When electricity is out, we all hope it will be restored as quickly as possible. GreyStone works around-the-clock during every outage to make that happen. But there are several priorities that can’t be changed in order for the restoration process to work.
- Restoration Step 1: Transmission Lines
These high-voltage lines transport bulk electricity from the generating plant to GreyStone’s substations in our service area. - Restoration Step 2: Substations
GreyStone has 32 substations serving more than 121,000 members in an eight-county area. GreyStone works hard to restore substations quickly because there are numerous members served by each one. - Restoration Step 3: Main distribution lines
If no problems are found at substations, each main distribution line that moves power from substations to cities and communities is checked for problems. - Restoration Step 4: Tap lines
These lines carry power to the member’s transformer. Line crews repair the remaining outages based on which repair will get the most members’ power back on. - If you notice that your neighbor has power and you don’t, it may be because damage has been done between your home and the transformer at the nearest pole. Bad weather and falling trees are the primary causes for outages. GreyStone’s right-of-way crews clear as many of the areas around power lines as possible. Members should stay away from all fallen lines and report them to GreyStone. Also do not use an emergency generator unless the proper switching mechanism has been properly installed and inspected. GreyStone line workers’ lives may be put in danger if a generator is operated improperly.
To view a step-by-step graphic representation of how power is restored, click here.
Repair responsibilities:
It’s very important to understand an essential fact about your connection to the GreyStone electrical grid. Your connection has two parts, the meter and the meter base. The meter is round and typically enclosed in clear plastic or glass. The meter base is typically a rectangular metal box mounted on the outside of your home or place of business. The meter is owned by GreyStone Power, but this is not true of your meter base; this important part of your electric system does NOT belong to GreyStone Power.
The meter base belongs to the member. If it’s damaged by weather or by any kind of accident, repair is the member’s responsibility. GreyStone Power cannot, by regulation, connect power to a damaged meter base.
Members can feel tremendous frustration at this restriction. It’s understandable–after waiting for power to be restored, who wouldn’t be frustrated by having to wait to have your power turned back on?
Still, if your meter base (or the mast pipe, on top or below it, which contains the service wire) is damaged, a professional electrician must repair it to code before GreyStone is allowed to restore your service.