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Committee briefed on emergency transfer-switch failure at county jail; replacement completed using spare switch
Summary
Staff reported a transfer-switch failure at the jail that left the generator stuck on after grid restoration; contractors restored grid power, a spare transfer switch was used, and the unit has been recertified. Committee members asked about procuring a spare to reduce future risk.
Melissa (speaker 5) described an emergency at the county jail when, after a power outage, grid power returned but the generator failed to transfer back to the grid. She said the transfer switch suffered surge damage and that staff used a time-and-materials contractor, Overlander, to reestablish grid power and replace the failed switch. Because of renovations about 10 years ago, the county had a spare transfer switch on hand, which staff said was fortunate and reduced lead-time risk.
"The transfer switch failed ... We used our T and M contractor, Overlander, to get us back onto the grid, and then work on replacing the transfer switch," Melissa said, adding that the replacement has since been recertified. Committee members asked whether additional generator work would be needed; Melissa said none is planned now but that the jail master plan's second phase would evaluate whether a full generator update is warranted. Another committee member suggested staff ask contractors whether ordering a second spare transfer switch is feasible to reduce future outage risk.
