, your energy company can prevent additional damage and ensure that its customers receive reliable power in the future.

Prepare and stay safe

You should always have a plan in place for unplanned outages, but knowing one is scheduled to happen soon allows you to grab everything you'll need ahead of time.

Charge your phones, unplug sensitive electronics and refresh batteries in your flashlights and flameless candles. Make sure you know how to manually operate garage doors and security gates or any locks that run on electricity. If you rely on medical equipment that uses electricity, have a plan to continue to use the equipment during the outage or move to a location that will have power. It's also good to have emergency contact information handy, just in case it might be needed.

Once the power is out, avoid opening the refrigerator and freezer. Have fresh water on hand for your family and pets. Listen to a local radio station or check your phone for updates from your energy company.

Power outages can be inconvenient, but sometimes they're necessary to ensure access to reliable power in the near and distant future.