The Electric Current - September 2013

September 2013

Optimal Screening: Problems with the Use of Cable Glands Lapp Group USA Dialight Launches New LED Flood Light for Hazardous Locations

Current Contents

4

New 40 Amp Power Supply from SolaHD Powers Large DC Loads on Standard, Single-phase AC Circuits

8

Standex-Meder Announces Kt Series of High Isolation Reed Relays for Surface or Through-Hole Mounting

GROUP PUBLISHER

Jim Barnhill 205-733-1343 jim@theelectriccurrent.com

NATIONAL SALES MANAGER

Kristy Wynn 205-733-2025 kristy@handfmedia.net

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

10

ñ A Story of Species Survival

14

Optimal Screening: Problems with the Use of Cable Glands

20

Dialight Launches New LED Flood Light for Hazardous Location and General Purpose Applications

24

PUBLISHER

Hank Underwood 205-733-1341 hank@theelectriccurrent.com

EDITOR

Brandon Greenhill 205-733-4343 brandon@tipsmag.net

WEB DESIGNER

Jacklyn Hobson jacklyn@handfmedia.net

Danny Thompson danny@handfmedia.net

FACILITATOR/ HEAD COORDINATOR

V.P. OF SALES

Steven Hobson steven@tipsmag.net

Bart Beason 205-733-1342 bart@tipsmag.net

CEO

PRESIDENT

Christy Hobson

Glen Hobson

Executive and Advertising Offices 2070 Valleydale Rd, Suite # 6 Hoover Al 35244 toll free: 866.981.4511 phone: 205-441-5591 fax: 205-733-1344 www.theelectriccurrent.com • glen@tipsmag.net

Ad Index Septembe

r 2013

Optimal S creening: Problems with the Use of Cab le Glands Dialight La unches New LED Flood Li Hazardous ght for Locations

Cover Art Provided

by LAPP Group

2 The Electric Current September 2013

The Electric Current™ is published six times a year on a monthly basis by H&F Media, Inc., 2070 Valleydale Rd, Hoover Al 35244 USA. The Electric Current™ is distributed free to qualified subscribers. Non-qualified subscription rates are $57.00 per year in the U.S. and Canada and $84.00 per year for foreign subscribers (surface mail). U.S. Postage paid at Birmingham, Alabama and additional mailing offices.

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New 40 Amp Power Supply from SolaHD Powers Large DC Loads on Standard, Single-phase AC Circuits SolaHD has expanded its industry standard SDN-C power supplies family with the SDN 40-24-100C, a 40A single-phase model that positions the SDN-C Series as one of the broadest available today, now ranging from 5A to 40A in both single-phase and three-phase designs, to help customers meet their bulk power supply needs.

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Offering many of the legacy features that have made the SDN-C Series a bestseller, the new SDN 40-24100C maintains a small, easier to integrate footprint with exceptionally high efficiency while delivering the same 40A capacity as the largest SolaHD three-phase model. For manufacturers located in facilities with only single-phase power, this means there is no longer a need to let power supply capacity prevent the running of large industrial loads, such as sorting, conveying and packaging equipment. In addition, the SDN 40-24-100C helps manufacturers add new equipment that can be powered from the existing structure with little or no retrofitting requirements.

"Single phase power is by far the most commonly available, even when industries require three-phase service to run large industrial motors," explained Natalia Boyce, Product Marketing Manager for SolaHD. "Our new 40 Amp, single-phase SDN-C transformer is a perfect fit for powering large DC loads on a standard, single-phase AC circuit."

Like all SDN-C Series power supplies, the new 40A single-phase model features unique visual diagnostic LEDs to indicate I/O status at a glance. They come equipped with standard screw terminal connections and a rugged, industrial-grade metal outer case thatefficiently dissipates heat, and delivers full power in a wide temperature range from -25°C to +60°C. Their high MTBF translates into superior reliability, longer life and enhanced value to the end-user.

Suggested applications for the SDN 40-24-100C include: industrial machine control, DeviceNet™, process control, conveying equipment, material handling, vending machines, amusement park equipment, and semiconductor fabrication equipment.

SDN-C power supplies are backed by a five-year limited warranty.

They are RoHS compliant, fully tested and burned-in at the factory. For more information visit www.solahd.com.

6 The Electric Current September 2013

Standex-Meder Announces Kt Series of High Isolation Reed Relays for Surface or Through-Hole Mounting Ideal for green applications requiring high isolation characteristics and small profile.

Standex-Meder Electronics, a manufacturer of standard and custom electro-magnetic components, including magnetics products and reed switch-based solutions, announces its KT Series of high isolation reed relays. The KT Series is ideal for use in green applications, such as photovoltaic technology or hybrid vehicles. It is particularly helpful in measuring isolation resistance across several

components in a solar energy system prior to grid connection, preventing injury or further current leakages.

