Good Catch Overview
An InfraSource Harrisburg storm crew was dispatched to address a breaker outage affecting a large commercial customer. After patrolling the line, the crew determined the issue was in a section of underground primary cable. They contacted the System Operator (SO), who decided to re-energize for testing.
As soon as the breaker closed, the crew heard a problem in the underground cable and instructed the SO to open it back up. When they entered the switchgear room, they found it full of smoke and quickly opened the doors to ventilate the area.
Action Taken
Upon investigation, the crew discovered two newly installed primary feeds zip-tied to the energized bus. One feed had failed, and the other was tracking across the bus. The SO was contacted to de-energize the other feed, allowing the crew to safely remove the zip ties and inspect the cable.
Potential Hazard
If this issue had gone unnoticed, the energized bus and failed feed could have caused severe electrical hazards, including equipment damage, arc flash, or injury to personnel.
Outcome
The crew’s quick thinking and thorough inspection prevented a dangerous situation and ensured the safety of the facility and workers.
Kudos to the Harrisburg crew for their alertness and decisive action. Their commitment to safety and hazard reporting reflects the values of our safety culture—where every team member is empowered to observe, respond, and protect.
