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An animated tutorial explaining the relationship between oil, air intrusion, and energized parts

Power Utilities

RTI was contacted by a New England power company to determine the most probable cause of a primary switch explosion that resulted in the death of a contract employee.

Through several lab tests, RTI determined the triggering event occurred when the contract employee took drain samples from the front of the energized oil tank. A vacuum formed allowing air bubbles to carry conductive sediment across the energized center phase conductive parts. A phase to ground fault occurred, over-pressurizing the compartment which lead to an expulsion of the front plate.