TUCUMCARI, NM - Mesalands Community College recently received an oil test set, worth $9,000 from Megger, a manufacturer of portable electrical testing equipment. This new equipment donation will give students in the Wind Energy Technology Program at Mesalands another opportunity to utilize industry equipment and gain real-world training experience.

"Megger is happy to help. Megger has had a strong relationship with Mesalands for years and I am positive they will put the Megger equipment to good use," said David S. Danner, Director of USA Distribution Sales for Megger.

Megger's range of automatic oil test sets assesses mineral, ester, and silicon insulating liquids for breakdown up to 60 kV. This equipment is essential to ensuring the reliable operation of oil filled electrical equipment by monitoring and maintaining the quality of the oil.

Andy Swapp, Wind Energy Technology Faculty at Mesalands, says he is truly appreciative to Megger and David Danner for their continued support. He said the new equipment would enhance the student's hands-on experience in the operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of wind turbines, including the use of the College's 1.5 megawatt wind turbine.

"This is truly an honor to have such a respected name in the industry, partner with Mesalands Community College, to further the knowledge and experiences of our students in the Wind Energy Technology Program," said Swapp. "Sometimes, I just can't believe that our students get to use such equipment! I often wonder how many wind techs, just coming out of a training program, even know what this equipment is, let alone know how to use it."

Megger has been providing wind energy students at Mesalands with high-quality, electrical testing equipment, since 2008. Megger recently donated the DLRO200, a Digital Low Resistance Ohmmeter, to Mesalands.

"The College is very pleased with the high-level of support from business and industry that we receive for our academic programs," said Dr. Thomas W. Newsom, President of Mesalands Community College. "This gift will allow us to continue to train wind professionals for the future."