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Roosevelt Engineering Department Begins Electrical Load Center Testing

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS101009-04
10/9/2010

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jennifer Castillo, USS Theodore Roosevelt Public Affairs

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (NNS) -- USS Theodore Roosevelt's (CVN 71) Engineering Department personnel began testing electrical load centers Oct. 4.

The testing is being conducted in preparation for flooding of the ship's dry dock and moving to a pier-side location early next year, as part of Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) at Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipbuilding.

"These load centers are in essence 'the source' to getting the ship out of dry dock," said Ens. Christopher Laird, USS Theodore Roosevelt electrical technical assistant.

Roosevelt's Engineering Department is responsible for 24 load centers, which are electrical distributors that provide the ship with electricity needed to help make the ship function.

The first load center was turned over to the Engineering Department Oct. 4. Three additional load centers expected to be turned over to the ship next week.

Lt. j.g. Charles Davenport, E-division officer, said each load center must undergo a package of tests conducted by E Division in order to ensure it is working properly.

"We call it 're-energizing' the ship," said Davenport. "This is a major step in preparing the ship to float again."

Electrical Division works with Reactor Department to test the power in the load centers, said Laird. They coordinate with each other to properly turn on the breaker and power up the load center.

"It is very tedious work that needs to be done for each package of testing, said Electrician's Mate 2nd Class Sharlonda Robinson, E-division work center supervisor. "Everyone works as a team to make sure everything is done right and working properly."

"We are done tearing apart and removing things from the ship," said Davenport. "Now it's time for [Sailors] to take back the ship, bring her to full readiness and prepare her for the sea."

Following the load centers, Engineering will begin putting fire pumps, aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) systems and elevators back together.

RCOH is an extensive yard period all Nimitz-class aircraft carriers go through near the mid-point of the ship's 50-year life cycle.

During RCOH Theodore Roosevelt's nuclear fuel will be replenished and the ship's services and infrastructure will be upgraded to make it the most state-of-the-art aircraft carrier in the fleet and prepared for another 25 years or more of service.