Just had a 3hr power cut... and

[Raffles]

...did I feel pathetic. Luckily it was daylight, but I still felt very vulnerable, went searching for the tealight candles that I got in ages ago, checked where the torch was etc. No telly, no internet, no central heating, no landline phone. Mobile phone battery low, e-cig batteries low, what if I couldn't charge them?

It was only a few weeks ago the water was shut off for some considerable time, but at least had warning about that... still very inconvenient for all the 'basic' functions which I won't go into!

Makes you think it wouldn't take much to turn us back to the 'dark ages'... how did they cope?

I promise not to complain about modern life again... well not as much anyway!

[sleepyduck]

My first thought when I saw the headline: I hope he isn't going to tell us that he hadn't charged his batteries!

[Karma]

Did they get the fault fixed Raffles?

A couple of years ago we were having 3 hour power cuts every 2nd day for a month They knew the fault was somewhere between my house and the sub station, but until it properly 'blew' couldn't permanently fix it!

It does make you appreciate all our comforts that we take for granted

[Darkginger]

MY first thought when I saw the headline was 'does he live in Ireland?'. Out here in the wild West we get quite a few power cuts - mostly in the winter when the wind is howling round the house. The year before we moved here (1999) there was a 3 day power cut which started on Christmas Day - am really glad I missed that one, since we don't have access to mainline gas either, so our cooker is electric. It's funny how quiet everything feels when the power's off - that background hum of the computers is more noticeable when it's gone. I've boiled water in an old saucepan over an open fire before now, and made toast the same way. It really does give you the feel of how people used to live - electricity only arrived here in 1954, so it's not a very long time ago. The husband and I sit here and talk or play card games when the power goes off - it's not easy to read by candlelight, though a fully charged Kindle always helps!

We get water cuts too - again, usually in December - those are harder to deal with 'cos of the loo, but there's a natural spring just up the road we can use if things get desperate! (To fill the cistern, I mean, not to 'use'! )

[Neil from Valley Vapes]

Makes you realise how dependant we are on other people doesnt it. We moved out of town around 12 years ago and had no end of power cuts so now there is a torch in most rooms two logburners and a 4kva generator in the garage that backfeeds into the house (I am a sparky lol) and the cooker is gas but we also have a camping stove andgas bottle in the garage. It was great last time the power was off all day the neighbours had no power and we were sat here eating steak dinner and watching tv with all the lights on lol.

[Raffles]

Apr 21, 2013 19:23:19 GMT Karma said:

Did they get the fault fixed Raffles?

Yes thanks Karma, haven't a clue what it was, as there was no prior notice. I think a little forward planning is called for!

[Deleted]

reminds me of the new series "revolution" where they have cut the power to EVERYTHING
no cars no phone no light no torch no battery
back to the dark ages and anarchy and mob rules
worth the watch if you like sci fi

[whistler]

Well i  was worried about clicking on this link. Mainly because i work for a DNO (distribution network operator). We are the people you need to speak to when the power goes off. I was expecting a rant and rave, but nice to see how understanding you all are. The only advice i can give, is call your distributor as soon as you can after the power goes off. The number can be found as the emergency contact at the top of your bill. Granted you may be asked to reset trip switches and check your meter, but this way we know about it as soon as possible and can get onto it as soon as possible.

Now i am hoping none of you live in my area, no offence but dont wanna be giving people i like bad news.

[whistler]

Apr 21, 2013 19:35:10 GMT Raffles said:

Apr 21, 2013 19:23:19 GMT Karma said:

Did they get the fault fixed Raffles?

Yes thanks Karma, haven't a clue what it was, as there was no prior notice. I think a little forward planning is called for!

Ah if only we could know when a fault would come up. Most of the time power cuts are a fuse blowing in the substation for one of two reasons. 1: The fuse reaching the end of its shelf life, think of these like fuses in your plugs, do you know when they will give up?

2: a cable fault blowing the fuse. As most of them are underground, you cant easily dig up the road all the time, check the cable, and resurface again, just to check it is ok. What we need is a nice little machine a guy can walk along with which reads the cable and warns us. If only!!!

[Raffles]

Apr 21, 2013 19:50:01 GMT whistler said:

Well i  was worried about clicking on this link. Mainly because i work for a DNO (distribution network operator). We are the people you need to speak to when the power goes off. I was expecting a rant and rave, but nice to see how understanding you all are. The only advice i can give, is call your distributor as soon as you can after the power goes off. The number can be found as the emergency contact at the top of your bill. Granted you may be asked to reset trip switches and check your meter, but this way we know about it as soon as possible and can get onto it as soon as possible.

Now i am hoping none of you live in my area, no offence but dont wanna be giving people i like bad news.

Thanks for that whistler, no rant, these things happen. Just makes you realise how dependent we all are on services out of our control, and how quickly we could descend into chaos.

[Raffles]

Apr 21, 2013 19:53:20 GMT whistler said:

Apr 21, 2013 19:35:10 GMT Raffles said:

Yes thanks Karma, haven't a clue what it was, as there was no prior notice. I think a little forward planning is called for!

Ah if only we could know when a fault would come up. Most of the time power cuts are a fuse blowing in the substation for one of two reasons. 1: The fuse reaching the end of its shelf life, think of these like fuses in your plugs, do you know when they will give up?

2: a cable fault blowing the fuse. As most of them are underground, you cant easily dig up the road all the time, check the cable, and resurface again, just to check it is ok. What we need is a nice little machine a guy can walk along with which reads the cable and warns us. If only!!!

Sorry whistler, I meant more forward planning on MY part

[whistler]

Ah raffles, fair enough. You can see what i have to deal with on a daily basis, questions like "why didnt you tell me it was going to go off?", "dont you do maintanence?" etc etc

Glad to hear it wasnt a major problem for you and chances are it was a tired old fuse. I will keep my fingers crossed for you

[Perpetua]

Not having an internet connection ( which happens regularly ) does my head in Raffles, I feel cut off from civilization.

So having nothing is a horrible thought! Makes us realize how much we all depend on modern day comforts.

[Raffles]

Apr 21, 2013 20:01:42 GMT whistler said:

Ah raffles, fair enough. You can see what i have to deal with on a daily basis, questions like "why didnt you tell me it was going to go off?", "dont you do maintanence?" etc etc

Glad to hear it wasnt a major problem for you and chances are it was a tired old fuse. I will keep my fingers crossed for you

Whistler, I wouldn't have your job, or any other person that is on the end of the phone when some cretin comes on thinking it's your personal responsibilty for whatever has happened to them. I'm just glad you're not in India and called John... are you listening BT? Thanks for what you do.

[Deleted]

Tsch no worries here , down to the pub free wifi and chippy just round the corner , no whinging here