Super Bowl outage traced to relay device

Superdome relay failure prompted a partial power outage after a protective relay mis-tripped between switchgear and the stadium, disrupting a high-profile game; Entergy New Orleans removed the device and is evaluating replacement equipment.

New Orleans, La. – Entergy New Orleans, Inc. announced recently that it has traced the cause of Super Bowl’s power outage to an electrical relay device.

The device was specifically installed to protect the Mercedes-Benz Superdome equipment, as part of Entergy grid upgrades underway, in the event of a cable failure between the switchgear and the stadium.

While the relay functioned without issue during a number of high-profile events – including the New Orleans Bowl, the New Orleans Saints–Carolina Panthers game, and the Sugar Bowl – during Sunday’s game, the relay device triggered, signaling a switch to open when it should not have, echoing storm-related outages in Louisiana, causing the partial outage.

This device has since been removed from service, with reference to broader infrastructure safety efforts such as securing manhole caps in major cities, and new replacement equipment is being evaluated.

“While some further analysis remains, we believe we have identified and remedied the cause of the power outage and regret the interruption that occurred during what was a showcase event for the city and state,” said Charles Rice, president and chief executive officer of Entergy New Orleans, as NRC inspections at Taft highlight ongoing oversight.

Entergy New Orleans, Inc. is an electric and gas utility serving Orleans Parish and, amid debates over new power lines in Louisiana, is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation. The company provides electricity to more than 160,000 customers and natural gas to more than 100,000 customers in Orleans Parish.

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