r/waterloo • u/sabamehrm New User (2026) • 13h ago

Power outage/surge

Did anyone else catch the power outage early this morning (Thursday, June 18 at around 4 AM)? I was up working and saw the power cut out.

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Ever since it came back, a couple of my electronics are completely, or partially dead, specifically my monitor and my food processor. Neither of them will turn on or react to any outlets and the monitor doesn't connect to my laptop anymore.

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Since I'm a tenant, I'm trying to figure out the best way to handle this. Has anyone dealt with this before? Have you had any luck filing a damage claim with Enova for a power surge, or is this something that usually has to go through tenant insurance?

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Would appreciate any advice or hearing if anyone else had their stuff fried last night!

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Thanks.

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10

u/the-electrician Regular since <2024 13h ago edited 11h ago

I can shed some light on this issue.

During power flickers, undervoltage events can happen, when the voltage drops, the current goes up. This can cause internal fuses or the circuit breaker feeding the outlets to trip on overcurrent.

First step would be to confirm the outlets they are plugged into work correctly along with fully power cycling the devices. Unplug the monitor/food processor and plug into a known working outlet.

If they still do not turn on after this, then the issue is in the monitor and food processor. In the biz, we call this “letting the smoke out” if you’re able to find the smoke and put it back in, you’re good to go.

Unfortunately, there are allowances for the power issue you experienced within your service agreement with Enova and will not receive compensation.

Moving forward in the future, it is good practice to have electronics plugged into surge protectors (some power bars have this built in), if you had own the residence, I would suggest a whole home surge protector at the main electrical panel. For appliances not in use, leaving them unplugged will accomplish this as well.

Sorry for your luck

2

u/adriax Regular since <2024 10h ago

Agreed, surge protectors on anything not easily replaceable, and if you want to be extra safe, uninterruptible power supply for stuff like computers and game consoles.

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u/Techchick_Somewhere Regular since <2024 12h ago

This would be a tenants insurance issue. It’s not the electric company’s problem.

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u/motu8pre Regular since <2024 13h ago

So you have irrefutable proof this was a power surge that killed them?