Friday, July 18th, Substation 85 in Lakeland quietly came on line. But it was anything but quiet the day before when the new substation was locked into its sister station, Substation 39.
A 161 kV high-strength insulator failed inside the substation – literally blowing its top - and a sonic boom was heard in Lakeland. It was like July 4th fireworks going off at ground level, only mid-day and later in the month. No personnel were hurt, the protection scheme saved all of the power equipment and the six foot insulator was quickly replaced.
This new substation was necessary due to the load expansion in the area. The initial installation has two 161 to 23 kV power transformers with the yard designed to accept a third transformer when the localized demand warrants. The Metal-Clad Switchgear Complex was designed and ordered in four sectional units with the future requirements in mind, since it is difficult to add on to or retrofit a switchgear years after an installation. This foresight saves a great deal in future expansion costs but forces the designers to look deeply into their crystal ball.
The official mascot of the station is a black buzzard and its family which soars over the station and seems to keep track of the construction progress. One of the other substation engineers has named her “Subby.” Most see her as a good omen.
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