A SCHEDULED power outage is expected to impact people and businesses across the entire shire tomorrow, with no electricity available for towns all across the Strathbogie Shire.

The planned outage, organised by AusNet, is expected to result in no power from 8:30am until 4:30pm, putting work and school days up in the air for many.

According to AusNet, the outages are to perform 'critical maintenance' on the Rapid Earth Fault Current Limiter (REFCL).

An AusNet statement explains that REFCL work to reduce the risk of fire towards electrical assets.

"A Rapid Earth Fault Current Limiter (REFCL) operates like a big safety switch in the electricity network," it said.

"In Victoria, it's being used to help reduce the risk of bushfires.

"Trials took place in 2014 and 2015 and REFCLs have been operating in some locations since 2017."

The outage extends across the entire shire, with thousands of 'affected customers' listed on the AusNet website.

This includes:

– 2151 customers in Euroa

– 630 in Violet Town

– 255 in Strathbogie

– 236 in Longwood/Longwood East

– 112 in Ruffy

– 30 in Avenel

With the power outage expected to continue throughout the entire day, many local businesses have no choice but to close their doors.

Speaking with businesses in Euroa, the vast majority will be shut tomorrow.

Both the Euroa and Violet Town libraries will be closed, with staff on stand–by should the outage end earlier.

The Euroa Pharmacy will be closed too, with staff explaining that the lack of power will make it impossible to put prescriptions through computer, as well as the shop being too dark for customers due to shelves in place in front of several windows.

The Gazette offices and Euroa Printers will be closed too, along with several others across Binney and Railway Streets.

Burton's IGA, The Euroa Post Office and The Euroa Newsagency will remain open due to them having a generator, as well Thomson's Betta Home Living.