LESSONS FROM

ELECTRICAL FAILURES

ELECTRICAL RELIABILITY SERVICES

Wally Vahlstrom

November 16, 2006

Failure Causes:•Maintenance•Operations•Design

But there was no fault!!!

(Maintenance)

Part 1Contractor: “It’s bad equipment!”Manufacturer: “Poor workmanship!”Owner: “Help!”

(Design)

Part 2Contractor: “It’s bad equipment!”Manufacturer: “Poor workmanship!”Owner: “Help!”

(Design)

Well, we had a limited budget...

we didn’t have money for testing.

(Maintenance)

Well, I’m not sure what the load is..

But it’s new so it must be OK!

(Operations)

Why did it fail?

Better question:

What is it?

Part 1We don’t need a shutdown…

I know what I’m doing!

(Operations)

Part 2We don’t need a shutdown…

I know what I’m doing!Hey, loan me your wiggie.

(Operations)

This is the second failure….

I think we got some bad cable.

(Maintenance)

What’s this green wire for?

It’s only a street light!

(Maintenance)

The whole thing burned up!We’ve done maintenance!

What happened???

(Maintenance)

Fire Marshall:No occupancy until I get

a full report!

(Operations)

We’ve had trouble before!

What happened???

(Operations)

What’s this heater for? This dang thing is

already hot!

(Maintenance)

OK, so•Design•Operations•Maintenance

All matter ……What to do ??

ELECTRICAL RELIABILITY SERVICES