The Chit Chat Chit Chat Thread

betty rose

Well-Known Member
But then wouldn't the time the power is out be just as long, if not longer by shutting off the power, then is saved by repairing it after the damage? And in the meantime, places that might have never lost power are without it. I understand some of the reasons why they think it is a good idea to do, but, that is with no regard to the unnecessary hardships that are artificially created by their actions. Sorry, still don't think it's a genius idea.


Shutting off the distribution system as a major storm approaches is a practice followed by many utilities in areas prone to Hurricanes. This practice reduces the risks to the public from direct contact with hot lines and also from hot lines falling into trees or buildings that have shifted starting fires, across damaged vehicles and igniting gasoline, and across Natural gas or LP gas pipes and meters that are damaged by shifting structures. By turning off the system the damage from the distribution system become more a physical problem (a cold wire falls) rather than an electrical problem (with sparking facilities as the hot lines make contact with other objects).

This practice also reduces the magnitude and scope of upstream power system equipment damage (like transformers) since the damaged lines are not subjecting the equipment to repeated and broadly based short circuit currents. That reduces the chances of a cascading problem tripping off a wider area of the grid and makes if simpler, faster and safer to restore service once the event has passed and the lines have been patrolled.

Hubby of Bet's. Hope this helps the understanding of what Utilities are trying to do. Worked in the Industry for about 45 years, Wife was a little short on that.
 

betty rose

Well-Known Member
You know, There was this conversation on a photo forum a few days ago about politics.
Its amazing how fast they went into full racism and hate and blaming it all on my country. Not even funny.. :facepalm:

I mean, Its not like my country magically made Worldwide (specially USA's) corporations to move all their jobs to china and india.
This is my personal opinion, I think some people just like to hate.
 

Goofyernmost

Well-Known Member
Shutting off the distribution system as a major storm approaches is a practice followed by many utilities in areas prone to Hurricanes. This practice reduces the risks to the public from direct contact with hot lines and also from hot lines falling into trees or buildings that have shifted starting fires, across damaged vehicles and igniting gasoline, and across Natural gas or LP gas pipes and meters that are damaged by shifting structures. By turning off the system the damage from the distribution system become more a physical problem (a cold wire falls) rather than an electrical problem (with sparking facilities as the hot lines make contact with other objects).

This practice also reduces the magnitude and scope of upstream power system equipment damage (like transformers) since the damaged lines are not subjecting the equipment to repeated and broadly based short circuit currents. That reduces the chances of a cascading problem tripping off a wider area of the grid and makes if simpler, faster and safer to restore service once the event has passed and the lines have been patrolled.

Hubby of Bet's. Hope this helps the understanding of what Utilities are trying to do. Worked in the Industry for about 45 years, Wife was a little short on that.
I guess that I can accept that, just never in my life seen it done. I assume that happens when a storm is an actuality as opposed to just a threat. That would make sense, I just got the impression that if they thought that it might hit at all they would shut everything down. Still seems a little like using an aircraft carrier to go trout fishing. I sure wouldn't want to be in management if the storm skirts by and doesn't move a blade of grass. We had that a few years back when Sandy came running through along the coast of North Carolina. Warnings upon warnings, people buying enough bottled water to float the Queen Mary, etc. Turns out there wasn't enough wind where I live (130 miles inland) to blow out a match. Sadly, one tends to get a little cynical after that and fairly suspicious of warnings. A very dangerous way to be.
 

betty rose

Well-Known Member
I guess that I can accept that, just never in my life seen it done. I assume that happens when a storm is an actuality as opposed to just a threat. That would make sense, I just got the impression that if they thought that it might hit at all they would shut everything down. Stills seems a little like using an aircraft carrier to go trout fishing. I sure wouldn't want to be in management if the storm skirts by and doesn't move a blade of grass. We had that a few years back when Sandy came running through along the coast of North Carolina. Warnings upon warnings, people buying enough bottled water to float the Queen Mary, etc. Turns out there wasn't enough wind where I live (130 miles inland) to blow out a match. Sadly, one tends to get a little cynical after that and fairly suspicious of warnings. A very dangerous way to be.
I hope you understand that we meant no offence. It's just the Utility's way to protect people. Utilities have people's best interest at heart. At least my hubby did when he had to make a call on when to shut things down. Nothing is black or white, as tornado's called for tough decisions, he was on the line crew in Indiana, for a Utility. Before he became an Electrical Engineer. I'm sure the Engineer's have a very tough decision, because weather models are what they have to go on. And those are so uncertain, their policy was to save lives.
 

Goofyernmost

Well-Known Member
I hope you understand that we meant no offence. It's just the Utility's way to protect people. Utilities have people's best interest at heart. At least my hubby did when he had to make a call on when to shut things down. Nothing is black or white, as tornado's called for tough decisions, he was on the line crew in Indiana, for a Utility. Before he became an Electrical Engineer. I'm sure the Engineer's have a very tough decision, because weather models are what they have to go on. And those are so uncertain, their policy was to save lives.
I don't know why you would even think that there was something to take offense too. I appreciate the response and the fact that he took the time to post it. I'm fine with it, but, I agree that it would be very easy to make the wrong call, in either direction. My upbringing was always that you don't fix what isn't broken.:grumpy: That is why I have that approach to the situation. I know I don't have the only opinion on this stuff. :)
I'm also painfully aware of the possibility that I am wrong.
 

betty rose

Well-Known Member
I don't know why you would even think that there was something to take offense too. I appreciate the response and the fact that he took the time to post it. I'm fine with it, but, I agree that it would be very easy to make the wrong call, in either direction. My upbringing was always that you don't fix what isn't broken.:grumpy: That is why I have that approach to the situation. I know I don't have the only opinion on this stuff. :)
I'm also painfully aware of the possibility that I am wrong.
Sorry, I'm tired a very trying day.
 

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