Power Cut mystery

[Golden]

Okay not really a fire safety question but we had a power cut down our road earlier; I'd just been out for few minutes when it happened and had left the TV and a few lights on. When I came back in the lights were still on but very dim and the TV was playing - nothing else in the house was working. This was the same for about 30 minutes before everything went out.

So its a simple question - what was going on???

[Owain]

Okay not really a fire safety question but we had a power cut down our road earlier; I'd just been out for few minutes when it happened and had left the TV and a few lights on. When I came back in the lights were still on but very dim and the TV was playing - nothing else in the house was working. This was the same for about 30 minutes before everything went out.

So its a simple question - what was going on???

Reduced voltage. The TV will probably have a switched mode power supply which will work on anything from about 80 volts upwards, which is why it still worked.

As to why the voltage was reduced, could be several reasons

[colin todd]

Silver, did it remind you of some inspecting officers. Lights were dim but there was no one at home?

[Golden]

Thanks Owain and it was indeed a high voltage fault that resulted in low voltage - as I asked the UK power network guy on twitter last night - there was still some power coming in but not enough for most of the house.

I reserve my judgement on IOs as the one I had to speak to a few weeks ago was excellent.

[colin todd]

Must have been in Scotland then.