If power is lost in your home, first look to see if it's an internal problem. First, check for a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker in your home's main fuse/breaker panel. Even if the breaker is in the on position, flip the breaker off and back on to reset it.
If the problem is a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker, be sure to unplug all major appliances before replacing the fuse or flipping the breaker to reduce the electrical load on the breaker going into the home.
If you have a meter base mounted on an electric pole, check that breaker as well. Open the cover below the meter, and you'll see the main disconnect breaker. Flip the breaker off and back on to reset it.
If the power hasn't been restored after taking these steps, members are encouraged to contact the cooperative to report an outage. However, if Lorain-Medina Rural Electric crews are dispatched for an outage and the problem is found to be a blown fuse, a tripped circuit breaker in the house, or a tripped circuit breaker inside the meter base, a minimum charge for after-hours calls may be charged to the member.
Members with a digital meter can also check to see if a reading is showing on the LED display. If the display is blank, then there is no power to the meter and the member should call Lorain-Medina Rural Electric to report an outage. If a reading does appear, power is reaching the home and the loss of power is due to an issue on the member's side. However, it could also be the result of partial power going to the home. If members are experiencing partial power, they should report the issue to Lorain-Medina Rural Electric.
Remember, the overhead or underground service from the point at which the wires exit the pole-mounted breaker box are considered the members' wires and are the members' responsibility, not that of the cooperative.
Lorain-Medina Rural Electric is not responsible for locating the member's wires. Members need to call the Ohio Utilities Protection Service (OUPS) by dialing 811 before they dig.