Any Unknown or Unlisted Aircraft Manufacturer
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 30.9
Confusion; Communication Breakdown; Distraction; Troubleshooting; Situational Awareness; Other / Unknown
ATC Issue All Types
ATC Equipment / Nav Facility / Buildings
For the second time today and 3rd time (that I know of) in last two months; the Voice Switching System malfunctioned on a sector; leaving the Controller no way to communicate for 2 min and 35 sec.  I was CIC when the Controller called me over and said that he had lost communications on Sector 8.  I had the same problem a few hours earlier while I was working the sector (See report #).  The transmitter sites were selected properly.  The 'RCVR ON' font in the middle of the green field that shows the receiver and transmitters were selected were flashing alternately from black to red.  The Controller tried the BUEC [Back up radio] with no success. The Controller unplugged and tried transmitting from the D-Side with no success.  Shortly after 2 minutes the problem resolved itself and communication resumed.I do not know of any recommendations.
ZLC Controller reports of Voice Switch System malfunctioning for the third time in three months that he knows about.  The equipment then it resets itself and works fine.