Explosion at Watloo substation disrupts supply across Tshwane

What happened

The City of Tshwane said an explosion at the Watloo Substation on Tuesday morning was behind a major power supply interruption. The 132kV Njala Infeed Substation tripped. Primary substations reported as affected include Watloo, Wingate, Heatherley, Mooikloof, Wapadrand, Scientia, Highlands, Willows, Lynnwood, Villieria, Koedoespoort, Pumulani, Pyramid and Mamelodi One, Two and Three. A technical team was sent to assess the damage, with repairs to follow that assessment. The estimated restoration time and the exact affected areas had not yet been confirmed.

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research was among the customers affected. Residents were told to treat electricity network points as live and to keep appliances unplugged until supply was safely restored.

Contributing factors

The cause of the explosion had not been reported. The City said a technical assessment was still under way.

Lessons learned

1. A trip on a 132kV infeed can interrupt supply across many primary substations, so the downstream footprint should be mapped and communicated quickly.
2. Do not give a restoration time until the damage assessment is complete.
3. Until supply is confirmed restored, treat all network points as live and keep appliances unplugged.

Source

jacarandafm.com