Dec 31, 2021, 9:43 am
Last edit by: tcook052
This new annual thread has been carved out of the previous thread in an effort to reduce the number of megathreads on the AC forum. For those interested previous versions are the original 2004 - 2014 thread , 2015 edition, 2016 edition , 2017 edition, 2018 edition, 2019 edition, 2020 edition and 2021 edition.
The original thread started by accident but quickly became a popular place to come and discuss off topic things such as hockey, new movies, or almost anything that wouldn't fit into existing AC forum threads. Air Canada or Aeroplan topics such as flight feedback, in-flight services issues, status or mileage earning/redemption are all topics that should go into existing AC forum threads so others can benefit from this information. Topics about hotels or airlines and/or their loyalty programs, destinations, in-flight travel tech. or anything best discussed elsewhere on FT may be relocated to that forum as this thread isn't meant to import travel topics to this forum that are better discussed on other forums. FT is an amazingly diverse and large community so members are encouraged to seek out all of its resources.
While the conversation is more relaxed as it would be in a lounge that doesn't mean however that the FT rules don't apply here as they definitely do so please refrain from controversial topics such as politics or religion, avoid profanities and treat other lounge patrons with the same respect you expect.
Adam Smith & tcook052
AC Forum Co-Moderators
The original thread started by accident but quickly became a popular place to come and discuss off topic things such as hockey, new movies, or almost anything that wouldn't fit into existing AC forum threads. Air Canada or Aeroplan topics such as flight feedback, in-flight services issues, status or mileage earning/redemption are all topics that should go into existing AC forum threads so others can benefit from this information. Topics about hotels or airlines and/or their loyalty programs, destinations, in-flight travel tech. or anything best discussed elsewhere on FT may be relocated to that forum as this thread isn't meant to import travel topics to this forum that are better discussed on other forums. FT is an amazingly diverse and large community so members are encouraged to seek out all of its resources.
While the conversation is more relaxed as it would be in a lounge that doesn't mean however that the FT rules don't apply here as they definitely do so please refrain from controversial topics such as politics or religion, avoid profanities and treat other lounge patrons with the same respect you expect.
Adam Smith & tcook052
AC Forum Co-Moderators
The Forum Lounge Thread (2022)
Sep 18, 2022, 3:53 pm
#781
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: YYT
Programs: M-Bonvoy Platinum Elite, Aeroplan 50K, DragonPass, AMEX MR, NEXUS
Posts: 1,715
Sep 18, 2022, 3:56 pm
#782
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, DL GM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,775
Sep 18, 2022, 4:29 pm
#783
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
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Posts: 44,346
Sep 18, 2022, 4:31 pm
#784
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
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Sep 18, 2022, 6:28 pm
#785
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: YVR - MILLS Waypoint (It's the third house on the left)
Programs: AC*SE100K, wood level status in various other programs
Posts: 6,232
Which comes first - 2MM or 2,000 ounces?
Sep 18, 2022, 7:29 pm
#786
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
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Posts: 44,346
Sep 18, 2022, 7:40 pm
#787
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: YYJ
Programs: AC SE*MM, Bonvoy LT Plat, HH Gold, National EE, Sixt Plat, Hz 5*
Posts: 2,439
Sep 18, 2022, 8:05 pm
#788
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
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Posts: 16,775
Sep 18, 2022, 8:29 pm
#789
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,346
I'm not sure they have enough rum in stock.
Sep 18, 2022, 8:41 pm
#790
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, DL GM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,775
Sep 22, 2022, 7:07 pm
#791
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SEMM / HH Diamond
Posts: 3,167
We had a power cut at home, a week or so ago. The cut was accompanied by a distant bang, the power was out for several hours, and the utility company have since announced that the root cause was a squirrel who apparently connected two lines and tripped some protection equipment. There's no word about the health of the squirrel, but I suspect it was not a good day for it.
So far so good, and relatively routine. What was fascinating was that after the power was restored, it seemed like half of my house was still out of power. After poking around, it turned out that almost half of the circuit breakers at the main panel in my house had tripped. Even when I restored those, there were still failures ... and further investigation showed that most of my surge protectors had failed, too.
That all tells me that it was more than just a power cut ... but I am curious about the details.
It's all very interesting to me.
And that's what I end up thinking about when I'm not flying somewhere
So far so good, and relatively routine. What was fascinating was that after the power was restored, it seemed like half of my house was still out of power. After poking around, it turned out that almost half of the circuit breakers at the main panel in my house had tripped. Even when I restored those, there were still failures ... and further investigation showed that most of my surge protectors had failed, too.
That all tells me that it was more than just a power cut ... but I am curious about the details.
- As the surge protectors seem to have tripped, I assume there was an over-voltage situation ... but I didn't know that circuit breakers tripped due to an over voltage situation.
- I would have expected the circuit breakers to trip due to an over current state ... but it's not clear to me how external conditions would have triggered an excess current draw on any given line.
- It does seem odd to me that a squirrel could have caused either an over voltage or over current situation in my house. An over-current state within the squirrel, that I get. Even an over current situation in the local circuits connecting to the squirrel. But how did that current get into my house?
It's all very interesting to me.
And that's what I end up thinking about when I'm not flying somewhere
Sep 22, 2022, 7:10 pm
#792
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, DL GM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,775
We had a power cut at home, a week or so ago. The cut was accompanied by a distant bang, the power was out for several hours, and the utility company have since announced that the root cause was a squirrel who apparently connected two lines and tripped some protection equipment. There's no word about the health of the squirrel, but I suspect it was not a good day for it.
