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Grid infrastructureUnited StatesEIR-0709

Transformer explosion causes power outages in Penn Hills

Nov 2018Published 14 Sept 2026Responsible editor: Chief Editor

SignificantElectricalProvisional
Estimated damageEstimated by the register's adjusterHow? Know the real figure?
Figure hidden: shown to subscribersMedium confidence
supply cut for about •• daysShown in the record →Full estimate
From the recordFailed part hidden
Where
Penn Hills, Pennsylvania, along Verona Road
Operator
Duquesne Light
What
Transformer explosion cut power to more than 600 customers
Response
Crews brought in immediately, power restored before 8pm
Cause
Not reported

Companies named in the reporting of this entry (being named is not a finding of fault): Duquesne Light

What happened

On the evening of 30 November 2018, a transformer explosion left customers without power in Penn Hills, Pennsylvania. At one point more than 600 customers were without electricity. Many of the outages were reported along Verona Road. Duquesne Light said crews were brought in immediately, and it reported that power had been restored just before 8 p.m. The cause of the explosion, any injuries, and the time the outage began were not reported.

Contributing factors

The cause of the transformer explosion was not reported.

Lessons learned

  1. Operators should be ready to mobilise crews quickly after a transformer failure so a local outage can be restored the same evening.
  2. Noting where outages cluster, such as along one road, helps crews focus restoration.
  3. Public updates should stick to customer numbers and restoration status, and should not infer a cause or an injury count when those facts have not been reported.

More lessons on outages, backup supply and restoration, emergency response and public communication, from every incident on the register.

Not yet known

  • Cause of the transformer failure
  • Injuries if any
  • Cost of the damage

This entry is updated when these are reported. Get an alert for the next one like it.

Source

cbsnews.com

Published 2026-09-14. Written from public reporting. Descriptive, not investigative. See the data accuracy disclaimer.

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Substation and transformer fires: the counts, the latest entries and a free alert for the next one. Also: transformer explosions.

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