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CONTENTS
PUBLISHER
Danny J. Salchert OFFICE MANAGER
Anita Salchert CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Derek Gaylard CIRCULATION DIRECTOR
Pam Fulmer CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Vincent Miller • Peter Lafreniere Clark T. Zacaroli
22 COVER STORY 6 Choosing the Right Arc Flash Clothing BY VINCENT MILLER
FEATURES 18 Understanding Your Jobsite Environment The Do’s and Don’ts of Selecting the Right Cabling Solution BY PETER LAFRENIERE
22
Electric Radiant Heat BY CLARK T. ZACAROLI
CASE STUDY 28 Alvin High School:
TESTED IN TEXAS
Outdoor Ground Box survives 53 inches of water from Hurricane Harvey
DEPARTMENTS 12 Industry News 32 New Products 40 Ad Index
PRESIDENT
Danny J. Salchert Executive and Advertising Offices 2009 Eagle Ridge Drive Birmingham, AL 35242 phone: 205.981.4541 fax: 205.981.4544 www.epsmag.net • danny@epsmag.net Electrical Products & Solutions™ is published twelve times a year on a monthly basis by ABD Communications, Inc., 3591 Cahaba Beach Road, Birmingham, Alabama, 35242, USA. Electrical Products & Solutions™ 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. Electrical Products & Solutions™ is distributed to qualified readers in the electrical contracting industry. Publisher is not liable for all content (including editorial and illustrations provided by advertisers) of advertisements published and does not accept responsibility for any claims made against the publisher. It is the advertiser’s or agency’s responsibility to obtain appropriate releases on any item or individuals pictured in an advertisement. Reproduction of this magazine in whole or in part is prohibited without prior written permission from the publisher.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to ABD Communications, Inc., P.O. Box 382885 Birmingham, Alabama 35238-2885
ON THE COVER Photo courtesy of Miller Safety Consultants, Ltd.
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Electrical Products & Solutions • May 2018
PRINTED IN THE USA
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cover STORY
Miller Safety Consultants, Ltd
Choosing the Right Arc Flash Clothing | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | BY
VINCENT MILLER
ARE YOU IN THE MARKET for a lightweight 40 Calorie arc flash protection kit with a ventilated hood? There are many manufacturers in this market who offer these products. Are you comparing all the features of the product, primarily in the vented hood?
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Electrical Products & Solutions • May 2018
Knowing what and why options are available is important. Choosing the best hood can be an issue. Not all hoods have the same safety features. Manufacturers will arc test their product to meet the arc threshold protection value (ATPV) they wish to achieve. But what other concerns should a user have to Continued on page 8 protect their employees?
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cover STORY
Miller Safety Consultants, Ltd
Continued from page 6
OTEX Protective and Miller Safety Consultants, partnered with electrical companies in the development of the Ultra Light vented hood. We asked for their input on key items they wanted to see in the product. Here is what they wanted: • Stop the fogging of the lens • Cool the head area • Lightweight construction
We had a request from our electrical companies for a unit that would have a greater “run time” due to job tasks. OTEX Protective partnered with Milwaukee Tools and we incorporated their “rechargeable” battery into the Ultra Light hood. We needed to change the type fan we used that resulted in 27 CFM of air and it has a slightly lower noise level. Testing resulted in a 6-hour runtime. This At Miller Safety Consultants, we had unit is being offered as a premium unit risk concerns that we added to the items, and a charger and M-12 battery is insuch as: cluded. A slight increase in the cost is • Provide ambient air to the hood offset in the replacement of the batteries enclosure versus using a rechargeable battery. The • Power for the fan unit payback is 31 battery replacements. This • Noise from the fan equates to 1 month of use. That’s a cost • Balance on the wearer’s head savings plus environmentally friendly. • Shutting power to the fan in an incident • Additional task lighting • Increase battery run time The first hood we developed was our patented 40 Calorie Ultra Light hood using 8 – AA batteries for power. We incorporated an “arc sensor” to interrupt power in the event of an arc incident. An arc tested, adjustable task light was added to the front of the hood for better lighting. The fan provided 35 CFM of airflow for cooling. Ambient air was always available to the wearer until an arc occurred and the power was removed from the fan removing the potential of breathing toxic gases. This was our first product, which electrical workers gave a great review. Fan operation was approximately 3 ½ hours. And the electrical companies use this model as their staple. This product is our primary hood offering the following benefits:
At Miller Safety Consultants, we are always working with our clients to better their work environment. By listening to their needs, evaluating the risks and hazards and working with them to provide the necessary protection for the job task, we
will continue to help them. New product development requires that will perform a risk analysis of the hazards. Knowing that providing a simple change as a face shield can cause other issues to arise. We strive to be that safety product that an electrical worker can depend on and not worry that it may not save them from injury. Effective with the 2018 NFPA 70E standard, 130.7(C)(14)(3) – Certification by an accredited, independent, third party certification organization is met by OTEX. We use the best combination of material that will not retain body heat (Protera exterior; Indura knit interior) and provide excellent wear. Our hoods are patented with input from our user groups and contain safety features such as an arc sensor and task light.
