Being a Lineman - Episode 11
VloĆŸit
- Äas pĆidĂĄn 23. 06. 2020
- Hey Guys and Girls! I hope you're all doing well! đ»
Its been crazy hot all week here!! If you haven't noticed in my videos, I pretty much live in the forest! Its crazy how fast the trees grow, not to mention the ones intentionally planted near the lines đ
You'll see the first pole we worked on is an absolute mess. Its not something you should ever have to deal with, but then there's the real world. Second pole wasn't nearly as bad. One last thing .. the ladder on the pole- I know I know lmao but trust me... a ladder can be your best friend on back lot poles when there's shrubs and fences on every corner!
Keep in mind my videos are to be used as guidelines only!
Always adhere to your own companies policies and procedures.
Work safe guys!
Cheers!
audio courtesy of:
Corncob Country by Kevin Macleod
CZcams audio
#bobsdecline #beingalineman #lineman
Hey! Hope everybody is doing well!âïž
Two things guys & girls; one of the poles your going to see in this video is an absolute mess of wires, unfortunately you will likely come across this from time to time throughout your career. Secondly, Yes, I used a ladder to get over that cable guard đŹđ go easy on me đđ€Ł
Don't forget to hit me with a đ and where your watching from! đ»
Well I seen the down hydro line once high voltage high tension Lin 900000 volt land in red Hill Creek hamton ont call 911 cat people far away in it pickup truck the Ontario hydro company City hydro company
great big bucket truck they fix the high voltage hydro line electrocuted all the fish in the creek you know how do I get back to thank for keeping people away it
If I lived in that area I would have you come hook up my soves
When the power goes out do smart meters tell you where the power is out at?
Non-professional (west coast, US) question for you: in the event of a major earthquake where the utilities and emergency services were overwhelmed and you were faced with a situation where u could not stay put and had to negotiate a downer and potentially energized power line, what would you do? Could you possibly use a 8 ft (2.4m) PVC pipe to nudge it out of the way?
This is very speculative and unlikely, I realize. It is more of an academic question.
Might be worth a video itself.
Thanks!
I'm an engineer for a large utility in the US. I've really been benefiting from watching your content, getting to see the actual boots on the ground (or boots in the bucket) work. I try not to get stuck behind my computer and forget that what I propose actually gets built. I appreciate the time you take to make these and just thought I'd let you know that linemen aren't the only people you're teaching. Keep up the good work and stay safe!
I still say you're a wizard with that extendo stick đ
I can't believe you only have 7,000 subscribers. Keep up the great work and your channel is going to explode.
8,200 subscribers now now
Doug Mapper 14K a week later!
26,7k 2 months later
30k now!
You got me hooked dude I love electrical stuff saw a video and canât stop watching love your videos and be safe!!
Thanks man! Always .đđ Thanks for taking the time to write some feedback! đ»đ»
Bobsdecline - Lineman blogger no problem!!! Where I live our power company sucked for a while but they have improved a lot it use to be that our power would cut out randomly. A nice day no wind? Power would go out and back. It lasted for years it fried our Xbox one! But they found what was wrong and fixed it finally we have not had a random power outage since. Edit đđđđđđđđđđ
OMG could that pole be any more of a mess, my shoulders were burning just watching all that stick work . Great video stay hydrated , thanks for sharing
Huge mess! đ I'm going to have a crew come in a clean things up here on a scheduled outage
Been watching a bunch of your videos today. Iâm coming up through progression now with my company. I wish we had more foremen like you that are patient and actually take time to explain the job and help us understand and do the job better
Thanks for taking the time to leave some feedback Adam! đđ
That was a birds nest of cable. Shameful. Glad to see your locator was being proactive and recognized a potential hazard. Most of our utilities use contract locators and they wouldn't recognize that. As a former cable guy, I can appreciate the hazard that comes if your primary had touched the low voltage lines. We've had installers killed because of that. I enjoy your videos, I would like to see you do one on your truck. I think it would be kind of cool to see what equipment you have on your truck and your truck in general. I know the PUD trucks are much larger than the bucket trucks I used to work on in the cable industry.
You have been selected by CZcams's algorithm. Straight +1k subs/day for the last 3 i think, good work!
*Blessed, not selected haha
Yay! I've been waiting for another one of these awesome being a lineman videos!
