Single Point Failure Modes

[mbrooke]

Am I the only who sees videos like this and thinks that the owners got screwed/duped?

If the bus coupler breaker fails, a breaker sticks or the gear software fails the whole facility is left without power. Often with no means to manually sync and parallel the system. Epic waste of money with reduced reliability.

 

[zbang]

The problem, of course, is that it's really hard to eliminate single points unless connections are well meshed, and even then it can be difficult. And very costly. A generator that can only connect to one bus is potentially a SPOF (single point of failure); heck, unless there are two complete bus systems, the bus itself is a SPOF.

I still distrust computerized control systems that don't have ways to manually operate, or at least initiate, things. OTOH, humans not believing the control system is what caused the 3 Mile Island meltdown, and IIRC a few other famous failures.

 

[mbrooke]

The problem, of course, is that it's really hard to eliminate single points unless connections are well meshed, and even then it can be difficult. And very costly. A generator that can only connect to one bus is potentially a SPOF (single point of failure); heck, unless there are two complete bus systems, the bus itself is a SPOF.

I still distrust computerized control systems that don't have ways to manually operate, or at least initiate, things. OTOH, humans not believing the control system is what caused the 3 Mile Island meltdown, and IIRC a few other famous failures.

Or, each gen is independent, feeding independent systems.


Not many are famillar with parelleling controls enough to handle an emergency. Its a bit of a nitch specialty. ATSs on the other hand are a breeze.