01/14/2024
This is a little long, but maybe you’ll understand a little better about power companies
I stole it from a friend at Entergy.
We’re going to get bad winter conditions in a couple of days. Unless you live under a rock, you’ve heard! You’ve had several days to prepare, those that haven’t, well……….
Even though our electric company has a very aggressive tree trimming plan, trees will go down because of the weight of the snow and ice on them (if it a wet heavy snow) Even though our electric company has a very good maintenance program, devices will fail, even though conductors in the air are good size, ice forming on them will cause material to break and there will be those who will be out driving when they shouldn’t and run into poles and break them.
If your power goes out, report it. Then don’t call back every twenty minutes and ask when they are going to be back on!
Don’t stop the crews working and ask a million questions. They have enough on their minds to complete a job safely
Just because your neighbors across the street has power and you don’t, just means their power comes from another direction
And please don’t tell the crews “I’ve got food in the freezer that will spoil”. They’ve heard that a million times. Do not open the freezer every hour to check the food. Leave the door shut! If you can’t stand it, put your frozen food in an ice chest and place it outside. The weather people say we’re going to see temps in the single digits, so, problem solved!
Generators!
#1, DO NOT plug your generator into the electrical system of your house UNLESS you have installed a means to isolate from electric company service. Run extension cords from the generator into the house for lights or small heaters or to cycle your refrigerator IF you’re generator can handle it
Close the doors to rooms in your house that you don’t use. Centralize your living to a smaller space to retain heat
Dress in layers even in your house, at least you’ll be out of the fridged air outside
Remember, the linemen, tree trimmers and scouts who are out working to get your power back on may not have power at their house either and are away from their families for days but are at the moment putting you first.
Down lines in your yard or street? STAY AWAY OF THEM!!! Even with state of the art safety devices on the electrical system that should clear problems, those devices are man made. Nothing man made is prefect!!! Don’t believe hollywood movies, not all downed power lines spark, explode or do flips. Those lines can just lay there waiting on some moron to touch it and be killed. Report the down lines and stay away
Prepare for the worse and pray for the best
Thanks,
An old retired electrical worker
