CUC men complete training

Eleven men from the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation have completed highly technical training that will likely save employees from major injury.

The training involves underground electrical splicing, a course that teaches professional linemen how to cut high voltage wires, connect them to the main power source and install new electrical systems that are located underground.

Called the Underground Splicing Termination and Installation Course, the training was conducted by experts from the Guam Power Authority, while the underground electrical splicing installation was carried out by Western Pacific Electric.

The Community Utility has three underground electrical systems, two from the Chalan Kiya area, and the third in Garapan at the American Memorial Park.

The last time CUC had to install equipment at the Park, officials from the Guam Power Authority were paid over $35,000 to complete the splicing from overhead, above ground system, into the ground system.

Ben Mesa, the professional engineer in charge of CUC’s Power Division had no choice but to bring GPA officials to Saipan for an important project at the American Memorial Park last week.

This time, however, GPA trained CUC men.

“Our crews are now certified in underground electrical splicing. This means that our utility saves money every time we conduct maintenance on our underground systems. I feel they are better qualified and more attentive to maintenance,” said Mr. Mesa.

New cables and an electrical switch-gear box were to be installed at the Park. The switch makes it possible for CUC to isolate the Park’s electrical system or turn it off if there are problems, without interrupting electricity to all Garapan customers.

The men received the training from two GPA experts, who are the only people in the pacific qualified to do the work and certify other linemen, according to Mr. Mesa.

After the classroom lectures, the crews moved to the Park where a power outage was scheduled for the installation of the switch-gear box. Right before the underground cables were connected to the new switch gear, the men conducted a test of the system.

“They began to run electricity through the switch-gear when arcs appeared; there was a major equipment failure. That was the only switch gear box on island, and although we couldn’t finish the scheduled Park installation, we’re glad that the men tested the equipment and detected the failure before it was permanently installed,” explained Mr. Mesa.