đđ
Just found your channel but loving the videos. I work in the control center/trouble desk for a larger utility in the states. Been sharing these with some co-workers and friends. Great info, I wish more customers understood what we have to do to get the lights back on....
Awesome video. Future apprentice from California starting school in Augustđ love watching youâre videos they help get me pumped up for school.
It's a great trade! Your going to learn a ton! đđ
Finally gotcha in hooks haha! LOVE the videos man, get so pumped when i get a new video notification!
Haha! It's too bad the other one didn't turn out đ Cheers man!đ»
Love how you educate and make the videos interesting. Thanks!
Thanks David đđ
Love your channel! Keepâem comin!
Im happy you upload these types of videos thank you
Thanks for making these videos!
Been watching your videos for a few weeks now, you do it fantastic job of filming and your work also. This is from Southwest Missouri and USA
Thanks Bill! đ€
I love line work!
Great video, you guys have great procedures very safe love it!
As an Australian (living in the coldest of our states) it amazes me the temperature ranges you guys have there where you are. Snow, blizzards and ice rain and then mid 30â°C's temperatures for the warmer months. That is such a huge range. Thanks for the vids. Binge watching them đ
I live in the middle-central United States. I peg the average-year temperature range where I am at as -18-38°C. -30 isn't unheard of (but certainly isn't common) and I can testify that -40 windchills are people other than me. It can also hit 40° here, but that isn't that common either. There are definitely four seasons here.
The highest temperature ever recorded in Moncton, New Brunswick was 36.7 °C which occurred on August 12, 1944.
The lowest temperature ever recorded in Moncton, New Brunswick was -37.8 °C which occurred on February 5, 1948.
This is close enough to Aaron to be relevant. We have come so close to beating those highs lately, it isn't funny.
These are interesting videos. More please, when you have time. Thank you, Erin.
Great job troubleman! Stay safe and keep the videos rolling Sir! Blessings from Puerto Rico đ”đ·.
Thank you for taking the time to post these videos..Im a.diesel mechanic and am 52 yrs old and am way to old to start a new career ..Your videos help me get my lineman wanna be on...
Yikes and I thought our easement poles in the back yards were a mess.
Did you grab the screwdriver ? đ€Łđ€Ł
Haha I was wondering when someone would ask! đ€Ł I left it there for the next guy đ€«
You left the screwdriver in there? Some of my best tools have come from people leaving them inside signs that I fix for a living.
Once in a while they're my own tools.
"someone left this screwdriver in the pole" haha wow that pole had a bit of everything in it
great info on the gaffs and hooks! i'm looking to start using them on low voltage projects with poles (no power)
New subscriber out in Holly NY, great work on your videos! They're fascinating and you do an amazing job explaining things. Keep up the great work!
Thanks Jarrod!! đ
đđ» checking in from Michigan, stay safe brother!
Watching from RI! Amateur who has read a lot and knows a few people working for the local utility (National Grid for about 10 years, previously Narragansett Electric Co.) Love your videos!!! I don't know if you would find it interesting to know how we are doing things a little "old school" here in RI, but I figured you wouldn't mind me commenting!
We have a mix of voltage ranges on the primaries here. Much is still original from as far back as the 1920's at 4kV, with very slow upgrades to 12.5kV standard. All main lines since the 60's in my area have been insulated with 12.5kV insulators, but the side-lines had the smaller 4kV ones. My street was converted over about 5 years ago and I got a couple of the 4kV insulators and the shackle insulator at the end of the line. Also, most single-phase transformers in the area have been replaced/upgraded and are marked "25-70" . NG plans on upgrading almost all of the distribution to 12.5kV and has purchased all new transformers with two primary taps! I asked a NG lineman recently how the heck they can afford the extra materials and he said "because they have more money than God!" What I can't figure out is how the heck NG will be able to cut things over to the higher voltage by rewiring each transformer to the higher voltage tap without an extended outage across my whole area? Thoughts?
