Transformer fire?

What happened here then? Doesn't look to me like the transformer is on fire, unless they're referring to the whole structure as a transformer.

Phase to earth fault and the protection didn't operate?

http://www.southwales-eveningpost.c...g-power-cuts/story-27781640-detail/story.html

There appears to be an 11kV 3 phase cable runing down the post and that has caught fire. Possibly damaged at or close to ground level and shorted, fault current not enough to take out the breakers at the sub station but more than enough to roman candle the cable.

The service tweeted that a transformer had exploded and that Western Power was also in attendance

Click to expand...

No sign of an exploded one in the photo - I guess the fire could have got to it. AIUI the fire service get all antsy-elf'n'safety when faced with having to spray water onto burning HV cables and apparatus.

Westie will have the facts. Not seen him for a while - hope he's just on holiday, or doing interesting work stuff.

Maybe using tar-impregnated wood for things like that is not a good idea.

I'll bet that cable has been hit by farm machinery at some point a similar thing happened here.
View media item 32652View media item 32651You can see where the 11 kv cable was as this cable was a feed from a generator on a refuse site.
For months our power would go off during heavy rain showers and then one Friday afternoon the cable caught fire and out power went off while I was in the shower lol.
This pole is in the middle of a field so again probably hit by farm machinery.

Andy