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Many landline phones keep working even when the power is down or during an outage. Compassionate Eye Foundation/Her / Getty ImagesOne of the remarkable features of modern technology is the phone system's reliability. Power outages are common for many people—sometimes brief, other times lasting for hours or even days. Yet, your phone remains operational (assuming you’ve paid the bill). How is this possible?
The article How Telephones Work explains the simplicity of telephones and their network. It demonstrates how you can build an intercom system using two regular phones, a 9-volt battery, and a resistor. A phone needs only between 6 and 12 volts at about 30 milliamps to function, meaning it requires very little power to run.
Your phone is connected to the phone company’s office through a dedicated pair of copper wires that are typically buried underground, making them resistant to damage from ice storms and hurricanes. The phone company provides the power needed for your phone via this dedicated copper connection.
Even if your home's power goes out, your phone continues to receive power through the phone line. The phone company’s office is equipped with an extensive battery system and a backup generator to ensure power during outages. When the power fails, the batteries and generators maintain full power to the office, keeping all phones connected to it operational as well.