We also have an obsolete "sub-transmission" class of of 22.5kV lines that feed smaller neighborhood substations (usually made up of a single 22.5-4kV 150kVA transformer) where they are stepped down to 4kV. Some of these circuits are so old that they are literally the first "high-voltage transmission lines" in the state from 1910 (found a newspaper article about the installation of the "astounding voltage of 22,500!" lines to towns 15 and 35 miles from the power plant; a big deal then I take it!!) The lines have been upgraded, with better insulation and heavier gauge wire (originally, still in some places 1/0 copper with two wires per phase (six wires on two crossarms, now 4/0 aluminium with 1 wire per phase) but are a big problem because they are at capacity in a built up area a good distance from the 115kV transmission lines. The plan that NG has to solve this is to eventually scrap or downgrade the 22.5kV lines in favor of 12.5kV from two larger substations in my area (East Bay of Rhode Island) but it will take many years. In the southern, more rural part of the state, NG is experimenting with using 22.5kV as a primary voltage on existing "sub-transmission" lines to better regulate voltage. It just adds to the mix of what's out there!
Hey bro just found this channel .... Been binge watching it tonight .... Love the vids ... Very interesting stuff... Big ups from Hogansville Georgia đ€đđŻ
Awesome!đŻ Thanks Brian đđ
đ greetings from Germany đ
Man, I don't know how you guys succeed with that wobbly stick. Not only are you using a piece of spaghetti, but you've also got to have telescope eyes.
Amazing how small those high voltage lines are.
Love these videos I want to become a lineman my self and I'm hopeful will be going to a career training center while I'm in high school after this summer
Dude I totally love your videos, not a lineman or anything yet but do alot of electrical work in houses. I'm very interested in becoming a lineman!! Keep the videos coming for the education! Also love how safe you are too!
Thanks Andrew! It's an awesome Career path if it's something you decide to pursue đđ
Those extendos can be life savers.
I have a question for you; I've wondered about this for years! When an area has power restored, how is current controlled? As an example, assume power has been out for an hour to 10K customers. When power is restored, hypothetically, that is 10K refrigerators looking to be fed at the same time. Seems like a tremendous surge on the system. Just curious how this would work.
That's a great question, First time I've been asked actually!
We do what is called sectionalizing ... Basically we go down the line and open multiple swicthes.That way when the main switch or breaker is closed back in it only picks up a fraction of the customers. After 15 min - 30 min, when then close the next switch and pick up another bunch and continue this process until everyone is back on.
The process varies depending on initial outage duration, and anticipated load according to things like outdoor temperature due to A/C and heating loads.
âïžđ
@@Bobsdecline Thanks!
@@Bobsdecline ... which is why it sometimes seems an eternity for power to be restored after a major outage. Folks don't realize that the whole network can't be just switched back on as soon as the repair is completed.
I think you mentioned sectionalizing before. Do you have the ability to remotely control turning the power back on to these sections or do you have to chill in your truck for hours turning them back on?
@@kzorro it really depends on the system. The utility I work for has a number of remotely controlled devices we can use to sectionalize an outage. These same devices also have what is called "cold load pickup" which is a setting that allows for over current when power is restored. We have some limiters we use depending on weather though that if that's exceeded when manually step restore. So yeah you would sectionalize and restore a small area, chill and watch the load settle then pick up the next section. I'm of course speaking of my system here in the states.
Nice job man my company just bringing in jelco fall protection stay kool and stay safe bro
Hi Erin- So I am really hooked on your videos. You do a great job! When I was younger I wanted to be a lineman but never went in that direction. I still love learning how everything works. I am wondering how you came up with the name Bobsdecline? Also, In this video you mentioned cutting out some transformers from the underground cable. I would like to learn how you cut those out. I am also fascinated with all the power in those higher tension lines that go to the power company. Any way you could show us what the generators look like and how they can produce so much electricity as to run so many towns and businesses. I have a 3500 watt generator and it's big enough. I can't imagine what it would take to power a big city. Another cool video would be if you could talk about the High voltage DC lines they have on the west coast.
Amazed to see the trees tangled up in the wires. In Australia thatâs to much of a bushfire hazard. Would be cut back 5-10 meters at least
Same here in the US and I assume Canada as well. But there are just way too many trees. and they keep growing, so it's never ending.
Realy love your videos since discovering your channel a week ago, i am in 50 hertz land (UK).
Thanks man! I'm gonna remember that as the 50 Hertz land from now on hah Cheers!! đđ
love the love action brother!đđ
Thanks Mitch! đđ
Absolutely, Hydrate! I used to work in Southern California with temps up to 115F 46C. Stay safe!
