Rotating Outage


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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. 

 

Rotating Outage


For more information about CAISO-imposed rotating outages, view the commonly asked questions at the bottom of this page.

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Is Your Group Affected by the Rotating Outage?


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RO Status

System Status: Normal

There are no rotating outages at this time. For current and forecast energy-demand details, visit the CAISO outlook page.

System Status: Warning

The state’s power reserves are at critically low levels, and California Independent System Operator (CAISO) rotating outages are possible. Read below about how best to prepare for potential power outages. You may also learn more from CAISO’s online system status report. CAISO rotating outages typically last one hour.

Potential Shutoff Groups

Find your outage group number at the top of your SCE bill.

Rotating Outage GroupEstimated Shutoff
A057, A058, A059, A060, A061, A062, A063, A066, A068 A070, A0729/22/2022

System Status: Energy Emergency Alert Level 3 (EEA 3)

The state's power reserves are at critically low levels and California Independent System Operator (CAISO) rotating outages are now in effect. Read below to learn how to maximize your safety and minimize inconvenience during a power shutoff. You may also learn more from CAISO’s online system status report. CAISO rotating outages typically last one hour.

Active Shutoff Groups

Find your outage group number at the top of your SCE bill. Restoration times below are estimates only; actual power-on times may vary.

Rotating Outage GroupDetails
A057, A058, A059, A060, A061, A062, A063, A066, A068 A070, A072Date: 9/22/2022
Start: 2:43PM
Estimated End: TBD

Potential Shutoff Groups

Find your outage group number at the top of your SCE bill.

Rotating Outage GroupEstimated Shutoff
A057, A058, A059, A060, A061, A062, A063, A066, A068 A070, A0729/22/2022

View Past Rotating Outages Groups

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.

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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.

Who Calls a Rotating Outage?


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When California’s power reserves reach critically low levels, CAISO may declare an Energy Emergency Alert Level 3 (EEA 3), requiring SCE—along with the state’s other publicly owned utilities—to reduce electrical load immediately by turning off service to customers in a controlled, alternating manner. 

SCE may have less than 10 minutes before we must begin CAISO-mandated rotating outages, which is not enough time to provide individual notifications, even to the small percentage of affected customers. We rely on the news media for help, especially radio and television stations, by asking them to broadcast news of the CAISO-mandated rotating outage right away. You can also check our online Outage Map to find out whether you will be affected, and receive updates, and alerts, and monitor statewide energy supply by downloading CAISO’S real-time reporting tool, ISO Today

Customers experiencing an outage will see their power restored in approximately one hour, after which time the outage will rotate to another set of SCE customers. When power is restored to your neighborhood, our online Outage Map will reflect it. 

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Preparing for a Rotating Outage


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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.  

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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. 

Commonly Asked Questions about Rotating Outages


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Customer Resources and Support

Keeping the Power on for Everyone

Your choice to conserve energy during periods of high demand does more than lower your monthly bill. It also helps eliminate the need for rotating outages. Follow the link below for energy-conservation tips and resources that help keep the power on for your home or business, and for millions of Californians like you. 

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