Category: Air Conditioning

CPFM Utilities and Energy will perform Island Mode testing on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, between the hours of 8:00 am and 3:00 pm. Utilities and Energy staff will switch the entire campus in and out of Island Mode twice per hour (see full schedule below).  The first test will begin at the top of the hour, shifting off of EWEB’s electrical grid and onto our own power generation system (called Island Mode).  At 15-minutes after the hour, we will exit out of Island Mode and return back to EWEB’s power source.  This cycle will be repeated again at 30-minutes after the hour, re-entering Island Mode and 45-minutes after the hour when exiting Island Mode.  If problems occur during any of the planned fourteen (14) island mode tests, power outages up to 10-seconds in duration may occur.

We will also be conducting building level tests on four different locations.  The buildings listed will be without power for 60-90 minutes.  The work to be performed includes breaker testing and repair, electrical system repairs, transfer switch test and repairs, arc flash hazard study data gathering, programmable logic updates, replace inoperative equipment, and re-torque main lugs.

8:00 – 9:30 am            CPFM Compound (Bldgs. 130, 136, Lock shop, Wilkinson House, Quonsets)
10:00 – 11:30 am          Many Nations Longhouse – Full power outage
12:30 – 1:30 pm            Deschutes Hall – Full power outage
1:30 – 3:00 pm             Ford Alumni Center – Standby fire/life safety will stay on

The electrical distribution system redundancy and resiliencies depend upon the properly functioning power generation system and island mode capabilities.

Thank you for your patience as we resolve our issues related to entering and exiting island mode. On-site personnel will include the original electrical engineer who designed the system, ASCO technicians and a new company that brings more resiliency and oversight for Utilities and Energy.

Island Mode Testing Schedule:

:00 am – Start island mode
8:15 am – Exit island mode
8:30 am – Start island mode
8:45 am – Exit island mode

9:00 am – Start island mode
9:15 am – Exit island mode
9:30 am – Start island mode
9:45 am – Exit island mode

10:00 am – Start island mode
10:15 am – Exit island mode
10:30 am – Start island mode
10:45 am – Exit island mode

11:00 am – Start island mode
11:15 am – Exit island mode
11:30 am – Start island mode
11:45 am – Exit island mode

12:00 noon – Start island mode
12:15 pm – Exit island mode
12:30 pm – Start island mode
12:45 pm – Exit island mode

1:00 pm – Start island mode
1:15 pm – Exit island mode
1:30 pm – Start island mode
1:45 pm – Exit island mode

2:00 pm – Start island mode
2:15 pm – Exit island mode
2:30 pm – Start island mode
2:45 pm – Exit island mode

3:00 pm – All clear message sent via Work Control

Network Impacts: When any building’s power is off, its wired and wireless networks will also stop working. During the Island Mode power testing:

• Expect intermittent campuswide network outages.
• Localized lingering network outages may occur if network devices fail. If so, Information Services staff will post notices on the IT Service Status website. Recovery will begin after CPFM issues its all-clear message and could take a day or longer.

Information Services (IS) offers the following guidance about protecting electronic devices from power surges during the Island Mode power testing.

Before the Testing – Turn Off Sensitive Electronics

• It is recommended that sensitive electronic devices be shut down and unplugged before the power testing begins. Sensitive devices include research equipment, multifunction copiers, digital display panels, etc. Such devices can be damaged by the power surge when the power is turned back on. Surge protectors, while helpful, don’t guarantee that devices will be preserved. Please check with your IT support for questions or help.

Who needs to take action depends on the type and location of the equipment:

•  Sensitive electronic devices:
  • Shut down and unplug research equipment, multifunction copiers, digital display panels, and other sensitive electronics.
• Classrooms scheduled by the Office of the Registrar:
  • IS staff will shut down audiovisual equipment in general pool and joint-controlled classrooms.

• Other classrooms and non-classroom areas:
  • Shut down departmental AV equipment, such as conference room systems and AV equipment in departmentally controlled classrooms. Please check with your IT support for questions or help.
  • Preparations may be handled by the User Support Services team in Information Services, by departmental IT staff where applicable, or by other departmental staff, following existing patterns of support.

After Testing Ends – Power On Electronic Devices

• Turn on sensitive electronic devices and departmental AV equipment.
• IS staff will turn on AV equipment in general pool and joint-controlled classrooms, prioritizing spaces with active classes. That process could take several days. To request faster service restoration for specific classrooms, please submit a ticket at classroom technology support.

Contacts:

• Technology impacts and preparations: The IS User Support Services team that supports your unit or your department’s IT staff, as applicable.
• All other concerns: Work Control Center, Campus Planning and Facilities Management, 541-346-2319

Locations not included in the Island Mode testing:  
510 Oak Street
515 E. Broadway
942 Olive
1600 Millrace
1700 Millrace
1715 Franklin
1900 Millrace
Alder Building (818 E.15^th)
Baker Downtown Center (975 High St.)
EC Cares Buildings (1500 W. 12^th Ave plus modules)
Fleet Services Building (Glenwood) (3233 Franklin Blvd.)
KWAX (75 Centennial Loop)
McMorran House (2315 McMorran Drive)
PeaceHealth North (677 12^th Ave.)
Rainier (1244 Walnut St.)
Romania Warehouse (2020 Franklin Blvd.)
South A Warehouse (1199 South A St., Spfld.)
Thompson University Center (720 E. 13^th Ave.)
Transportation Services (1401 Walnut St.)
Tree Tops (2237 Spring Blvd.)
UOPD East Station (2141 E. 15^th Ave.)

Current construction and impacts information can be found on the UO Maps site.