More than 1,300 flights worldwide were affected when a fire at an electrical sub -station closed the Heathro Airport yesterday evening (Thursday 20 March). But why did this happen?
The UK Airport closed the most crowded after the fire at the Northern Hyde sub -station in Hayes, west of London. With the airport closing until midnight at least night, and passengers around the world are wondering about the cause of the turmoil and the time it will continue, engineering experts from the Engineering and Technology Corporation (IET) help explain the situation.
What are the sub -stations?
“The electrical sub -station is where high -voltage electricity is converted from the national network to the low voltage and distributed to users, and it contains various keys and safety devices. Alternative display point in the case of accidents like this,” said Professor John Lovahid, his colleague and electrical engineering expert at the Engineering and Technology Corporation (IET.
“The electrical stations are an important part of the electrical distribution system. Power stations generate the electricity that is then distributed throughout the country in the high voltage. Sub -stations connect the power distribution station to the distribution network, then at the other end, the sub -stations link the distribution network to the place of energy need.”
“Sub -stations are mechanical electric facilities. Transformers are used in sub -stations to raise the voltage for distribution over long distances and then to reduce the voltage to a more useful level for use in electrical installations, for example, commercial buildings and homes.”
Graham Kenyon, an expert in electrical engineering in IT, commented: “A high -voltage power station takes a high voltage power from the national network, and turns it into various transformers, distribution protection equipment, and other sub -stations that ultimately provide final users such as homes, companies and airports with power.
“This is the vehicle of the main distribution center of the National Network, in a populated area in the city. In addition to Heathrow Airport, housing and local companies, there is a great deal of use of trade and industrial energy in this field.”
Why this fire happened?
Professor Logahid explained: “The fires sometimes do, but not often, occur in the sub -stations and can have various reasons – from short electrical circuits to failure in transformers,” said Professor Logahid.
“What has caused this and it may take some time to determine what happened. The fire inside the sub -station area can harm key keys, transformers, measurement equipment, control and cables. Fires are not unprecedented but also not repeated.
Mark added: “The law is that electricity in the 1989 work regulations requires maintaining all electrical installations in order to be safe for continuous use. This applies to the electrical sub -stations that should be verified regularly. Also, part of that, it will be confirmed that the records will look to the reform, and then, you will look to the reform, which requires the reforms to look to the reform.
“For this situation, the investigation of the history of equipment, such as the manufacturer’s data will be seen from the time of its manufacturing. The investigation will be far, and each side will be considered to confirm what happened. It is very unusual that one incident will cause an entire location like Heathrow Airport.”
Graham said: “It is too early to provide a specific answer to what happened here. Haitro Airport has several supplies from the national network, and the means of transforming energy if it is safe to do so. Energy at the airport is required for safety equipment for flights, safety and public security around and around the airport,” Graham said.
When will power return?
“To restore energy, supply companies may be able to direct energy to Heathrow through an alternative circle, although it seems that it is not easily or not possible, or any damaged equipment should be replaced to restore the sub -station to the service,” Professor Lusthead commented.
“To determine the original cause means examining the damaged equipment and operating records to judge the sequence of events that lead to a fire that may be clear or require some time to work.”
Graham concluded: “The Civil Aviation Authority has rules that control the impact of energy loss on airport operations, which include looking at the period in which some, or all of which are expected, will continue the authority at the airport. Airport operations can also be affected by the consequences of a major incident in the airport circumference or flight paths, for example, for example, smoking flights.”
Publishing Rights: Adobe Stock/Russell102
