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CONTENTS
PUBLISHER
Danny J. Salchert OFFICE MANAGER
Anita Salchert CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Derek Gaylard CIRCULATION DIRECTOR
Pam Fulmer CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Justin Kissinger • Barry Manz
6 PRESIDENT
COVER STORY 6 Restoring Safety to the Jobsite Eliminating jobsite injuries with low-level lifts By Justin Kissinger
COMPANY PROFILE 16 Generator InterLock Technologies, LLC FEATURES 18
PVC-Free Conduit Jackets Limit Combustion Products By Barry Manz
DEPARTMENTS 26 Industry News 30 Product Spotlights 40 Ad Index ON THE COVER Photo courtesy of Hy-Brid Lifts™
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Electrical Products & Solutions • August 2017
Danny J. Salchert Executive and Advertising Offices 2009 Eagle Ridge Drive Birmingham, AL 35242 toll free: 800.981.4541 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
PRINTED IN THE USA
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cover STORY
Hy-Brid Lifts™ Operators can maneuver low-levelaccess scissor lifts into spaces that might be too hazardous for ladders or scaffolding. Photos courtesy of Custom Equipment Inc.
Justin Kissinger
Restoring Safety to the Jobsite Eliminating jobsite injuries with low-level lifts
By Justin Kissinger, marketing manager, Hy-Brid Lifts™
L
adders and scaffolds have long been the go-to solutions for elevated work — they’re simple to transport and don’t cost much to purchase or rent. While they excel in these areas, ladders and scaffolds continue to lag in one major, and potentially costly, area: safety. According to 2014 data from Liberty Mutual’s 2017 Workplace Safety Index, workplace falls, both to the same level and a level below, led to a combined $16.12
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Electrical Products & Solutions • August 2017
billion in direct costs to businesses. In fact, these types of injuries land right behind overexertion, the number one cause of workplace injuries. These costs from injuries directly impact profits and result in expensive downtime. These numbers are staggering and one could speculate that a fall from a ladder or scaffold is not a matter of if it will happen, but rather when. But, like many workplace injuries, most Continued on page 8
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cover STORY
Hy-Brid Lifts™ Continued from page 6
falls can be prevented with the right equipment. Low-level scissor lifts, for example, are compact and lightweight enough to work on finished floors, drive through doorways and take a ride on an elevator, but, most importantly, they enhance safety by leaps and bounds. Operators get a stable platform to stand on while performing work, and railings protect them from falling. So what’s holding some businesses back from implementing safer alternatives, such as low-level lifts? One word: awareness.
Ladders Low-level lifts show up to a jobsite and are ready to go, and one would think ladders do, as well. Setting up a ladder, however, can be more complicated — something many users would never suspect from such a basic tool. From duty ratings to height guidelines, there are several factors to consider when choosing a ladder and setting it up for optimum safety. Unfortunately this knowledge is often overlooked
Low-level-access scissor lifts offer the same working height as ladders and scaffolds, but with greater convenience and safety features, such as 38- to 42inch-tall railings, lanyard tie-offs and minimal setup, to name a few.