In conclusion, our advanced Ultra Light hood safety features are far above others in the market. Our service is excellent in providing you the products and repair when needed. Each piece of clothing is custom made upon your order in Rochester, NY – in the USA! As a veteran owned business, I’m proud to be part of it’s development and the ability to offer it. You can get more information by visiting our web site: www.electricalsafetysupply.com or contacting me at (703)367-0404. ❏
Vincent Miller is the owner of Miller Safety Consultants, Ltd and has been doing business in the Washington DC metropolitan area since 1999. 8
Electrical Products & Solutions • May 2018
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industry NEWS
Protect Lighting Control Investments with Wattstopper® Technology-Enabled Service Contracts from Legrand® LEGRAND, NORTH & CENTRAL AMERICA Plus is ideal for customers who need protection from unplanned announced the launch of Wattstopper Technology-Enabled Service Contracts, a new offering that brings added convenience and protection to lighting control system investments. The service contracts combine immediate remote support with onsite support and training delivered by the Wattstopper Remote Operations Center (ROC). The ROC is an extension of Legrand’s brand new Service Center of Excellence located in Richardson, Texas that has dedicated support technicians with the experience and resources to help maintain and optimize a building’s lighting control system. Demonstrations were held at LIGHTFAIR International 2018 at booth #1843. Legrand’s new service contracts merge its industry-leading secure remote support technology (RACCESS) with dedicated factory-trained ROC technicians and field technicians to provide a complete set of coverage options for customers. The most common lighting control system issues can be addressed immediately with remote support, while more complex issues are resolved promptly onsite by a factory-trained technician. Both networked Wattstopper Digital Lighting Management and Architectural Dimming lighting systems can be covered under the new service contracts. Two standard options are being rolled out now: Connect Plus is the priority response package that includes dedicated ROC support, proactive system analytics, and priority onsite response. Annual onsite training and two annual onsite system tuning visits are also included in this package. Connect
interruptions and who want to keep their system running efficiently. Connect Prime is the premium response package that incorporates 24/7 ROC support, proactive system analytics, and next day onsite response for issues that aren’t able to be resolved remotely. This package also includes two annual onsite trainings and quarterly onsite system tuning visits. Connect Prime is best for customers with mission-critical facilities where lighting issues or interruptions require immediate attention and resolution. “Having a service contract provides peace of mind throughout the lighting control system’s entire lifecycle beyond project installation and completion,” said Ray Acciardo, Director, Services Marketing at Legrand. “As lighting systems grow in complexity and become increasingly connected and integrated, service contracts for lighting controls are a natural progression much like HVAC, fire, and security building systems today.” ❏ About Wattstopper: Wattstopper, a product line of Legrand,
offers the most comprehensive line of simple, scalable, and flexible energy-efficient lighting controls and solutions for commercial and residential applications. The Wattstopper range of products, programs, and services has been helping customers save energy, meet green initiatives, and comply with energy codes for more than 30 years. For more information visit legrand.us/wattstopper.
Topaz Promotes Carrie Schwabacher to VP Sales TOPAZ LIGHTING HAS PROMOTED Carrie our regional sales team. Carrie’s promotion is an acknowledgSchwabacher to Vice President of Sales. Most recently ment of the progress she has already brought to Topaz.” Schwabacher served as Topaz’s National Sales Manager proIn addition to her role at Topaz, Schwabacher is active in the viding leadership, direction and strategic planelectrical industry serving on NAED’s Women ning for the regional sales and sales support in Industry Committee as Chair of the Reteams as well as manufacturer’s rep agencies cruitment Committee and as an Expert Panelist across the country, with success in increasing for the Women In Industry Boot Camp as well customer base and overall profitability. Prior as NEMRA’s NMG Committee. to joining Topaz in May 2014, Schwabacher “As I approach nearly 30 years in the elecspent nearly 15 years with Pentair’s ERICO trical business, I am most proud of what I have division working her way up from Regional accomplished at Topaz and there’s still so Sales Manager to Channel Manager after much more to do,” said Schwabacher. “I look spending the first parts of her career with Leviforward to seeing continued outstanding reton and Legrand. sults from my team in the coming months.” Ben DiDonato, Topaz’s Vice President of Topaz is a leading manufacturer of electriElectric and Corporate Business Development cal fittings, traditional lighting, ballasts, LED notes, “Since Carrie joined our team in 2014, fixtures and lamps. For more information on she has been instrumental in the growth of our Topaz’s complete line of products for comsales as well as recruiting the best reps in the mercial and residential use, visit www.topazCarrie Schwabacher business while continuing to educate and guide usa.com. ❏ 12
Electrical Products & Solutions • May 2018
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industry NEWS
Metro Electric Supply Honored with Trade Ally of the Year Award and Most Outstanding Regional Electrical Distributor of the Year Award
Award Recognition Hosted by the Ameren Missouri BizSavers® Program METRO ELECTRIC SUPPLY, orously to serve our customers with the a locally-owned and family operated wholesale residential, commercial & industrial electrical distributor, received the Trade Ally of the Year Award and the Most Outstanding Regional Electrical Distributor of the Year Award at the 2018 Ameren Missouri BizSavers Program Trade Ally Network Awards. This is the second year in a row that Metro Electric Supply has been recognized by Ameren Missouri. “To be nominated for these prestigious awards is an honor,” says Bill Frisella, president of Metro Lighting and Metro Electric Supply. “We cannot thank our customers enough for working with us and all of our employees who work vig-
highest standard of service and savings.” Metro’s 11.2 million kilowatt-hour energy use reduction saw them take the Trade Ally Network Awards’ highest honor in 2018. As the Trade Ally of the Year, Metro was recognized as a top performer in the energy efficiency industry. The distinguished honor goes to the Trade Ally that has reached the pinnacle of performance by achieving the greatest energy savings of any Trade Ally company in 2017. Metro’s progressive thinking, creative solutions and integration of incentives into their business has generated impressive energy savings throughout the year.
