If you ever encounter a downed power line, you must avoid it. A downed power line can be hazardous and poses the risk of electrocuting you. With what's known as step potential, when both your feet likely land in different voltage zones, you stand a real chance of getting yourself electrocuted.
A downed power line can also interrupt the power supply to your locality or home, causing inconvenience. Jackery Solar Generators are reliable solar-powered generators that can power up and recharge most of your home's appliances, so you don't have to let power outages affect you.
Key Takeaways
The points below give you a brief understanding of the content in this detailed guide:
- A downed power line is a high-voltage electrical line that has fallen to the ground or on top of a tree or a car due to high winds or other obstructions.
- Staying 30 feet away from a downed power line is always advisable if you spot one.
- Don't put yourself in danger. You must call 9-1-1 to ask for help.
- Never touch a downed electrical line. It's likely to be energized or live and can electrocute you.
- A Jackery Solar Generator can help power your appliances if a downed power line causes a power outage.
The Danger of Downed Power Line
A downed power line brings many dangers, some of which are listed below for you to know when to be careful.
- A downed power line doesn't mean it isn't energized. It may still be energized, or a de-energized line can become energized at any point.
- Walking anywhere within roughly 30 feet of a downed power line poses the risk of electrocution. Staying in contact with anything the downed power line may be in contact with, such as a fence or a puddle, can also be risky.
- Electricity can also travel through the ground or trees. You must maintain a safe distance from the downed power line and wait for the rescue services to arrive.
- You might assume that rubber gloves or shoes will keep you safe from electrocution, but this is not the case. You can still get electrocuted.
- If you see someone getting electrocuted by a downed power line, don't attempt to rescue them, as you risk falling victim to the same dangers as well. Make sure to call 9-1-1 immediately.
Downed Power Line Safety Guide
You could find yourself in various situations when a power line is down. You could find one on the street, have one fall on you while you're in your car, or even see smoke from the wires. This section takes you through what to do in each of these situations.
If You See a Downed Power Line
The first thing to know when you see a downed power line is to assume it is live or energized. Even if you don't see it sparking, there's a realistic chance that it's live and can thus electrocute you. Here are a few things you can do to keep yourself safe:
- Maintain 30 feet from the downed line and call 9-1-1 immediately.
- You must maintain a safe distance if a tree is on a downed wire. When wet, trees can conduct electricity, and trying to break the branches can result in electrocution.
- If you see a downed wire in a puddle of water, you must avoid all contact. Water is a strong conductor of electricity and can easily electrocute you if you touch or step into it.
- If you see someone being electrocuted, avoid reaching out to help them, even if it's using a stick, as it can still result in you getting electrocuted.
If You Have a Downed Power Line On your Car
If inside your car and a power line falls on it, you must follow some steps to keep yourself safe. Here are a few precautions you can take:
- If a downed power line falls on your car, stay inside and don't try to get out. Immediately call 9-1-1.
- Don't touch your car's exterior, which is typically made of metal. Metal is an excellent conductor of electricity. If someone approaches your car, roll down your windows and tell them to maintain a safe distance so that they are unharmed.
- If you think your vehicle is on fire and you know there's a downed power line nearby, open the door and jump out with both your feet. Do not touch the car's exterior. Next, move away from the vehicle quickly and keep your feet on the ground.
- If you see a car that has hit a utility pole, you must stay away from it as it may have a live wire touching it, and you could get electrocuted.
If There's Visible Smoke or an Object in the Wire
When a power line is down, you might see smoke coming out of it or some object caught in the wire. Here is what you must do:
- Avoid going near the object or touching it, as you might get electrocuted.
- Try not to use any object to remove something that may be in contact with a downed power line.
- If you see smoke coming out when power lines are down, immediately call 9-1-1 and keep a safe distance from it.
Additional Tips When Faced with a Downed Power Line
Aside from all the tips mentioned above, you must remember a few others to ensure your safety. These include:
- Don't drive over a downed power line, as it might have current flowing through it.
- If you come across a downed wire and report it to 9-1-1, don't go too close to it. As mentioned earlier, you must stay 30 feet from the wires.
Emergency Contacts and Resources for Downed Power Lines
If you come across a downed power line, you must contact your state or city's utility services or its respective emergency contact number. Downed wires can be energized and risky to you or anyone around you.
