Rare Equipment Failure Blamed For ATC Summer Blackout in Madison

American Transmission Company says a ‘very rare’ equipment failure was at fault for this summer’s blackout in Madison.  The blackout started when a voltage regulator failed at an electrical substation and emitted combustible gases that caught on fire.  That fire then started the rest of the unit on fire, which lead to the blackout.  A-T-C officials say that part is only 35 years old and is supposed to last around 50 to 60 years.  The company has sent the whole unit off for inspection while they review best practices for their equipment.