KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) Parts of downtown Keene will lose electrical service Thursday as Eversource carries out planned work on the city’s electric system.

The outage is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 17, with City Hall and several nearby facilities expected to be without power during the four-hour window.

Eversource is inspecting a downtown electrical manhole and related equipment following an earlier incident in which the manhole was observed smoking because of excessive heat. Crews will examine wiring and electrical splices for potential damage as part of the work.

The inspection and maintenance are intended to help prevent unexpected outages and improve the reliability of the downtown electrical system.

Eversource has notified affected customers by letter and automated telephone call. If the work cannot be completed Thursday because of weather or other conditions, it is scheduled to take place Friday, Sept. 18.

City officials emphasized that the electrical work is not part of the ongoing Downtown Infrastructure Project.

Despite the outage, City Hall will remain open to the public, and city services will continue to be available.

The city is asking residents and downtown businesses and customers to plan for the temporary loss of power.