The KT Series offers isolation resistance greater than or equal to 1013Ί, and an isolation voltage between the coil and contact of over 7kVDC. Measuring only L30 x W8.6 x H10.6mm, the series provides these high isolation characteristics in a very small package. It is available in three coil voltages of 5V, 12V, and 24V, and all three versions are available in

8 The Electric Current September 2013

either surface or through-hole mounting. They are packaged in a hermetically sealed thermoset molded encapsulation, with switching voltages of 1000V and coil resistances of 150 Ohms.

Like all of Standex-Meder’s high isolation reed relays, the KT series has dynamically tested contacts and can perform millions of reliable operations. It is RoHS compliant and will be available for mass production in January, 2013.

Saving Money While Saving The Wildlife David Mauldin, Electric Underground Operations Coordinator for Concord, North Carolina, was having problems with squirrels and skunks. The squirrels chewed the insulation off of his electrical cables and the skunks were a destructive (and malodorous) problem in their switch boxes… to the tune of tens of thousands of dollars in maintenance and repair costs each year.

That was more than 8 years ago.

According to Mauldin, “Now the squirrels stay out, the skunks stay out-- even fire ants aren’t a problem anymore. The difference can be traced directly to our use of Sniff ‘N’ Stop... and the difference has been remarkable. It’s safe enough to use in residential areas—even the pests aren’t hurt… they just leave our equipment alone. “ The Science Behind The Success In nature, survival of a species is based on its ability to instinctively deal with and avoid unknown, unfamiliar, or dangerous situations. Fear of the Unknown and the ways it’s dealt with can be the difference between survival and extinction of a species. While humans have the ability to reason and decide on an appropriate course of action, all others must rely on the most primal of all behaviors, their natural instinct to survive.

All species, especially non-humans, are well familiar with smells and fragrances that they encounter daily. However, when confronted with unknown smells or combinations of smells they get confused. Scientists have discovered that confusion triggers the Fear of the Unknown that they instinctively try to avoid.

In the early 1950’s scientists put a name to the driving force causing these instinctive responses, they called them pheromones. Pheromones are chemical signals that are generally associated with an animal’s highly developed sense of smell.

Scientists found that pheromones control all aspects of behavior. Of these, the Warning Pheromone is the most powerful as it is released during times of stress or confusion. Warning Pheromones are used to warn others of the same species to stay away from perceived or eminent danger.

Essential oils such as Peppermint, Thyme, and Rosemary, are often associated with fragrances used in health spas where they are used as part of aromatherapy programs. Their fragrances can also be found kitchens where they are used in the preparation of a healthy meal. ICORP scientists have developed a unique combination of these same natural essential oil fragrances, one that confuses these instinct-driven non-human species, causing them to release a Warning Pheromones and avoid the area.

A History Of Safe, Simple Success Since Mauldin first experienced freedom from his problem pests 8 years ago, Sniff ‘N’ Stop has continued development, expanding into a broad range of industries— residential, commercial and industrial to name a few—with the same results: most non-human species actively avoid Sniff ‘N’ Stop. Tests have proven its effectiveness against no-see-ums, gnats, flies, fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, moths, roaches, spiders, mice, rats, snakes, pigeons, woodpeckers, raccoons, opossums, horses, porcupines—even bears.

The product is now available in many forms, including paints, putties, caulks, odorant pads, treated sponges, sprays, granules and more for a wide array of industrial, commercial, residential and recreational applications. And since the all-natural essential oils are environmentally safe, it is a preferential alternative to harsh chemical deterrents or harmful traps and barriers.

With Sniff’n’Stop, unwanted pests aren’t hurt or killed. They just stay clear. And that’s good for “everyone” involved.

10 The Electric Current September 2013

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GROUNDING METHODS COMPARED To select the best grounding method for shielded cable installations, you have to strike a balance between installed cost and grounding performance. Yet that’s easier said than done.

Some of the most common grounding methods, while seemingly inexpensive in terms of the component cost, require labor-intensive installation procedures that can drive up installed cost significantly.

Other methods lack the full 360º contact between the grounding hardware and the cable braid, reducing the effectiveness of the grounding connection and protection against EMI. Grounding

Pros

Cons

Brush Contact

• • • •

Prong Contact

• Fast installation avoids gland disassembly.

• Provides 360º contact.

• Variations in prong quality can threaten grounding effectiveness.

Grounding Clamp

• Inexpensive.

• Familiar.

• Moderately time consuming to install.

• Does not provide 360º contact.

• Some clamps are not low-resistance, adversely affecting EMI performance.

• Screws can be overtightened during installation, crushing wires.

• Connection can loosen over time or with vibration.

Ring Terminal

• Inexpensive.

• Familiar.

• Requires labor intensive crimping and ground stud installation.

• Does not provide 360º contact.

