Power Outage?

I had just had a brownout style (Not a full off power event) I was just relaxing using my computer and all of a sudden I was greeted by a beeping UPS and my desk lamp was still on but very dimly (A standard 100W Incandescent lamp, and yes the lamp is rated for a 100W MAX type a lamp)

So I shut down the PC and went to bed (Which I should of hours ago) anyway what is the reason for a brownout style power event?

Before I went to bed I measured the voltage (With my digital multi meter) and I was getting about 65VAC the UPS said around the same. anyway at about 5:00AM the power went fully out and 10 Minutes later was back to the normal 120VAC

Anyway this is the first time I have seen this happen and I was wondering what was the cause or reason for this?

The brownout part lasted about 2 hours and it was only fully off for 10 Minutes

Thanks

 

I would be very concerned about my refrigerator and or any other motor driven appliance. Good chance of damage may have occurred. 2 hours of brownout is not a good thing. I've had momentary brownouts. I unplug all appliances if a brownout occurs or use high end surge suppressors that can handle low voltage. I don't know what would cause a brownout of that duration vs a total blackout. Was the whole neighborhood affected or just your house. If just your house, better have an electrician look it over.

 

It was the whole area
Also before I went to bed I turned off all fans, AC and I turned off the breaker for the refrigerator (The outlet is behind the fridge and very hard to reach) and kitchen breaker also

 

Good move! If any damage occurred insurance might pay for it.

 

I'm sure homeowner's insurance would pay AFTER the deductible which could be quite high. If there is any damage, I'd file a claim with the power company.

 

I have renters insurance because I don't own I rent

nothing of mine got damaged but a friend lost a cable modem (It will not power on at all now)

Anyway what causes or was the purpose of a Brown-out style outage? The power company website (United Illuminating) there was an power problem so I think they should of just turned it off all of the way instead of half power (Unless damage claims mean nothing to them)

 

Power distribution is a tricky devil. The power companies try to repair problems with the least amount of customer disruption. They can't always spot brownout problems immediately.

Many times a single phase in the three phase distribution is out and gets backfed from one of the two still live phases. They don't always know where this problem is occurring. They know there is a phase out... but that's it.

 

OK makes sense Thanks
This message is not to short now