Abstract
IN its issues of March 13 and 20, the Electrical Review publishes the results of a works investigation by E. A. Beavis of cable breakdowns due to bomb damage and the resulting short-circuits, the implications of which, on a cable of comparatively small, cross-section, seem to warrant careful consideration by power distribution engineers (see also NATURE of February 7, p. 173, and March 28, p. 362). This cable, having an area of 0.023 sq. in., was insulated for 11 kv. and provided with a B. O. T. sheath and a lead sheath which was double steel-tape armoured and served. It had operated since 1926 on a 6.6 kv. system. During a severe raid, a bomb explosion damaged the cable at a point 708 yd. from the main sub-station and also a 0.10.sq. in., 3. core, 6.6 kv. cable running close by along the same route. The switch controlling the 0.023.sq. in. cable did not trip, although the 0.10.sq. in. cable was tripped out on short-circuit protection. Excavation disclosed damaged places in the 0.023.sq. in. cable at five points within a distance of about 150 yd. from the main sub-station. The faults were cut out and removed for examination. With the exception of No. 5-the farthest from the station-all the failures showed similar characteristics and in appearance were more like bursts or blow-outs than true electrical faults.
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Air-raid Damage and Electricity Supply. Nature 149, 435–436 (1942). https://doi.org/10.1038/149435d0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/149435d0