What is this thing?

[421dog]

image.jpg

This is in a substation which seems to have parallel input to 2 main 3 phase transformers

It is on the high side, downstream from the air gap switches but only on one leg.

The parallel leg going to the other transformer doesn't have one.

Downstream of the main transformers, things split into 8 3 phase 75kv distribution lines.

I watched it for a long while, and I'm pretty sure there's not a squirrel in there...

[Airborne Aircrew]

It's the target for the Islamists to shoot at to bring down the entire power grid...

[Dushan]

Are you talking bout the round thing in the middle of the picture on top of the insulator?

[421dog]

Yes. It has one ( I think 125kv) leg going in to one side and out the other.

The parallel leg going into the other transformer doesn't have one, nor do any for the other two legs.

[421dog]

Oh, and I meant 7.5kv distribution lines...

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

The picture is a bit dark, so hard to tell.
Is it the conservator (oil expansion chamber) for the step down transformer, or is it part of the circuitry?

If part of the circuitry,probably some means of reducing the inductive reactance on a very long transmission line, which may be why it's only on one leg.

[421dog]

Just standing there on a little concrete plinth devoid of any connection to anything but the leg in question, and without any obvious sort of manipulandum.

[421dog]

I'd have taken more pictures, but, as it was, a cop who was working out in the health club across the parking lot came running out to find out what the hell I was doing taking pictures of substations...

[Dushan]

Do you have a beard?

[421dog]

Just a 'stash...

[500N]

421

What did you say to the cop and what the cop say to you re your reason ?

[Dushan]

Well that explains it. If you had a full beard, or better yet, a burka nobody would dare challenge you.

[421dog]

I explained to him that I was a Burn Surgeon, and that I made it my business to understand electrical distribution systems so that when linemen or miscreants got tangled up in things they shouldn't, I could provide optimal care.

We stared at each other for a second or two and
He said "oh" and went back to his weights.

[421dog]

I thought it best not to antagonize him further, however.

[421dog]

I didn't ask him if he knew what it was. Probably should have.

[421dog]

Of course, if somebody gets tangled up in 125kv lines, there ain't gonna be enough left for me to work on...

[admin]

421dog, it has been noted on your service record. "Tendency to talk to himself for extended periods of time".

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

..and if the oil in a transformer goes up, I'm told there isn't even enough to be worth searching for.

Alison, I get my students doing this all the time. One sentence per text message is the maximum. I've switched to a free incoming texts service, and just wait for a complete train of thought to emerge before replying.

[421dog]

Eh, I've been holed up in a hotel room for two days studying for a recertification exam. I'm kinda punchy.

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

Put down the iPod and step away from the energy drinks.....