Pulsed Power Switch Assemblies

The Electric Dispersal Barriers IIA, IIB, and Demonstration Barrier I are located at 750 and 790 East Old Romeo Road, in Romeoville, Illinois, 60441. These facilities under the cognizance of the USACE Chicago District, lie along the banks of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal (CSSC), which is part of the Chicago Area Waterway system. The barriers were constructed to deter the movement of invasive species, such as Asian Carp, between the Mississippi River and Great Lakes basins. The barrier project currently consists of three distinct parts: Demonstration Barrier I, Barrier IIA, and Barrier IIB. Each of the barriers consists of steel electrodes fastened to the bottom of the canal which send a low-voltage, pulsing direct current (DC) through the water in order to repel invasive fish. Barriers IIA and IIB are located 800 to 1,300 feet downstream of the Demonstration Barrier. They are able to generate a more powerful electric field over a larger area and consist of two independent sets of electrodes and control houses. Each control house and set of electrodes can be operated independently. Barriers IIA and IIB each contain (3) three Pulsed Power Switch Assemblies and the Demonstration Barrier contains (4) four Pulsed Power Switch Assemblies. By way of this proposed contract, 5S will be required to provide the following Pulsed Power Switch Assemblies: Part # AA-10381-001 - 1.5MW, 30kA Pulsed Power Switch Assembly Part # AA-10401-001 - 350kW, 10kA Pulsed Power Switch Assembly