The table below lists the websites of the emergency departments of some states that you can contact during an emergency. However, you can always contact 9-1-1.
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States |
Contacts and Resources |
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Maryland |
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New York |
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New Jersey |
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Los Angeles |
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Pennsylvania |
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West Virginia |
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Ohio |
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Florida |
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Hawai’i |
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Texas |
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Colorado |
Colorado Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Management |
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Massachusetts |
Can a Downed Power Line Cause a Power Outage?
One of the most common reasons for a power outage in your area is a problem or failure with the distribution. This could happen because trees fall on power lines due to a storm or a hurricane, an animal like a squirrel that might have gone into the substation, or any other reason.
So, in answer to the question, a downed power line can cause a power outage in your area.
How to Prevent a Power Outage
While you can't prevent a power outage in the electrical grid itself, there are several things you can do to prevent it from affecting your life. The best thing to do is to opt for a reliable backup power supply option. Here are a few options you can choose:
Portable Generator
A portable generator runs on gas, so you can power up all your appliances. They're smaller than traditional backup generators and have power outlets to plug in your appliances. Because they're smaller, you can also move them around when you need to use them elsewhere.
UPS System
A UPS or Uninterrupted Power Supply system is one of the most reliable solutions to supplement your home's power supply in the event of a power outage. They automatically turn on during an outage. They also don't need to be manually turned on like a generator. However, they can be expensive and cannot be moved around.
Solar Generators
Solar generators are a blend of solar panels and portable power stations. They convert solar energy into DC current and then to AC current, which you can use to run your appliances and devices. You can consider Jackery Solar Generators as they are a reliable option.
The portable power station is easy to carry around, and the solar panels can be folded to move them easily, so you can use them at home, in an RV, or take them on a camping trip.
Jackery Solar Generators for Power Outages
Jackery is a renowned brand that makes solar panels, generators, and portable power stations. The Jackery Solar Generators combine Jackery Portable Power Stations and Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels.
When the solar panels are placed under direct sunlight, they absorb the sun's rays and convert the solar energy into DC current. The DC current is then passed through the pure sine wave inverter in the portable power station to convert it into AC current, allowing you to connect your appliances.
In the event of a power outage caused by downed power lines, the solar generator can offer a reliable alternative to recharge essentials like your smartphone, laptop, or even other appliances like an electric kettle, an oven, and so on.
Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro
The Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro is a high-capacity solar generator that can power most of your household's appliances if you face a power outage. The portable power station has wheels that allow you to move it from one place to another. The solar panels, however, can be folded, so you can easily carry them wherever you go. You can use this setup to power up most of your appliances regardless of whether you’re at home, in an RV, or planning on going off the grid for a while.
Appliances Running Time:
- Light (20W) = 128.5H
- Laptop (70W) = 36.7H
- Smartphone (29W) = 88.6H
- Microwave (960W) = 2.6H
- Heater (1800W) = 1.4H
Customer Review:
"I recently got an in-home consultation for a built-in generator estimate. While I wanted to prepare for hurricane season, I was not ready to pay $15K for a generator and installation. The Jackery 3000 Pro with solar panels meets our needs and is much more economical, easy to use, and convenient to store." - Mark.
Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus
Sometimes, you need a solar generator with expandable capacity to suit your growing long-term needs. The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus is one such model you can expand based on your needs over time. It features a portable power station that's easy to carry around and solar panels that you can fold to carry in your bug-out vehicle, RV, or even if you’re overlanding.
This solar generator can power most of your appliances and recharge your gadgets, such as your laptop, smartphone, and so on. Thus, you can always remain connected with rescue services and follow important broadcasts during a power outage or any such emergency.
Appliances Running Time:
- Light (20W) = 86.8H
- Laptop (70W) = 24.8H
- Smartphone (29W) = 59.8H
- Microwave (960W) = 1.8H
- Heater (1800W) = 57 minutes
Customer Review:
"Best investment for our business; we do craft shows. We use the Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus with 2 Solar Saga 200w panels to power our XTool F1 portable laser air purifier laptop and lights on our canopy, and if the power goes out, I can power my CPAP machine and don't need to pay the vendor for electricity." - Kevin.
Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (4kWh)
Like the previous model, the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (4kWh) is an efficient solar generator that can be used as a backup power supply solution in your home and when you're going off the grid, even if it's for extended durations. It can also be helpful when dealing with a power outage due to a downed power line or other natural calamity.
