BC Hydro is examining its options for equipment powering the Metro Vancouver pump station on White Rock’s West Beach, following two similar malfunctions in less than a month.
Circuits blew in the same underground junction box on June 5 and 22. The most recent incident – reported around 8 p.m. – was so loud, some area residents wondered if the station might blow up.
What caused the equipment to fail is unknown, company spokesperson Simi Heer said last week. But since it happened twice, improvements may be warranted, she said.
“Typically, a failure on a piece of equipment is unique and doesn’t prompt an engineering response,” Heer said by email. “Because there was a second malfunction of a similar piece of equipment (age, model, same environment, etc.) our team is looking into it to see if any improvements can be made.”
Fire Chief Phil Lemire had told Peace Arch News the blown breakers are loud, but not a cause for alarm. The safety mechanism triggers to prevent overloading, he said.