In addition to being award the Trade Ally of the Year, Metro Electric Supply was also honored with the Regional Electrical Distributor Award. This award is presented to a Trade Ally that sells a variety of electrical products and is located in the Midwest. This Trade Ally completed projects with the greatest energy savings in their category during the 2017 program year. The Ameren Missouri BizSavers Trade Ally Network Awards are held every spring to celebrate the performance of Trade Allies in the previous year. The 2018 awards, which were held on Thursday, April 19, were based on program performance between March 2017 and February 2018. ❏
Platinum Tools Launches New High Performance J-Hooks Series at 2018 InfoComm Now Shipping, the Three New cULus Listed, Plenum Rated, RoHS & TIA Compliant, HPH J-HooksHave Been Designed for Modern Cable Installs, Including Telcom / Voice, Network / Data, Broadband, Satellite, CCTV, Fiber, & Flexible Conduit
PLATINUM TOOLS®, the leader in solutions for the
With an industry leading bend radius of over three preparation, installation, hand termination and testing of wire inches, HPH J-Hooks meet and exceed TIA’s bend and cable, is proud to the launch of three new, high performance radius standards. This prevents deformation to the caJ-Hooks (Standard, 90 Degree, and Batwing) during InfoComm bles such as indentations, pinches, or creases, making 2018, held from June 6-8 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, it easy for these J-Hooks to support high-perforbooth C3445. mance cables, such as the Cat6, Cat6A, Cat7, and The new cULus-Listed / Plenum-Rated J-Hooks are fiber optic cable types, while maintaining the now shipping with available special order attachhigh standards necessary to prevent cable interments. ference. “Our new HPH J-Hooks have been designed “Our HPH J-Hooks come in four different sizes, to support today’s modern high performance the HPH16 (1 inch), HPH32 (2 inch), HPH48 (3 cable installs in the shop, home, and office, ininch), and the HPH64 (4 inch) for all your cable cluding Telcom / Voice, Network / Data, management uses,” Lee continued. “The largest Broadband, Satellite, CCTV, Fiber, and Flexisize, HPH64, has a cable capacity of up to three hunble Conduit,” explained Lee Sachs, Platinum dred and thirty Cat5e cables. All four sizes can be Tools, Inc. president and general manager. “Our flush mounted for easy installation, and come preStandard, 90 Degree, and Batwing high perforassembled to the most common fasteners, with options mance J-Hooks are built with steel J-Hooks overfor special-order custom attachments. Unlike most of its commolded with polypropylene for an easy cable slide. The petitors, the Snap-Lock, when open, even expands the HPH J‘Snap-Lock’ retainer is easy to use and re-use, firmly securing ca- hook’s cable capacity.” bles every time and eliminating the use of cable and Velcro ties.” For more information, visit www.platinumtools.com. ❏ 14
Electrical Products & Solutions • May 2018
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industry NEWS
NAILD Welcomes New President Cory Schneider
Lighting Unlimited’s CEO Wants to Certify Signature Lighting Specialist Program CORY SCHNEIDER, LC, who is CEO at Lighting Unlimited, Inc. in Scottsdale Arizona, has been named president of the National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors (NAILD), the organization announced recently. “This is a truly exciting time for NAILD,” Schneider said. “The board and I are exploring many different initiatives for the organization this year, including Cory Schneider certifying our Lighting Specialist educational programs, expanding our educational offerings, creating ‘train the trainer’ programs and discussing partnerships with other lighting organizations.” Last year, under immediate past president Robin Watt’s leadership, NAILD tripled the number of educational sessions at NAILD Innovation, the organization’s annual conference, and partnered with Get a Grip Podcasts to introduce Get a Grip on Lighting, the official podcast of NAILD. Joining Schneider on the NAILD board are president-elect Spencer Miles of Pacific Lamp & Supply, Seattle, Treasurer Matt Thesing of One Source Lighting, Grand Junction, Colorado, immediate past president Robin Watt of C.N. Robinson Lighting Supply, Baltimore, Josh Brown of Keystone Lighting of North Wales, Pennsylvania and Kevin Wolff of Jesco Lighting of Port Washington, New York. NAILD extends its thanks and recognizes the outstanding contributions of departing board members Tom Ciurzak of BLC International, Inc., Garden Grove, California, Gerard Darville of Lutron Electronics, Inc, Coopersburg, Pennsylvania, Jim Goodwin of Wattsaver Lighting Products, East Hartford, Connecticut and Brian Huff of Adventure Lighting, Des Moines, Iowa. More Cutting-Edge Educational Opportunities
dustrial, office and educational facilities. It helps elevate staff from the role of “product provider” to the role of “solution provider.” The latter portion of training allows participants to choose one or more market specialty—retail, industrial, office and educational facilities. Both programs combine expert technical instruction and hands-on field experience delivered through a user-friendly, selfpaced, online approach. LS-II participants also work with a mentor in the field. As part of its growing portfolio of knowledge, NAILD also offers a brand-neutral Lighting Specialist-Controls (LS-C) certificate training program. Registrants must have already completed the LS-I training. LS-C is a brand-agnostic and technology-neutral training program covering the basics of lighting control that allows distributors to speak to customers and suppliers with competence and confidence. The on-demand, online training program is supported by workbook exercises, hands-on activities, online quizzes, in-house coaching and a final exam. Those who successfully complete the course will become LS-C certified. The U.S. Department of Energy predicts that one-third of all LED energy savings by 2030 will come from the use of lighting controls. Lighting distributors who can knowledgably pair controls with LED upgrades will increase sales and be more competitive. More so than lamps and luminaires, controls are highly sensitive to the application. Effective distributors will know how to select the right control strategy, develop a controls narrative and apply products to applications.
