Transformer fire at Rutland substation cuts power to thousands

What happened

A transformer fire and explosion occurred at the Lalor Avenue Substation in Rutland, Vermont, behind a General Electric plant, cutting power to about 3,000 Central Vermont Public Service customers for roughly two and a half hours on a Friday afternoon. Firefighters could not approach the flames for the first 20 minutes due to electrocution risk until power to the substation was shut down. One transformer was destroyed and a building housing equipment and a control centre was damaged.

No injuries were reported. The outage disabled traffic signals, requiring police to direct traffic, and forced two residents reliant on electrically powered oxygen tanks to be relocated to hospital until power was restored. The ruptured transformer also spilled a small amount of mineral oil containing low levels of PCBs, which required environmental cleanup.

Contributing factors

Utility officials said the cause was under investigation but believed a faulty switch or other equipment failure was responsible.

Lessons learned

1. Transformer fire at a substation can delay firefighting for 20 minutes due to electrocution risk, so operators should rehearse rapid de-energisation with local fire services.
2. A ruptured transformer can spill mineral oil containing PCBs, so sites should hold pre-planned spill response procedures and containment kits.
3. Transformer failure can disable traffic signals and medical equipment, so contingency plans must identify and support vulnerable residents in the area.

More lessons on worker safety and safe systems of work, emergency response and public communication, from every incident on the register.

Not yet known

• Exact cause of the switch or equipment failure
• Transformer model and age
• Cost of damage and cleanup
• Duration of building repairs

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Source

rutlandherald.com