An ongoing deficit of electrical transformers and other electrical components is continuing to place a burden on the completion of home construction projects.
So says a release issued by the National Association of Home Builders, which is urging the federal Department of Commerce to act on the matter.
“Significant shortage of single-phase transformer and other components are preventing local jurisdictions from issuing building permits because there is no way to provide power to the new houses,” the NAHB has declared in a correspondence endorsed by the Associated Builders and Contractors, and Independent Electrical Contractors, among several other industry organizations.
According to sources, the average timeframe for delivering electrical switchgear has recently doubled from 20 weeks to 40 weeks.
Correspondence, sent directly to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, stated: “Focused attention to these matters is needed to resolve these shortages and rebuild critical infrastructure in disaster-affected areas and across the United States where projects have been put on hold due to shortages.”
Some of the delay has been directly attributable to current challenges in Europe in acquiring a fire-retardant chemical primarily used as a plastic resin to make the housing for switchgear.
Delays have additionally impacted electrical components and circuit breakers not only used in home construction, but also the building of new schools.
The various industry organizations are asking the White House to put together a summit with all related industry interests to explore possible solutions to the problem.
The ongoing shortage has proven particularly problematic for the nation’s utility companies, notes the site Marketplace.
“A transformer is something like the interface between your home and the local power grid, the place where you and the power provider work—pretty much anywhere there’s electric service,” the publication continued.
Industry groups have additionally called not only for a stepped-up production of transformers in the U.S., but the expanded training of a larger transformer workforce.
By Garry Boulard
