[roadshow2006]

I was under the impression some transmitters have backup generators should the electricity fail. However the MBNL mast which runs EE and Three seems to go down every time we have an electricity failure here. It's bloody annoying to have, like the other evening, no electricity and no phone signal either. Is this normal for transmitters?

[Maxatoria]

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadshow2006

I was under the impression some transmitters have backup generators should the electricity fail. However the MBNL mast which runs EE and Three seems to go down every time we have an electricity failure here. It's bloody annoying to have, like the other evening, no electricity and no phone signal either. Is this normal for transmitters?

Depends on the size of the transmitter, but a lot of them should have at least battery backups but when the batteries wear out they don't get replaced to save money and running a generator is an invite to every dodgy person in the area to come and steal the diesel unless its well protected and then theres complaints about the noise when it does kick in

Probably best to have a look at the transmitter itself and see what its got (if anything)

[wrexham103.4]

i agree, o2 and vodafone both had signal, but EE was without signal for 36 hours around here this week

[FortKnox]

Theres a Three/EE Monopole Mast at the end of my street which has suddenly stopped working too after Wednesday's weather. However we only had a power cut for about 5mins. Decided to go right up to it tonight...doesn't seem to be any damage to it but the small green cabinet the equipment is in seems to have been changed but otherwise it doesn't seem to be transmitting. Think this may be due to the weather or might it have been turned off purposely?

[mrMick]

Our local Vodafone masts must have some sort of backup, i don't lose signal in power cuts. Don't really know about the rest, i've always been on Voda apart from one excursion to Three many years ago, and then the phone roamed to o2 (shows how long ago eh!) at home because i was outside of Three's coverage area at the time.

[John_Patrick]

It all depends on the network, the vendor of the equipment and any anxcillary equipment.

Some sites will have a small battery backup that is just for the link equipment (as that may carry other sites) and draws minimum power.... larger sites will have a larger battery back up but its only designed to hold the site up for an hour or so. In reality, most power cuts in the country are for very short periods of time. The weather we have been getting is quite unprecedented.

The only network that has a proper back up is Airwave (the emergency services network) as they use a gas powered generator if the mains fails.

[The Lord Lucan]

Depends how close the site is to the power cut. Sites many miles away are unlikely to be affected where as ones nearby will be. Some sites have power backups.

However lightening, heavy rain, heavy winds etc especially if the backhaul is microwave can bring a site down. 9 times out if 10 it will come back on line shortly after the power does so if it's still out it's not related to power.

[Nigel Goodwin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadshow2006

I was under the impression some transmitters have backup generators should the electricity fail. However the MBNL mast which runs EE and Three seems to go down every time we have an electricity failure here. It's bloody annoying to have, like the other evening, no electricity and no phone signal either. Is this normal for transmitters?

I suppose it depends, but not in my experience - and actual generators would be very unlikely - perhaps some might have short term battery backup?.

[flagpole]

realistically how often does the power go out these days, don't think i've had a power cut in 10 years. and would it be worth the cost of putting generators in what 20,000 sites.

[roadshow2006]

Quote:

Originally Posted by flagpole

realistically how often does the power go out these days, don't think i've had a power cut in 10 years. and would it be worth the cost of putting generators in what 20,000 sites.

Guess it depends where you live. We've had thunderstorms and heavy wind the last month and in that timespan I've lost signal and electricity for between 30 mins and 3 hours.

[AlecR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by flagpole

realistically how often does the power go out these days, don't think i've had a power cut in 10 years. and would it be worth the cost of putting generators in what 20,000 sites.

We get a power cut once every year (at least) here in the south (Hampshire).

[Three]

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadshow2006

Guess it depends where you live. We've had thunderstorms and heavy wind the last month and in that timespan I've lost signal and electricity for between 30 mins and 3 hours.

They're not that common though and not worth the cost of installing battery and generator solutions.

Last night we had heavy winds and rain, lights kept flicking and dimming and at one point went out for a brief second. Mobile phone service was fine though and life rolls on..

[randolf105]

Dont think a backup generator would do much for this mast
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