Sparta Experiencing 100 Week Lead Times To Receive Transformers

Lead times for electrical gear has Sparta waiting extended periods to receive purchases.

The Sparta Board of Aldermen approved the purchase of seven pad mount transformers. Utility Manager Belva Bess said delivery will take 100 weeks.

“I know a lot of construction people are having to halt construction over in Algood and stuff because they can’t get their transformers,” Bess said. “We had our managers meeting last week, and they pretty much said you better hold on to what you got.”

City Administrator Brad Hennessee said the delay should not cause panic, but the city should be aware of the situation. Hennessee said Sparta has enough electrical supplies to withstand a large storm.

“I don’t want anybody to panic over it, but we do need to get in the pipeline for as many of these that we can get,” Hennessee said.

Bess said other utility companies are also pulling transformers off poles that are not used to build supply. Sparta also purchased a backup generator for the senior center, which is 59 weeks out.

Bess said the transformers are used for underground utilities. Bess said some contractors are building overground utilities for the time being and then moving underground once supplies are delivered.