Do you know what a brownout really is? Find out the facts, and what you can do, here.
What Is a Brownout?: What You Should Know
A brownout is different than a blackout. While a blackout causes total power loss for an extended period of time, a brownout is a bit different. In order to better protect your home, it’s important for you to know why these happen and what you can do to make it through with as little damage as possible.
Blackouts typically occur as a result of a weather-related or mechanical power failure. They result in total power loss until power is restored. A brownout, while sometimes caused by severe weather, is generally related to high electricity demands during peak times, and the resulting drop in voltage experienced across the electrical grid. In order to handle the surge in power, electric operators will reduce the power output so that they prevent serious damage or a full blackout.
As a result, homes still have power during a brownout. They will simply be operating on a lot less power than what they normally have. Some bulbs might not work, outlets could be finicky, and you may or may not be able to get power to certain appliances and electronics, depending on how much the power was cut.
What to Look For
Typically, a brownout is exactly how it sounds. You’ll notice first, usually, that your lights go dim or start to flicker, creating a brownish, dim glow. You may also see your appliances and electronics switching on and off, or notice that your Internet keeps getting interrupted because it can’t maintain a solid power connection. Usually, the electric provider has done this intentionally and you won’t need to notify them. However, if it lasts for more than a few hours, you should probably give them a call to make sure that there isn’t a bigger problem.
Protect Your Devices and Your Home
The constant surges and drops in power that come from a brownout can cause a lot of damage to computers and other electronics if they are plugged in during the incident. The best thing that you can do is to unplug as many items as you can and turn off all lights and other power-drawing items that you don’t absolutely need. If you have a home alarm system or electronic locks, you’ll need to have a backup option in place to keep your home secure.
You should also install surge protectors on every outlet to protect all of your devices. If possible, install a whole-home surge protection system at the circuit box so that your entire home is protected at its core.
Get Help with Brownout Security
Brownouts mean that electronic access systems and alarm monitoring systems aren’t functioning like they should. This means that those with gated systems, including residential and commercial buildings, need a little helping hand. For power-related professional security protection, the team at Access Control Security can help. Contact us today to discuss your needs and learn about power outage security solutions.
