Comments on: Con Ed transformer explosion in Manhattan http://boingboing.net/2012/10/29/con-ed-transformer-explosion-i.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Sun, 19 May 2013 10:06:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: SamSam http://boingboing.net/2012/10/29/con-ed-transformer-explosion-i.html#comment-1570039 SamSam Wed, 31 Oct 2012 13:16:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190786#comment-1570039 Oh <i>I</i> see what you're talking about. You viewed the footage from the very beginning. I, like I think a lot of people, just skipped to the three-minute mark, because that's where the post told us the footage was. There are still </i>two</i> flare-ups, though (both in the regular speed and in the slow down). This is what I have been talking about and I presume what technobach was asking about. They seem much more distinct in the slowed down version that we were watching, but even in the original there are two distinct flares separated by about two seconds. Oh I see what you’re talking about. You viewed the footage from the very beginning. I, like I think a lot of people, just skipped to the three-minute mark, because that’s where the post told us the footage was.

There are still two flare-ups, though (both in the regular speed and in the slow down). This is what I have been talking about and I presume what technobach was asking about. They seem much more distinct in the slowed down version that we were watching, but even in the original there are two distinct flares separated by about two seconds.

]]> By: Dewi Morgan http://boingboing.net/2012/10/29/con-ed-transformer-explosion-i.html#comment-1569616 Dewi Morgan Wed, 31 Oct 2012 01:19:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190786#comment-1569616 You did? Good to see rule 34 is alive and well. You did? Good to see rule 34 is alive and well.

]]> By: acerplatanoides http://boingboing.net/2012/10/29/con-ed-transformer-explosion-i.html#comment-1569233 acerplatanoides Tue, 30 Oct 2012 20:47:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190786#comment-1569233 I know what you mean, but you don't smell them. They're non-volatile. I know what you mean, but you don’t smell them. They’re non-volatile.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2012/10/29/con-ed-transformer-explosion-i.html#comment-1569142 Antinous / Moderator Tue, 30 Oct 2012 20:07:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190786#comment-1569142 Wait until he hears about the Netherlands. Wait until he hears about the Netherlands.

]]> By: atteSmythe http://boingboing.net/2012/10/29/con-ed-transformer-explosion-i.html#comment-1568998 atteSmythe Tue, 30 Oct 2012 17:23:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190786#comment-1568998 Not at all - the video plays twice, but the second playthrough is about half speed. At the very beginning, you can see someone walk in front of the doorway of the building in the foreground. At about 2:20, you see the same person walk across. If you jump between those points in the video, you can see the second time, the person is walking more slowly. Not at all – the video plays twice, but the second playthrough is about half speed. At the very beginning, you can see someone walk in front of the doorway of the building in the foreground. At about 2:20, you see the same person walk across. If you jump between those points in the video, you can see the second time, the person is walking more slowly.

]]> By: acerplatanoides http://boingboing.net/2012/10/29/con-ed-transformer-explosion-i.html#comment-1568953 acerplatanoides Tue, 30 Oct 2012 16:12:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190786#comment-1568953  That's fascinating vance, because PCB were not a contaminant of concern at Love Canal.  That’s fascinating vance, because PCB were not a contaminant of concern at Love Canal.

]]> By: cleek http://boingboing.net/2012/10/29/con-ed-transformer-explosion-i.html#comment-1568950 cleek Tue, 30 Oct 2012 16:09:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190786#comment-1568950  my whole town smelled like PCBs (Hudson Falls, NY - where GE made the stuff)  my whole town smelled like PCBs (Hudson Falls, NY – where GE made the stuff)

]]> By: vance_tam http://boingboing.net/2012/10/29/con-ed-transformer-explosion-i.html#comment-1568947 vance_tam Tue, 30 Oct 2012 16:06:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190786#comment-1568947  You're sure much nearer to them than I am. I grew up near the Love Canal and have some familiarity with PCBs and the problems they caused.  You’re sure much nearer to them than I am. I grew up near the Love Canal and have some familiarity with PCBs and the problems they caused.

