Solar Lattice

Stressor

Extended power outage

ID
stressor:extended-power-loss
IRI
https://solarlattice.org/kb/stressor/extended-power-loss
Status
active
Also known as
extended power loss, extended grid outage, multi-day grid outage, extended outage

An extended power outage is a long loss of supply to equipment, for example a grid outage that lasts many hours or several days. Clocks inside devices run on a small backup store, such as a supercapacitor. A long outage can drain that store, so the clock loses sync and event time stamps become inaccurate. This is how the outage leads to real-time clock failure. One surge protective device's timekeeping is built to last several days without power. After a longer outage, its time may be affected, and the manual strongly recommends updating the date and time. After power returns, set the clock and use the SNTP feature so time stamps stay accurate. In battery-backed PV systems, a long grid outage can drain the battery to its minimum state of charge. The battery then goes to sleep and the system shuts off, often overnight. The sleeping battery checks for solar power at regular intervals. When it finds solar power, it wakes the system and starts charging again. Otherwise the system restarts when grid power returns. Shedding large non-essential loads as soon as the outage starts makes the battery last longer during the outage. Examples are dryers, pool pumps, hot tubs and electric vehicles.

<!-- review notes

Referenced by

Data