What is cold-load pick-up and why does it cause problems for GCEC?

Cold-load pick-up problems occur during severe cold or hot weather when we try to restore power. When power is disrupted in the winter, many families leave their heating systems and appliances on. When power is restored, those heating systems cause a huge drain on the power lines and can cause line protection equipment to take the overloaded lines offline because the heavy load acts the same as a fault on the line.

Cold-load pick-up problems also occur in the summer when families and businesses are running air-conditioning units and heat pumps. Cold-load pick-up problems are prevented when members turn off their electric heating or air-conditioning systems, lights, and appliances, and then, after power has been restored, turn them back on over a period of time.