Now that's hot! đïžđ»
Most definitely stay hydrated,i retired from a REA coop dixie electric membership corporation baton rouge louisiana 32 yrs service here in the deep southern United States its hot as hell plus the high humidity its tough
Being an auto mechanic and living in a primarily DC world, I find these videos fascinating. It's a whole 'nother world, these high voltage AC power lines. Proper training and equipment is obviously essential, but this type of work clearly isn't for everyone. Nerves of steel would seem to be a job requirement. One miscalculation and you're basically fried, but I'm guessing you just have to put that out of your mind and focus on the task at hand while keeping your wits about you.
You should try 110 degree Floridian heat.
Good work man!
~Sparkie in NS.
Cheers neighbor!đ»
Been binge watching these! First time really seeing a lineman work and always been curious. Fantastic editing btw
Question: How often have you had your stick fall on you?
Just found this Channel. I'm a 21 year Veteran communications Technician (aka Cable Guy) Wanted a Career change. 10 years with no raises and training the higher paid new guys helped push me to that decision. To a communications technician (at least to myself and my Team) the power Technicians are the Big Brother. The Brother you're told to listen and do what he says. You wait till he is done, you move when he needs to get by. You FVD positive on something? You call your Big Brother (or Sister). Anyway you get the idea. So naturally that Big Brother, is something I always wanted to be. Just wanted to thank you for sharing the knowledge. Every little bit helps a whole lot.
That's a great way to be ! Always build up , keep learning and working hard! đđ
The neighbourhood I am in is all back yard service but the poles are concrete. All ladder access behind gates and fences and a real pain to get to..
hey bob whens the next episode its great to finally find someone interesting that does this kind of videos/work on youtube let alone in canada. Im from Newfoundland Deerlake
im watching from Spokane Washington
3 pots on that line? Bang that thang open. LOL
When I learned to climb it was hand over hand we didnât have any of that fancy fall arresting gear. Iâm sure thatâs how you learned Iâve heard you say youâve been a lineman for about 20 years.
Looks like a rat's nest. Probably a quick hack job.
What a cluster.
Hello. I subscribed the other day after a u-tube recommendation. I have watched every video in 2 days. I am from America but we moved to the Philippines, my wife's home country, to retire. You really need to Google map anywhere in Cebu City and look at the wires. You will see anywhere from 35 to 75 wires from poles to poles all over the place. It is crazy how anyone can find anything. I can't explain it. It is that bad. Take a look if you can. Love the videos, stay safe out there.
Looks like NBP has some of the same issues we have locally lol .Great Video Aaron
Thanks Rob! What part of the world are you in?
@@Bobsdecline Oklahoma USA
Youâre lucky to get temperatures of 30° Temperatures in Texas our 90°
Here in this town they cut the old pole below the transformer with 4 service drops installed the new pole and bolted the old pole to the new pole than of course the big phone cable and internet distribution cable a pice of work been like that for over 20 years
Aaron,
I have my own suppliments that I take to prevent painfull cramps before heat exhaustion/stroke. Cramps are extreamly dangerous especially if you are on your pole climbers? I use a combination of generic potassium and Mezotrace. I drink just water & take it everyday. Since Iâve been taking them for a few years I have not had any pain or cramps.
I heard a lot of âyeahsâ from you in your video. Who was bothering you? I give it to you to keep your cool under pressure!
You guys are awesome! Keep up the quality videography!
đđ»đđ»đđ»đđ»đđ»
That's interesting John! I'll check that out. This week's has been an absolute killer, the heat! They actually shut down all activities including recreational in wooded areas right now.
I try my best to keep my cool, like most of us, we all have bad days! I always feel bad afterwards if I get worked up over something.
I'll check out your recipe! Talk later John!
we have tree crews that go through twice a year and butcher trees away from the lines. they cut them 20 feet away from the lines much to the anger of the home owner but we've all been told, no plantings within 20 feet... needless to say its now been 6 years since my power has gone out for more than the occasional 20 min bump... before it would go out for a day or so due to trees. thats when i got a back up generator with a cutout switch so no possibility of back feed
Glad you have a proper setup for the Gen! We thank you for thatđ . It's a constant battle with trees .. it seems one house wants nothing touched, while the next wants everything cut!
The trees grow like crazy around here too! It's hard to keep up
Hey man just subscribed really enjoy the videos. what does it take to become a lineman? I am currently a 2nd year electrical apprentice but Ive heard great things about your trade as well. just curious thank you.
