"Blinking" electrical supply

ApS · 07-23-2005, 06:29 AM

Years ago, a thunderstorm would either leave us with electricity or without electricity.

In the case of Friday's storm -- the fiercest winds I've seen -- the power company dimmed our power down to about 25%, then restored it, then "blinked" it bright-dim-bright-dim-bright-dim — just like a turn signal in an automobile. (About 30 seconds).

At the first dim, the refrigerator sounded labored, so I unplugged it. Then went around and unplugged the rest of the motorized and electronic appliances.

Isn't irregular electrical supply bad for motorized appliances -- like the refrigerator and water pump? Or are they internally protected against power fluctuations?

Did anybody experience any appliance failures due to the above "blinking"?

07-23-2005, 06:29 AM	#1
ApS Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Florida (Sebring & Keys), Wolfeboro Posts: 6,028 Thanks: 2,285 Thanked 789 Times in 564 Posts	"Blinking" electrical supply Years ago, a thunderstorm would either leave us with electricity or without electricity. In the case of Friday's storm -- the fiercest winds I've seen -- the power company dimmed our power down to about 25%, then restored it, then "blinked" it bright-dim-bright-dim-bright-dim — just like a turn signal in an automobile. (About 30 seconds). At the first dim, the refrigerator sounded labored, so I unplugged it. Then went around and unplugged the rest of the motorized and electronic appliances. Isn't irregular electrical supply bad for motorized appliances -- like the refrigerator and water pump? Or are they internally protected against power fluctuations? Did anybody experience any appliance failures due to the above "blinking"?