Why do outages occur?
When the power goes out, it’s normal to wonder what happened. It is often due to a power outage or a planned service interruption.
Maintenance work must be performed to keep the power system in good condition and ensure its reliability. To do the work safely, we sometimes have to cut the power supply. This is called a planned service interruption. Rest assured that these interruptions are always included on the map of scheduled interruptions and we inform the affected customers in advance. That’s why it’s important to check that your telephone number and email address in your Customer Space are up to date.
When you lose your power unexpectedly, it’s an outage! Freezing rain, strong winds or even an overly curious animal—these are examples or what can cause branches to break, fall on a power line and cause an outage. Each year, we cut branches that are too close to power lines to protect the power system and limit the number of outages.
With over 100,000 km of overhead power lines, we need your help. When you plant a tree, make sure you choose the right type and plant it in the right spot. Consult our Choose the Right Tree or Shrub tool.
Vidéo : Understanding what causes power outages
Duration : 1 minute 32 seconds
Transcription de la vidéo Understanding what causes power outages
Understanding the steps involved in restoring service.
Losing power is never fun, but rest assured that when outages occur, Hydro-Québec crews do their utmost to restore service as quickly as possible. Learn about the various steps involved and the reasons behind the variable delay between the reporting of a power outage and service restoration. Every outage—big or small—is unique.
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Step 1 – We restore service remotely whenever possible
If an incident trips a system breaker—a device that functions a bit like the circuit breakers in your home—we first try to restore power supply on the lines using remote operations. -
Step 2 – We go on site to determine the cause
If the problem persists, a line worker goes on site to inspect the system and determine the cause of the outage. This step can be time-consuming, especially if the weather is bad or if the premises are difficult to access. -
Step 3 – Evaluation and solution
Once the cause of the problem has been identified, we assess the extent of the damage on site and determine what work needs to be done to repair the damage and restore service. -
Step 4 – Crew scheduling
We then assign the teams required to do the job. Whether it involves cutting branches or replacing damaged equipment, our crews always do their utmost to restore service as soon as possible. -
If a major weather event occurs
In the event of extreme weather conditions that cause several outages, estimated restoration times vary as the extent of the damage—and the work required to repair it—is determined.
For more information about power outages
Your best ally in the event of an outage.
Use our mobile app to report an outage and stay abreast of the situation. Sign up for alerts to receive a message if the anticipated service restoration time changes and/or once service is restored.
