ABearWithFurniture Posted November 20, 2007 Share Posted November 20, 2007 ASHLAND, Wis. - It was an unlucky day for two squirrels and hundreds of Midwestern power customers. Brian Elwood, a spokesman for Xcel Energy, said a squirrel came in contact with an overhead transformer and knocked out service to 177 customers Monday. Power was fully restored in just under an hour, and repair crews found the remains of the "unfortunate squirrel," he said. By coincidence, another squirrel got into a substation 40 miles away in Ironwood, Mich., Monday morning and caused a temporary outage that affected about 1,400 customers in Ironwood and two nearby communities, Elwood said. The utility takes many preventive steps to keep the curious animals away from lines, he said, but they are one of the leading causes of outages, trailing only severe weather. "We kind of liken it to anyone who's had a bird feeder and tried to keep the squirrels out," he said. "They find a way." Rod Johnson was stuck on an elevator at the city's Enterprise Center, where he works, when the power went out. "For a couple of minutes there, I wasn't sure if I'd make it to Thanksgiving," said Johnson, who said he is somewhat claustrophobic. "They kept talking to me while they were trying to open it up, though, so that helped." Once a firefighter opened the door, Johnson wasted no time in getting out. "I'm surprised I didn't knock him down," he said. What kind of parent names their child Rod Johnson... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Holy Roller Posted November 20, 2007 Share Posted November 20, 2007 (edited) ASHLAND, Wis. - It was an unlucky day for two squirrels and hundreds of Midwestern power customers. Brian Elwood, a spokesman for Xcel Energy, said a squirrel came in contact with an overhead transformer and knocked out service to 177 customers Monday. Power was fully restored in just under an hour, and repair crews found the remains of the "unfortunate squirrel," he said. By coincidence, another squirrel got into a substation 40 miles away in Ironwood, Mich., Monday morning and caused a temporary outage that affected about 1,400 customers in Ironwood and two nearby communities, Elwood said. The utility takes many preventive steps to keep the curious animals away from lines, he said, but they are one of the leading causes of outages, trailing only severe weather. "We kind of liken it to anyone who's had a bird feeder and tried to keep the squirrels out," he said. "They find a way." Rod Johnson was stuck on an elevator at the city's Enterprise Center, where he works, when the power went out. "For a couple of minutes there, I wasn't sure if I'd make it to Thanksgiving," said Johnson, who said he is somewhat claustrophobic. "They kept talking to me while they were trying to open it up, though, so that helped." Once a firefighter opened the door, Johnson wasted no time in getting out. "I'm surprised I didn't knock him down," he said. What kind of parent names their child Rod Johnson... I had a college teacher named Harry Cox. Edited November 20, 2007 by The Holy Roller Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cameltosis Posted November 20, 2007 Share Posted November 20, 2007 I had a college teacher named Harry Cox. I think there is a thread with funny names in this forum some where...Big John? Anyway, I used to work with a guy names Sirius Wang. No joke. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hat Trick Posted November 20, 2007 Share Posted November 20, 2007 A Gyno that lived in KC and in my subdivision for a long time had the name of Harry Beaver. Well documented in these parts, was all over morning radio here. They finally moved to NC somewhere. They were a nice family though, the two boys grew up with me and were cool to hang with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark5 Posted November 20, 2007 Share Posted November 20, 2007 I work for the electric co. and we have a picture of a squirrel dressed in the old black and white prison uniform with a "Public enemy #1" tag on it.. Squirrels knock out power about 5 days a week and we have 4 different contraptions that we add to transformers to prevent them front touching the 2 bushings at the same time.. Right now we strictly put up one bushing transformers with the lowside connection on the side.. Large wingspan birds are also a problem when they get ready to take off and touch both highside wires. and then there is always the drunks who never make the turn!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H8tank Posted November 20, 2007 Share Posted November 20, 2007 We have a line buried underground back to our place... but where the pole is 1/3 mile away, there is something up there a squirrel kiiled himself on and knocked out our power once. The dudes who came out said it was very common. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big John Posted November 20, 2007 Share Posted November 20, 2007 I think there is a thread with funny names in this forum some where...Big John? Anyway, I used to work with a guy names Sirius Wang. No joke. here you go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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