Here in the U.S we get up to 70 degrees 34 is vold for us
Very nice video aaron!!!
Thanks Gary! Nice hearing from youđđ
@@Bobsdecline Your welcome aaron plus i do talk to you sometimes right and hows the job here today?
For sure Gary! Not a bad day, still a bit too hot though. We did some pole top rescue today! Also practiced some bucket evacuation and checked out a new digger truck.
How's things your way?
@@Bobsdecline thats good job work on power lines and my way in mcadam nb it is very good
Back in the day most guys would free climb until you got over the neutral and then belt in but I can tell you there were times on really bad poles I wish I had a fall arrest belt. Most old timers can tell stories of cutting out and going for a ride.
A great channels like this still under 10k subscribers.
Bob, do power grids have circuit breakers? Make a video about how a lineman turns the power back on after a short takes out a section of town. Please!
Check out some of his older videos, he has covered it.
Just had to bust out the ladder trick last Friday
Took me almost 15 years to bust out the ladder! I don't know what I was thinking before đ€Šââïž
I love line work, but line work videos are better.
Great video brotha. I use a ladde half way all the time on them crowded ratty old poles. Especially with the bucksqueeze. Hay how go you keep your extendo stick running so smoothly. Mine get sticky the last few sections.
Thanks Brian! I always extend to full height that I need while stick is straight up. If it stick I just wiggle it a little. Once at the height I'll lean it into the work area. Also keep'er wiped down đ
Bobsdecline - Lineman blogger I need to get some silicone wiped
Question. How come you did not replace that old looking insulator before reattaching it back on the pole?
I really like your videos! I wondered, if a house or commercial building catches fire and not all breakers trip, what toll does it take on the power grid? Assuming that the transformer fuse don't blow.
In a perfect world the closest high voltage will blow (usually located at the transformer feeding the building). I have been to many fires where the low voltage wire has already burned off, and laying on the ground energized. This is why we respond to all structure fires.
The only real impact on the actual system would be if there is a sudden very large drop in load (voltage can slightly/temporarily increase) or of another fuse further back blows causing some outages.
@@Bobsdecline oh, ok. I remember seeing a manufacturring plant that caught fire and thought I seen a small bluish green arc at the fuse holder top on one of the three transformers.
This channel is gonna get 100k subs really soon
That would be crazzzzy â„ïž
@@Bobsdecline you got 5k subs within a week! This is the content people will wanna see
BTW, did you hammer that pole before you went up?
Love your videos, the more I watch only means more respect I have for linemen. What do you do when a switch kicks back? Try a couple more times or shutoff sidelines down the road? Thx
Very rarely try again without further investigation... If we suspect cold load pickup, will open some switches down the line. We usually end up having to try and figure out what we missed!
@@Bobsdecline Thanks!
hahah the screwdriver....been there seen that
đ€Łđ€Ł
@@Bobsdecline about 3 times in 35 years
@@fuceye Nice 35 years is a good haul , much respect! I always find it neat when ya find someone's initials, or something ... Usually that stuff is on towers tho. Still waiting to find a wrench at the bottom of a banked tx tho! Lol
now that you've said it you'll probably find it in a weak or two...or something very similar...nice vids...stay sharp.
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JL in Chicago.đ just wondering why you did not check the underground wire with a phasing set to make sure itâs not holding capacitance before you put your grounds on. I do know that underground wire does drain through transformers, but essentially you trusted it.
The underground wire was never removed from the overhead throughout the job. Overhead wire was grounded and bonded to work area. Therefore U/G was grounded/bonded ... Yea working on a primary underground cable without at very least draining would be a very bad idea! âïžđ
In an earlier video you were talking about a common question you get which is what you do when you don't have calls. I take it you never have a dull moment?
What a crazy system where you have to gain access to residential backyards to reach cables and poles. Does that mean that residents are prohibited from placing anything in the vicinity of poles so that a truck can get up close if necessary?
It kind of does... But a lot happens over 50 years. Generally the public is pretty easy to get along with when we have to get in or move stuff around to get power back on.
Aaron,on a pole near my house part of the ground wire is missing,but on the other poles it's there,do i report that to the electric company?
It's very common, and unfortunately they get cut and stolen on hundreds of poles at a time.đ
I would report it regardless. That way they can access the damage. If there's a lot missing they will likely fix them all at once during a maintenance work order for the area.
