30/09/2025
A destroyed 150K plus system control board!
(No, not a switchboard as reported inaccurately to energy safe by the incident controller)
An engineering issue was clearly identified and suggested to have resulted in failure after a 150A 3Phase supply across a failed SSR caused significant smoke being released from the board and fire damage to the localized and immediate area of the SSRs and cables directly above the SSRs.
Correct (yes correct) isolation of the supply at the switchboard resulted in primary self extinguishing of the components as designed!!
However, approximately and more than 60 kgs of Dry fire fighting powder was used (including about 9kg used on metal frames after a TIC scan identified a higher than normal heat source 🤷♂️)
The application of so much dry powder I believe was the reason that around 150K++ was spent to totally rebuild the CONTROL BOARD.
Please ensure correct isolation is established and where possible, do not use dry powder on control gear!!
Correct Isolation procedures and CO2 is a far safer option.
Remember, most electrical components, cable and enclosures are designed to self extinguish or re**rd the advance of fire when energy sources are removed.
