Brownout (electricity)

A brownout is a drop in the magnitude of voltage in an electrical power system. Unintentional brownouts can be caused by excessive electricity demand, severe weather events, or a malfunction or error affecting electrical grid control or monitoring systems. Intentional brownouts are used for load reduction in an emergency, or to prevent a total grid power outage due to high demand. The term brownout comes from the dimming of incandescent lighting when voltage reduces. In some countries, the term brownout is distinct from a complete power outage (or blackout), while in other countries the two terms are interchangeable.