Board approves $76,896 transfer-switch replacement at HLB building to support full generator load
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Summary
The board approved a procurement to replace a 225-amp transfer switch at the HLB (City Hall) building with an 800-amp switch estimated at $76,896 to allow the existing generator to carry the entire building load during outages.
The Coldwater Board of Public Utilities approved awarding the transfer-switch replacement contract for the HLB (City Hall) building to Scholbeis at a total price of $76,896 and an estimated 15–17 week lead time.
Utility staff explained the original installation included a 225-amp transfer switch that could not carry the full load of the building during an outage; the generator itself was sized to carry the full load. During a past transmission outage the limited transfer switch capacity contributed to server losses and website outages. Replacing the transfer switch with an 800-amp model will allow the generator to handle the entire building load during future outages, staff said.
Bids were solicited from Jepsen, Scholbeis and Kaiser; Scholbeis bid lowest at $76,896 with a 15–17 week lead time, and staff recommended Scholbeis. If ordered now, staff estimated installation around Thanksgiving to take advantage of reduced building occupancy on the holiday. The board moved to approve the purchase and the motion passed.