The substation fire at Heathrow Airport, which led to the temporary shutdown of one of the world’s busiest airports, involved a transformer with 25,000 liters of cooling oil. This incident highlights the critical role that electrical infrastructure plays in maintaining smooth operations at such large-scale facilities as an international airport. The fire not only caused disruption to flights but also raised concerns about potential safety hazards associated with these systems.
The transformer’s primary function is to regulate voltage levels, ensuring a stable supply of electricity for various airport services like lighting, baggage handling systems, and security equipment. In this case, the presence of 25,000 liters of cooling oil indicates that it was likely an oil-filled transformer, which are commonly used due to their efficiency in heat dissipation. However, when things go wrong, as they did here, these large quantities of flammable liquids can pose significant risks if not properly managed and maintained.
This incident serves as a reminder for airport authorities worldwide to invest more resources into regular inspections and maintenance checks on their electrical infrastructure. Additionally, it underscores the importance of having robust emergency response plans in place should such incidents occur. By learning from this event, airports can better prepare themselves against potential power outages or fires caused by malfunctioning equipment, ensuring that passengers continue to enjoy safe and efficient travel experiences.
[Original Article](https://www.washingtonpost.com) #substation #fire [Visit GhostAI](https://ghostai.pro/)
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