This week is a continuation of the discussion regarding outages.

What was the duration of the last outage?

Just a blip/few seconds
Less than one hour
One to 12 hours
12 to 24 hours
longer than 24 hours

I'm sure there might be a few good stories out there.

Our last outage was a few blips because of a downpour, but was enough to cause the computers to die and before we got everything back up and running, the water level rose to a dangerous level near some main switchgear and MCC's. With the blips, one of the mains tripped and did not have any de-watering pumps any more. The backup diesel pumps could not keep up and did not have a choice but to wade into the switchgear, measure the water so we were sure it was not into the buss and reset the main breakers. I look at the risk this way. If you have a trip and can determine the cause, the risk of re-setting a spring loaded pushbutton switch is the same whether you are standing in water or on the concrete floor. Everything is at the same potential because the ground grid is always tested for continuity. Still makes you think though when you are standing in ankle deep water, a meter in your hands and a prayer in your mind!

3 1/2 hour blackout due to a metering transformer failure (oil filled tank burst, flames ensued) in neighbouring substation.
Our local fire department wasn't at all interested in spraying water into a live, 69kV substation. Just as well.......