Blinking Lights

Have you ever experienced lights flickering while at home or woke up in the morning to see clocks on your digital appliances flashing? 

If so, it is likely that your home experienced a “blink." 

What is a blink?

A blink is a brief interruption in power that happens when the electric system detects a problem and automatically works to prevent a longer outage. This usually occurs when something—like a tree branch, animal, or lightning—comes into contact with a power line and momentarily disrupts the flow of electricity. Blinks typically last only a few seconds, so you might notice your lights flicker or turn off and then quickly come back on.

Blinking lights
Oil Circuit Recloser

How a blink happens

Blinks are actually signs that your electric grid is working hard to keep your power on and prevent outages.

When something interferes with the flow of electricity—like a storm, an animal, or a tree touching the lines—a special device called an oil circuit recloser (OCR) steps in. Think of the OCR like the circuit breaker in your home, but it resets itself automatically to fix issues without needing a technician right away.

Here’s how the OCR works to protect your power:

  1. Fault Detection: The OCR senses an unusual electrical flow, signaling a problem on the line.

  2. Circuit Opening: It opens the circuit briefly, stopping the flow to isolate the trouble spot.

  3. Reclosing Attempts: After a short pause, the OCR tries to close the circuit and restore power automatically—sometimes multiple times.

  4. Fault Clearance: If the problem is gone, power stays on and everything continues as normal.

  5. Failure to Clear: If the issue persists, the OCR will stop trying to reconnect. At that point, it becomes an outage, and our maintenance crew will be dispatched to fix it.

If you experience several blinks in a short time, don’t worry—this means your electric system is actively protecting your service and working to keep the lights on!

5 Common Causes of Blinks

Bird

  1. Birds and Small Animals
    It’s common for birds or small animals to land on power lines. If they create a connection to the ground, it causes a fault that triggers a blink.

 

  1. Tree Branches Touching Power Lines
    Branches blown by wind can contact power lines, causing faults. That’s why cooperatives clear trees and vegetation near lines to keep your power reliable.

  2. Weather Conditions
    Heavy snow, ice, or strong winds can weigh down or shake power lines, causing interruptions that lead to blinks.

  3. Lightning Strikes
    A lightning strike on power lines or equipment can cause a quick power interruption, which you may notice as a blink during a storm.

  4. Planned Maintenance
    Sometimes, your cooperative may temporarily interrupt power during scheduled maintenance to keep the grid safe and reliable. These blinks are usually brief and scheduled ahead of time.