LS-C training includes four modules: • Introduction to Lighting Control: An overview of the funda-
mentals and goals of lighting control, popular control strategies defined by different inputs and outputs, control zoning and the elements of an effective lighting control solution. • Controlling Light Sources: A discussion of common control effects of switching and dimming and their effect of the behavior on incandescent/halogen, compact and linear florescent, induction, HD, LED and light-emitting plasma sources. • Lighting Control Equipment: An extensive discussion of popular types of lighting control equipment including occupancy sensors, control panels, light sensors, dimming controls, intelligent control and device communication and protocols. • Design and Application: A step-by-step presentation of the process of delivering lighting control strategies to spaces, covering owner requirements, control narrative, design development and commissioning.
In recent years, NAILD has committed to becoming the industry leader in education, amid an ever-changing marketplace. Industry professionals who want to boost company sales and profit margins can register at http://naild.org/training/. Lighting Specialist-I (LS-I) certificate training helps employers cut the learning curve for employees who strive to become lighting experts. It educates lighting sales employees to better understand how and when customers should retrofit their facilities from incandescent and compact fluorescent light technologies to solid-state lighting. Lighting Specialist-II (LS-II) training shifts the focus from products to customer sales techniques and analyzing customer buying For more information on all of NAILD’s training programs, motivations, as well as a focus on applied lighting sales in retail, in- visit www.naild.org/training. ❏ 16
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feature ARTICLE
AFC Cable Systems
Understanding Your Jobsite Environment The Do’s and Don’ts of Selecting the Right Cabling Solution | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | BY
PETER LAFRENIERE
AFTER LAST YEAR’S BOUT OF HURRICANES, flooding, wildfires, heat waves, and cold spells across the country, product resiliency is key for contractors and engineers in 2018 as they rebuild and renovate destructed areas to withstand these natural disasters. To keep facilities up and running through extreme weather situations, it is vital for industry workers to understand the environment they are building in, to better utilize appropriate cables and conduits for safe construction. Whether renovating or rebuilding from ground up, the proper installation of cables and selecting conduits with appropriate insulation and jacketing should be the
primary focus during redevelopment. While some damage is non-preventable, a large portion of issues and safety hazards can be avoided through proper cabling solutions suited for different environments. Let’s take a look at the Do’s and Don’t’s of potentially dangerous jobsite conditions including wet environments, fire hazard areas, and extreme temperatures.
Wet Environments
In most cases, the type of conduit insulation determines the application for dry, damp, or wet environments. It is important to note that while most wires approved for damp and wet locations can be utilized in dry environments, there are properties of dry location wires that do not possess the appropriate insulation suitable in wet locations. DON’T let armored and metal clad cables lie in stagnant floodwaters after a hurricane or rain season. Floodwaters contain sewage and numerous contaminants, which are can be hazardous to electrical products. These contaminates may have a detrimental effect on the insulation system that surrounds the electrical conductor causing the insulation to fail, or worse, become conductive. Always immediately replace armored and metal clad cables when exposed to extensive moisture and water resulting from hurricanes or extreme rain. DO use a corrosion-resistant jacket and wet location-rated conductors in areas that are predisposed to these elements. A common jacket style cable that complies with the NEC and is rated for wet locations is a metal clad cable with a PVC or PE jacket, due to their durability, moisture and oil resistance, flame-retardant features as well as superior resistance to weathering and soil environments.
The definition of a wet location according to the National Electric Code (NEC) is: Installations underground or in concrete slabs or masonry in direct contact with the earth; in locations subject to saturation with water or other liquids, and in unprotected locations exposed to weather’s elements. Even locations considered “damp” and protected from the weather are still subject to moderate degrees of moisture and require appropriate cables and conduits to protect electrical products and the overall structure Environments Subject of the build.
