A rotating outage is a brief, controlled power outage mandated by the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) to protect the integrity of the statewide electric system during times of critically high usage. These outages are enacted by California’s publicly owned utilities, including SCE, to ease demand on the overall electric supply and prevent wider, longer power outages. Rotating outages alternate evenly throughout the service territory to ensure no neighborhood is inconvenienced more than any other and typically last about one hour.
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What is a Rotating Outage?
A rotating outage is a brief, controlled power outage mandated by the California Independent System Operator (CAISO). It is enacted by California’s publicly owned utilities, including SCE, to protect the integrity of our statewide electric system by easing demand on the overall electric supply during times of critically high usage, preventing wider, longer power outages. Such an outage is named for the way it alternates evenly throughout our service territory to ensure that no neighborhood is inconvenienced more than any other. It remains rare and lasts only about one hour.
Visit our Outage Map to see if power in your neighborhood is shut off due to a CAISO-mandated rotating power outage, or is under consideration for one.
The Making of a Rotating Outage
A rotating outage is triggered following a sequence of notifications that California's power supply is reaching a critically low level.
Normal
System functioning as expected. No Adverse condition to report
Flex Alert
Typically issued in the summer. Flex Alerts are calls to voluntarily conserve electricity.
Warning
Power outages are expected, and some Demand Response programs could be activated.
Energy Emergency Alert 3 (EEA 3)
CAISO is unable to meet minimum emergency supply requirements. Power outages expected or in progress.
Note: Customer notification sequence may vary by circumstance.
Receipt of an alert or warning does not mean a CAISO-mandated rotating outage will be called.
For more about CAISO-imposed rotating outages, download the CAISO fact sheet.
Is Your Group Affected by the Rotating Outage?
System Status: Normal
There are no rotating outages at this time. For current and forecast energy-demand details, visit the CAISO outlook page
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View Past Rotating Outages Groups
Past Rotating Outage Groups
Below are the customer groups that were affected by a past California Independent System Operator (CAISO) rotating outage. Power has been restored to all groups and they have been moved to the bottom of the rotation.
| Rotating Outage Group | Details |
|---|---|
| A061, A062 | Date: 8/15/2020 Start: 6:43 PM End: 6:51 PM |
| A059, A060 | Date: 8/14/2020 Start: 6:56 PM End: 7:59 PM |
| A057, A058 | Date: 8/14/2020 Start: 6:45 PM End: 7:49 PM |
Preparing for a Rotating Outage
To obtain real-time information about whether your neighborhood will be affected by a CAISO-mandated rotating outage, use our Outage Map and search by your service address, billing address, or outage group number. Outage group numbers may be found at the top of your SCE bill (see illustration below), or by calling us at 1-800-611-1911.
Precautionary steps in advance of a CAISO-mandated rotating outage should include:
- Turning off electronic equipment to prevent circuits from overloading when power is restored, at which point it is safe to turn them back on.
- Leaving one light on to indicate when power has been restored.
- Minimizing driving in an outage area. Anyone who must drive through a CAISO-mandated rotating outage area should be extremely careful at intersections controlled by traffic lights since the lights may not be functioning. These intersections should be treated as four-way stops.
Rotating Outage Frequently Asked Questions
Rotating Outage FAQ
Yes, at least temporarily. One street could be served by two different circuits. A circuit can serve up to 2,000 customers and does not necessarily align with streets, neighborhoods, or community boundaries. However, it is likely the customer across the street belongs to a group also in line for a rotating outage.
You can find your rotating outage group number in one of the following ways:
Search for your rotating outage group by entering your service address, billing address, or meter number on the Outage Map.
Log into My Account and follow our step-by-step guide.
If you get a paper bill each month, you will find your rotating outage group printed on the front.
Call us at 1-800-611-1911.
Once you know your rotating outage group number, consult our Outage Map to see where your group falls within the outage order.
If possible, minimize driving in an outage area. Anyone who must drive through a rotating outage area should be extremely careful at intersections controlled by traffic lights since the lights may not be functioning. These intersections should be treated as four-way stops.
Turn off all appliances, machinery, and equipment in use when the power goes out. Leave one light on to indicate when the power has been restored. This will prevent injuries that could occur if machinery and equipment were to suddenly restart. It will also prevent circuits from overloading when power is restored.
How To Find Rotating Outage Group Numbers Frequently Asked Questions
How To Find Rotating Outage Group Numbers FAQ
The California Independent System Operator (CAISO) manages the California high-voltage electric grid and is responsible for coordinating and ensuring the supply of power used by SCE, PG&E, and SDG&E.
A CAISO-mandated rotating outage lasts approximately one hour, depending on circumstances. We manage and rotate the outage (i.e., restore power to one group while turning off power to another) to protect the integrity of our electric system. This ensures no customer is affected more than any other.
A CAISO-mandated rotating outage lasts approximately one hour, depending on circumstances. We manage and rotate the outage (i.e., restore power to one group while turning off power to another) to protect the integrity of our electric system. This ensures no customer is affected more than any other.
A CAISO-mandated rotating outage lasts approximately one hour, depending on circumstances. We manage and rotate the outage (i.e., restore power to one group while turning off power to another) to protect the integrity of our electric system. This ensures no customer is affected more than any other.
Yes, at least temporarily. One street could be served by two different circuits. A circuit can serve up to 2,000 customers and does not necessarily align with streets, neighborhoods, or community boundaries. However, it is likely the customer across the street belongs to a group also in line for a rotating outage.
Yes, CAISO may call an Energy Emergency Alert Level 3 at any time, including at night. However, whether day or night, a rotating outage lasts for approximately one hour only. If you should experience an outage of any kind during the night, please consider the safety concerns posed by darkened streets and intersections and take appropriate precautions.
Staying Safe During a Rotating Outage Frequently Asked Questions
Staying Safe During a Rotating Outage FAQ
We cannot guarantee uninterrupted service to any customer. However, our Medical Baseline Allowance program program offers assistance to critical care customers in planning for outages, as well as tips for creating an emergency power-backup plan.
If possible, minimize driving in an outage area. Anyone who must drive through a rotating outage area should be extremely careful at intersections controlled by traffic lights since the lights may not be functioning. These intersections should be treated as four-way stops.
Turn off all appliances, machinery, and equipment in use when the power goes out. Leave one light on to indicate when the power has been restored. This will prevent injuries that could occur if machinery and equipment were to suddenly restart. It will also prevent circuits from overloading when power is restored.
Yes. During the summer, the Cool Center program provides safe, air-conditioned facilities where you can relax from the heat and avoid running your own cooling devices at home. Check your county’s website for locations of emergency or temporary cool centers using our locator.
Staying Informed/Contacting Us During a Rotating Outage Frequently Asked Questions
Staying Informed/Contacting Us During a Rotating Outage FAQ
We will contact the news media, especially radio and television stations, which are encouraged to broadcast the news immediately. We may have as little as 10 minutes after an Energy Emergency Alert Level 3 is declared before we begin rotating outages, which is not enough time to provide individual notifications for affected customers. You can check our Outage Map to find out whether you will be affected.
The first thing you should do is find out whether your neighbors have electrical service. If neighbors are also without power, report the outage here and we will send someone to investigate. If your neighbors do have service, you might have an isolated electrical problem in your home or business.
