Failure Investigation
EA Technology has been offering forensic investigation, failure analysis and accident investigation services for more than 40 years. This experience gives us a unique perspective when interpreting the evidence and the events that led to the failure. Our forensic operations cover electricity network assets worldwide, delivering rapid response, thorough investigations and comprehensive recommendations to prevent recurrence.
- On the scene fast before evidence is disturbed
- Backed by sophisticated laboratory analysis
- Investigations benefit from 40 years of experience of failure modes and investigative techniques
- Comprehensive report identifies causes of failure
- Recommendations help improve reliability and safety
Establishing the causes of power asset failures to prevent future failures is crucial to improve designs and procedures, increase safety and reliability, and ultimately reduce costs.
EA Technology’s forensic investigators provide rapid site investigation services worldwide, arriving on the scene before any vital evidence is disturbed and tackling the investigation with a two fold approach.
Firstly, sophisticated laboratory techniques are used to make sense of the often charred and twisted remains of failed equipment, to fully interpret the physical evidence. Secondly, our expert investigators examine the circumstantial evidence and events leading up to the failure. The results of these two stages are then interpreted, using over 40 year experience of similar asset failures worldwide, to determine the root cause of the failure, and to make recommendations for change to avoid recurrence.
Expert examination of failed assets leads to improvements in equipment design, installation and maintenance procedures, and enables operators to make informed decisions on asset management, investment and replacement. Lessons learnt from failure investigations will reduce the occurrence of expensive and dangerous failures and ultimately lead to an increase in the safety and reliability of assets.
Forensic & Failure Investigations Podcast
Case Studies
To view more information on any of the case studies below please select the corresponding title.
 | EA Technology has completed its report on the causes of the fire which cut electrical power in Bermuda on July 14... |
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A Ring Main Unit (RMU) was found to have been operating at a high temperature. The high operating temperature of the unit was due to thermal runaway at all six of the circuit contacts... |
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An overhead line (OHL) shackle had fractured in two places and the overhead line had consequently become detached. This type of assembly is in widespread use within the DNO. The fracture surfaces were examined using... |
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During a ‘dead’ operation of an RMU the ON/OFF indicator plate became detached and fell into the bottom of the switchgear tank. The evidence suggested that the indicator failed due to poor quality metallic-arc welds... |
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A number of isolators were found open circuit. With the failure of each unit a significant amount of production was lost for the company involved. The front panel of the isolator was removed in order to examine internal components... |
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The visual examination of 630A fuse isolator found that all the exposed silver plated contacts had significantly degraded due to airborne sulphur. Relatively high concentrations of airborne sulphur can occur due to... |
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One selective form of corrosion is known as pitting corrosion because it is highly localised... |
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The first solid insulation used for electrical applications was porcelain. Such ceramic materials are very good insulators and are largely immune to electrical degradation... |
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Following maintenance a fitter left the test probe across two phases of the busbar conductors. The incident occurred when the moving portion... |
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Failures due to illegal activity and vandalism are difficult to legislate against. Illegal activity such as the theft of copper busbars... |