How do we decide how to restore power? Our goal is to restore service to the greatest number of members in the shortest amount of time. Because of the interconnected nature of an electric distribution system, we must start our work at the power source and work out toward the individual services along the system. Hazardous conditions, such as downed power lines, must be attended to quickly. These are the service restoration priorities:

1. Transmission lines: High voltage lines that move bulk electricity from a generating plant to a substation or between substations.
2. Substations: Substations are electrical facilities that contain equipment for switching or regulating the voltage of electricity. These lower the amount of electrical voltage from transmission lines so that the electricity can be transmitted through distribution lines.
3. Main distribution lines: The 7,200-volt lines that you see along roadways.
4. Tap lines: Electric feeder lines with limited capacity that run from a main distribution line and serve small numbers of consumers.
5. Individual service: This is the line that runs from the pole transformer to your electric meter.

See a downed power line? STAY CLEAR and call Shelby Electric Cooperative right away at (800) 677-2612 to report the downed line.