Massive Power Outage

TerranC · #1 August 18th, 2003, 03:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ragnarok:
IIRC lightning hit a station somewhere (forget where) and knocked its power out. The surrounding stations tried to cover for it while it was down and they couldn't handle the strain so they too blew. This went on down the line until the final outcome as it was. But I may be mistaken on that.

There was no lightning; the main cause is still unknown, but something happened at a transmission line in ohio that caused it to go out. The power that should have been normally flowing throughout those lines were diverted to other lines, and those other lines, which couldn't handle the extra surge, went pop, taking out power stations connected to them.

That's my understanding of this whole event; other provinces and states were spared from this domino effect because they cut the connection from the falling dominoes.

Fyron · #2 August 18th, 2003, 04:06 AM

If the main cause was unknown, how can you say it was not lightning? Or are you just saying that there was no lightning in Ohio around the time the power grid went down?

TerranC · #3 August 18th, 2003, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Imperator Fyron:
If the main cause was unknown, how can you say it was not lightning? Or are you just saying that there was no lightning in Ohio around the time the power grid went down?

The NERC said the latter, I think.

[ August 18, 2003, 03:17: Message edited by: TerranC ]

Thermodyne · #4 August 19th, 2003, 01:35 AM

The people in Ohio are now saying that there was a severe current flux prior to the circuit trip they suffered. According to them, it occurred repeatedly for several hours prior to the event. And they are again pointing the finger to the north. They way these guys cover their tails, they must have been politicians in their Last jobs.

Personally, I think Tesco was trying to bring his weapons platform on line and the phased polaron beam took down the grid

[ August 18, 2003, 12:36: Message edited by: Thermodyne ]

dogscoff · #5 August 18th, 2003, 05:38 PM

Hmm, conflicting reasons being offered as to the cause eh? How long before the wacko conspiracy theories start to emerge? Anyone seen any already?

IE aliens zapped the power grid, the government was testing a new anti-alien superweapon, alien islamic fundamentalist terrorist warlocks cast a spell on the power station etc etc etc...

Baron Munchausen · #6 August 18th, 2003, 06:25 PM

Oh the conspiracy theorists and others started up as soon as the lights went out. Various Posts to Usenet started claiming terrorist action within a few hours, and that's probably why the strong denials of terrorism came out so quickly from the govt. And now people are saying it was necessary to cover for some 'secret' govt. project and things like that. Shrug... this is business as usual for the conspiracy theorists.

Wardad · #7 August 19th, 2003, 08:03 PM

On a totally unrelated note:

Phoenix area gas stations run dry!!!

Major pipeline delivering 40% of gasoline ruptured 10 days ago.
Pipeline owners are meeting with EPA to expedite paper work to allow pressure testing. It could be two weeks before pipeline opens.
Gas Trucks are tied up in 10 hour long waiting lines at overwhelemd Tuscon gas terminal.

story:
http://www.phoenix360.com/news/index.asp?did=3291