Outage Causes (PECO)

Outage Causes

PECO spends hundreds of millions of dollars each year to help ensure its customers receive reliable electric and natural gas service.  Aside from safety, reliability is top of mind for each and every one of our employees.  We strive for perfection, in service and reliability.  Despite our extensive programs to help improve reliability, outages do occur.

Electric:
Outages can last a few seconds to a few days, depending on the situation and the cause of the outage.  The most common cause for electric service interruption is weather.  High winds, lightening and rain can bring down trees and power lines, and damage poles and pole top equipment.  And in the winter months, snow and ice storms can often cause similar types of outages on the electric system.  Even salt used to make our roads safe during the winter can come in contact with underground lines and cause an outage. 

Some other causes for electric service interruption include animals that short out equipment, vehicle accidents, human error such as an excavation dig in or a downed line due to tree trimming, and even equipment failures.

Gas:
Outages do not often occur on the natural gas system.  The most common cause for natural gas service interruption is due to dig in.   Natural gas pipelines are located underground, and run under streets, sidewalks, yards and homes.  People often dig into an underground pipeline while performing excavation or construction work.  Other reasons for natural gas interruption or outage include flooding, lack of pressure, or equipment failure.

Whether a homeowner, contractor or just a friend doing work for a friend, you are required by law to call Pennsylvania one Call at 811 before you dig. They will help you to locate gas, electric and telephone lines. Whether you are planting a tree, building a fence or laying foundation, contacting a line with a shovel or pick can damage power lines - and injure or kill.

If you have a gas or electric emergency Call PECO immediately at 1-800-841-4141.  The emergency number is manned 24 hours a day. Please do not e-mail your emergency request.