This past week millions of Americans had to contend with frigid temperatures, which in some areas caused power outages. It’s easy to understand power outages occurring during a severe rain or snowstorm, tornadoes or other severe weather event. However, we can’t understand why power outages occur only when temperatures are frigid.

It is not a mystery why such things happen. One reason is that the component parts that make up the grid fail. These components are old and electromechanical. They have a lot of moving parts. When new, they are designed and rated to operate properly. However, they become vulnerable to failure as they age.

When temperatures are severe components that make up the grid run slower, faster, or less predictably than they did when they were new. Circuit breakers or switch openings don’t work fast enough resulting in outages.

A major cause of outages during storms is tree branches falling on power lines. Branches don’t fall when only temperatures are extreme, but tree roots offer a pathway for ice to build up around underground power lines. The lines are already stiffer because of the temperature and this makes them more vulnerable to failure, which results in outages.

Consumer demand is also a contributing factor. Heating systems and electric space heaters are operating concurrently putting more stress on the system. If temperature extremes are worse than predicted or occur faster then expected, utility companies don’t have the time to prepare for the stress or can’t bring sufficient generation online to support the demand. The result is local or widespread overloads, which results in power outages or rolling blackouts.

Animals also contribute to the problem. They seek out warm places, which include power lines and equipment.

So people who live in sections of the country where extreme temperatures are common occurrences it’s best to be prepared. Consider purchasing a standby generator. APElectric offers a wide range of generators made by some of the most popular manufacturers in the country. For more visit the company’s website.