Hoover Dam Explosion 1

• Jul 19, 2022

• #1

oldfieldguy

Electrical

Sep 20, 2006

1,573

Looks like a transformer let go.

Link

old field guy

 

• Jul 19, 2022

• #2

hokie66

Structural

Jul 19, 2006

23,206

So? Not a big deal.

 

• Jul 19, 2022

• Thread starter
• #3

oldfieldguy

Electrical

Sep 20, 2006

1,573

hokie66-

You know that and I know that, but it made the news cycle. I don't think it was much of a transformer, judging from the smoke cloud.

OFG

old field guy

 

• Jul 19, 2022

• #4

Sym P. le

Mechanical

Jul 9, 2018

1,193

Fortunately, there wasn't enough water behind the dam to put out the fire.

 

• Jul 19, 2022

• #5

cvg

Civil/Environmental

Dec 16, 1999

6,868

not sure water is recommended on an electrical fire

 

• Jul 20, 2022

• #6

dik

Structural

Apr 13, 2001

26,063

it's OK, there isn't any... Actually, I think they have about 50' 100' to go...

So strange to see the singularity approaching while the entire planet is rapidly turning into a hellscape. -John Coates

-Dik

 

• Jul 20, 2022

• #7

JohnRBaker

Mechanical

Jun 1, 2006

37,266

Yea, they played it up on the local news but as anyone could see, it was just a transformer and the photos taken afterwards didn't really show all that much damage, just a lot of soot and foam covering the area.

John R. Baker, P.E. (ret)
Irvine, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:

The secret of life is not finding someone to live with
It's finding someone you can't live without

 

• Jul 20, 2022

• #8

itsmoked

Electrical

Feb 18, 2005

19,114

THS
.
.
.
.
Transformer Heat Stroke

It's over 102F (39C) there every day at the moment.

Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

• Jul 20, 2022

• #9

TugboatEng

Marine/Ocean

Nov 1, 2015

11,839

They surely designed for a higher ambient temp in that location. 40°C is the standard ambient design for electrical machines and there are 50-65°C standards. We do 50°C for marine applications.

 

• Jul 20, 2022

• #10

FacEngrPE

Mechanical

Feb 9, 2020

1,651

Are those the same transformers installed in 1935?

Look closely, Transformer has only left 2 bushings, right bushing you can see the power line leaving, but not the right bushing.

 

• Jul 20, 2022

• #11

cranky108

Electrical

Jul 23, 2007

6,293

Too bad transformer deliveries are up to three years.

 

• Jul 20, 2022

• #12

spsalso

Electrical

Jun 27, 2021

956

Probably doesn't need replacement, but repair in place.


spsalso

 

• Jul 20, 2022

• #13

JohnRBaker

Mechanical

Jun 1, 2006

37,266

Yes, that Right phase line looks like where all the action was. The insulator at the bottom of the power line leaving the station is all covered in soot and, as you noticed, the line from the transformer is missing.

John R. Baker, P.E. (ret)
Irvine, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:

The secret of life is not finding someone to live with
It's finding someone you can't live without

 

• Jul 21, 2022

• #14

itsmoked

Electrical

Feb 18, 2005

19,114

How is there a big red manifold with sprayers up on the wall just for that one transformer??

Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

• Jul 21, 2022

• #15

cranky108

Electrical

Jul 23, 2007

6,293

Soaker hose cooling system?

 

• Jul 21, 2022

• #16

TugboatEng

Marine/Ocean

Nov 1, 2015

11,839

The transformer is different from the rest. Perhaps it has a flammable oil and the others do not.

 

• Jul 21, 2022

• #17

cranky108

Electrical

Jul 23, 2007

6,293

What transformer oil is not flammable?

 

• Jul 21, 2022

• #18

TugboatEng

Marine/Ocean

Nov 1, 2015

11,839

Good question I guess. I assumed PCB's as well as other halogenated oils to be non-flammable but that appears to not be the case.

 

• Jul 21, 2022

• #19

FacEngrPE

Mechanical

Feb 9, 2020

1,651

I don't think non/less flammable oil helps much in case of a high energy fault. It does limit the fire damage after the protection stops the arcing fault.

[URL unfurl="true" said:

https://www.transformer-technology.com/community-hub/technical-articles/1398-transformer-bushings-breakdown-mechanism-and-the-appropriate-life-cycle-maintenance-implementation.html[/URL]]According to studies, bushings cause 17% of all power transformer failures and are the third most common reason for transformer breakdowns. High-voltage bushings contribute 30% to all fires and explosions associated with power transformer breakdowns.

Click to expand...

 

• Jul 21, 2022

• #20

JohnRBaker

Mechanical

Jun 1, 2006

37,266

Since it appears that one of the bushings is 'missing' and the insulator that was securing that right-side phase line appears to be heavily charred and which would have been close to said bushing, it would seem that the bushing was indeed 'involved' in whatever happened.

John R. Baker, P.E. (ret)
Irvine, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:

The secret of life is not finding someone to live with
It's finding someone you can't live without