info needed about power in Puerto Rico

[Timebuilder]

I have been asked by someone in my church to join on a missions trip to help restore a church school that was devastated during the recent disasters in Puerto Rico.

I understand that the power grid is not in good condition, and that the Army Corps of Engineers and Signal Corps are working to restore basic power services. If any of you have information about whatever differences or similarities there are regarding wiring and power requirements in Puerto Rico, I would like to hear about it. Because they are a US Territory, I am thinking that it's very much like the United States...using three-phase distribution and a grounded neutral structure....but anyone who has anything that they can tell me about what I can expect when I get there would be helpful, as the missionary has very little knowledge on this subject, and if I go I want to be prepared. He wants me to hook up a commercial air conditioning unit, but I have yet to have any information from him about the brand, the tonnage, or the power requirements for the unit. I am waiting for him to supply a picture of the unit label so I can look at minimum circuit ampacity and maximum overcurrent protection device ratings.

Has anyone done electrical work in Puerto Rico?

 

[MAC702]

I've been on vacation there. Everything looked normal to me...

 

[ggunn]

I've been on vacation there. Everything looked normal to me...

Recently, as in since the last hurricane? Kudos and good luck to anyone going there to help.

 

[Jraef]

It's part of the USA. They follow the NEC just like the rest of us.

 

[dkidd]

CHARACTER OF SERVICE:
Alternating current, 60 Hertz, 2 or 3 wires, single or three-phase; 120, 208, or
240 volts, at PREPA's option.



https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...chedules.pdf&usg=AOvVaw2IC5OpXvUXCoxwvXue7vdh

 

[noonan]

I work for a large pharma company. I did several projects at a few of their sites in PR. Yes, they follow the NEC. The infrastructure was never quite as good as the mainland. The occasional outage would just be written off to "PREPA's at it again". At least the gens we put in are getting their exercise now.

 

[Timebuilder]

I asked a choir member who is from there about power and the location of the missionary buildings, and he said that on some days, remote areas only have power for a few hours. So, the Corps of Engineers and Signal Corps will have their hands full for some time. I understand the power plant for that region is an old oil-fired plant.

I'm still waiting to hear back form the team leader about tech specs on the unit he wants me to hook up. I am a senior HVAC specialist as well, so I want to go there, get it done, and have it work well.

I will let you know what happens, and post pics if I can.

Thanks for the encouragement.