---
title: "What Is Brownout? Electrical Glossary | Daniel Electric"
description: "A brownout is a partial drop in voltage that is not a full outage, so lights dim and motor-driven devices work less well."
url: https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/brownout
publisher: Daniel Electric
phone: +1-817-481-8606
quote: https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/contact
---

Power and utility

# Brownout

A brownout is a partial drop in voltage that is not a full outage, so lights dim and motor-driven devices work less well.

The U.S. Department of Energy describes a brownout as a partial reduction of electrical voltages that causes lights to dim and motor-driven devices to lose efficiency. Power stays on, but it is weaker than normal. A brownout can come from the grid, and a bad connection inside a home can look similar.

Low [voltage](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/voltage) can stress motors and electronics. A [whole-house surge protector](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/whole-house-surge-protector) guards against high-voltage spikes, not low voltage, so ask an electrician what fits your problem. If the whole street is dim, call your utility. See [ERCOT](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/ercot) for the Texas grid.

[Daniel Electric can helpWhole-house surge protector installation](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/whole-house-surge-protector)

## Related terms

-   [Voltage](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/voltage)
-   [Power outage](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/power-outage)
-   [Dimming lights](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/dimming-lights)
-   [Voltage drop](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/voltage-drop)

## Sources

1.  [U.S. Department of Energy: BPA/Lower Valley Transmission Project Final Environmental Impact Statement](https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/EIS-0267-FEIS-01-1998.pdf)

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## Need an electrician in Southlake?

Call and tell us what is going on. A photo of the panel label or the problem helps us come prepared. Quotes on new installations are free.

[Call (817) 481-8606](tel:+1-817-481-8606)[Get a quote](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/contact)

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