The broken lines represent switches (contactors). They're controlled by the bottons to either side. Notice the unbroken ones have no buttons. just hole plugs.

Yes, as I said, it's a schematic for the power flow at the facility. The zizags represent transformers

As a general rule, around open power conductors, you should have a safety standby with a nonconductive hook, to grab your belt in case you get 'siezed' Although I saw an engineer in the switchyard at Obispo crank a 230KV switchover without a standby. Anyway, the crank is 50 feet below the line.

I wonder what the switches were for? Since they're 4-pole, I guess it's 3-phase Y connection at no more tha a few hundred amps. Maybe for the pump and blower motors ? Maybe 440 Volts? Yikes ! where was OSHA? Open switches.

Great ! Feels like a place I should have enjoyed working at one time. (Electrical Engineer)
Power plants and substations are always fascinating. I've always wanted to do a series on Power Substations. Such a feeling of Energy !

Someday . . . maybe

Thanks !!!

Ash pit?

Power factor correction ?

Could be servicing disconnects for the meters downstairs.

Cool - Circuit diagram of the facility (yellow lines)

You should see the control room at San Luis Obispo plant

Incoming, surely.

This may be incoming power. I notice the lights are on overhead. 'Cycles' is for Cycles per second.
The modern term is now Hertz, or Hz, named after Heinrich Hertz. It appears to be registerning something.

Look like Exciters. Ac motors turning DC generators to energize the field rotors of the big guys. MG (motor / generator) sets. Sometimes they instead use a generator sharing the turbine shaft.

Yes, It appears to be the slip ring brushes for an alternator rotor
Nice shot