What is meant by service interruption?

Service interruption refers to a disruption of utility service. This can occur due to various reasons such as equipment failures, storms, or accidents that impact the infrastructure supplying the utility. It signifies a break in the delivery of essential services, which can affect consumers and businesses relying on consistent utility availability. This definition encompasses both unplanned outages and planned interruptions for maintenance and repair that may temporarily affect service continuity.

The other options describe different aspects of utility management but do not directly capture the essence of what constitutes a service interruption. Planned maintenance is a proactive measure to ensure reliability, routine checks are part of regular upkeep, and normal variations indicate fluctuations that typically occur without resulting in a full interruption of service. In contrast, service interruption specifically denotes a halt or disruption that affects the availability of utility services to customers.