In the event of a storm, our crews go to work immediately, keeping in mind that their safety comes first. The first step is to restore power to as many people as possible, and we do this by first restoring power to transmission lines and substations. Next, our crews work on restoring power along main circuit lines. These lines stretch for miles along roads into rural areas and across fields in rural areas. Taps that lead off the main circuit lines are repaired next, and, finally, crews repair individual service lines to homes.
Homeowners have responsibility for repairing the equipment and wires that interface their homes with our system. Be assured, all employees work long hours during significant outages and they, too, want power restored as quickly as possible. Safety and well-being are a concern for our employees, and laws necessitate and regulate that employees get regular sleep and meals during major outage operations. Canadian Valley Electric contracts with Response Services providing 24/365 coverage. Canadian Valley Electric constantly monitors all substations, gathering real-time data to alert us of any substation or circuit problems on our system.
All employees are utilized during crisis situations. We have agreements in place with other Oklahoma utilities, cooperatives, and contractors for mutual assistance in times of crisis. Manpower and materials are transferred rapidly to our area when needed.
If Your Power Goes Out
Canadian Valley Electric continues efforts to increase service reliability and improve our facilities. We are constantly studying trends and new developments to ensure dependable service to our customers at the most economical cost.
What To Do if the Electricity Goes Off
First, check the fuses or circuit breaker. Then check your neighborhood to determine if the electricity is off. If the area's electricity is off, call Canadian Valley Electric and report it by calling 405-382-3680, 24 hours a day.
When reporting an outage, please have:
your name and phone number
location of the service and account number
all information about the outage to help Canadian Valley Electric personnel locate the problem so power may be restored quickly
Generator Safety
Before installing a backup generator, here are some tips to follow:
Decide what equipment you want to operate when the power is out. This information gives you a clue on whether to choose a portable generator or permanent backup system and the size of a generator (wattage rating) needed.
With a portable generator, select appliances are directly plugged into outlets on the generator. Do not connect it to a building wiring system. For proper and safe use:
Always locate your generator in a well-ventilated area.
Be sure the total electric load is within the manufacturer's rating.
Use an indoor/outdoor, grounded (three-prong) extension cord, properly sized to carry the electric load and keep it out of the way to prevent someone from tripping on it.
Never plug your generator into an indoor or outdoor home or business outlet.
Don't overload your generator. Remember, more power is needed to start appliances. Check the owner's manual to ensure your generator can handle the load.
Permanently installed generators are connected to your electric system and must be installed in conformance with the National Electric Code, Article 700-6, and Article 230-83.
Your permanently installed generator system must ensure separation between Canadian Valley and the home. A double-pole, double-throw transfer switch accomplishes this requirement.
Canadian Valley Electric recommends a licensed electrician for installation to ensure your personal safety and proper transfer switch application. If you have questions, please discuss your electrical plan with an electrician.