who do you contact in event of a power cut

lemontart

http://www.nationalgrid.com/uk/Electricity/AboutElectricity/DistributionCompanies/DistributionCompanies.htm


If you have a power cut DO NOT call the gas emergency line they cannot help you and do not hold any contact numbers for electricity you should call your local distribution company details of which can be found by following the above link, or of course you can call your electricity supplier whose contact numbers can be found on your bill or on the back of your top up card or by looking in your telephone directory.

ZootHornRollo

good advice.

if you have a problem with your electricity don't call the gas board. That should save a number of wasted calls.

lemontart

ZootHornRollo wrote: »

good advice.

if you have a problem with your electricity don't call the gas board. That should save a number of wasted calls.

blimey they would be wasting their time calling the gas board as they would not get through - that number was disconnected years ago when the industry was split up.

that asides there are 100's if not 1000's of calls a day to the gas emergency service regarding power cuts or electrical issues which is not only a waste of the callers time and the emergency operators time it is shall we say irritating for all involved.

brightonman123

why not send them an email.. lol

lemontart

brightonman123 wrote: »

why not send them an email.. lol

who the gas board ooher what;s their email addy?

brightonman123

no, i meanr send an email to report power cut..

on never mind!

lemontart

brightonman123 wrote: »

no, i meanr send an email to report power cut..

on never mind!

Some will do I am sure after all some report gas leaks by email (battery powered laptops)

ex-energywatch_adviser

Why would anyone call the gas emergency line when their electricity goes off? Would they ring BT if their water went off?

There is no point in ringing the supplier as they would only refer you to the distributor so you can save yourself a phone call by ringing the distributor directly.

lemontart

ex-energywatch_adviser wrote: »

Why would anyone call the gas emergency line when their electricity goes off? Would they ring BT if their water went off?

There is no point in ringing the supplier as they would only refer you to the distributor so you can save yourself a phone call by ringing the distributor directly.

the thing is most folk have not got a clue who their distributor I certainly did not, but now have their contact number on my list of important numbers, is whereas their electricity supplier will be able to tell them and since the all the changes in the energy industry with dual fuel etc often the only number they can find is the gas emergency number which is not the one they need. At the end of the day they do call it, I work on the emergency line and take these calls daily so by posting here if it directs at least one person in the right direction and not to me or other gas emergency operators that is good,

By the way with out looking at the link on this thread how many people can say hand heart that they know the following

1. What to do if they have a power cut
2. who their electricity distributor is
3. how long it has to be off before compensation rules cut in

lemontart

I did a quick google and found this simple guide to what to actually do if you have a power cut as well as reporting it to your distributor
All my power has gone off. What should I do?

• Check your tripswitch or fuses to make sure you do not have a fault with your wiring or an appliance.
• Click here for advice on how to check your tripswitch and fuses.
• If you have checked your tripswitch and your wiring and appliances are not faulty, phone your distributor - if you do not know who this is contact your electricity supplier for their name and contact number.
• Check if any neighbours are affected. If they are, it is more likely to be a problem with the local network. If there is a network problem, please make sure you let us know.

How to cope in a power cut

• Keep a torch with fresh batteries in a place where you can reach it easily.
• Turn off your electrical appliances and lights, but leave one light switched on so you know when the power is back on.
• Be careful if you use other forms of heating and lighting, such as paraffin heaters and candles.
• Remember that the doorbell will probably not work (unless it runs on batteries), nor will an alarm system (unless it has a battery back-up).
• If we have warned you that the electricity will be turned off, boil some water and keep it in a thermos flask. You can use it to make hot drinks or fill a hot water bottle if it gets too cold.
• When your supply is back on, you may need to reset electric timers, alarm clocks and so on.
• Food in the freezer should keep for about eight hours without power. Do not open the freezer doors unless you have to.
• Check the food when the power is back on to make sure it has not thawed. If it has, do not refreeze it. You may be able to claim on your household contents insurance for any lost food.

To report a power cut or dangerous situation contact your local network operator:

find who it is and their contact numbers here
Electricity Emergencies
To report power cuts or cable strikes, vandalism to substations or other network structures, cables down or other dangerous incidents, please call the local electricity company on the number listed below:
AreaCompanyEmergency No.North ScotlandSSE Power Distribution0800 300 999South ScotlandSP Power Systems0845 272 7999North East EnglandCE Electric (NEDL)0800 668 877North WestUnited Utilities0800 195 4141YorkshireCE Electric (YEDL)0800 375 675East MidlandsCentral Networks0800 056 8090West MidlandsCentral Networks0800 328 1111Eastern EnglandEDF Energy0800 783 8838South WalesWestern Power Distribution0800 052 0400Southern EnglandSSE Power Distribution08000 727 282LondonEDF Energy0800 028 0247South East EnglandEDF Energy0800 783 8866South West EnglandWestern Power Distribution0800 365 900North Wales, Merseyside & CheshireSP Manweb0845 272 2424

The UK's transmission and distribution system is very reliable. However, despite the best efforts of our members, problems sometimes occur that affect your electricity supply.
In these circumstances, please do not panic. The company(s) will probably already be aware of the problem and working to restore your supply as soon as possible.
Each company has detailed plans for dealing with electricity emergencies.During an emergency, companies will add more detailed information to their site.
[URL="javascript:pop6Up('http://www.energynetworks.org/01/map_elec_distribution.asp')"]Click here to open up a map of the different companies with links to their websites[/URL]

AreaWeb Link

• North Scotland

www.ssepd.co.uk/Sections/
CustomerServices/IfYourPowerGoes.aspx

• South Scotland

www.sppowersystems.co.uk/
customerservices/interruptions.asp

• North East England

www.ce-electricuk.com/
page/service/interruptions.cfm

• North West

www.unitedutilities.com/
?OBH=1440

• Yorkshire

www.ce-electricuk.com/
page/service/interruptions.cfm

• East Midlands

www.eon-uk.com/
distribution/whenthelightsgoout.aspx

• West Midlands

www.eon-uk.com/
distribution/whenthelightsgoout.aspx

• Eastern England

www.edfenergy.com/html/showPage.do?
name=edfenergy.contacts.emergency.til

• South Wales

www.westernpower.co.uk/default.asp?
parentcatID=6&nosub=true&categoryID=8

• Southern England

www.ssepd.co.uk/Sections/
CustomerServices/IfYourPowerGoes.aspx

• London

www.edfenergy.com/html/showPage.do?
name=edfenergy.contacts.emergency.til

• South East England

www.edfenergy.com/html/showPage.do?
name=edfenergy.contacts.emergency.til

• South West England

www.westernpower.co.uk/default.asp?
parentcatID=6&nosub=true&categoryID=8

• North Wales, Merseyside & Cheshire

www.sppowersystems.co.uk/
customerservices/interruptions.asp

ZootHornRollo

unfortunate your pc or your router will not be working while the power is out so you will not be able to consult this post!

the phone book would be your best bet if the power goes out. They are regional so will contain the local contact details for your local power distributer.