to Wildfires
PVC Jacketed MC Cable
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Electrical Products & Solutions • May 2018
As contractors begin to rebuild properties after the mass destruction of wildfires in Western states, there are simple cabling decisions and product swaps that will improve the safety of individuals and equipment in the event of another wildfire or heat-related natural disaster. Continued on page 20
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feature ARTICLE
AFC Cable Systems Continued from page 18
Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL®) conducts low temperature flexibility, cold bend, cold impact, and sunlight resistance, as well as and other physical property testing to determine the appropriate operating temperature range for the conduit. (Pictured top to bottom) UL Low Smoke Zero Halogen Type LFMC UL Liquidtight Type LFMC MC Luminary Jacketed Cable
DON’T use cables composed of halogen. Halogens are commonly found in the polymers used for conduit and cable jackets due to their flame-retardant properties and cost effectiveness. While flame-resistant, these polymers containing halogens such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and ethylene propylene (FEP) emit toxic gases and smoke when burned. These toxic, corrosive gases cause damage to equipment and pose a safety concern to individuals in the building during a fire. DO use Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSZH) Liquid-Tight Flexible Metal Conduits (LFMC) in areas predisposed to fire hazards and industrial applications that can become overheated due to high temperatures and poor ventilation, including rail, aircraft, construction, and offshore installations. LSZH LiquidTight LFMC use a halogen-free thermoplastic polyurethane jacket, providing the same flame-retardant features while limiting smoke and corrosive gas emissions that can harm individuals and damage equipment. When in contact with flames, LSZH-LFMC products release smoke at a lower rate and density, creating a safer environment and more distinct exit path for workers and individuals during a fire. When selecting LFMC products, select conduits with hot-dipped zinc galvanized low-carbon steel core, thermoplastic polyurethane jacket, and ensure it complies with the following standards:
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• ASTM® E 162 Flame Spread Index • ASTM® E 662 Smoke Density Generation • Bombardier SMP-800C Toxic Gas Generation • UL® 94 Tests for Flammability of Plastic Materials for Parts
Extremely Hot and Cold Temperatures
time can shorten service life. Common temperature ratings for hi-low temperature conduits are a low of -55°C / -67°F to a high of 105°C / 221°F when used in a dry location. For wet or oily conditions, ratings range from a low of 60°C / 140°F and 70°C / 158°F respectively. DO research what cable materials are best suited for your environment or application to maintain mechanical and electrical properties during extreme temperature fluctuations. Proper jacket materials for these environmental conditions include PVC and silicone - both providing flexibility, flame-retardant properties, chemical and moisture resistance, as well as wear resistance. To determine what cable solution is best for your environment, it is always important to work closely with a field technician in your area. Rather than having to rebuild after devastation, contractors, electricians and architects should incorporate resilient products and materials into their design elements as preventative measure against extreme weather events and their hazardous effects. In the coming years, the construction industry may forgo general practices and instead, adapt and adopt environment-specific products to get in front of these natural disasters to prevent unnecessary damage and to uphold safe working conditions within facilities. ❏
With heat waves and cold spells affecting all regions of the country, it is crucial to understand the proper cabling solutions that can withstand the extreme fluctuation of temperatures. When exposed to high temperatures, cable materials can experience loss of tension and weakened electrical properties as a precursor to devastating failure. When exposed to cold temperatures, cables can become brittle, and can crack or shatter when bent or flexed. All conduits must undergo testing to determine safe working limits. Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL®) conducts low temperature flexibility, cold bend, cold impact, and sunlight resistance, as well as and other physical property testing to determine the appropriate operating temperature range for the conduit. DON’T exceed conduit temperature ratings, and select conduits that can comfortably handle the high and low temperature requirements of an installation. Operating at or close to maximum or minimum tem- Peter Lafreniere is Product Manager perature ratings for extended periods of Cable at AFC Cable Systems.
Electrical Products & Solutions • May 2018
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feature ARTICLE
Runtal North America, Inc.
Electric Radiant Heat | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | BY
CLARK T. ZACAROLI
RADIANT HEAT IS WELL KNOWN as one of the most comfortable and consistent methods to heat an interior space. Based on the principle of warming the objects in the space, vs. the air, radiant systems provide comfort at lower room temperatures than convection systems and in the case of electric radiant, at substantially lower power consumption. Runtal electric radiant baseboard, wall panels and towel warmers are becoming more popular due to their relatively low cost of installation, ease of application and architectural design flexibility. Depending on the design requirements, a variety of configurations can be applied to either enhance the room architecturally or “disappear” into the room design. By providing warmth via radiant heat transfer, vs. convention or forced air, Runtal electric radiators are not limited to traditional placement in the space, allowing designers to position the product where 22
it best integrates with the room architecture such as below or around windows and doors, on interior walls, and even on the ceiling. There are substantive differences between radiant product designs. The main difference lies in the materials of construction. Whereas light sheet metal or “clamshell” designed products are quick to heat up when energized, they are also quick to cool down once the controlling thermostat is satisfied. Runtal radiators are specifically constructed of heavy welded steel, designed to “retain” heat,
Electrical Products & Solutions • May 2018
and as such take longer to heat up, however remain consistently warm and require less cycling of the power source. By storing heat more effectively, similar to heavy cast iron steam radiators used years ago, Runtal radiators maintain a stable and even comfort level in the space. Electric radiant products provide a simple and effective solution for difficult areas such as bathrooms, mud rooms or any room where the existing heat source does not provide sufficient comfort. With the ever-increasing popularity of mini split and heat pump applications, controlling comfort with temperatures below 20F outside can be difficult. Electric radiant heat provides a simple, effective, and comfortable supplement to these systems. Further, electric radiant products are an excellent answer to challenging remodeling projects. Continued on page 24
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feature ARTICLE
Runtal North America, Inc.
Installing radiant electric radiant panel radiators is very simple. The product comes ready to go, with electrical connections available at both ends of the unit, for either bottom or back source wiring. The product requires no trim pieces and comes with all the bracketry required for either wall or floor mounting depending on which model you choose. The product’s heavy welded steel construction and durable powder coat finish guarantee a durable and solid installation for years to come. Products may require a dedicated electrical circuit of 120 volts or 240 volts, depending on the unit size and the size of the room to be heated. (Of course, always check with your local code requirements to confirm your areas specific requirements). Selecting a “smart thermostat” package allows the system to be fully programed and controlled via remote WiFi technology, to tailor and monitor your radiant heat for a balance of comfort and optimized energy efficiency. Runtal electric products are available in three model types suitable for any space including dual purpose bathroom heaters designed to warm and dry towels while serving as a primary heat source also. ❏ Clark T Zacaroli is a business development manager for Runtal North America, division of the Zehnder Group, a Swiss manufacturing organization focused on indoor air quality and comfort systems. Clark has spent the better part of 30 years working internationally in the heat transfer industry, including industrial and HVAC segments.
