o The result would be a brief power outage – of approximately 120 seconds – during which time the generators must start from cold and take up load.

o Testing needs to be performed at near full load conditions to ensure reliable functioning during an actual power outage. For this reason the commissioning tests would need to be done during a normal working day and during working hours while business in the University's facilities are conducted as usual. No more than one substation will be tested per day.

o Once all measurements and readings have been confirmed the normal Eskom grid power will be restored.

o No prior warnings will be issued as this normally results in staff switching off equipment when it is actually necessary to have the equipment switched on.

o All equipment, appliances and experimental machinery and installations which are sensitive to either spikes or any disruption of supply power need to be protected and secured from the risk of damage or malfunctioning, probably electronically buffered by way of an Uninterruptible Power Supply [UPS].

o It is recommended that all users of commodities which are normally operated on mains [grid] power investigate and ascertain what the vulnerability of such commodities are and seek guidance from either the Manufacturer or the IT Services or Facilities Management Departments.

o It should be noted that claims against the University's Asset Insurance Policy would probably not be entertained unless it can be proven and substantiated that damage and loss were caused, despite adequate risk mitigation in the form of a UPS.

The engineers are ready to schedule these tests and it is anticipated that tests will be far advanced before the next examination cycle and also in future similar critical examination periods will be avoided.

Sufficient support services staff will be on site to ensure immediate action in the unlikely event of equipment malfunctioning during the switching operations.

The University appreciates your understanding of the need to prove and maintain the capability of our Standby Power Generator installations and thank you in advance for bearing with us in performing the forthcoming scheduled power interruptions.

Phillip Nel
Director: Facilities Management