Scheduled outage or power failure?

Unlike a power failure, which is unplanned, a scheduled outage is an intentional interruption of service for a set period of time to allow system maintenance. Scheduled outages are often necessary to protect our workers or ensure public safety while the work is being done.

In order to keep service interruptions as short as possible, Hydro-Québec plans all work very carefully. And wherever possible, we use live-line methods to avoid inconveniencing customers.

Except in cases of emergency, when Hydro-Québec has to interrupt service to perform repairs, you'll be notified in advance so you can make any necessary arrangements. We use an automated telephone system. If we can't reach you on the first call, we'll call back several times. If you have voice mail, we'll leave a message with the date, time and duration of the interruption.

What to do before there's a service interruption

We recommend that before and during the outage, you follow these instructions:

• Unplug voltage-sensitive electronic devices (computer, microwave oven, television, etc.), especially if they aren't protected by a surge suppressor. This is to protect them from possible voltage fluctuations that may occur when service is restored.
• Don't unplug your refrigerator or freezer, and avoid opening them during the outage. This will keep them cold inside. For more information, see food conservation tips [in French] on the Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation Web site.
• In winter, if you heat with electricity, set all your thermostats to zero to avoid overloading the distribution system when the power comes back on.