Wattout

Wattout refers to a sudden and often unexpected loss of electrical power. This can occur for a variety of reasons, affecting anything from a single household to an entire region. Common causes include issues with the power grid, such as equipment failure, transmission line damage, or overload. Weather events like storms, high winds, and lightning strikes are frequent culprits, capable of disrupting power lines and substations.

Human error or planned maintenance by utility companies can also lead to temporary wattouts. In some cases, the cause might be localized, such as a tripped circuit breaker within a building or a problem with internal wiring. The duration of a wattout can range from a few minutes to several hours or even days, depending on the severity of the issue and the efforts required for restoration. The impact of a wattout varies widely, from minor inconvenience to significant disruption, affecting essential services, communication, and daily life. Utilities typically have protocols in place to identify the cause of a wattout and restore power as quickly and safely as possible.