USDA Lab and Term Contract

Salas O’Brien partnered with the USDA to improve the economic and environmental viability of the cotton production systems in the United States. The Southwest Cotton Ginning Research Laboratory, built over 40 years ago, had more than 90% of its electrical systems deteriorating. Salas O’Brien developed a Site Investigation Report to examine the existing electrical systems throughout the facility to ensure a safe and reliable work environment. This inspection allowed them to identify safety violations and make recommendations to remedy them. To design an upgrade system, we split it into four phases so that costs could be spread out and research operations were not significantly impacted. These upgrades included new automatic transfer switches, motor control centers, starters, disconnects, and updated electrical wiring for offices and the emergency generator. An arc flash analysis using SKM Arc Flash was also conducted before any new panels were put into service.