]]> By: vance_tam http://boingboing.net/2012/10/29/con-ed-transformer-explosion-i.html#comment-1568945 vance_tam Tue, 30 Oct 2012 16:05:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190786#comment-1568945  LOL! You made me smile. Thanks. Yesterday and last night were very stressful. But CIA? Not me. Hell, I can't even fly, let alone work for the government.  LOL! You made me smile. Thanks. Yesterday and last night were very stressful.

But CIA? Not me. Hell, I can’t even fly, let alone work for the government.

]]> By: SumAnon http://boingboing.net/2012/10/29/con-ed-transformer-explosion-i.html#comment-1568942 SumAnon Tue, 30 Oct 2012 16:03:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190786#comment-1568942  TETSUOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO  TETSUOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

]]> By: Halloween_Jack http://boingboing.net/2012/10/29/con-ed-transformer-explosion-i.html#comment-1568929 Halloween_Jack Tue, 30 Oct 2012 15:42:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190786#comment-1568929 You just had to be That Guy, didn't you? New Orleans was flooded not because they didn't expect to ever be flooded, but because funding for the city's levee system was cut by the W Administration. And, of course, in general, it's difficult to make arguments for preparing for 100-year events politically, especially with so many cities and states financially strapped. It almost makes me wish that Miami were hit by an ice storm to see how they handle that. (I know that many southern cities, even those which regularly get at least a little bit of snow and/or ice every winter, essentially have <i>no</i> snow/ice removal equipment or plans to speak of; Memphis got hit by a severe ice storm about a decade after a similar storm, and thousands of people were out of power for <i>weeks</i>.)  You just had to be That Guy, didn’t you? New Orleans was flooded not because they didn’t expect to ever be flooded, but because funding for the city’s levee system was cut by the W Administration. And, of course, in general, it’s difficult to make arguments for preparing for 100-year events politically, especially with so many cities and states financially strapped. It almost makes me wish that Miami were hit by an ice storm to see how they handle that. (I know that many southern cities, even those which regularly get at least a little bit of snow and/or ice every winter, essentially have no snow/ice removal equipment or plans to speak of; Memphis got hit by a severe ice storm about a decade after a similar storm, and thousands of people were out of power for weeks.) 

]]> By: Walter Guyll http://boingboing.net/2012/10/29/con-ed-transformer-explosion-i.html#comment-1568897 Walter Guyll Tue, 30 Oct 2012 14:39:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190786#comment-1568897 I once saw a transformer blow, through a window from about a mile away Two large flares, bright as lightning, each with a bone-deep loud buzz. It's the jarring sound I remember most. I once saw a transformer blow, through a window from about a mile away
Two large flares, bright as lightning, each with a bone-deep loud buzz.

It’s the jarring sound I remember most.

]]> By: SamSam http://boingboing.net/2012/10/29/con-ed-transformer-explosion-i.html#comment-1568865 SamSam Tue, 30 Oct 2012 13:42:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190786#comment-1568865 What? But the first big white flare up lasts 4 seconds, the second one lasts nearly 10 seconds. They're completely different in the way they flicker as well. Are you suggesting that the entire thing is faked? What? But the first big white flare up lasts 4 seconds, the second one lasts nearly 10 seconds. They’re completely different in the way they flicker as well. Are you suggesting that the entire thing is faked?

]]> By: info http://boingboing.net/2012/10/29/con-ed-transformer-explosion-i.html#comment-1568863 info Tue, 30 Oct 2012 13:39:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190786#comment-1568863 Kaneeeeeedaaaaaaaa!  Kaneeeeeedaaaaaaaa! 