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Electrical Products & Solutions • May 2018
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case STUDY
legrand
Alvin High School:
TESTED IN TEXAS
Outdoor Ground Box survives 53 inches of water from Hurricane Harvey MIKE BASS
Athletic Director in the Alvin Independent School District
THE CHALLENGE: As the athletic director in the Alvin Independent School District (ISD), with more than 24,000 students nestled along the Gulf Coast, Mike Bass knows the power a football field and some Friday night lights can have on a community. With 4,000-plus student athletes, Alvin ISD has a lot of football fans. And since everything is bigger in Texas, so is the high school football stadium — with capacity for more than 7,000 fans. High school teams across Texas use inflatable run-through tunnels to introduce the players onto the field. This meant the district’s stadium needed a way to power air compressors on the field. “We needed something that was not going to be a hindrance,” said Bass. “We didn’t want anything sticking up out of the ground, and we had to have something that could handle moisture since turf fields are designed to allow water to flow through them. With that in mind, we tasked the team at Stewart Builder to find a product that would integrate with our field.” Continued on page 30
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case STUDY
legrand Continued from page 28 Its NEMA 6P & IP68 Rated “diving bell” design traps and maintains an air pocket, keeping connection points safely away from wet weather.
THE SOLUTION: The team at Stewart Builder recommended the Outdoor Ground Box from Legrand to Bass and his staff. The Ground Box uses a unique diving bell design to create and maintain an air pocket that protects the electrical connections from getting wet in adverse weather conditions. It also features anti-float clips to prevent the cover from lifting up and breaking the air bubble or tripping a student athlete or coach, and it’s lockable for preventing unauthorized use. “We actually put turf on top of the Ground Box so it blends in with the field — you can’t even tell it’s there,” said Bass. “We find ourselves constantly relying on it, not only during football games, but for practice, too, like powering pitching and jug machines and recharging our electric cart.”
THE RESULTS: The team at Alvin ISD hadn’t yet used the Ground Box when Hurricane Harvey touched down on the coast. “We needed to test the box to see if it worked well in all conditions, and we tested with about 53 inches of water,” said Bass. Harvey flooded the stadium with more than four feet of water, as well as the town, leaving many students and families underwater. The damage left behind from Harvey was widespread, but eventually the water receded and life returned to normal around Alvin. When the lights flooded the Alvin ISD field for a Friday night football game, folks really started to feel like themselves again. However, the real test was going to be if the Ground Box survived the hurricane. “We opened up the Ground Box, plugged it in and it worked,” said Bass. “The Ground Box did not miss a beat.” ❏
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We needed to test the box to see if it worked well in all conditions, and we tested with about 53 inches of water.
”
ABOUT LEGRAND Legrand is a global specialist in electrical and network infrastructure solutions, delivering access to power, light and data that transforms millions of spaces where people live and work around the world.
1.877.BY.LEGRAND (295.3472) www.legrand.us 30
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new PRODUCTS DuPont Safety & Construction Introduces FlexWrap™ EZ Adhesive Tape to the U.S. Market Latest Building Envelope Innovation Seals Exterior Penetrations for Improved Air Tightness DuPont Safety & Construction today introduced DuPont™ FlexWrap™ EZ to its full line of 100 percent butyl-backed DuPont™ Flashing Systems that help to create an air- and water-tight protective envelope. DuPont™ FlexWrap™ EZ is a flexible and versatile self-adhered flashing tape designed to seal around small exterior penetrations of all different shapes and sizes. It is ideal for flashing around the many smaller electrical, HVAC, and plumbing penetrations as a fast and easy solution to help improve energy efficiency and the durability of a wall system. Uniquely designed in a 2¾ inches wide by 15 feet length roll, FlexWrap™ EZ can be applied to maneuver around small penetrations to reduce the opportunity for air leakage throughout the building envelope. The split release liner aids in a quick and easy installation, with accompanying guidelines and videos found at www.FlexWrapEZ.dupont.com. “Our latest innovation is unique and different from competitive solutions because of its flexibility, and versatility, for use on such a wide variety of wall penetrations typically found on a home or building,” said Residential Market Manager Alan Hubbell. “Multiple trades can use this single product on various types of penetrations for sealing the building envelope; no longer needing multiple products for different applications.” Hubbell elaborates, “It helps reduce complexity for builders and contractors. One roll is enough to seal around all the typical penetrations in an average-sized home. Plus, FlexWrap™ EZ is designed to withstand extreme temperatures and 270 days of UV exposure, making it suitable for use in residential and commercial applications.” For more information, visit www.dow-dupont.com