So far so good, and relatively routine. What was fascinating was that after the power was restored, it seemed like half of my house was still out of power. After poking around, it turned out that almost half of the circuit breakers at the main panel in my house had tripped. Even when I restored those, there were still failures ... and further investigation showed that most of my surge protectors had failed, too.
So far so good, and relatively routine. What was fascinating was that after the power was restored, it seemed like half of my house was still out of power. After poking around, it turned out that almost half of the circuit breakers at the main panel in my house had tripped. Even when I restored those, there were still failures ... and further investigation showed that most of my surge protectors had failed, too.
And that's what I end up thinking about when I'm not flying somewhere
Sep 22, 2022, 7:26 pm
#793
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SEMM / HH Diamond
Posts: 3,167
The only substantial failure in the house was that it blew up our induction cooktop. Doh! The repair estimate was more than the cost of a new cooktop ... which I picked up yesterday, and we get installed tomorrow. Doh.
And yes, for sure for sure, next time I fly to EZE again I do plan to leave the airport.
The problem is that I'm now at 265K SQM, so I have my banked year ... and although the SQM will rollover, the SQD won't. If AC would allow even a 10K rollover of SQD, I would for sure for be flying more this year. Are you listening, Mark Nasr?
Sep 22, 2022, 9:42 pm
#794
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: YVR - MILLS Waypoint (It's the third house on the left)
Programs: AC*SE100K, wood level status in various other programs
Posts: 6,232
I too have seen / heard the squirrel vs transformer thing across the street once, followed by the distinct lack of power. Before the city crews could arrive to remove the victim, the local crows were eyeing it, but once again showed the intelligence that crows possess.
If half of your circuit breakers 'popped' they could all be on the same phase, which is the one that got disrupted. Maybe.
Also, circuit breakers come in a bunch of flavours. Some are pretty straightforward, but others have built-in surge / arc protection (look for an extra, often curly wire) and of course some of are in fact GFCIs. Either of the latter two types can trip when your regular breakers do not.
But, as an Electrical Engineer, my technical advice is to stop feeding the squirrels.
If half of your circuit breakers 'popped' they could all be on the same phase, which is the one that got disrupted. Maybe.
Also, circuit breakers come in a bunch of flavours. Some are pretty straightforward, but others have built-in surge / arc protection (look for an extra, often curly wire) and of course some of are in fact GFCIs. Either of the latter two types can trip when your regular breakers do not.
But, as an Electrical Engineer, my technical advice is to stop feeding the squirrels.
Sep 22, 2022, 11:09 pm
#795
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: YVR
Programs: UA Premier Platinum
Posts: 3,759
We had a power cut at home, a week or so ago. The cut was accompanied by a distant bang, the power was out for several hours, and the utility company have since announced that the root cause was a squirrel who apparently connected two lines and tripped some protection equipment. There's no word about the health of the squirrel, but I suspect it was not a good day for it.
So far so good, and relatively routine. What was fascinating was that after the power was restored, it seemed like half of my house was still out of power. After poking around, it turned out that almost half of the circuit breakers at the main panel in my house had tripped. Even when I restored those, there were still failures ... and further investigation showed that most of my surge protectors had failed, too.
That all tells me that it was more than just a power cut ... but I am curious about the details.
It's all very interesting to me.
And that's what I end up thinking about when I'm not flying somewhere
So far so good, and relatively routine. What was fascinating was that after the power was restored, it seemed like half of my house was still out of power. After poking around, it turned out that almost half of the circuit breakers at the main panel in my house had tripped. Even when I restored those, there were still failures ... and further investigation showed that most of my surge protectors had failed, too.
That all tells me that it was more than just a power cut ... but I am curious about the details.
- As the surge protectors seem to have tripped, I assume there was an over-voltage situation ... but I didn't know that circuit breakers tripped due to an over voltage situation.
- I would have expected the circuit breakers to trip due to an over current state ... but it's not clear to me how external conditions would have triggered an excess current draw on any given line.
- It does seem odd to me that a squirrel could have caused either an over voltage or over current situation in my house. An over-current state within the squirrel, that I get. Even an over current situation in the local circuits connecting to the squirrel. But how did that current get into my house?
It's all very interesting to me.
And that's what I end up thinking about when I'm not flying somewhere
As for the breakers in your house tripping, a surge protector usually consists of a semiconducting material connected to ground in parallel with the load. At normal voltage, the semiconductor has a very high impedance and acts as an open circuit. When a certain voltage is reached, the semiconductor becomes a very conductive path to ground, which both limits the overvoltage seen by the load as well as causes temporary overcurrent as the protector is now effectively a ground fault. Many household surge protection devices have their own circuit breaker or fuse in series for this reason. But it's conceivable that if you had many surge protectors in parallel on one branch circuit that the simultaneous operation of all of them is what caused the breaker at your panel to trip. But I admit I am skeptical of this. The type of circuit breaker typically used in household applications (thermal-magnetic) need either a long-duration overload or a very high short circuit current to operate, neither of which is very likely to have occurred here.
Do you have AFCIs by any chance?
I am also an electrical engineer, but generally dealing in high voltage where the source of the problem can usually be found by looking for the thing that is completely blown up/on fire/falling over.
