If you’ve received a notice about underground power testing in your neighborhood, here’s the simple answer: CenterPoint Energy is proactively checking underground cables to help prevent unexpected outages later. In some areas, that work can require a temporary planned outage of up to four hours.
I know—any outage, even a short one, can feel disruptive. But this is the kind of planned, controlled interruption that’s meant to reduce the risk of bigger, surprise outages down the road.
CenterPoint Energy has contracted
IMCORP (Underground Cable Testing & Diagnostics)
to conduct underground power cable diagnostics testing across the electric distribution network.
To date, IMCORP has tested more than 50,000 underground cables, helping CenterPoint operate more efficiently and cost-effectively while identifying cables that may be at risk of failure. This work serves as a proactive “health assessment” of the underground electrical system. And if you’re the type who likes to understand the bigger picture of how outages work, you might also recognize the frustration that comes with nested power outages, where restoration can happen in stages and take longer than expected.
What This CenterPoint Energy Underground Power Testing Notice Means for Your Neighborhood
During the testing process, some neighborhoods may experience temporary power outages lasting up to four (4) hours.
These interruptions are planned and necessary to safely perform diagnostic testing that helps prevent unexpected outages in the future. If you’ve ever watched restoration updates after a storm and wondered how utilities get power back so quickly (or why certain areas take longer), this related update on CenterPoint Energy restoring power in Houston can help put the process in context.
Why CenterPoint Energy Is Testing Underground Power Cables
The simple reason: find weak cables before they fail
Underground cables naturally age over time due to heat, moisture, and electrical stress. Proactive testing allows crews to detect weak or deteriorating cables before they fail, reduce emergency outages, improve long-term reliability, and make infrastructure upgrades more strategic and cost-efficient.
Put simply: it’s a lot easier (and safer) to find a weak point before it becomes a full-blown outage.
By identifying potential issues early, CenterPoint can replace or repair cables before they cause unplanned service disruptions. And while this notice is specifically about testing, many households also like knowing what options exist if an outage or disruption triggers a financial crunch—especially if you’re trying to stay ahead of late payments. If that’s you, it can help to understand what a utility assistance program actually is and how it’s typically used when bills become hard to manage.
What Underground Power Cable Diagnostics Testing Looks Like
What crews are doing (and why power sometimes must be off)
In many underground cable diagnostics workflows, the system needs to be placed in a controlled, safe state to run measurements reliably—one reason a short planned outage may be used. The goal is to identify deterioration, defects, or “weak links” that could cause future failures.
How to Prepare for a Temporary Planned Outage During Underground Power Testing
Taking a few simple steps can help minimize inconvenience.
Before testing begins: quick checklist
Before the scheduled testing, it helps to keep refrigerators and freezers closed to preserve food temperature, draw blinds and keep windows and doors shut to maintain indoor temperature, ensure transformer boxes are accessible (clear away fences, debris, or landscaping if needed), and secure or restrain pets for crew safety.
If you have medical needs, contact IMCORP early
If you have a medical condition requiring electricity, contact IMCORP immediately so the right conversation can happen early (not at the last minute).
- Phone: 281-739-0676
- Email: Testing-TX@imcorp.com
If you rely on electrically powered medical equipment, early notification is strongly encouraged so appropriate accommodations can be discussed. And if you’re also juggling an electric bill that’s already tight, it may be reassuring to know there are assistance routes in Texas depending on your provider. For example, some customers explore programs like the TXU Energy Assistance Program, while others look into payment flexibility options such as a payment extension when timing is the biggest issue.
Stay Informed With CenterPoint Energy Power Alerts During Planned and Unplanned Outages
To receive outage notifications directly on your phone, enroll in the Power Alert Service (PAS) through CenterPoint Energy.
How to sign up in plain language
Here’s how to sign up in plain language: locate your electric meter number (usually on your electric bill), visit CenterPointEnergy.com, log in or create an account, and enroll in the Power Alert Service (PAS).
Once enrolled, you’ll receive timely alerts regarding planned and unplanned outages in your area.
FAQs About CenterPoint Energy Underground Power Testing and Temporary Outages
If you have questions about the underground cable testing process, scheduling, or medical concerns, contact IMCORP using the phone number or email listed above.
CenterPoint Energy appreciates your patience and cooperation as this proactive reliability program helps strengthen and modernize the electric grid for your community.
One last quick reassurance, because people ask this out loud all the time: “Is this inconvenience actually worth it?” In most cases, yes—because a short planned outage is usually far easier to deal with than an unexpected outage at the worst possible moment.
How long does CenterPoint Energy underground power testing usually take?
Why would underground power testing require turning the power off?
Is a planned outage safer than a surprise outage?
What should I do if I use medical equipment that needs electricity?
Can CenterPoint Energy underground power testing prevent future outages?
What if this planned outage causes me to fall behind on my electric bill?