Several coordinated power outages are planned from Friday, June 14, through Wednesday, July 4, on campus.
In general, planned power outages are scheduled to accomplish work that cannot be performed while a live electrical load exists.
Typically, planned outages enable the electrical shop to address or prepare to address a somewhat urgent situation that, if left unattended, could well result in a future unplanned, uncontrolled and more complex electrical power outage of likely longer duration.
In this particular case, the purpose of these outages is to install transformers at Gilbert and Wirtz halls and to install new medium voltage cabling between Altgeld, Wirtz and the East Heating Plant. The efforts and expense for this project are necessary and prudent to plan for these buildings continued stable electrical operations.
The Division of Finance & Facilities has attempted to find reasonable days and times for these power outages in the hopes that they are minimally intrusive to the building electrical system and associated uses.
Special precautions will be taken, however. Backup generators will be used to sufficiently support the buildings during regular business hours. The generators will be carefully serviced and monitored. They have provided a reliable alternative in the past and will likely do so for this project.
NIUTEL has been contacted about these planned outages. Oversight of these events is being provided by Ken George, construction superintendent for Architectural & Engineering Services.
SCHEDULED POWER OUTAGES
Gilbert Hall
Friday, June 14
- Connecting to back-up generator.
- Power out from 6 to 10 a.m.
- Buildings impacted: Altgeld, East Heating Plant, Gilbert, McMurry (Room 132) and Wirtz.
Wednesday, June 19, or Thursday, June 20
- Disconnect from back-up generator and connect to campus grid.
- Power out from 4 to 6 a.m.
- Buildings impacted: Gilbert, McMurry (Room 132) and Wirtz.
Friday, June 21
- Connecting to back-up generator.
- Power out from 6 to 10 a.m.
- Buildings impacted: McMurry Still Hall and Still Gym.
Saturday, June 29
- Disconnect from back-up generator and connect to campus grid.
- Power out from 6 to 10 a.m.
- Buildings impacted: Altgeld, East Heating Plant, Still Gym, Still Hall.
Wednesday, July 3
- In the event that work cannot be completed Saturday, June 29, the disconnect from back-up generators and connection back to the campus grid will take place.
- Power out from 4 to 6 a.m.
- Buildings impacted: Altgeld, East Heating Plant, Still Gym, Still Hall.
As a precaution, employees should power down all lab equipment, computers, fax machines and any non-essential equipment prior to the outage. All HVAC systems will be powered down prior to turning off power to the building.
Following restoration of power, all impacted faculty and staff should check that all NIU equipment that should be operational is in fact operational.
For more information, call (815) 753-0388 or email kjgeorge@niu.edu.
