Transformer blowout causes outage at YSU

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

A power outage at Youngstown State University on Monday has delayed plans to move students back into the University Courtyard Apartments.

A lightning strike caused an arc flash in the building’s substation almost two weeks ago.

Employees from Valley Electrical Consolidated turned off power to the apartments Monday afternoon to make repairs.

John Hyden, executive director of facilities at YSU, said the outage occurred when they returned power to the building’s transformer.

The transformer blew out, causing a small electrical fire in the building’s substation. Hyden said the precise cause of the outage is still undetermined.

Power was restored to some campus buildings by 2 p.m., and by 2:30, all buildings except Bliss Hall were back online.

University police helped a few people out of the building after the incident. No one was injured.