]]> By: Jim Davison http://boingboing.net/2012/10/29/con-ed-transformer-explosion-i.html#comment-1568862 Jim Davison Tue, 30 Oct 2012 13:37:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190786#comment-1568862 Sure, "vance_tam" whatever you say. Or should I call you Mr. CIA? I see right through your little disinformation campaign: make it seem like a manufactured conspiracy by planting the idea in various message boards, so when we truth seekers figure it out we'll already have been discredited. Nice Try! Sure, “vance_tam” whatever you say. Or should I call you Mr. CIA? I see right through your little disinformation campaign: make it seem like a manufactured conspiracy by planting the idea in various message boards, so when we truth seekers figure it out we’ll already have been discredited. Nice Try!

]]> By: Gyrofrog http://boingboing.net/2012/10/29/con-ed-transformer-explosion-i.html#comment-1568861 Gyrofrog Tue, 30 Oct 2012 13:31:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190786#comment-1568861 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFyHTU8tg_0&noredirect=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFyHTU8tg_0&noredirect=1

]]> By: acerplatanoides http://boingboing.net/2012/10/29/con-ed-transformer-explosion-i.html#comment-1568853 acerplatanoides Tue, 30 Oct 2012 12:37:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190786#comment-1568853 I do environmental inspections. I haven't seen one in about a year. I do environmental inspections. I haven’t seen one in about a year.

]]> By: bcsizemo http://boingboing.net/2012/10/29/con-ed-transformer-explosion-i.html#comment-1568851 bcsizemo Tue, 30 Oct 2012 12:33:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190786#comment-1568851 Not every disaster can be on the level of the Pepcon one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOPP4ZBgnoA&feature=player_detailpage#t=249s Not every disaster can be on the level of the Pepcon one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOPP4ZBgnoA&feature=player_detailpage#t=249s

]]> By: vance_tam http://boingboing.net/2012/10/29/con-ed-transformer-explosion-i.html#comment-1568846 vance_tam Tue, 30 Oct 2012 12:11:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190786#comment-1568846  I haven't seen one with PCB in many years.  I haven’t seen one with PCB in many years.

]]> By: vance_tam http://boingboing.net/2012/10/29/con-ed-transformer-explosion-i.html#comment-1568844 vance_tam Tue, 30 Oct 2012 12:09:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190786#comment-1568844 Right. This storm will be in met textbooks next year. Right. This storm will be in met textbooks next year.

]]> By: acerplatanoides http://boingboing.net/2012/10/29/con-ed-transformer-explosion-i.html#comment-1568843 acerplatanoides Tue, 30 Oct 2012 12:07:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190786#comment-1568843  Like a foot of snow in West Virginia while Vermont gets 2 inches of warm rain.  Like a foot of snow in West Virginia while Vermont gets 2 inches of warm rain.

]]> By: acerplatanoides http://boingboing.net/2012/10/29/con-ed-transformer-explosion-i.html#comment-1568833 acerplatanoides Tue, 30 Oct 2012 11:50:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190786#comment-1568833 Mineral oil is non-toxic. Correct. But they used to put PCB (also non-flammable, and reduces the flammabilty of non-mineral oils) in mineral oil transformers too. PCB increases the temperature/pressure range at which the oil is stable. Useful to elevates the flashpoint and stabilize oils at high temp. It was also used in hydraulic fluid, paint, and a number of other surprising applications. Look at transformers for the little blue sticker that says 'No PCB (PCB <50ppb)". To know they're newer or have had the PCB-oil swapped out. Mineral oil is non-toxic. Correct. But they used to put PCB (also non-flammable, and reduces the flammabilty of non-mineral oils) in mineral oil transformers too. PCB increases the temperature/pressure range at which the oil is stable. Useful to elevates the flashpoint and stabilize oils at high temp.

It was also used in hydraulic fluid, paint, and a number of other surprising applications. Look at transformers for the little blue sticker that says ‘No PCB (PCB <50ppb)". To know they're newer or have had the PCB-oil swapped out.

