Blackout and Brownout (Electricity Loss Part 1) (6-17-2020)

Blackout or brownout? 

This topic is all about blackout, brownout and their difference. 

1. Blackout

Blackout is the failure of electrical power supplies. Blackout or power cut is the loss of the electrical power network supply to an end user. It is said that this is a period when lights are off because of an electrical and power failure. Blackout is also known as power cut, power outage, power out, power blackout, power failure. Blackout's first known use was in 1913. 

2. Brownout

Brownout is an intentional or unintentional drop in voltage in an electrical power supply system. It is also said that this period when the amount of electricity in an area is reduced. Brownout is originated from blackout by combining the words brown + blackout. Brownout's first known use was in 1942. 

Now since we know their definition, we will know what is their difference. 

1. A brownout is a partial, temporary reduction in total system capacity, while a blackout is a complete interruption in power.

Blackouts usually occur without warning and last for an undetermined period of time. They also often occur as a result of something unexpected, such as a severe storm or an unusual occurrence such as a car plowing into a power pole or an animal deciding a transformer would make a lovely home.

2. Another difference between a brownout vs. blackout is that a brownout is used by an energy provider as an emergency strategy to prevent the system from a blackout. In a brownout, a utility might decrease overall system voltage by 10-25% for a short period of time to ease strain on the system, according to Energy Vortex. This kind of reduction often has little impact on heat and lighting but might affect electronic equipment that’s more sensitive to precise voltages.

3. A third type of power outage is the rolling blackout. This typically occurs with some advance warning, normally lasts for a fixed length of time, and is deliberately produced by utility companies as a means of coping with peak power demands that can’t be met from the existing electricity supply. Rolling blackouts usually affect only a certain service area, and an energy provider will often spread these temporary blackouts among different service areas to ensure that no customer suffers more than another. This is different from a planned outage, which is generally announced by a utility company when service work is going to take place in a particular area.

To be continued.... 

This is for today. Part 1 done and Part 2 will come out soon. I hope will see you guys.