Prepare for Power Outages With Warren CAT

Many external issues can cause downtime for businesses, and power outages are some of the most common. When a power outage occurs, you don’t want to sit idly by and wait for power to be restored — you need a strategy in place to keep operations moving. A preparedness plan and the right equipment can save your company valuable time, money and energy.

This guide explores the importance of preparing for an outage and how Warren CAT can help you manage outages with a wide range of power solutions.

The Impacts of Power Outages

Power outages are becoming increasingly more frequent in the United States. Strained power grids and the influx of severe weather are causing more disruptions, and businesses must understand the potential impacts of losing power so they can take the best approach to mitigate these issues.

• Unplanned downtime: Whether your facility loses power for a few hours or days, the lapse in normal operations can be expensive. Outages can halt production, services and transactions, causing your business to lose valuable revenue. In some cases, you may have to pay workers for their time despite being unable to perform their job functions, contributing to even greater financial losses.
• Data disruption and loss: If your company’s IT infrastructure does not have the proper backup system in place, a power outage can lead to data corruption. These disruptions can impact your communications with customers and your network equipment, causing additional operational delays and issues.
• Damage to equipment: Power outages and subsequent power surges can cause damage to sensitive electrical equipment. In addition to repair and replacement costs, your business may have additional downtime waiting for new tools, machines or appliances to become available.
• Compromised security systems: If your facility or job site uses electronic alarms, surveillance cameras or access control systems, an outage can cause your security systems to fail, leaving your business more vulnerable to outside threats.
• Safety: Another potential result of power loss is increased safety issues. Failing lights, security systems and equipment can create serious hazards for your employees or customers. Remember that your business needs to meet important compliance criteria whether you have your main power source or not.

How to Prep for a Power Outage

As of 2021, the average duration of a power interruption was seven hours. Dealing with a power issue that lasts several hours can put a significant hold on your projects, especially considering the extra time needed to make up for the delay.

Preparation is key to protecting your bottom line and keeping your operations on schedule. A few steps will help you determine the right power solutions for your unique requirements:

1. Assess Your Power Needs

Begin by determining your business’s backup power needs. This is a critical factor for the generator model you select because it must safely and effectively accommodate the maximum requirements of all your primary systems. At the same time, a generator that does not supply enough power will be ineffective.

You can calculate your power requirements in kilowatts (kW) and kilovolt-amperes (kVA) by adding up the individual power requirements of each appliance and machine used in your daily operations. Working with an electrician can help you get a more accurate estimate of your facility’s needs.

2. Choose a Generator Type

A few considerations can help you determine the best generator type for your business. Again, you’ll need to know your power requirements. You’ll also need to keep your facility’s ground conditions and potential logistical challenges in mind.

The primary categories for standby generators include portable and stationary models. If your business operates out of a single location, a stationary option is likely best. If you work on different job sites and projects, a portable generator set will be more conducive to your operations.

Don’t hesitate to ask your equipment dealer for guidance on the best generator for your business’s unique needs.

3. Create a Power Outage Emergency Response Plan

Once you know your power requirements and the type of generator that will work best for your business, create an emergency response plan for your staff to follow when a power outage occurs. These plans will help you establish helpful protocols for safely halting operations and ensuring your team knows what to do with power tools, digital systems and equipment.

The primary objective of a power outage emergency response plan is to minimize the negative impacts of an unexpected power disruption on your business’s operations.

Quality Power Solutions From Warren CAT

If your business is looking for reliable power solutions in Oklahoma, West Texas or the Texas Panhandle, Warren CAT has a wide range of equipment available.

Our inventory features many new models, including:

• ATS ATC breakers/contactors
• ATS MX contactors
• Battery energy storage systems
• Diesel generator sets
• Gas generator sets
• Microgrids
• Mobile generator sets
• Switchgear and paralleling controls

You can also choose from our used power systems, including mobile generator sets, stationary generator sets and air compressors. Businesses looking to rent power equipment can turn to the Warren CAT Rental Store for air compressors, generators, light towers and temperature control solutions. Our options are suitable for various industries:

• Oil and gas
• Retail
• Construction
• Entertainment
• Healthcare
• Telecom
• Utilities
• Mining
• Manufacturing

Our team is happy to help you find the right systems to support your business’s unique requirements.

Emergency Response and Support for Your Power Needs

When you work with Warren CAT, your business can enjoy power system services that will keep your unit in optimal condition. We offer cost-effective solutions to minimize downtime and maintain productivity during the unexpected.

Our experienced service professionals can handle a variety of issues with your equipment. If a breakdown or failure occurs, you can call us for around-the-clock emergency assistance.

With our emergency switchgear service, we’ll help you continue normal operations despite a power outage. Our team can meet you at your facility or one of our locations. We’ll work to get your equipment up and running quickly.

Contact Warren CAT to Learn More About Our Power Solutions

If your business is looking for reliable backup power solutions, turn to Warren CAT. We have a variety of equipment available, including new, used and rental options.

Our team will help you find the right equipment for your business’s unique requirements and backup power needs. Our factory-trained service technicians are here to handle maintenance and repairs to keep your power generation solutions in working order so they’re ready when your company needs them.

Are you interested in reliable backup power equipment from Warren CAT? Contact us online or find a location near you to get started today.