]]> By: vance_tam http://boingboing.net/2012/10/29/con-ed-transformer-explosion-i.html#comment-1568831 vance_tam Tue, 30 Oct 2012 11:46:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190786#comment-1568831  Actually, no. Hurricanes often make it as far as Maine, in fact. The oddity this time was the physical size of storm and its being drawn into a Northwest-to-Southeast jetstream pocket. That sort of pocket rarely occurs. That's probably the main reason for the westward turn after traveling so far north. In addition, the storm passed over the still fairly warm gulfstream current and sucked in even more moisture and intensified. Most hurricanes barely graze the eastern tip of LI, while some roll over a large piece of LI. Ocean storms are complex since you're dealing with not only the prevailing over water air currents, but also the ocean currents. When the storms approach land, then you get even weirder things happening.  Actually, no. Hurricanes often make it as far as Maine, in fact. The oddity this time was the physical size of storm and its being drawn into a Northwest-to-Southeast jetstream pocket. That sort of pocket rarely occurs. That’s probably the main reason for the westward turn after traveling so far north.

In addition, the storm passed over the still fairly warm gulfstream current and sucked in even more moisture and intensified.

Most hurricanes barely graze the eastern tip of LI, while some roll over a large piece of LI.

Ocean storms are complex since you’re dealing with not only the prevailing over water air currents, but also the ocean currents. When the storms approach land, then you get even weirder things happening.

]]> By: vance_tam http://boingboing.net/2012/10/29/con-ed-transformer-explosion-i.html#comment-1568828 vance_tam Tue, 30 Oct 2012 11:39:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190786#comment-1568828  I was thinking it looked like a 500lb smart bomb. Let's start a rumor to get the tin-foil hat club lathered up!  I was thinking it looked like a 500lb smart bomb. Let’s start a rumor to get the tin-foil hat club lathered up!

]]> By: acerplatanoides http://boingboing.net/2012/10/29/con-ed-transformer-explosion-i.html#comment-1568826 acerplatanoides Tue, 30 Oct 2012 11:38:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190786#comment-1568826 I cant wait to see the look on Mayor Bloombergs ASL translators face! I cant wait to see the look on Mayor Bloombergs ASL translators face!

]]> By: vance_tam http://boingboing.net/2012/10/29/con-ed-transformer-explosion-i.html#comment-1568827 vance_tam Tue, 30 Oct 2012 11:38:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190786#comment-1568827  Those have all been replaced by updated models using a type of mineral oil. The oil is non-toxic.  Those have all been replaced by updated models using a type of mineral oil. The oil is non-toxic.

]]> By: oasisob1 http://boingboing.net/2012/10/29/con-ed-transformer-explosion-i.html#comment-1568825 oasisob1 Tue, 30 Oct 2012 11:35:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190786#comment-1568825 We really do need this. Sadly, it wouldn't actually increase the rate at which similarly titled videos appear on youtube. We really do need this. Sadly, it wouldn’t actually increase the rate at which similarly titled videos appear on youtube.

]]> By: Boundegar http://boingboing.net/2012/10/29/con-ed-transformer-explosion-i.html#comment-1568824 Boundegar Tue, 30 Oct 2012 11:31:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190786#comment-1568824 How often does a hurricane get that far north?  Even with climate change, it's a rare event. How often does a hurricane get that far north?  Even with climate change, it’s a rare event.

]]> By: Boundegar http://boingboing.net/2012/10/29/con-ed-transformer-explosion-i.html#comment-1568823 Boundegar Tue, 30 Oct 2012 11:30:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190786#comment-1568823 We already have that, we just use human slaves for the labor. We already have that, we just use human slaves for the labor.

]]> By: Boundegar http://boingboing.net/2012/10/29/con-ed-transformer-explosion-i.html#comment-1568822 Boundegar Tue, 30 Oct 2012 11:27:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190786#comment-1568822 Like Optimus Prime? Like Optimus Prime?

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