Carrington-class Superstorm - Page 1

Site Notices

2024's Favorite CCW? | PSA Micro Dagger

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Carrington-class Superstorm

Posted: 8/30/2020 11:37:28 PM EDT

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2020/08/carrington-event-warning/

Nice little science read and history lesson.

Towards the end of the article they talk about the effects on modern day infrastructures.

***
Cascading failures of electrical grids, especially in New England in the United States, are also particularly likely during a Carrington-class event. Power restoration estimates range anywhere from a weak to the least affected areas to more than a year to the hardest-hit regions.

Electronic payment systems at grocery stores and gas stations would likely crash, electric vehicle charging stations — that rely on the power grid — would likely be unusable for some time, as would ATMs which rely on an internet and/or satellite link to verify account and cash disbursement information.
***

The way this year has been going something like this suddenly popping up wouldn't surprise me.

Posted: 8/31/2020 2:54:39 AM EDT

[#1]

If Carrington type events happen once every couple of centuries, and one happened in 2012 that missed us by nine days, it seems to be a lot of fear for something that may happen in a century or so.

Posted: 8/31/2020 3:00:20 AM EDT

[#2]

“Weak” and “ATMs using satellites”...

Posted: 8/31/2020 9:20:15 AM EDT

[#3]

I’m surprised Antifa has not targeted power grids and sub stations. But that would render their precious cell phones useless eventually.

Posted: 8/31/2020 10:11:08 AM EDT

[#4]

Local power grids are routinely/daily hit by lightning strikes. I know it does cause localized outages, but I would expect that, in general, the grid is "hardened" against such occurrences. I would expect that the localized amperage/voltage of lightning would greatly exceed the induced current/voltage from a CME.

Question: So, wouldn't a Carrington-type event be analogous to multiple lightning strikes on the grid, which would be mitigated/grounded by whatever mitigation devices are installed to protect against lightning?

Posted: 9/1/2020 4:56:55 PM EDT

[#5]

The grid runs on computers telling it exactly what the load is and tells generators to move up or down as needed.

Scada systems send data constantly and a large emp would disrupt this causing unit trips and transmission issues. Emp disrupts communications systems, and safety systems shut down generators if they could be damaged.

this is a very simplified answer to a complex issue.

Posted: 12/17/2020 2:49:53 PM EDT

[#6]

Quote History

Quoted:
The grid runs on computers telling it exactly what the load is and tells generators to move up or down as needed.

Scada systems send data constantly and a large emp would disrupt this causing unit trips and transmission issues. Emp disrupts communications systems, and safety systems shut down generators if they could be damaged.

this is a very simplified answer to a complex issue.

View Quote

Every transformer of any importance in the grid is protected by fuses or circuit breakers.

Even the minor pole pig in a residential neighborhood is fed from a fuse.
Two fuses if it is line-to-line.

Posted: 1/13/2021 11:50:13 PM EDT

[#7]

The induced ground currents may or may not function the utility fusing. There was some information on the web about the geomagnetic storm of 1989 which took down the Hydro-Quebec system. There was a picture of a large distribution transformer that burned up. Supposedly the Carrington event was much stronger.

Posted: 1/25/2021 8:13:48 PM EDT

[#8]

Believe part of the problem with the Quebec storm was that Quebec also sits on a large rock formation and doesn't ground well.

Posted: 1/26/2021 1:56:05 PM EDT

[#9]

Once a century events, 100-year flood planes, 1000-year storms, on in 10,000 year earthquake... the likelihood of a specific crisis happening to any given spot on earth may be low in your lifetime ...but take a moment to look at it statically. The likely SOME life altering crisis happening within an area that impacts you personally starts to get high. Area of impact can be huge...look at the impact on the business world that the tunnel flooding and the World Trade Center incidents had.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Carrington-class Superstorm

General » Math And Science

Win a FREE Membership!

Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!

You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.

Warning

Confirm Action

About AR15.COM

Stay Connected

Newsletter

Contact Us