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The outage affects
only your house or business premises.
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Problem:
None visible
What to do:
- Find the main circuit breaker on the distribution panel (breaker panel). If it has tripped, reset it.
- If the problem persists, advise the owner or caretaker. If you are the owner, please report the problem by calling 1 800 790-2424 and describe the situation.
After analyzing the situation, the Hydro-Québec representative may ask you to have a master electrician [in French only] check your electrical installation.- If the master electrician determines that Hydro-Québec equipment is at fault, he or she will take steps to have us fix the problem. In this case, the owner will have nothing to pay the master electrician.
- If the master electrician determines that your equipment is at fault, he or she will assess whether any work is required. In this case, the owner will have to pay the master electrician's fees and the cost of the work.
After reporting the outage, follow these steps:
- Turn off any electrical appliances that were on, to prevent them from coming back on when the power is restored.
- Note: Refrigerators and freezers are the exception to this rule; do not unplug them. For more information, consult food conservation recommendations from the Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation (in French only).
- Unplug all your computers and other electronics to prevent damage from possible voltage surges when the power comes back on. This is especially important if they are not protected by a surge suppressor.
- If you heat with electricity, set all of your thermostats to zero to avoid overloading the distribution system when power is restored.
- Leave two lights on—one inside and one outside. This will let you know when power has been restored, and will also help emergency crews identify the houses that are still without power.
