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[Nick Enright]

I second David's thoughts.

Good quality, massive scale power generation is not hard. All major stadium events use it without issue. I highly doubt that any of the production was running off shore power, although its possible that the in-venue commentary systems were powered locally.

"Sensor sensed an abnormality" sounds like TBS (thats technical bulls&^@t, people) for "we tripped an RCD while we tried to strike half the field lights at once. oops." :-)

Here's a third.

 A hot strike on that many arc (hmi/high pressure metal halide arc/etc...) lamps would be a serious current surge, possibly tripping the big switches that feed the stadium lights.

 Although I noticed all the screens went out on that side of the stadium also. This begs the question: "Was it caused by the 're-strike' of all the various equipment on that side of the venue? This is regardless of the big breakers, the sum current drawn off of the main buss on that side overloaded multiple breakers, not only the masters, but the sub-breakers, X-Formers, and the breakers on the sub-panels were also tripped.

Reasonable?

[Chris Johnson [UK]]

Its more likely to be something like an RCD than a overcurrent tripping an MCB.

Well designed electrical systems should ALWAYS have breakers tripping downstream. IF a lightbulb goes in your house, and it trips your incoming breaker, you've got problems, because it means that the downstream protective devices aren't functioning at all. Same is true here.

Earth leakage devices however, tend to be fewer and further between and may sit upstream of many MCB protected spurs.

[Dave Rickard]

Press release:

http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2013/02/08/bad-device-caused-super-bowl-blackout-power-company-says/

[Chris Johnson [UK]]

Suitably vague, but there you have it

[John Roberts {JR}]

Yes, dumbed down for public consumption...more likely a glorified circuit breaker to drop load if it detects a fault. The utility is taking the blame. 

JR 

[Chris Johnson [UK]]

http://www.theverge.com/2013/2/8/3968598/super-bowl-blackout-caused-by-incorrect-switch-setting

User error...

[John Roberts {JR}]

A little "he said-he said" finger pointing exercise. Mainly aggravated by how long it takes for the lights to start up again.

JR

[Nick Enright]

A little "he said-he said" finger pointing exercise. Mainly aggravated by how long it takes for the lights to start up again.

JR

If you've ever had the director, DP, 1st AD, etc.. loosing the last shot of the night. Yes a 10min full grid re-strike is an eternity. so I can't imagine it on that show.

Does anyone know what the actual current potential is at that show? my biggest had 3600A (400A/leg) on three circuits. I'm just wondering of where it ranks for full size production.

[Mark McFarlane]

A few more details on recent upgrades to the system, including a feeder voltage increase a few days before the event. Three separate supply lines from two substations,...

http://www.nola.com/superbowl/index.ssf/2013/02/super_bowl_blackout_could_be_t.html

[Doug.Jane]

And speaking of Beyonce, did she really really sing live?
I watched the press conference where she did sing live, the girl has appalling mike technique! There is no way she could produce the sanitised vocals that we heard when she is actually singing.

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