Appliances Running Time:
- Light (20W) = 173.6H
- Laptop (70W) = 49.6H
- Smartphone (29W) = 119.7H
- Microwave (960W) = 3.6H
- Heater (1800W) = 1.9H
Customer Review:
"This is absolutely a great addition to the 2000 Plus. I mainly have this for power outages, but I will use it on the occasional camping trip. I will probably buy an additional pack to make my supply 6k." - Mark.
Can Downed Power Lines Cause Fires?
Downed power lines can often cause a fire. Although power lines have protective equipment like fuses and circuit breakers, sometimes, when a single energized line falls on the ground, it can remain energized for a long time and raise temperatures, leading to a fire.
Sometimes, fires are also caused by hot and dry winds. According to research funded by the US Geological Survey, the Santa Ana winds in Southern California can result in downed power lines and can cause wildfires.
When downed power lines can lead to fires, you can take some precautions to prevent them and keep yourself safe. Some of these include:
- Public utility commissions have allowed utilities worldwide to shut off power lines if they are downed so that no public harm is caused.
- Ensure that smoke detectors function in places like your home and workplace. During a fire, they can immediately warn you of smoke so you can evacuate safely. You should ideally replace the batteries in your smoke detectors twice a year.
- Never use water to douse an electrical fire. Always use fire extinguishers designed for this purpose to ensure you don't electrocute yourself.
- You must avoid using power tools outdoors in the rain or on wet ground.
- If there is an electrical fire, you should call the Fire Department by dialing 9-1-1
What to Do if I See a Tree that Could Damage a Power Line?
If you see a tree damaging a power line, call your utility company immediately. They can safely remove the branches to prevent a power outage in your neighborhood.
However, homeowners are responsible for ensuring that the trees growing on their property don't affect or damage the power lines, as this can lead to a blackout.
If you plant trees, you must do so responsibly so you don't affect the power lines in your area or locality. The distance from power lines at which you plant trees usually depends on how tall they grow when they're mature.
Some of these tips include:
- If you want to plant trees over 60 feet tall, you can do so on your property's lawn. Ideally, you should place these about 35 feet away from your house to ensure the root's development. You must also ensure that it doesn't affect any power lines.
- The power line zone on your property ends 20 feet away from the overhead power lines. You must ideally not plant any trees in this zone.
- Avoid planting trees or shrubs near electrical transformers. Ideally, you must allow at least 10 feet of access in front of the transformer and about 5 feet around its sides and back.
Downed Power Line FAQs
What size of solar generator do I need for an emergency?
The size of the solar generator you need in an emergency will depend on how many appliances you need to run. For example, if you're looking for a power backup for longer durations, you can consider the Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro. If you're using this to charge your large TV (60W) and lights (10W), you can calculate the working hours as follows:
Working Hours = Battery Capacity in Wh × 0.85 ÷ Operating Wattage of the Appliance = 3024Wh × 0.85 ÷ 70W = 36.7H
Note: The 0.85 is the power conversion factor multiplied by the battery capacity to account for power loss when charging the appliances.
How do you deal with a downed power line?
Whenever you see a downed power line, you must assume it is life and stay at least 30 feet away. Make sure to call 9-1-1 to handle the situation with the right expertise.
Who to call for a downed power line near me?
You must never assume that a downed power line is not energized. Call 9-1-1 immediately or your local utility provider.
What is a downed power line?
A downed power line is an electrical line with high voltage that has somehow fallen on the ground, a tree, a vehicle, or a fence. Since they carry electricity to homes and across neighborhoods, they are typically energized and dangerous.
What happens if you hit a downed power line?
A downed power line sends an electrical current through the ground in a ripple-like effect. Hitting this can lead to the object providing a conduit for the electrical current to electrocute you.
Wrap up
A downed power line can be hazardous, so you must stay at least 30 feet away and immediately call 9-1-1. While it is dangerous, it can also sometimes result in a power outage. Depending on how long it takes to repair the downed power line, you could be left without a power supply for anywhere between a few hours and a few days, depending on the gravity of the situation.
The Jackery Solar Generators can help you in these situations by providing a reliable backup power supply. It offers a reliable and renewable way to power up your appliances and recharge your devices, such as your smartphone or laptop, if your area has a power outage when power lines are down.
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