Power Transformers: Lurking Danger

Power outages at my house are rarely a quiet affair. They are often preceded by a loud thud from an electrical transformer located some 50 feet away from my flat. This squarish weather beaten, ageing and bulky metallic contraption perched on two rods on an electric post with numerous wires dangling around always exudes a sinister look. Sometimes from my balcony I do see sparks emanating from the transformer.

The condition of most transformers dotting the street corners and footpaths of the city is no different. Moreover, there is no protective fencing around most of them and these spots often degenerate into garbage dumping points. The fact that they are located overhead multiplies the element of surprise, with hapless pedestrians and motorists blissfully unaware of the dangers. Quite often on some footpaths one can also see hawkers selling their wares right below these transformers.

Electrical transformers are meant to transfer energy between circuits, switching energy from one voltage to another. But when flooded with too much electricity, the sudden surge can cause a transformer explosion. They do contain mineral oil to keeps the circuits cool, but during a spike in electricity the circuits fry and melt which often leads to sparks and sets the mineral oil aflame. A corroded or a faulty wire is enough to trigger a disaster.

The city had its fair share of electrocutions caused due to faulty transformers - the latest one being at Koramangala where a man sustained burn injuries and later died after a transformer explosion led to leakage of hot oil. He was riding a two-wheeler and happened to be near the transformer when the explosion took place. Quite a few times the matter have reached courts and the city's power supplier Bescom has been ticked off by judges for its cavalier attitude.

Despite High Court directive to shift these transformers from crowded footpaths and street corners little has been done and around 9,000 of them still lurk over pavements in various parts of the city. Some of them are located on footpaths adjoining roads that witness high traffic volumes during peak hours. Motorists are often forced to halt near them due to traffic jams, and they have to thank only their lucky stars for surviving unscathed.

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