Do you ever wonder in the event of power interruption whether you are experiencing a blackout or a brownout? These terms refer to forms of electrical power disruptions that may impact your day-to-day activities. It is therefore important to differentiate between blackouts and brownouts since they are different in the causes and effects on the power system.
Electric utility companies aim to provide uninterrupted power supply, but sometimes they are faced with challenges that affect the supply such as; power demands, natural calamities, etc. This article seeks to make a distinction between blackouts and brownouts, describing why they happen and what makes them different.
What Is A Blackout?
A blackout can be described as the sudden and permanent failure of electrical supply in a particular region. The period of a blackout is relatively random and may take as little as a few minutes and as long as several days. Several causes may lead to a blackout, and knowledge of these can assist in managing the situation. Here are some common causes of blackouts:
Severe Weather Events
Natural calamities such as lightning strikes, storms, hurricanes, etc can cause disruption of power supply due to damage to power structures.
Sudden Surge in Demand
If the demand for electricity increases more than is expected it becomes too much for the grid to handle and this results in a failure.
Physical Damage to Infrastructure
A blackout can occur in various situations where power lines or transformers are damaged in some way.
Tree Branches
This may lead to disruption of electricity supply from fallen tree branches that pull down power lines.
Ice Accumulation
As much as ice is beautiful when it forms on power lines during winter, it puts a lot of stress on the lines since they have to support the weight of the ice, and this often leads to failure of the power line.
The most famous blackout in recent years occurred in Texas in 2021, known as the ‘Texas deep freeze’. The Texas power crisis lasted for over two weeks and resulted in hundreds of deaths
What Is A Brownout?
A ‘brownout’ is not as well known as a ‘blackout,’ but it refers to a different type of power outage. A brownout is a partial or planned interruption of the mains electricity supply and is different from a blackout. A blackout is when there is no power at all whereas a brownout is when the voltage drops to a lower level than is needed to operate devices and appliances.
Brownouts are usually carried out by the utility providers as scheduled power outages to prevent total blackouts. During a brownout, electricity is still supplied but at a lower voltage, typically a range of 10 to 25% less than the standard voltage. This deliberate reduction is done to ease the strain on the electrical circuits at the peak demand thereby avoiding a more serious event such as a total power blackout.
While blackouts can last for a few minutes to many hours, brownouts are generally of short duration and are usually planned and managed. However, it is discouraged to use appliances during a brownout even if it is possible. This means that there are varying voltage levels that can interfere with the electrical devices as well as harmfully affect them. To ensure your devices are safe during a brownout, it is recommended that you disconnect the devices or use a different power alternative.
In case of a brownout or blackout, what should I do?
In case you have a brownout or blackout, do not be alarmed. In the event of power disruption make sure that appliances are detached from power sources, and finally check with the local power company to determine if the problem is on your side of the electrical power grid. If your utility company assures you that every electrical component is fine, there could be isolated electrical problems in your home. In this case, it is advisable to call an electrician for help; it is not safe to try and determine the cause of the outage by yourself. If your utility company can confirm it’s a grid issue, observe the following:
Pull the plug on all of your appliances
While you might be allowed to switch on some of our electronic devices during a brownout you should still disconnect them. A brownout results in a reduced voltage power which is not safe to use by any means if you attempt to do so. Switching off your devices also protects them from getting affected by an electric shock when power is restored. A large voltage surge is commonly referred to as a spike and can be very dangerous when the power levels fluctuate greatly within a short period of time, many devices can not handle this and may become permanently damaged. This is especially so in devices which cannot effectively control the amount of power that is supplied to them; if power diminishes and then builds up again within a short time, the device, such as a desktop computer, may fail and become unusable.
Sign up for alerts
When your power has gone out, register with your local emergency alert systems to receive notifications. For the latest on a storm or an emergency situation, if available, get the information from a battery-powered radio.