• Connection can loosen over time or with vibration.

Pigtail

• Inexpensive.

• Labor intensive.

• Does not offer 360º degree contact.

• Connection can loosen over time or with vibration.

Earthing Sleeves

• Provides 360º contact.

• Very effective grounding.

• Very labor intensive, requiring gland disassembly and precision stripping operations.

• Sleeve diameter must be properly sized to match application.

Fold Shield Over Internal Clamp

• Less costly than glands with prong contacts.

• Good grounding performance.

• Labor intensive and difficult for installers to properly ground.

Copper Tape

• Inexpensive.

• Familiar.

• Labor intensive installation, requiring manual wrapping around termination point and shrink tubing over external adaptor.

360° contact guarantees full screen contact.

Fast and easy assembly.

Cable rotation is possible.

Disassembly can be completed without damaging the gland.

Lapp Group 29 Hanover Road, Florham Park, NJ 07932

• Higher priced than other methods that don’t offer as much value.

T. 800 774 3539

18 The Electric Current September 2013

www.lappusa.com www.lappcanada.com

Dialight Launches New LED Flood Light for Hazardous Location and General Purpose Applications

New LED Flood Light debuts with UL844, CSA and UL1598/A certifications, CE compliance, Dialight’s industry leading 10 year full performance warranty and 20 kV surge protection Farmingdale, NJ– Dialight (LSE: DIA.L), the innovative global leader in LED lighting technology, today announced the immediate availability of its new DuroSite® and SafeSite® LED Flood Lights to provide a robust, reliable LED flood lighting solution to reduce energy and maintenance costs, while improving safety in the world’s most demanding hazardous location and industrial applications.

With a compact 14” x 14” form fit, the LED Flood Lights deliver 10,750 lumens at 107 Watts (100 lumens per Watt efficiency), to replace traditional HID solutions. The extremely durable LED Flood Lights come with Dialight’s 10-year full performance warranty and are offered in various NEMA optical configurations — Types 2, 4, 5 & 6 — to provide precise beam angle options.

“Dialight’s expanding portfolio of hazardous location and industrial LED fixtures has earned us an

20 The Electric Current September 2013

international reputation for innovative product design that continue to exceed our customers’ demanding lighting requirements,” said Roy Burton, Dialight’s Group Chief Executive. “The LED Flood Light fixture offers the outstanding long-life reliability and performance our customers have come to expect, with a low-profile, energy efficient and robust design.”

The new LED Flood Lights feature an advanced 20 kV surge protection, a tempered glass lens, and powder-coated aluminum housing with a corrosion resistant polyester/epoxy powder-coated finish. The fixtures ensure safe operation in a wide range of volatile environments, boasting a T5 temperature rating for ambient temperatures ranging from -40°F to +149°F (-40°C to +65°C). Each LED flood light ships standard with a stirrup-mounting bracket and safety cable kits for secondary retention.

Dialight’s LED Flood Lights are available in with the following certifications and compliances: • UL 1598/A • CE compliant • CSA 22.2 No. 137-M1981 • Class I, Div 2 Groups A,B,C,D • Class II, Div 1 Groups E,F,G • Class II, Div 2 Groups E,F,G • Class III, Div 1 • Class III, Div 2 Dialight will soon offer the LED Flood Light with ATEX/IECEx Zone 2 and INMETRO Zone 2 certifications, along with additional higher lumen packages and asymmetrical optics.

For more information about Dialight’s complete line of LED area and flood lighting solutions, including IES files, LM79 reports and technical datasheets, visit www.dialight. com. Dialight’s products are listed on the U.S. federal government’s GSA Schedule 56, contract number GS07F-0664X.

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The Electric Current 誰 Ad Index

Company American Pipe & Plastics App Scheduling Byte Brothers California Turbo Dee Zee Dur-A-Lift, Inc. Elk River Haticon Hercules Industries Hioki USA ICorp ICUEE Jeffrey Machine Krenz Vent LAPP USA NECA Ram Mount Rotational Lug Tech Steelman Industries, Inc.

Pg. BC 5 6 22 1 19 12, 13 3 8 15 11 17 9 20 IFC 21 23 IBC 8

Website www.ampipe.com www.appscheduling.com www.bytebrothers.com www.californiaturbo.com www.deezee.com www.dur-a-lift.com www.elkriver.com www.haticonsolar.com www.herculock.com www.hiokiusa.com www.sniffnstop.com www.icuee.com www.jeffreymachine.com www.krenzvent.com www.lappusa.com www.necaconvention.org www.ram-mount.com www.rotolugs.com www.steelman.com

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ROTO-LUGS Rotational-Lug-Technologies

Tested at UL for 1000 Hours at 1035 AMPS

750 AL - 600 MCM CU - 3/0

Lugs That Rotate & Lock Position www.rotolugs.com

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