An explosion at a telecommunications facility demonstrates
the costly effects of trying to save money by cutting corners
Operations at a remote cellular telephone relaying facility came to an abrupt halt one afternoon in 1992 when a 12V lead-acid automotive battery used to start and run a 50kW emergency engine-generator set (gen-set) exploded and emitted damaging acid fumes throughout the building. The gen-set served the facility's electronic equipment, HVAC, and lighting loads, and was located in a separate room from
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