NewKleins - Clamping Worklight Provides Hands-Free Illumination Klein Tools, for professionals since 1857, introduces the Clamping Worklight for all day, hands-free illumination. Features include a 2-inch clamp, a 360-degree rotating LED head and pivoting feet to brighten any jobsite. This work light can be clamped where needed, stand on its own or handled easily, offering unmatched versatility. Clamping Worklight (Cat. No. 56029) • Easily and securely clamps to a ladder or lift for all day, hands-free illumination • Head rotates a full 360 degrees and pivots up to 90 degrees to help illuminate dark work spaces • Pivoting feet enable stand-alone illumnation • Light projects in front of you, helping to reduce shadows • Easy-to-find glow head recharges when the light is on • IP54 rating: dust- and water-resistant for increased durability and reliability • High: 250 Lumens and 8-hour runtime; Low: 125 Lumens and 10-hour runtime “It can be hazardous if a worklight loses power before a job is completed,” says Laura Ranieri, senior product manager at Klein Tools. “That’s why Klein has designed the Clamping Worklight with an 8-10 hour run time to provide all day, handsfree illumination. Its rotating head and durable, pivoting feet help direct light exactly where it is needed, making this a great addition to any jobsite.” For more information, visit www.kleintools.com/new-products 32
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new PRODUCTS Update Fluorescents with Nora Lightings® New LED Retrofit Center Basket Troffers Nora Lighting introduces a new specification-grade LED Retrofit Center Basket Troffer that quickly replaces fluorescent fixtures. The troffers provide smooth and uniform general lighting in offices, schools, conference rooms, libraries, retail sites, hospitals and more. The retrofit troffers are available in two sizes: 2’ x 2’ (30W) or 2’ x 4’ (40W) with 3000 or 4000 lumens and 3500K or 4000K with 85 CRI. The patented, shallow housing retrofit design installs in less than five minutes in existing parabolic and lensed door fixtures and does not require access from above. The Center Basket Troffers offer a completely new appearance and better illumination than an LED lamp replacement that may use existing dusty and discolored parabolic louvers or yellowed lenses. Nora’s fixtures have a unitized body with reflector and diffused, removable lens that evenly distributes light and maximizes performance. A hinged access plate has two replaceable LED strips with tightly-spaced diodes that eliminate any diode image. The fixture offers 120V/277V output and 0 to 10V dimming, and is cULus listed for damp locations and DLC listed. Nora Lighting is a pioneer in the development and introduction of LED products, and offers the industry’s most comprehensive line of LED fixtures, including: LED dedicated and retrofit downlights; smart RGBW LED downlights; LED track and rail fixtures; LED edge-lit panels; LED Center Basket Troffers; LED MLS (multi-lighting systems); LED linear and under cabinet lightbars; LED puck lights; LED high-output, Hy-Brite, side-lit, CCT (color correlated) RGB, RGBW and standard tape lights; LED pendants; LED step lights; and LED emergency / exit signs. For more information, visit www.noralighting.com
New Keystone Cat6A Jack from Platinum Tools Now Available; Featured During 2018 InfoComm Shielded and Unshielded Tool-less Design Makes Terminations Fast & Easy; Made to Fit Industry Standard Wall Plates & Unloaded Patch Panels While Meeting Cat6A Channel Performance Up to 100m Platinum Tools®, the leader in solutions for the preparation, installation, hand termination and testing of wire and cable, is proud to announce new Keystone Cat6A Jacks (p/ns 751-1 shielded / 752-1 non-shielded) are now available. Platinum Tools will feature the Keystone Cat6A Jacks during InfoComm 2018, held from June 6-8 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, booth C3445. “Our new Keystone Cat6A Jack has a tool-less design that is easy and fast to terminate and made to fit industry standard wall plates and unloaded patch panels,” explained Lee Sachs, Platinum Tools, Inc. president and general manager. “It even meets Cat6A channel shielded and non-shielded performance up to 100m. It’s a must for installers and technicians across multiple markets.” The new Keystone Cat6A Jack’s tool-less design reduces tool cost, since no punchdown tool is required. The color coded wire guide ensures pairs stay in the proper order for fast, easy terminations. This keystone jack is also designed to be resuable, and comes in multiple colors, so it can be used to replace old, worn out jacks or be integrated into newer projects with little difficulty. MSRP: $11.95 (751-1 shielded; bag) MSRP: $9.95 (752BL-1 & 752WH-1 non-shielded; bag) For more information, visit www.platinumtools.com 34
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new PRODUCTS Make Your Mark with New Shurtape® Flagging Tapes Colorful FM 200 newest addition to Shurtape’s safety and marking product portfolio Sometimes the job calls for high visibility, especially for professionals in the building and construction, forestry, electrical and general industrial industries. That’s why Shurtape Technologies, LLC, a leading producer of pressure-sensitive tapes, has expanded its safety and marking product portfolio with new Shurtape® brand FM 200 flagging tapes. These new flagging tapes are built for use in a variety of temporary applications, from color-coding, tagging and designating hazards to indicating survey boundaries, marking trails and more. Designed to resist fading over time, FM 200 is available in a variety of standard and fluorescent colors, each warning of a certain potential hazard, such as pipes, cables, drain lines, and more. FM 200 non-adhesive flagging tapes are also: • Durable: resistant to moisture and humidity for use indoors and outdoors • Easy to use: quick and simple to tie and tear, even in cold temperatures • Highly visible: vibrant standard and fluorescent colors are easy to spot • Writable: suitable for writing warnings and identification marks “Safety is a critical focus for us, which is why we are excited to add FM 200 flagging tapes to our portfolio of solutions used in safety and marking applications, including barricade, warning stripe and film color-coding tapes,” said Lisa Zierfuss, product manager for building and construction tapes at Shurtape. “FM 200 is designed with quality and long-lasting performance in mind, delivering ease of use, reliability and durability with each, and every, use.” For more information, visit shurtape.com
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new PRODUCTS
