Lab operators, craft respond proactively to Oct. 22 power outage

Team of Laboratory electricians and operations personnel safely isolated the affected system and restored power

November 2, 2021

Ta3 Substation Coils Closeup 2d93a Card

A high-voltage equipment failure at TA-03 caused a widespread power outage Friday, Oct. 22, on Laboratory property and throughout the Los Alamos community, cutting off electricity for about two and a half hours in the evening.

Following the outage, a response team of Laboratory electricians and operations personnel safely isolated the affected system and restored power.

“The operator and craft response Friday night was outstanding,” said Andrew Erickson, director of the Laboratory’s Utilities and Infrastructure (UI) division. “They worked diligently to ensure that the system was recovered expeditiously and safely.”

The incident is under review by UI, and the high-voltage equipment is scheduled to be replaced.

In addition to the Oct. 22 event, the Los Alamos townsite experienced a second power outage Monday, Oct. 25, that was not associated with the Laboratory

LA-UR-21-30902