Malaysia's Transport Ministry determined that circulating electrical current within underground cables caused the August 28 blackout at KLIA Terminal 2. Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad investigators traced the current flow between a 33-kilovolt main substation and multiple 11-kilovolt terminal substations. The electrical current generated heat at cable connection points that triggered a flashover and disrupted power supply. High soil resistance blocked proper current discharge and intensified heat buildup on cable components.
Airport operators replaced damaged cable connections and added sheath voltage limiters as immediate fixes. MAHB reconfigured grounding systems and upgraded maintenance procedures with regular discharge testing and thermal inspections. Future improvements include automatic transfer switches for faster backup power activation and expanded generator capacity. Additional safety measures involve comprehensive soil resistance studies and seasonal evaluations to strengthen grounding networks and prevent similar failures.
Airport operators replaced damaged cable connections and added sheath voltage limiters as immediate fixes. MAHB reconfigured grounding systems and upgraded maintenance procedures with regular discharge testing and thermal inspections. Future improvements include automatic transfer switches for faster backup power activation and expanded generator capacity. Additional safety measures involve comprehensive soil resistance studies and seasonal evaluations to strengthen grounding networks and prevent similar failures.