It's also good to report incase there is some further damage or any safety hazards. There may also be some active investigations in the area by authorities.
34 F hotđ you should come visit Phoenix some time
I'd do the same thing if I were me. Ever had a pole break from your weight? Uncle worked for Western Union....he had it happen. tough on the back!
Siberia routinely gets into the 30'sC sometimes 40C.
Yikes ! đïžâïž We had snow just a couple months ago lol!
Bob, I have a question for you. I managed a large data center that used lots of electricity. There were generators for when we lost power or for maintenance. The transformer connected to the electric utility high voltage line required inspection and maintenance. The data center was transferred to generator. The high voltage lines were opened like in your videos.
Question is when the high voltage was checked, one line was energized. Even though it was disconnected. The line was discharged before work was done. How can a line have voltage when disconnected?
There could be a few reasons ...
Until the lines are grounded (and technically even when grounded) the lines can easily hold a charge. An isolated conductor may be getting induction or capacitive coupling from other nearby energized sources . Could also be from backfeed or even a switch that did not open properly or fully.
I thought that was an east coast accent! My wife is from NL. I'm a contractor for the phone company in MB. Your blurring at 7:01 wasn't good enough lol. I saw the street name and searched it on Google Maps đ
Same here, but I had a good suspicion before I saw the names in the vid. Only so many places have unmarked bucket trucks on the coast!
What is the street name? I saw noting.
@@afnusa There are two street names on the map if you watch carefully.
@@afnusa Ridgeway drive and Harvey Rd
how much current is in that 7200 volt line?
sigh. i don't think i've ever seen an easement that isn't a rats nest. i wonder if its people doing sloppy work because they know it can't be seen from the road
oh and that's a load-bearing screwdriver don't touch it hahaha
That's what I was thinking. "Someone put that there for a reason, don't mess with it unless you know why!"
All easements are a disaster. I remember about 15 years ago when I was a phone cable splicer having to rebuild 200 pair splice in an easement. almost a full day standing on a ladder threaded up through the branches with secondary power only about 2' above my head and 14.4k primary about 3 feet above that. Working very close to our limit of approach made me a bit nervous.
To be honest, I've never seen anybody climb poles here in Quebec. Is it a thing only in a few provinces ?
You ever faced a transformer fire? I've watched some videos of those and its a fine unlike anything I've ever seen.
where do you get the potential check ? and can i go to 30 kv
hello guys, good day,
Aaron can i ask installing lightning arrester is there any difference if installing in the load side and line side of fuse cut out.
thank you in advance
Hey man! Great question! Most of our are installed ahead of the fuse, I think it was I'm hopes or draining the extremely high voltage ahead of the fuse, but I don't think it really made much of a difference.
Our recently changed standard has them installed on the load side of the cutout .. right on the TX actually.
I Like this method a lot better because you are not energizing an arrestor while tapping the lead on... It's only energized once you close the cutout! Also a faulty arrestor is more likely to only take out that fuse rather then the side line.
Thanks aaron for the information appreciated.. Stay safe always.......
I always wanted to be a lineman, unfortunately there wasnât a lot of opportunity here in the BC interior so I settled for industrial/construction electrician. Who knows, maybe one day I will have an opportunity present itself. Keep up the good videos! Subâd and bell on! â
Hey love you videos if memory serves me correctly once or twice you've mentioned another channel where a lineman post videos can you give me the name of that one I'd like to watch them also
Hey Thanks!
These are some of my favorites
@Lineman Universe
@Lineman Underground World
@TheAustrianLineman
@Twill Lineman for hire
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Iâm from Arkansas. 35 degrees weâre all frozen itâs crazy hearing someone say thatâs hot. We work in 90 - 100 degree weather. 35 is freezing
I couldn't imagine! I love a nice 15 degrees °C ( 60°F) to work in! That's just about perfect đ lol
Two things I never seen, a lineman using a ladder on a pole and rubber gloves on an extendo stick.
So in a situation like this where you're disconnecting a transformer that's feeding several homes do you go around and try to let them know that they are getting ready to be in the dark for a bit?
I'm wondering the same thing. I would think they could send an automated phone calleven if it's not practical to let everybody know directly. Having said that, I've never been notified beforehand of a power cut (except for a meter change on our house) yet I'm sure many of our outages have been intentional maintenance.