I’ll preface this post with the fact that I am not a college educated electrical engineer. I base my opinion on experience from years as an electrical contractor for one of the largest energy companies in the southeast. I’ve worked overhead and underground primary distribution, overhead and underground secondary services, metering, etc. My opinions are mine and I do not in any way speak for the company that employs me or any of the companies we have contracts with.
EMP’s fry delicate circuitry since it cannot bleed off surges. Consumer products, phones, lap tops, radios, TV sets, home medical devices and appliances will be what is most affected. Like I stated earlier, as long as copper and aluminum conduct electricity, distribution and transmission conductors wouldn’t need replaced.
https://www.bluestemelectric.com/sit...20a%20Pole.jpg
Note that there are arrestors to bleed off surges. Everything is tied back to main line neutrals and earth grounds.
Here’s a quick look at substation arrestors.
https://youtu.be/DW3pEv--5w8
These types of protections are integrated all throughout our grid.
Transformers are sealed metal housings that are directly tied to earth grounds and system neutrals. The windings inside are insulated from the housing/tank and submerged in non conductive oil. This is the case for overhead, underground, network, and substation transformers.
Direct physical attacks can shut down an entire substation or transmission circuit. The thing is, power companies guard their stations when terror alerts are elevated. If one actually went down due to an attack, you can bet the rest will have an armed presence. Transmission right of ways are maintained and could be patrolled. Corporate security isn’t just for escorting terminated employees off the premises. Why is the DOE an armed gov agency? It isn’t just for competing in sniper comps. Back on track, so when a station or circuit is damaged, it’s repaired and switched back into service.
Natural disasters could pose a greater threat than EMP due to actually destroying lines and equipment. Even so, natural disasters are small relative to the size of the country. I don’t see a nation wide wildfire, hurricane, earthquake, tornado, or ice storm. The Yellowstone caldera would be a different beast though.
So let’s see, hackers have broken into financial institutes, intel agencies, political parties, etc but no one has shut down a generation plant? Wonder why?
Are the “experts” more credible than I? Yes. As stated above, I have no credentials. Is there money to be made buy selling stories of calamities that drum up fear in people? Yes. Would our government fund research that shows our grid is in danger then use said research as a reason to establish regulating authority over the nations electric grid? Lol, we all know the answer.
If the gov wants to help in an emergency, do what they’re doing now, provide funds, waive hours of service laws, and let the power companies handle their systems.
I’ll read the other thread as time allows. Lots of family gatherings going on for the Christmas holiday.
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