Anne Britton letter to the editor Watertown Times

WATERTOWN TIMES- NEWS-EXPLOSION IN TURBINE

To the editor:

Myself, many residents of Tug Hill and around the country would like to know why this WAS NOT in the paper.

Flat Rock Wind has had a tractor trailer scrambling around the first phase of turbines at night. Midnight to be exact. WHY??? Because the deteriorating oil in the transformers is about to explode like ONE ALREADY has and caused a fire.

NEWS WHERE IS WHAT THE PEOPLE NEED TO HEAR????

AFTER LEARNING OF THE EXPLOSION WE DID SOME RESEARCH. THE FOLLOWING LINK MAY HELP YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT WENT WRONG.

Now...where is the news that people need to hear???? A hydrogen explosion is not reportable?

I look forward to reading your article on this real soon, and it should be before the election.

Anne Britton
Brandon, NY

http://www.practici ngoilanalysis. com/article_ detail.asp? articleid= 546

The life of the electrical transformer actually depends on the life of the internal insulation system. It can be shortened by a number of events - exposure to extreme conditions, aging and wear and tear. Many conditional items can be replaced in a timely manner to extend the life of the transformer. However, the oil-cellulose insulation system is one component of the transformer that cannot be replaced. Due to the omnipresence of oxygen and water, insulating oil deterioration is normal. The reaction between unstable hydrocarbons in the oil with oxygen, moisture or other chemicals and contaminants in the atmosphere, along with the assistance of accelerators such as heat, creates decay products in the oil.

Owners and operators of electrical transmission and distribution systems take action to prevent fires and explosions in transformers with deteriorating insulating oils. But these companies need a reliable method for predicting transformer failure before it reaches such extreme conditions. A new instrument designed to continuously monitor hydrogen in insulating oils promises to aid in predicting when a transformer is in the danger zone. Because a high hydrogen level in electrical insulating oils can indicate an imminent explosion, closely monitoring hydrogen can be an effective tool in predicting and preventing transformer failure.