Transformer failure was found cause of lengthy power outage

GRAVETTE - Gravette citizens and those in Sulphur Springs and adjacent areas, including west of Gravette to Maysville, were without electricity several hours Friday night.

The outage, which occurred shortly before 7 p.m. Friday, was finally traced to a malfunction of the main transformer at the Empire District Electric Company substation in Gravette.

Electricity to the affected area was restored about four hours later when power was routed from feeder lines at Decatur and Noel. This served the area until switching to a portable substation transformer was completed about 9 a.m. Saturday.

Finding the cause of the problem took some time as line crewmen drove the transmission lines in Gravette checking for transformer damage. Other “false indicators” in the system also showed no problem and no visible outward sign of trouble showed on the main transformer. It weighs an estimated50,000 pounds and has been in place at the Gravette substation for many years.

The portable transformer, which weighs a comparable amount, was trucked to the site. The original transformer will be removed and examined to determine the cause of the malfunction.

Normally, circuit breaks at the substation or at line transformers can be traced to squirrels which short out lines. Such breaks can be easily traced and can be repaired in a brief period of time.

News, Pages 1 on 06/19/2013