Never heard of this problem before but 3 transformers that I know of have gone off in the past 2 years.
I saw one from my desk, another severely burned 4 palm trees and last week I thought the local (< 2 mile) faultline was acting up.
Is this a common problem?
Bret Cahill
Are you talking about pole transformers and/or substations? If so, then it wasn't the transformers exploding, it was the explosives they use in their circuit breakers - when you interrupt a potload of kiloamps, you have to literally blow the arc out.
Hope This Helps! Rich
Somewhat, especially with older transformers overloaded by increasing demand. Most pole-pigs are oil filled, so when they get hot and some insulation breaks down, megawatts of energy can be dissipated, which explodes the can and sets the oil on fire. Most common on hot days, when the xfmr is baking in the sun and a/c loads are high.
If the can gets leaky, from a bad seal or rust maybe, water can get into the oil and degrade the insulation. Lots of utilities are cutting back on maintenance.
The big transformers and breakers in switchyards can make spectacular explosions.
John
Hope This Helps!
Rich
I suppose you were the guy that has to reload the gunpowder in the live casing after the fault opens the circuit or do they come with an endless supply of explosive that automatically reloads itself forever??
Do you have to climb the pole and carry it up with you too?
"explosives in their circuit breakers"...LOL
mike
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