Electric Substation Hazards

Electric substations are an important part of a municipal power grid. They boost the electric power available to nearby structures and communities as well as provide a power backup system in case other parts of the power grid are damaged or impaired. Although they are useful, they can cause problems when they are located too close to homes and other buildings where people spend a lot of time.

Electrocution

• Although substations are typically protected by high fences, it is possible to bypass these barriers and get inside the substation's perimeter. Children, who may not be aware of the dangers of electrocution, may be particularly prone to breaking in and getting dangerously close to exposed electrical components. An electric shock from a power converter could result in burns, permanent scarring or disfiguration, neurological damage or death.

Electromagnetic Field Concerns

• Electromagnetic Fields, or EMF, are generated by a substation's normal operations. Researchers for the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences concluded in a May 4, 1999 report that studies demonstrate a weak association between EMF exposure and childhood leukemia. Researchers also concluded that a smaller number of studies on adults showed no evidence of a link between EMF and adult cancers, and recommended continued education on practical ways to reduce EMF exposure to address their concerns regarding children.

Explosions

• When humans or animals come in contact with the exposed components of a substation, they may cause electrical shorts which temporarily disable the substation. In the most severe cases, a short or other fault in the substation can cause an explosion. The effects of an explosion vary depending on its intensity, but will include temporary power interruption and may also include property damage and human fatalities.