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To: meatloaf
We have about 1200 of those transformers in the U.S. They take 3 years to build after receipt of order. None are on order. There are no spares. A Carrington style event would wipe out 1/3 of the transformers...mostly in the northern tier states where the magnetic field provides less shielding from a CME impact.

My home is in that red spot in southeast Idaho. We already have power outages during significant thunderstorm activity. Our fresh water is pumped from sub-surface wells using electric pumps. If the power fails, we'll be making regular trips to the river to gather what we can. Purification will be necessary.

22 posted on 08/02/2012 8:55:39 AM PDT by Myrddin
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To: Myrddin

The other issue is that the only factory that made those transformers in the US was closed. The building in Muncie, IN is being used to build locomotives. Any replacemens for any of the main transformers a power plants will probably have to come from overseas, unless the utility has spares which is unlikely.

The other issue I’ve seen was a freak loss and restoration of load at a power plant that resulted in the generator core being twisted. The plant did no trip. Everything was fine until the plant shutdown.On startup the generator has significant vibration issues which could not be repaired on site, The rotor had to removed and shipped out for repair.

We’re going to see lots of unusual events when the grid goes down and circuits are overloaded when they try to compensate.


27 posted on 08/02/2012 10:05:28 AM PDT by meatloaf (Support Senate S 1863 & House Bill 1380 to eliminate oil slavery.)
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