Power unit in Ropar thermal plant trips

Patiala, Jun 16 (UNI) Unit number 5 of Ropar Thermal Plant tripped yesterday evening due to accumulation of hot coal dust in cable gallery of the plant.

Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) officials here today confirmed the tripping of the unit, but added that since the demand of power was not very high in the state due to early rains, the loss of 260 MW would not have effect on the power supply.

The plants unit No 3 was shut down by the PSEB a few days back due to less demand. Unit No five may take sometime to become operational again.

PSEB sources said the smoldering of cables in the cable gallery due to accumulation of hot coal dust resulted in tripping of the unit. The smouldering of power cables and burning of control cables was controlled only after midnight.

The heat generated due to the smouldering of cables led to a fire in the control cables leading to the control room. The situation was brought under control by use of foam, CO2 and water after midnight.

This unit had earlier tripped on May 16 due to fire in cable gallery.

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