ConEd: Failed relay systems, not transmission equipment, caused NYC blackout

Consolidated Edison on Monday said preliminary results of an investigation into a weekend power outage on Manhattan’s West Side indicated a failed relay protection system was the primary cause. The utility initially blamed a “significant transmission disturbance,” but now says the relay protection system at its West 65th Street substation “did not operate as designed.” The outages began shortly before 7 p.m. on Saturday, leaving approximately 72,000 customers without power. ConEd got the last of six electrical networks back in service shortly before midnight the same day.

By Editorial Team July 17, 20190

Consolidated Edison on Monday said preliminary results of an investigation into a weekend power outage on Manhattan’s West Side indicated a failed relay protection system was the primary cause.

The utility initially blamed a “significant transmission disturbance,” but now says the relay protection system at its West 65th Street substation “did not operate as designed.”

The outages began shortly before 7 p.m. on Saturday, leaving approximately 72,000 customers without power. ConEd got the last of six electrical networks back in service shortly before midnight the same day.

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