Datacenters use case
Use case: Electrical incident in a Google data centre – Iowa, August 2022
The context
On 8 August 2022, a major electrical incident occurred at Google’s data centre in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Three technicians were seriously injured in an electrical explosion, highlighting the risks associated with arcing in critical infrastructures.
Source : CBS news
The incident: a dangerous electric arc
According to reports, the incident occurred while technicians were carrying out maintenance work on an electrical substation near the main buildings of the data centre. An electrical arc was triggered, causing an explosion that resulted in severe burns to the three workers.
Source : Data centers dynamics
Possible contributing factors include
- Failure or ageing of electrical equipment not detected in time.
- Insulation fault or handling error when working on a live circuit.
- Presence of moisture or dust, increasing the risk of electric arcs.
- Poorly coordinated safety procedures, which do not guarantee a safe working environment.
The electric arc generated released extremely high energy, causing serious burns to the technicians and necessitating their immediate hospitalisation.
Consequences of the incident :
- Serious injuries to employees requiring specialist medical care.
- Temporary shutdown of part of the infrastructure for investigation and repairs.
- Possible service interruptions for customers using services hosted in this centre.
- Investigation into security standards and reinforcement of protocols to avoid future incidents.
Source : Ecmweb.com
Prevention and technological solutions
This incident highlights the importance of preventing electric arcs in data centres. Proactive measures can be put in place to reduce these risks:
Real-time monitoring of electrical switchboards
Reinforced preventive maintenance
Use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
The incident at Google's Council Bluffs data centre highlights the critical risks associated with electrical faults. A proactive approach to safety, combined with the adoption of advanced technologies, is essential to significantly reduce the risk of accidents and guarantee continuity of services in these vital infrastructures.
Discover the solution to prevent these incidents
This incident highlights the crucial importance of proactive monitoring of electrical systems, particularly in sensitive sectors such as shipping. The adoption of predictive technologies could significantly reduce the risk of electrical incidents and prevent similar disasters in the future.
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