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  • NotMyOldRedditName@lemmy.world
    12·
    11 months ago

    If transformers in Russia are like transformers elsewhere, they are of limited supply and can’t easily be replaced, especially if it’s many of them.

    That’ll hurt, and even if replaced, weaken them further.

    • Windex007@lemmy.world
      8·
      11 months ago

      I imagine with how many workers have been removed from the workforce (or in many cases, from existence) that there is a fuck ton of industrial and utility maintenance that just isn’t able to get done.

      Entirely possible it was an effective strike of some kind… But also possible that critical infrastructure is eroding to the point that “catastrophic failures” are on the menu.

      • thanevim@kbin.social
        3·
        11 months ago

        Not to mention far more increased demand putting increased wear on both machines and humans, which only makes your first point stronger

  • RidderSport@feddit.de
    8·
    11 months ago

    So apparently the Russians still smoke inside their factories, what a shame

    Thank god they’re so stupid.

    • Hopfgeist@feddit.de
      7·
      11 months ago

      Not sure this has been the official “explanation” this time, but looking at it from a technical side, there isn’t normally anything in a transformer flammable enough to be ignited by a cigarette, even if you could drop it directly into the cooling oil (which you can’t: they are normally sealed). My understanding is that you need a sustained arc over several minutes of “normal” electric current, or several lightning strikes to heat up the oil enough to catch fire. That requires some major fault. I guess a suitable type of warhead could cause it eventually, but not immediately.

      • Echo Dot@feddit.uk
        2·
        11 months ago

        they are normally sealed

        Normally

        I wouldn’t be surprised if the issue turns out to be a comedy of errors.

        1. Damaged transformer is never fix. Due to budget issues corruption
        2. Overtime it becomes more damaged until it represents a serious safety issue. See above
        3. Absolutely no equivalent of workplace safety laws. Sea above
        4. All resulting in a massive explosion
        • Hopfgeist@feddit.de
          1·
          11 months ago

          I wouldn’t be surprised if

          Neither would I. Just saying that “smoking at the workplace” alone won’t suffice. Unlike in, say, a fireworks munitions factory.

          • Echo Dot@feddit.uk
            2·
            11 months ago

            Well of course there is rules, and there are is what people do.

            Paying attention is important.

    • skillissuer@discuss.tchncs.de
      31·
      11 months ago

      transformers are filled with flammable oil, which is so similar to diesel some people even use it as such. moderate physical damage will cause short circuit, and this will provide enough energy to disperse and ignite that oil. no need for pressure buildup from fire

    • Hopfgeist@feddit.de
      2·
      11 months ago

      Can transformer cooling oil form flammable vapour? Maybe, I guess, if it’s hot enough, but I’m not sure. But when the transformer gets hot and explodes it may cause an oil spray fine enough to create a fireball, which may look similar. The first stage of a “proper” BLEVE is normally the “expanding vapor” cloud, which is visible as such, before it has mixed with air sufficiently (and/or reaches an ignition source) to burn and form the fireball. Then again, in smaller ones, and in the dark, the vapour cloud may be so short-lived that it cannot be seen.