Power Goes Off Then Comes Back On (6 Possible Reasons)

 

Power outages are certainly an inconvenience.

People all over the world are very dependent on power and the functionality that it provides in our lives.

Sometimes the power in your home may flicker off and then back on again.

Although you are probably thrilled that the power has come back on, you may be wondering what has caused this issue.

There are a few reasons that your power may flicker, so let’s look into those to see if you can get some answers to your problem.

 

Power Goes Off Then Comes Back On (6 Possible Reasons)

 

1. Circuit Breaker Tripped

 

One of the most common reasons for the power to go off and then come back on is a circuit breaker tripping.

For most systems, you may have to switch the circuit breaker back on yourself manually, but others will flicker before completely shutting down.

The circuit breaker will trip when the electricity being requested from the circuit is much more than can be provided.

In other words, perhaps you have your iron, your hair dryer, and your dishwasher all on the same circuit, and there is simply not enough electricity to support this.

When this happens, the circuit will likely shut off.

This is to help protect against an overload that could potentially cause a fire.

Sometimes before the circuit breaker trips, the power will flicker a bit.

These instances are really a quick fix, and you can simply check your breaker panel and make sure that all of the circuits are in the proper position.

Try not to overload any individual lines, and you won’t run into this issue all that much.

 

2. Power Lines Affected

 

Another reason your power could go off and then back on is from some impact on your power lines.

Without these lines to bring power into the home, you will not have access to power.

Power lines can be affected for a number of reasons.

Anything from scheduled maintenance to a pole going down because of a car accident can interrupt the power supply to your home.

One of the most common reasons for losing power in your home is that the power lines are affected.

Sometimes the flicker of power means that the issue just caused a slight disruption.

Other times, it could mean that there are more power outages to come.

 

3. Weather

 

Weather can cause your power to go off and then come back on.

In fact, if you are experiencing rain, snow, or high winds, chances are the flickering power has quite a bit to do with the weather.

If the power in your home is going off and on, then it could be a sign that you may be about to experience a longer power outage.

When preparing for storms, it is essential to have a few supplies to get you through a power outage.

Those who have been through hurricanes will tell you that power going off and then coming back on will not mean the power will stay on.

Chances are there will be prolonged periods with no power, and that will undoubtedly be a time when you need some supplies.

The most important things to think about are a way to reach out for help, food, water, and light.

You will want to make sure that your cell phone is fully charged.

Once the power goes out, try not to use it all that much as it will deplete the battery with no way to charge it back up.

Save the cell phone for the times when you may need it to reach out for help.

 

4. Animals Getting to Wire

 

Sometimes animals can get near the home’s electrical system, and they can chew on the wires.

If an animal is chewing on a wire, you will notice the power flickering on and off.

This is a bad issue to have and will likely take an electrician to come and fix it.

If the animal ends up chewing all the way through the wire, it will need to be replaced.

Unfortunately, this also means that you could have a dead rodent somewhere in your home.

The reason you will need an electrician is that they will need to locate the exact area where this happened.

Although wires have insulation around them, it is not always enough to withstand the sharp teeth of some rodents.

We highly recommend letting an electrician come and figure out an issue like this one.

However, you are also going to need an exterminator to deal with the pest issue.

If animals continue to destroy the wires, you won’t find an end to this solution.

 

5. Damage to Service Panel

 

Like most other household products and systems, the electrical service panel is one which can have issues at any given time.

These panels are very sensitive to water damage.

In fact, if water is starting to get into the panel, there could be issues with the power going on and off.

Service panels sometimes need a fuse replaced to keep them working correctly.

The fuses are relatively easy to fix, but they generally have to be handled by an electrician.

Anytime you notice your power seems inconsistent or flickering, it is probably a good idea to get in touch with an electrician.

Although the most common causes of this issue are going to be related to weather, the more serious cases could damage your home.

Real issues with electrical systems can lead to fires starting.

Certainly, it is worth having these things checked out prior to the fire starting.

 

6. Overloading Power System

 

Try not to overload your power system.

It is a good idea to understand the breakers in your home and how they work.

For instance, if everything electronic that you own is plugged into an outlet in the kitchen, it is probably going to cause power to go off and then come back on.

You will need to avoid overloading the electrical system if you want to keep consistent power.

Your breaker panel should be well labeled with which breakers control which parts of the house.

The more you know about this system, the easier it will be not to overload it.

 

What Is It Called When You Lose Power for a Few Seconds?

 

When the power goes on and off for a few seconds, it is called a power flicker.

These are usually brief interruptions in service, and they typically last less than a minute or so.

The most annoying thing about these flickers is that they often reset many devices in the home.

You will usually know they happened because you can hear a printer or a computer starting itself back up again.

Chances are the WiFi and the cable will need time to load back up, and you may even have to reset the clocks on your appliances.

Certainly, it is not a big deal to have this happen every few months, but if it is occurring a few times a day, you will get very frustrated.

It is also not good for your electronic devices to need to turn on and off so many times in the course of a day.

It can do some damage in the long term if your power continues to flicker on and off.

 

What Is a Surge Protector?

 

If you are living in an area which deals with frequent changes in power, you may want to consider a surge protector.

Surge protectors are designed to help electronics last quite a bit longer.

With a surge protector in place, you won’t have to worry about power strikes and surges destroying your electronics.

Some of the most expensive items in your home are likely plugged into an outlet.

A surge of electricity or a power outage caused by lightning could cause these items to be ruined forever.

Most manufacturers of electronic devices will tell you that surges are detrimental to an electronic device.

You will likely not be able to recover your equipment should this happen.

Power surges are not usually an issue that you have caused.

They are most likely a problem with the power grid, but you will be the one who has to pay for it.

The surge protector ensures that, regardless of the level of electricity coming into the power source, only a certain amount will reach the device.

The surge protector essentially blocks the excess electricity and keeps your electronics safe.

The only downside to the surge protectors is that they cost money.

It would be very expensive to put a surge protector in every outlet of your home.

You can purchase a whole home surge protector, and this is a smart idea if you live in an area where there are frequent storms.

If, however, you have a small budget, we recommend installing a surge protector for your appliances and at least your computer and phone charger.

If you can protect these devices, you will be glad that you spent the money on a surge protector.

 

Why Did My Electricity Go Out in One Room?

 

If you notice that the power going on and off is localized to just one area of the house, chances are it has to do with your circuit breaker.

The circuits will take care of different areas of the home, and therefore, with the electricity going out in one area, it is likely just one bad circuit.

If you notice an issue like this, you will have to try and reset the circuit.

If that does not work, then you will likely need an electrician.

If there is a problem with the power system in your area due to weather, damage to the lines, or even a car accident, it won’t cause the power to go off in just one room.

These types of power outages will take all of your power away.

As nice as it is to only have one centralized area of your home affected by a power outage, it is probably going to be a more complicated fix.

If you notice that the power is off in your home, you may want to check the website of the local power company.

They will usually give you a reason for the power outage and an estimated time when the power will come back on.

 

Conclusion

Hopefully, you now have a better idea why power goes off and then comes back on.

For the most part, the reasons are going to be out of your control.

When dealing with power outages like this, you will be at the mercy of the power company.

If the lines in your area are damaged, they will work quickly to restore and give people the power they rely on to get through their days.

Always be careful when handling electrical issues around your home.

You need to have an excellent understanding of how electricity works before taking on specific projects.