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#124477 10/10/06 10:29 PM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,682
Likes: 3
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If you have a 4000A pringle switch trip, make sure you take a look before you try to close it. Here is what I know...

480V 4000A AL Duct in a 14 story building in Arlington, VA. Pringle switch tripped and was reset and a fireball consumed a good portion of the 14th floor. Every 90 blew out (holes large enough to stick an arm much bigger than mine through) from the 14th to the sub-basement parking garage where the service is located. The true cause of this failure is known by few people, and I am not one of them. Just a reminder of the forces that we deal with. This happened over the 4th of July, so thankfully no one was injured. This could have been a lethal disaster. It wasn't....

VAElec
[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

#124478 10/11/06 01:29 AM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 23
A
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What is a "Pringle switch"? BTW, How long did they take to restore power?

#124479 10/11/06 06:58 AM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 869
Likes: 4
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Amazing !!

LV faults near high capacity transformers 1 or 2 MVA or bigger have enormous amounts of power and destructive capacity as seen in these photo's.

Someone would have been very shaken and needed to change some un%$^s when closing that switch.


The product of rotation, excitation and flux produces electricty.
#124480 10/11/06 08:54 AM
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 984
Likes: 1
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A "Pringle Switch" is a generic term used in reference to 100% rated Bolted Pressure Switches. The most common manufacturer used to the the Pringle Electric Co.

Here's the URL to a page that Eaton has about them. http://www.eatonelectrical.com/NASA...s&cid=1138850153208&Sec=products


Ghost307
#124481 10/11/06 05:52 PM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 361
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Wasn't it megged ?


~~ CELTIC ~~
...-= NJ =-...
#124482 10/11/06 07:03 PM
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 169
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Only one comment,
Glad no one got hurt and WOW

#124483 10/11/06 09:37 PM
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 745
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What did the pringle switch look like after this "event"? I know virtually nothing about this type of switchgear. Is PPE required for someone operating this equipment (or at least a real good idea)?

Mike (mamills)

[This message has been edited by mamills (edited 10-11-2006).]

#124484 10/11/06 10:02 PM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 129
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Member
The plant has several Pingle switches.Most of them were installed mid 70s to late 80s. We have then on a RM program and we clean and lubricate the blades of the switches. We found that if you dont RM they may not open porperly. Ours are fused switches not electricaly operated . Pringles switches are bolted pressure contact switches and when the knives contact the stationary contacts they actualy have a cam on each knife that generates additional force to help ensure greater contact pressure.
To those who have not seen a Pringle switch they look like a custom made device not something mass produced a lot of pride goes into them.

#124485 10/13/06 10:08 PM
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 806
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VAelec:

What was the cause of this failure, or are you not at liberty to say?

"Violent" is too small a term for this one.....


Stupid should be painful.
#124486 10/14/06 11:12 PM
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 52
T
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Quote
480V 4000A AL Duct in a 14 story building in Arlington, VA. Pringle switch tripped and was reset and a fireball consumed a good portion of the 14th floor.


I'd venture to say they had two major failures. I think the first more obvious than the second...

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