INCIDENT
INCIDENT
During 1998, two Toyota Landcruiser vehicles at opencut mines caught fire. The fires were due to electrical faults in the engine compartment of the vehicles.
CIRCUMSTANCES
One of the vehicles had additional lighting fitted as an after-market upgrade. The wiring loom passed through an unbushed hole in the mudguard. Vibration caused insulation damage, resulting in a short circuit and fire. The other vehicle had a cover missing from a slave relay enclosure. The enclosure filled with foreign material causing a short circuit and resultant fire.
INVESTIGATION
In both cases the electrical protection for the faulted circuits was provided by a “fusible link” rated at 65 amps. Testing showed that the “fusible link” would not isolate the faulted circuits at a current flow of 200 amps.
Efficient aftermarket wiring of auxiliary apparatus and better maintenance would have prevented the faults occurring.
Last Updated: 17/05/2022 02:52:22pm