Project Description:

Over the past several years, Thoma Electric, Inc. has maintained a strong presence on the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Campus. In addition to many smaller projects on the campus, three recent and very noteworthy projects include the new Engineering III Complex, which consists of over 40,000 sq. ft., the new Engineering IV Complex which consists of over 105,000 sq. ft., and the Engineering/Architecture Center for Construction Excellence Complex consisting of 50,000 sq. ft. We also completed the Data Communications system installation at the Bonderson Engineering building. These projects represent $8 million of electrical construction.

Special Feature or Interesting Aspects of Projects:

• “Smart” classrooms with special lighting and A/V functions.
• Advanced electrical distribution systems.
• High level laboratory and classrooms ready for research and education.
• Lighting systems with daylight controls, dimming and “quiet” mode for testing. Occupancy sensors and lighting controls.
• Significant and intensive data communications systems, with complete Category 6, cable plant with fiber optic backbone to campus loop.
• Coax A/V distribution to computer projector system.
• 12kv distribution system extension from campus loop.
• Fire alarm systems.
• Elevator power distribution and fire system control.

Project Description:

Replaced 3,000 amp, 480 volt main switchgear and all distribution for west coast long-line facility for AT&T. The facility is a transcontinental communication cable landing site for telecommunications providing cable service to Asia. Also replaced two 500kw generators with two 1,000kw generator units. New 12kv service with load bank for generator load balancing.

Special Feature or Interesting Aspects of Project:

• This facility is 50 feet below grade.
• Generators and switchgear were lowered by crane through building exhaust ports.

Special Note:

This successful and extremely complex project led us to a follow-up job with General Electric to complete a similar job in Guam, where this cable receives a signal boost to extend to China from the west coast of California.

Project Description:

Complete restoration and rewiring of the exterior lighting system of the historic Hearst Castle, originally designed by architect Julia Morgan and built by William Randolph Hearst throughout the 1930s and 1940s. The restoration project included replacement of deteriorating lighting and electrical wiring systems throughout the castle and surrounding gardens. This project enabled the State to offer the very popular Evening Sunset Tours at night.

Special Feature or Interesting Aspects of Project:

Restoration work on statues and other historic structures was performed to National Park Services “Standards of Rehabilitation”. These standards require a meticulaous attention to detail and delicate care was not to harm artifacts that were being restored.

Thoma Electric worked extensively with museum curatorial staff to remove finishes and conceal raceways to restore “Hermes” statues, marble posts and marble "swan lights" with energy efficient lighting. Additionally, Thoma Electric discretely placed supplemental lighting for vistor safety where necessary.

Company president, Bill Thoma, donated his engineering time throughout the course of the project and was recognized with the presentation of a replica statue for the highest contribution to the project’s success.

Project Description:

This project involved retrofitting an existing commercial building in a business park with a new power distribution system and standby power generator for a critical operations data processing facility. The communications and data cabling infrastructure were also significantly upgraded and expanded.

Special Feature or Interesting Aspects of Project:

• Installation of two 500KW diesel powered engine generators.
• Generators were required to be housed in sound attenuated enclosures in order to mitigate sound impacts on surrounding businesses as well as the client’s own operations.
• A new 1600 amp 277/480 volt utility service was required to accommodate the data center load and HVAC equipment, as well as installation of two 800 amp automatic transfer switches, and emergency distribution equipment, branch circuits, feeders, uninterruptible power supply equipment and related power distribution work.
• Work included the design and installation of redundant AT&T fiber optic cable feed, as well as an extensive category 6 cable plant and related infrastructure.
• Within the facility, and as part of the data distribution system scope of work, is the cable plant, including cable tray, communications cabling, equipment racks, patch panels, communications cable and fiber optic cable testing.
• The data center is equipped with emergency shutdown controls for all power systems servicing data center loads, as well as desired interlocks with the Inergen fire suppression system.

Project Description:

Remodel of existing 10,000-sq.-ft. building for conversion to premier law offices.

Special Feature or Interesting Aspects of Project:

High-end detailing and finishes throughout the project with particular focus on the reception/lobby, public hallway/restrooms and client conference areas.

Particular attention was paid to interior design and client comfort.

Installation of a very high-density voice/data distribution system (rack/patch panels, cable plant, devices/labeling and testing).

Project Description:

Conversion and expansion of an existing restaurant building into a 16,000-sq.-ft. full-service television station, including broadcast studios with energy conserving lighting systems, media control room, computer center, and combined corporate offices and workspace, along with telephone and data systems.

Special Feature or Interesting Aspects of Project:

• Construction of a satellite farm.
• 75kw emergency generator and distribution system.

Special Feature or Interesting Aspects of Project:

• Includes power connections and controls to cranesand conveyor equipment.
• Connection to auger motors.
• Hoist motors and related process equipment.
• Power and control for process chillers and boilers.
• Air compressors for grape presses.
• Glycol pumps, chiller pumps, boiler pumps and related equipment.

Project Description:

A new 60,000-sq.-ft., two-story public library and parking structure.

Library:

• A two-phase electrical design included streetscape, parking structure, plazas and fountains.
• Interior indirect/direct lighting, power.
• Communications and fire alarm design.

Parking structure:

• Relocation of a large intracity telecommunications infrastructure to make way for new structure.

Special Feature or Interesting Aspects of Project:

• Aesthetically sophisticated lighting design and control system.
• Designed to meet California Office of State Library
  Construction criteria.
• PG&E “Savings By Design” award for energy conservation well beyond California energy standards.

City /County Location:
San Luis Obispo, California

Project Description:

A 90,000-sq.-ft. retail center with a seven-screen (below grade) movie theatre complex and a mix of high-end retail and food service tenants. Pedestrian-friendly project designed as the city center for activity and as a destination for visitors.

Special Feature or Interesting Aspects of Project:

• Main switchboard is rated 3,000 amps (at 120/208 volt) and is arranged for flexibility of accommodating tenants.
• Feeder routing to tenant spaces was especially challenging due to the pedestrian walkway dividing the project into two separate structures.
• Because the theatre complex is subterranean, a slab dewatering system and lift station with standby power backup was installed.
• Worked through design requirements of major retailers such as GAP, Express, Barnes & Noble, Jamba Juice and more.

Project Description:

New construction of a 41,000-sq.-ft. football stadium facility, three-story building, with increased seating for 3,300 people. Project replaced existing bleachers, field and sports lighting.

• Open bleachers, restrooms and a concourse bridging California Blvd.
• Sky boxes, press boxes, concessions and scoreboard.

Special Feature or Interesting Aspects of Project:

• Requirements for television broadcast quality sports field lighting to Division I standards.
• On-site emergency generator.
• Long-life, low-maintenance induction lighting system at concourse and roadway.