New High Power 10 AWG 221 Splicing Connectors WAGO 221 LEVER-NUTS have expanded to include a new 10 AWG version. The lever-actuation, clear body, reliable connections and 600 V rating are still an integral part of the new version of the 221 splicing connectors that can now accommodate larger conductors. The 221 application scope has expanded in order to provide connections for higher power and for use when laying larger wires with the goal of effectively reducing voltage drops for long cable runs. Other applications include connections to three-phase sockets, air conditioners and other large consumption devices. Additionally, they are designed for use in high-power lighting, signal systems and HVAC systems within commercial buildings. The 10 AWG 221s are also UL listed and cover these types of applications with the same convenience, safety and reliability as the original LEVER-NUTSÂŽ. For more information, visit www.wago.com/221/us
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TE Connectivity Offers New LED Holders that are Compatible with Most COB-LED Lighting Components • LUMAWISE Z45 LED holders enable luminaire designers an easy change between LED sizes • Easy installation reduces assembly cost TE Connectivity (TE), a world leader in connectivity and sensors, has added the LUMAWISE Z45 LED Holder to its range of holders for chipon-board (COB) LEDs. The new second-generation LED holder from TE is made in a high-strength, highly reflective halogen-free flame retardant thermoplastic (PBT). The Z45 LED holder is 5mm smaller in diameter compared to TE’s Z50 holder and uses adhesive for fast and easy assembly of the COB LEDs in the luminaire. The LUMAWISE Z45 LED Holder provides a quick and easy solderless connection to COB-LED arrays, thanks to the use of poke-in contacts and adhesive bonding. It conforms to Zhaga standards for LED modules, making it compatible with other LED lighting components. The standard screw pitch of 35 mm enables the use of standard heatsink drilling and mounting procedures. The 120-degree optic angle of the LED holder keeps light loss to a minimum and the use of adhesive for LED assembly allows for high COB-board size tolerance, without the need for a clamping system. The design of the holder ensures even distribution of pressure from the LED across the heatsink. The low profile of the new LUMAWISE Z45 LED Holder means that reflectors and lenses can be placed close to the light emitting surface. “At TE one of our goals is to design products that make the design process easier for engineers. This product, with a platform design that ensure optics are always at the same distance from the light emitting surface, makes it simple and easy to change LED package sizes without any redesign,” notes Jeroen Iedema, product manager at TE Connectivity. For more information, visit www.te.com
Milwaukee® Introduces a High Bay Light that’s Easy to Set Up and Maintenance-Free! Milwaukee Tool continues to expand their leadership in jobsite LED lighting with the introduction of a new-to-world AC-powered lighting solution designed to significantly reduce labor time, maintenance cost, and energy consumption. The RADIUS™ LED 70W Temporary Site Light is easy to set up and can instantly light up the work space with 7,700 lumens of TRUEVIEW™ high definition light – exceeding the performance of 105W fluorescent lights while consuming 30% less power. Once set up, the light requires no maintenance and its high impact construction ensures it’ll survive the toughest jobsite conditions. “The temporary jobsite lighting industry is plagued with commoditized products that lack durability, require many labor hours to maintain, and consume significant amounts of power,” said Jason Isaacs, Product Manager for Milwaukee Tool. “By leveraging our leadership in LED technology and understanding the frustrations of use in the field, we’re able to provide an ACpowered solution that delivers on the durability, performance, and ease of use that other similar lights have failed to achieve.” Capable of providing up to 7,700 lumens of light, the new RADIUS™ LED 70W Temporary Site Light features TRUEVIEW™ Technology, which utilizes the most advanced LED technology and optical designs to deliver a consistent beam, optimized color temperature, and true representation of colors and detail leading to a more productive work area. The light comes with a 3ft 120v power cord for out of the box use. If there is a need to wire many lights within one circuit the light features an integrated wiring terminal, accepting voltages from 120 to 277V, which can be wired together in a series with MC, ROMEX, or SO cable through universal strain reliefs. Able to hang from virtually any overhead area with its convenient hanging cable, the new light has a spring-loaded cable retention so the user can speed up the installation process and easily adjust the height of the cable during installation. For more information, visit www.milwaukeetool.com May 2018 • epsmag.net
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advertiser INDEX
MAY 2018
This advertisers index is compiled as a courtesy to our readers. While every effort is made to provide a complete and accurate listing of companies, page numbers and reader service numbers, the publisher is not responsible for errors.
PG#
RS#
PG#
RS#
2018 NFPA SHOW
26
19
MILLER SAFETY CONSULTANTS, LTD
7
8
AEMC INSTRUMENTS
IFC
1
MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC
1
4
AFC CABLE SYSTEMS
21
16
OEO ENERGY SOLUTIONS
11
11
BARRON LIGHTING
3
5
PHASE-A-MATIC
36
41
COLONY CUSTOM METALS LLC
35
24
PLATINUM TOOLS
19
15
CONDUIT REPAIR SYSTEMS
4
6
POWER & TEL
15
13
COPPER DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION
9
9
RANDL INDUSTRIES
27
20
DABMAR LIGHTING
38
43
ROCKET RACK
36
40
EZ BOX ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS SOLUTIONS LLC
5
7
ROLL-A-REEL
40
44
GEAR ARC SAFETY
31
22
RUNTAL NORTH AMERICA
23
17
GENERATOR INTERLOCK TECHNOLOGIES
37
25
SP PRODUCTS
17
14
HERCULES INDUSTRIES, INC.
40
45
TENMAT INC.
29
21
IBC, 25
2, 18
THE HOME DEPOT
13
12
KRALOY FITTINGS
33
23
UEI TEST INSTRUMENTS
BC
3
KRENZ & COMPANY
38
42
UTILITY METALS
10
10
Company
HIOKI USA
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