LEAK CAUSED FAULT
Switch Shorted By Water
“The fault was caused by water leaking into the building after the short downpour early in the evening,” said the M.E.D. electrical engineer (Mr W. G. Johnston), in a statement in the early hours of this morning.
“This shorted out the main 11,000 volt swich gear and started the fire. The first explosion was shortly after 9 o’clock, and the carbon dioxide plant operated successfully. ’‘By the time the second, and greater explosion occurred 20 minutes later, all the department’s engineers had arrived. After a further call all available men arrived, including several on leave, and power was slowly restored, sub-station by substation.
“By the time the morning load comes on, about breakfast time, we hope to have power restored over the whole of the affected area. But we would ask consumers to go easy, and not place too great a demand upon us just yet.” He thanked the Minister of Works and the, New Zealand Electricity Department for their assistance during the evening.
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Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28794, 15 January 1959, Page 8
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171LEAK CAUSED FAULT Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28794, 15 January 1959, Page 8
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