Electric Outage?

Question

The last time there was a storm, my power went out....I called the power company, who came out and gave me power again , he told me to check the outside main breaker the next time a storm makes me loose power....is that safe? Can you get a jolt standing on the wet ground? Is the problem usually at the power pole with the main breaker or somewhere down the street? Thanks

Answer 1

Generally speaking there is no "outside main breaker".  But, I you live in an apartment or townhouse perhaps you have outside breakers.  In the event that you do have them, then yes, it is safe to check them and reset them. If the breakers are actually outside in the elements, then I would wait until it is not raining.  The entire metal cabinet would usually be grounded, so getting a shock is unlikely.  But, since there is no GFCI for the main, it is theoretically possible to loose the neutral leg and have current on the ground.

Answer 2

They do not mean for you to go outside during the lightening storm to check your breakers. They mean for you to go when it is safe. Yes you can get electrocuted standing on the wet ground as water is an excellent electricity conductor. I have an indoor breaker box and an alternate main switch outside in the event the inside one does not work during an emergency. I can look out my windows to determine if my neighbors have power when I don't to see if the problem is mine or theirs. The people in front of me are not on the same grid as my house but the people behind me are. I wait till the storm is over before I check my breakers to make sure they were not tripped just based on principle. If they are not tripped or if I noticed my neighbors out of power or the streetlights not working, I call the power company to report the outage. Sometimes I hear a loud bang like gunfire and know a transformer blew and call the company about that. If you call the company here and they find out it was not their equipment, then they charge you $250 for the man time and labor. Best to be certain before you call.

Answer 3

Power companies are responsible for anything leading to the house connection.  The line from the pole to the house is called the drop line.  Their responsibility ends where the drop line is connected to, and including, the meter. From the meter into the house is the home owner's responsibility. The electricity goes through the meter into a disconnect box, through the entrance circuit breaker and into the load center (inside breaker box). All boxes are connected to the neutral, or ground, line to prevent any shocking.  However, it the disconnect box is wet, it could cause shocking. After a storm, either wait until it dries or dry it with a cloth. Open the box to expose the entrance breaker.  If it is tripped, reset it.  If you must stand on wet ground, make sure you touch just the little lever on the breaker.  The entrance breaker will trip due to an overload on the power lines and it is designed to trip the cicuit (opening it) to prevent any damage inside the house.

Answer 4

never heard that one.....99.9% of the time its the power companys problem...the storm will trip a main on their end.....

Answer 5

If you neighbors doesn't have power either, its most likely NOT your main breaker.

Answer 6

Ok did he reset your CB at your house?. If so look for signs of water etc around your distribution board, if there is a major storm and you loose power check the neigbours etc and see if they lost power aswell.. If something like that is happenin get the power company to drive the incoming lines to your block as loose spans between the power lines can cause this as when the wind gets up they will sway and make contact between phases and short at times. Causing the transformer up line from you to trip.

Answer 7

My Mother caught me playing with electric once when I was a kid and Grounded me, Now I am afraid of electric lol! If you don't know for sure 100% then don't even think of doing this, get them to come out and show you what you can and cannot do. Electric is a very silent killer, It bites harder then a croc and kill quicker then a cobra, I don't think you would experiment with them. same goes it. Know before you go.