What is the difference between......

[Luv'sTink]

Black outs and Brown outs?

I live in Washington state and although we have been threatened, kinda, I have no idea what the difference between the two are.

I know CA. had rolling Blackouts last year and they shut down different grids hence the Black outs but Brown outs?? Dunno??

Thanks for helping me learn something new today!! LOL

 

[Ariel Wanna-be]

I've wondered this too!

 

[JadenLayne]

No idea!

 

[doxdogy]

Here you go:

Definition: brownout: A period of low-volatage electrical power caused by unusually heavy demand, such as that created by summertime air-conditioner user. Brownouts can cause computers to operate eractically or crash, either of which can result in data loss. If brownouts frequently cause your computer to crash, you may need to buy a line-interactive uninterruptible power supply to work with yout machine.

What is a "Rolling Blackout?"
A rolling blackout occurs when a power company turns off electricity to selected areas to reduce demand. Rolling blackouts
are a last-ditch attempt to keep the Province's power grid from collapsing. These areas are selected using sophisticated
computer programs and models.
Rolling blackouts occur under generation deficiencies on the province's power grid or equipment limitations on Enwin's
distribution system or on Hydro One's transmission system. Enwin will attempt to provide sufficient warning when we must
turn off power to an area, but there will be occasions when this will not be feasible.

 

[Kahana-ri]

Rhode Island has 'brown outs'. Its a highly advised voluntary way of turning off unneeded electricity to make up for the high demand on really hot days. On brown out days the state offices close and many other business follow their lead to conserve energy. Of course its a nice excuse to have a day off. Public is ask to conserve energy in anyway possible. Buses are free and state beaches are also free on these days to help with the heat.

My mom lives in CA and their black out days were no electricity with no choice.

 

[golfgal]

I was visiting cousins in New Jersey in the late '70's (77?) when New York City had that big black out for a week or so. No TV the whole time!

 

[disneysteve]

A rolling blackout occurs when a power company turns off electricity to selected areas to reduce demand.

Well, a blackout doesn't reduce demand, of course. It reduces usage. Those folks who have their power turned off still want it, they just can't get it.

 

[Luv'sTink]

Thanks for the replies! I hadn't heard the term Brown out before this year so I was curious.

Thanks again!

 

[GeorgeG]

doxdogy nailed it, but there are a couple other causes for "brownouts" that aren't necessarily related to cutbacks:

Customers who are served by "Delta" primary can have what appears as a brownout when one of the two phases feeding their transformer is out.

Three-phase (commercial) customers will be similarly affected when one or two phases are out.

The phase, or leg, can be out due to a variety of causes from overload, to a squirrel, a tree, or anything else.

Another term for these is "partial power," similar to when you lose one leg of your house service, but on a larger scale.

In many states it's not the utility company that decides to cut back, but rather a state regulating authority directing them to do so. Most states have a voltage tolerance of plus/minus 5% or thereabouts. If you can see the change, it's probably best to turn off sensitive equipment that you don't have battery back-up for. You should be able to see the change in brightness of incandescant light bulbs.

 

[Disney Hot Mama]

Living in So. CA we had brown outs for over 7 days straight. They are dangerous as some things will work a minimum power. We were on vacation during this time and couldn't turn off the computer/AC etc. My modem died due to the on and off of the power. My air needed a serious servicing and the tech said we were lucky not to have burned the condensor out..... Lucky for us one of our computers shut itself down....

Thankfully the heat is gone for now ........................