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The short answer
Your home gets power on two 120 volt ‘legs.’ Half your circuits run on one, half on the other. When half the house goes dead, one leg has usually been lost, either at the utility’s line, the meter, or the main connection in your panel. It is not something to fix yourself.
How urgent is it?
What to check
1 | Look at the panel. Reset any tripped breakers the normal way. If a single big breaker is tripped, that may explain it. |
2 | Notice your 240V appliances. A dryer that spins but won’t heat, or an electric range that’s half working, is a strong sign you’ve lost a leg. |
3 | Check with neighbors. If they have the same problem, it’s on the utility side. |
4 | Call your utility. Clark Public Utilities or Cowlitz PUD will check the line and meter at no cost. Many lost-leg problems are on their side. |
Turn off the main and call us right away if
| Some lights are brighter than normal while others are dim. That can mean a lost neutral, which can damage electronics and appliances fast. |
| The utility says their side is fine. |
| You see scorching, smell burning, or hear buzzing at the meter or panel. |
| Power keeps coming and going on the same half of the house. |
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Who fixes it, the utility or an electrician?
The utility handles the line to your house and the meter. Problems at the meter base, main breaker, or inside the panel are on the homeowner side and need a licensed electrician.
Is it safe to stay in the house?
Usually, yes, if lights are simply off. If lights are flickering bright and dim or you smell burning, turn off the main breaker and call.
