• Hopfgeist@feddit.de
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    11 months ago

    Not sure this has been the official “explanation” this time, but looking at it from a technical side, there isn’t normally anything in a transformer flammable enough to be ignited by a cigarette, even if you could drop it directly into the cooling oil (which you can’t: they are normally sealed). My understanding is that you need a sustained arc over several minutes of “normal” electric current, or several lightning strikes to heat up the oil enough to catch fire. That requires some major fault. I guess a suitable type of warhead could cause it eventually, but not immediately.

    • Echo Dot@feddit.uk
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      11 months ago

      they are normally sealed

      Normally

      I wouldn’t be surprised if the issue turns out to be a comedy of errors.

      1. Damaged transformer is never fix. Due to budget issues corruption
      2. Overtime it becomes more damaged until it represents a serious safety issue. See above
      3. Absolutely no equivalent of workplace safety laws. Sea above
      4. All resulting in a massive explosion
      • Hopfgeist@feddit.de
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        11 months ago

        I wouldn’t be surprised if

        Neither would I. Just saying that “smoking at the workplace” alone won’t suffice. Unlike in, say, a fireworks munitions factory.

        • Echo Dot@feddit.uk
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          11 months ago

          Well of course there is rules, and there are is what people do.

          Paying attention is important.