Power outages can occur anywhere at any time. They are also referred to as “blackouts: and can be caused by a variety of factors. Severe weather, human error, and even equipment failure can leave people without power. They can last moments or days, depending on the severity of the issue. Not only do power outages affect people’s homes, but they can also impact professional workplaces. Below you will find the industries most affected by power outages.
Industries Most Affected By Power Outages
The impact of power outages can be serious and cause a series of issues. Consider the industries most affected by power outages.
Manufacturing:
Manufacturing requires the use of a number of machines that operate off electricity. Power outages can cause issues with the machinery, which can result in the loss of materials and reduce productivity. This can ultimately impact the supply chain depending on the severity of the outage.
Medical Facilities:
Hospitals and outpatient facilities heavily rely on power. This is true for patients on certain medical machines and during surgical procedures. Power outages can have a serious impact on healthcare facilities due to the risk of death. Medical facilities should consult with professional electricians to ensure safety measures are in place in the event of an outage. Regular assessments by electricians can also ensure your protocol is up to date. This can help save lives and reduce liability.
Data Centers:
Data centers are integral to a number of industries, including insurance companies, IT firms, and financial institutions. They not only store data, but retain important records required by law. A power outage can have a serious impact on data centers as it can involve loss of data and documents and disrupt transactions.
Finance:
The stock market and financial institutions rely heavily on electricity. In fact, an outage can cause serious issues even if it is for just a fraction of a second. This is because even a short outage can make it difficult for financial institutions to carry out transactions. The industry can result in millions of dollars in profits in just seconds with the right moves. Because of this, a power outage could have a serious impact on the financial industry.
Consulting and IT:
The IT field and consulting firms rely on consistent power based on the nature of the industry. A power outage could result in computer system crashes, lost data, and issues with client communications. While some of this may be able to be recovered, it can take weeks or months to get back to where they were before the outage. While there are backups and software recovery options, power outages can cause a significant increase in workload and lost profits.
Industries with Perishable Items:
There are a number of industries that involve perishable items. Food processing plants and markets, chemical plants, and even the pharmaceutical industry require power to preserve perishable items. A power outage could cost thousands to millions of dollars if it results in the destruction of perishable items. Industries that work with a lot of perishable items can benefit from industrial electrician services as they can help prepare you for outages or other serious electrical issues.
Control Centers:
Transportation control centers require power to function optimally. This includes traffic signal operations, air traffic control, and public transportation systems. An outage can cause serious damage and result in injury due to the increased risk for accidents. Even if the issue does not cause injuries, it can jeopardize the safety and security of countless people.
Military:
Due to the advancements in technology, the military relies heavily on technology. This helps soldiers efficiently and effectively complete missions, in addition to protecting their safety. An outage can be grave in military operations as it can expose soldiers and put them at risk.