Electricity problems (was Re: [plug] A Quote)

[Bret Busby]

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Original Message <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

On 6/23/99, 10:01:58 AM, Kenworthy Family <billk at opera.iinet.net.au> 
wrote regarding Re: Electricity problems (was Re: [plug] A Quote):


> Hi,
>  Ive believe that underground power can be more exposed to lightning 
than above
> ground in some circumstances - this is because power lines carry some 
lightning
> protection so while problems occur, they are localized.  Underground 
however looks
> like a low resistance circuit buried in a higher resistance (the 
"ground") - thus
> providing a longer path for the current to dissipate. I would not be 
surprised if
> underground power was not protected against strikes in as effective a 
way as above
> ground.   In tropical areas, strikes within 1km of airport 
communication lines (i
> was in the RAAF at the time) were believed to cause the highly 
visible/audible
> flashovers on telephone distribution blocks inside the buildings 
during storms.  -
> in short, disconnect and not be sorry (ALL connections, modem,  
network cabling &
> power, including pulling plugs, not just turn off.)

> Another point is that i believe WP wire houses in a street to 
different phases, so
> its quite possible for neighbours to have power and yu not - check a 
few houses
> away (i.e., approx 3 apart as the wiring flies!)

When we have our monthly blackouts, we don't see any electric lighting 
working, in this area.

When the electricity supply lines were put underground in NZ, the 
supply became stable, and we didn't have to worry about storms 
interfering with the electricity supply.

Perhaps, the SEC just uses cheap and nasty methods, which could be why 
you had problems with underground electricity supply. 

Unfortunately, since the electricity generation and supply in NZ was 
privatised, they too, appear to have taken the cheap and nasty course, 
hence the Auckland blackouts, and Mercury Energy saying that it was 
not economically feasible to provide a stable supply of electricity.

Bret Busby