I was wondering, if everyone on earth was to disappear and there was no one to work the electrical grid, how long would it take for 1] The electrical power lines themselves to decay?2] The electrical substations to break down?3] The transformer units to break down?4] Any other electrical equipment to break [such as those boxes on the power lines, as well as ANY other piece of equipment on the electric grid]?P.S- Don't give how long it would take for the power stations to stop running, I already know that. Just answer the four questions I asked.
The lines are mostly copper or aluminum for the wires themselves. The towers are steel. They would last for decades easily. But lines that run from transformers to homes or neighborhoods could fail earlier. Look at what happens with ice storms in New England. Substations and transformers would last quite long also. But the power stations would last for anywhere from hours to weeks, depending on the degree of automation, and on chance. .
Electrical substations may break down. 2]. Substations require regular maintenance.
