Chernobyl Legacy Reportage By Paul Fusco

generator performance was to be recorded to determine whether it could provide the bridging power for coolant pumps
Conditions prior to the accident
The conditions to run the test were established prior to the day shift 25 April 1986. The day shift workers had been instructed in advance about the test and were familiar with procedures. A special team electrical engineers was present to test the new voltage regulating system. As planned, on 25 April a gradual reduction in the output the power unit was begun at 01:06 a.m., and by the beginning the day shift the power level had reached 50% its nominal 3200 MW thermal. At this point, another regional power station unexpectedly went f-line, and the Kiev electrical grid controller requested that the further reduction Chernobyl's output be postponed, as power was needed to satisfy the peak evening demand. The Chernobyl plant director agreed and postponed the test.