Always have a fully charged phone
While the power is off, refrain from using the mobile phone as much as possible to avoid charging it up unnecessarily. It is important to have a charged phone during a power outage in the event that one will be needed and because you don’t have electricity to power your phone, you cannot charge it if it dies. It is important to save the battery power of your phone by using it only when necessary or charging it in the car.
Conserve energy
Since a brownout occurs after a power surge, your best course of action during a brownout is to limit your power usage as much as possible. This will also help you to prolong the lifespan of your electronic gadgets since you will not be able to plug them and charge them.
Use flashlights
Not candles In the event that you have a total blackout where all the electricity in your house is off, then you will not be able to see anything. In this case, the need for visibility doesn’t call for lighting candles, but using flashlights instead. Lighting is definitely not safe, especially during a black out, candles are a fire hazard that should not be used during a black out if at all possible.
Don’t open your refrigerator
If the power goes out, your refrigerator will stop functioning and the food inside will begin to gradually decompose. In order not to make this happen frequently, you should not open your refrigerator as often as you can, so that the food items inside can remain cold. The fresher the food the more it should be consumed and the less fresh foods should be taken last.
Get a backup energy source
In case you have an additional power source, go ahead and use it. A backup power source that will be very useful during a blackout or brownout, which can assist you to use necessary equipment.
Emergency Preparedness Material For a Brownout and a Blackout
In the event of a brownout or a blackout, there are some things that you need to prepare to make sure that you’re ready for it. Here is the list of the most helpful emergency materials in the case of power loss.
- Flashlights with spare batteries
- First aid kit
- Two-way radios and a battery
- Extra drinking water
- Supply of Non-perishable food
- Matches or lighters
- Portable chargers
- Emergency blankets
- Hygiene products
Best Backup Power Sources During The Power Interruption
We all know how frustrating it can get when there is a brownout or a complete blackout. This is where the BLUETTI Power Stations truly shine as the ultimate emergency saviour. The good thing with the portable power station is that you can continue using your other basic appliances just like a mini power plant at your home in the event of a power outage.
BLUETTI AC300 + 2*B300
The BLUETTI AC300 power station can come with up to four B300 battery modules for a total of 12. 288 kWh. In each B300 module, 3. 072 kWh of energy storage, which guarantees the required level of power and provides opportunities for its modularity.
The AC300 is a versatile power station, which has a built-in solar charge controller, AC charge controller, AC inverter, lithium battery, and battery management system. This design makes it possible for it to effectively harness both solar power and grid electricity to produce clean power for use in various processes.
Combined with the B300 module, it can supply power to necessary equipment and facilities in the course of power failure or in some other area. One of the main benefits of the AC300 is it is designed to handle multiple connected loads, which means that all home appliances and electronics, big and small, will remain functional. It is considered to be sustainable and reliable, which makes it suitable for both stand-by and prime power applications.
BLUETTI AC200P Portable Power Station
The BLUETTI AC200P Portable Power Station is one of the best options with 2000Wh capacity for those who are in search of a backup power source.
This power station supplies 2000 watts power and it uses two batteries that are 5,600 mAh lithium-ion rechargeable batteries. This significant power capacity makes sure that all your important appliances are always on even in the event of power outage or when off-grid.
Combined with the BLUETTI PV200 solar panel set, the AC200P can provide power for several days with little assembly when paired with the solar panels. It has 17 output ports to allow you charge more than one device at a time, and it is compatible with most devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops.
The BLUETTI AC200P is an impressive device intended for the provision of a reliable and powerful output for various electrical appliances and tools making it a useful addition to any home or outdoor activity requiring the use of electricity.
Final Thoughts
So knowing the differences between the brownout and the blackout will assist in preparing you for any power outage instance. Although both result in inconvenience in our daily lives, they are different. Following the different measures to be taken during a brownout vs blackout and precautions that should be taken beforehand will help minimise the impact or harm of a power disruption and help everyone stay safe.
