Power restoration

When power goes out, Western Power uses clear guidelines to determine the order of repairs.

The guidelines take into account public and crew safety.  Faults affecting essential services such as hospitals, and faults affecting the greatest number of customers are given priority.

The diagram (PDF 232kb) below explains the general order of fault repairs.

Legend:

1. Situations hazardous to public safety - this includes fallen or arcing wires and supplies to critical facilities such as hospitals 
2. High-voltage transmission lines that ultimately supplying hundreds of thousands of customers 
3. Substation sites that distribute power to tens of thousands of customers 
4. Distribution lines supplying thousands or hundreds of customers. 
5. Localised lines supplying clusters of homes or businesses 
6. Service leads to individual customers 

Note: Line implies either overhead conductor or underground cable.

Response crews

Western Power crews work around the clock and in all weathers to restore power as quickly as possible.

Public safety is our highest priority and crews need to make sure all dangerous situations have been 'made safe' before they can begin restoration work.  Sometimes this means waiting for specialist crews or equipment.