I have a couple questions about the possibility of losing a phase because of a thunderstorm.
I now work at a manufacturing plant that has 480V panels feeding machines. Most of the machines are from overseas, and have transformers beside them that change the voltage to 380V.
Today I was told that a couple years back there were some power outages during thunderstorms, but only 1 or 2 phases were "knocked out". A couple minutes later, when the machines were restarted, somehow the motors single phased and burned out 13 motors at once. I was also told that the Power company had to come out and replace some parts (fuses?) in an outside transformer. I'm not sure what exactly happened, because I didn't work there at that time, but it's up to me to make sure it doesn't happen again.
My questions are,
1. Is it possible for the storm to knock out 1 or 2 phases as I was told?
2. If so, is there a safety device that can detect a missing leg and perhaps turn off power till it's resolved?
Like I said, I'm not sure what exactly happened. Any ideas and advice will be appreciated.
I now work at a manufacturing plant that has 480V panels feeding machines. Most of the machines are from overseas, and have transformers beside them that change the voltage to 380V.
Today I was told that a couple years back there were some power outages during thunderstorms, but only 1 or 2 phases were "knocked out". A couple minutes later, when the machines were restarted, somehow the motors single phased and burned out 13 motors at once. I was also told that the Power company had to come out and replace some parts (fuses?) in an outside transformer. I'm not sure what exactly happened, because I didn't work there at that time, but it's up to me to make sure it doesn't happen again.
My questions are,
1. Is it possible for the storm to knock out 1 or 2 phases as I was told?
2. If so, is there a safety device that can detect a missing leg and perhaps turn off power till it's resolved?
Like I said, I'm not sure what exactly happened. Any ideas and advice will be appreciated.