Those Blankety-Blank Blinks

Although annoying, blinks signal Walton EMC's electric system is doing its job

Just a little half-second blink. That's more than enough to upset the digital electronic clocks found all around the house.  And then comes the aggravating chore of figuring out how to reset them.

But those interruptions, often mistaken for or misnamed as power surges, mean the electric system is doing its job of preventing damage and saving lives.

Blinks are the result of momentary outages that occur when some sort of disturbance affects our power lines. Those disturbances are caused by a variety of reasons–from a squirrel or tree limb contacting the line to lightning to a car hitting a pole.

Walton EMC takes all the steps it possibly can to prevent these blinks, like keeping our right-of-ways clear. But some things are just beyond our control.

When our protective equipment detects a short circuit or fault on the power line, it opens the electrical circuit to stop the flow of electricity. The equipment, comparable to a circuit breaker in your home, then quickly restores the power up to two more times to see if the fault has cleared.

If the problem has cleared, the electricity stays on. If the problem still exists, the device shuts off the power until our linemen can arrive.

It's the best of both worlds. This method keeps the power flowing if the problem is only temporary, but shuts things down if attention is required.

Learn how you can combat blinks.

Read other articles in this month's Realite:

• Operation Round Up Continues to Help Neighbors
  Neighbors all over Walton EMC's ten-county service area continue to be helped by your generosity. View the latest disbursements.
  
  
• Walton EMC Continues Sponsorship of High School Championships
  Your cooperative has renewed its commitment ot the student athletes of Georgia through the sponsorship of Georgia High School Association championship events.
  
  
• Current Cooking
  This month, learn how to make Mr. Hale's Chocolate Waffles!
  
  
• Can't Stop 'Em - The Sequel
  Your response to our last feature on electric appliances that won't quit was huge. That's why we're bringing a second installment.
  
  
• Robo Possum
  Should you worry about armored invadors? Advancing armadillo populations should pose no threat to underground electric systems.
  
  
• Vehicle Sale
  Walton EMC is offering several vehicles for sale during October. Learn how to submit your bid.