Energy Blackouts more likely!

QrizB

wittynamegoeshere said:

I've been told that the strategy of disconnecting from the grid and reverse-feeding the power into a socket works, by someone who's done it.  You'd need a lead with a plug on each end, which would be a potential death-trap.  With either end plugged in, the exposed pins at the other end could become live so extreme discipline would be needed.

Oh, it definitely works. The plug-to-plug cable is commonly known as a "suicide cable" for exactly that reason
If you think you'll actually need it, a better option is a proper transfer switch fitted in/near your consumer unit.

Gerry1

wittynamegoeshere said:

We had a long power cut for a few hours a couple of years ago, I think it was that big one that was reported on.  But we also get them usually at least one a year, we have lots of overhead cables around here and it gets quite windy.  I think they take out quite a wide area when they do go wrong, then take a while to fix.

Good luck when your landline goes VoIP sometime before the end of 2015.  No access to 999 unless you manage to get a battery backup unit, and that'll only last an hour. You may also find your local base station is also knocked out by the same outage, so don't rely on your mobile and remember to choose the time of your burglary, heart attack, stroke or fire very carefully. 

poppellerant

I must admit that I bought some candles and matches last month and put them in an easy to find location.  The matches will light my gas hob and grill, allowing me to cook basic meals such as beans on toast - quite sufficient during any short (hopefully) power cuts.  The matches will also allow me to light candles, which will provide me with light and warmth for my hands.

I do have a couple of LED torches which are topped up once a month.  I also have a couple of power banks and a spare mobile phone on another network, that are also topped up.

Failing all the above, I can just walk the dog for an hour or two!

Bexie1989

I really hope there's no regular blackouts... my dad is in a wheelchair with MS, he's got an electric bed that rises to help him get out and his armchair is also an electric rise recliner, there's also an electric hoist carers have to use to get him up every day... if there's a power cut while he's in any of those - and he's constantly in one of them - he's quite literally going to be trapped.

Sea_Shell

Bexie1989 said:

I really hope there's no regular blackouts... my dad is in a wheelchair with MS, he's got an electric bed that rises to help him get out and his armchair is also an electric rise recliner, there's also an electric hoist carers have to use to get him up every day... if there's a power cut while he's in any of those - and he's constantly in one of them - he's quite literally going to be trapped.

It's easy for us to forget, that for most of us a power cut is maybe a mild inconvenience, but for others is a serious problem!!

Liku

Bexie1989 said:

I really hope there's no regular blackouts... my dad is in a wheelchair with MS, he's got an electric bed that rises to help him get out and his armchair is also an electric rise recliner, there's also an electric hoist carers have to use to get him up every day... if there's a power cut while he's in any of those - and he's constantly in one of them - he's quite literally going to be trapped.

That is what I was thinking about. If there are any cuts there needs to be a lot of caution and support offered. If it were possible they could just not cut it for anyone vulnerable or that relies on electricity. Where I live it is a few bungalows for disabled or older people. Some of my neighbours would likely struggle much more than I would even though it'd be tough. Been through much worse and much longer power cuts than that before. Went out for 3 days in a really bad storm once.

victor2

Gerry1 said:

wittynamegoeshere said:

We had a long power cut for a few hours a couple of years ago, I think it was that big one that was reported on.  But we also get them usually at least one a year, we have lots of overhead cables around here and it gets quite windy.  I think they take out quite a wide area when they do go wrong, then take a while to fix.

Good luck when your landline goes VoIP sometime before the end of 2015.  No access to 999 unless you manage to get a battery backup unit, and that'll only last an hour. You may also find your local base station is also knocked out by the same outage, so don't rely on your mobile and remember to choose the time of your burglary, heart attack, stroke or fire very carefully. 

It's a wonder any of us around in the 1950's or thereabouts lived to tell the tale!

Verdigris

You can rely on Gerry to find the negative in absolutely everything. It's what keeps him going!

niktheguru

Verdigris said:

You can rely on Gerry to find the negative in absolutely everything. It's what keeps him going!

Gerry certainly does love a bit of scaremongering, particularly when smart meters are mentioned. Does he seriously believe that if there is a need for a blackout it will be aimed solely at smart meter users!

it’s also funny how the “green energy brigade” have kept eerily quiet during this period where we are lacking energy due to decreased “wind”. Though I suppose you can argue that if the government put more investment in renewable energy (or kept better non renewable provisions/backups) we perhaps wouldn’t be in this mess.

Farway

Bexie1989 said:

I really hope there's no regular blackouts... my dad is in a wheelchair with MS, he's got an electric bed that rises to help him get out and his armchair is also an electric rise recliner, there's also an electric hoist carers have to use to get him up every day... if there's a power cut while he's in any of those - and he's constantly in one of them - he's quite literally going to be trapped.

I can't speak for the equipment he has, but some do have batteries fitted just for such an emergency, I know for fact my recliner chair does and stair lifts as well. Not for continous use but enough to remove from possible harm