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AEP Releases Cause Of February Explosions

Columbus-based American Electric Power says explosions in downtown Columbus last February happened when insulation material on electricity cables broke down because of water, salt and other factors. The utility is spending 30 million dollars to prevent similar explosions in the future.  AEP says the cracked insulation exposed metal wires to the air and the high level of electricity running through the cables produced heat. That caused the rubber insulation to burn, releasing a flammable gas that built up inside a small vault that holds electricity equipment.  The heat and electricity likely led to a spark that caused the explosion. Nobody was injured.

Jim has been with WCBE since 1996. Before that he worked as a reporter at another Columbus radio station, and for three newspapers in Southwest Florida.
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