Case Study: Poughkeepsie Manhole Explosion
Two weeks ago, a manhole explosion in Poughkeepsie, New York, narrowly missed a family walking nearby. The incident, caused by an underground cable fault, highlights the dangers associated with aging electrical infrastructure.
Manhole explosions are not uncommon in urban areas. In New York City alone, there have been thousands of such incidents over the past decade. These events are often the result of failing underground cables.
Over time, the insulation on these cables can degrade due to various factors, including:
Environmental conditions: Moisture, salt, and other contaminants can corrode cable insulation.
Physical damage: Construction activities or natural wear and tear can damage cables.
Aging infrastructure: Many underground cables have been in place for decades and are beyond their intended service life.
When cable insulation deteriorates, it can lead to electrical faults that generate heat. This heat can cause the insulation to smolder, releasing flammable gases like methane and carbon monoxide. If these gases accumulate in a confined space like a manhole and are ignited by an electrical arc, the result can be a powerful explosion.
This type of cable failure is also common among float switches; that's why we've developed Opti-Float, a float switch that utilizes fiber optic cables instead of conventional copper wiring.
Key benefits of Opti-Float include:
Non-conductive materials: Fiber optic cables do not carry electrical current, eliminating the risk of electrical faults.
No heat generation: Without electrical current, there's no heat to degrade insulation or ignite flammable gases.
Enhanced durability: Fiber optic cables are resistant to environmental factors that commonly degrade traditional cables.
For more information on how Opti-Float can enhance the safety and reliability of your wastewater infrastructure, contact Cox Research today.