Could the Atlanta airport power outage been avoided?

The Atlanta airport experienced an over 10-hour power outage on Sunday, December 17, 2017. You can imagine that this cost $100’s of millions for passengers, the airlines, the airport, and the utility.

Could the Atlanta airport power outage been avoided?

IEEE, NETA, and NFPA 70B standards all have recommended scope and frequency of electrical preventive maintenance that helps to detect electrical hazards potential failures. Anything detected could then be addressed before failure for pennies on the dollar.

Recommendations for medium voltage cables:

• Visual Inspection – Every 2 months

• Visual Mechanical Inspection – Every year

• Infrared Testing (IR) – Every year

• Ultrasonic Testing (UT) – Every year

• Visual, Mechanical & Electrical Testing – Every 3 years

This electrical testing schedule has been proven to detect:

• Cable integrity

• Support integrity

• Environmental conditions in cable vault

• Condition of cable insulation jacket

• Verify correct insulation methods

Performing the electrical testing schedule that is recommended by IEEE, NETA, and NFPA 70B could have detected the electrical failure that occurred in the cables.

Transworld, Inc. Electrical Contractors specializes in electrical predictive and preventative maintenance. Our professionals can develop a customized electrical testing program for you.