ARE Project Management (PjM) Practice Exam

Which geographic impact is typical of Partial System Blackouts?

1. Very small, urban areas

2. A limited number of customers

3. A very large geographic area

4. Only specific industrial zones

The correct answer is: A very large geographic area

A Partial System Blackout typically affects a very large geographic area. This type of blackout occurs when a section of the power grid becomes disconnected from the rest, leading to a widespread loss of power that can span multiple regions. Such an event may not completely drain power from the entire grid but can still impact a significant number of customers across various locations, making it discernible on a large scale. The other responses suggest impacts that are significantly limited in scope. For instance, impacts described as very small urban areas, a limited number of customers, or only specific industrial zones would indicate a more localized event, such as an equipment failure or a localized area outage, rather than the broader implications typically associated with a Partial System Blackout. Thus, the correct answer emphasizes the extensive nature of this type of power outage, reflecting its potential to disrupt service across a significant region.