and not communicated to users, making the risk of falls a very real concern. Here’s what all contractors should know. Ladders come in five duty ratings: Type III light duty, Type II medium duty, Type I heavy duty, Type IA extra heavy duty and Type IAA extra heavy duty. Each are designed to safely handle a certain amount of weight. Exceed that weight and physics kicks in with the potential for the ladder to snap and cause severe injury. There is a safer way for workers to haul themselves and their materials to the elevated worksite and that’s with a low-level lift. Workers can place material on the lift’s the lift height if there is excess weight on platform and move from place to place on the machine. the jobsite. Some of the lifts even feature In addition to capacity, height is also a overload sensors that alert the user or limit critical factor that often Continued on page 12
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cover STORY
Hy-Brid Lifts™ Continued from page 8
gets overlooked when selecting a ladder. When it’s too short, it’s tempting to stand on the top rungs or overstretch beyond the rails, either of which can lead to a fall. A ladder that’s too tall is more likely to be set up incorrectly against a wall and can slip out from underneath a worker because there is not enough friction to hold it in place. Low-level lifts address these potential pitfalls by allowing users to work as high as 20 feet, ample height for reaching almost any job. “Most jobs don’t require a working height of more than 19 feet,” said Jason Colby, territory manager for ADMAR Supply, a New York-based rental company. “That really means a 12- to 14-foot platform height is sufficient. I often tell customers lower level lifts offer a better overall value and are very maneuverable. And, due to low step heights, they also reduce the risk of injuries from ingress and egress.” By eliminating daunting climbs and providing a step-in height as low as 20 inches, low-level lifts allow workers to quickly relocate without the hassles and fatigue of setting up. When projects require moving the ladder as work progresses, the contractor needs to climb down, fold up the ladder, carry it a few feet over, set it back up correctly and climb up the rungs to start again. This not only is cumbersome and time consuming, but it can easily fatigue a worker, which increases the risk for falls.
Low-level-access scissor lifts can be pushed and, with some models, driven to the next location. This eliminates the hassles of disassembly and reassembly of scaffolding and reloading equipment and materials. It also enhances safety by limiting the temptation to lean too far off of a ladder or over the edge of scaffolds.
Properly setting up a ladder is challenging and leaves a generous amount of room for error. OSHA recommends that users ensure the top of the ladder extends 3 feet higher than the elevated surface, place it at a 75-degree angle, and set it one-quarter of the working height away from a wall. For instance, if the wall’s height is 40 feet, the base of the ladder should be 10 feet away. It’s often impractical to measure for these recommendations — or even have room to meet them — on the jobsite, but not following that guidance can substantially reduce the ladder’s stability. The challenge of properly setting up a ladder is likely why a growing number of contractors are choosing alternatives for their worksites. “We are starting to see more and more of the ‘zero-ladder worksites’ in New York, most recently was during a parking garage project,” said James Schwartzmeyer, foreman at Danforth Mechanical Contracting, which rents low-level scissor lifts from ADMAR Supply. Cutting safety corners for the sake of time and effort is also a concern with ladder usage. Overreaching can cause the ladder to topple over and “walking” it — Low-level-access scissor lifts have step-in shifting side to side to move — can also heights as low as 20.28 inches, which reduces the risk of injuries that can occur cause it to tip or fold on itself. With lowfrom tripping and falling. It also eliminates level push around lifts, the user brings the lift to the ground and pushes the unit to the fatigue created from multiple trips up and down ladders and scaffolds. the next location. Or, with a self-propelled
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Electrical Products & Solutions • August 2017
lift, the operator can simply drive to the next spot. Most lifts also use counterweights and tilt sensors to prevent tipping when pushing against the wall with tools. Some manufacturers will even provide custom solutions to address safety issues in unique scenarios. Michael Folaron, lead foreman at Danforth, recalls working on the construction of the new University at Buffalo medical facility, where the crew needed a safe way to transport pipe from the ground to the ceiling. “We worked with a low-level lift manufacturer to develop a unique pipe rack for our lifts that enhanced stability and efficiency,” Folaron said. Unlike other systems on the market that simply weld on top of the lift, disturbing the machine’s balance and capability, the custom-designed pipe rack system was integrated into the overall design of the lifts without impacting machine stability or safety. “The pipe racks were an ideal solution for our crew’s overall safety and productivity,” Folaron said.
Scaffolds Scaffolds can provide variable working heights and larger elevated platforms, which ladders cannot, but they still create some of the same safety challenges. Just like ladders, scaffold must be set up correctly to provide a Continued on page 14
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cover STORY
Hy-Brid Lifts™ Continued from page 12
stable framework and prevent collapse underneath the weight of workers, tools and materials. Low-level scissor lifts are ready to go and leave virtually no room for assembly error. They also make reaching elevated heights nearly effortless. Hauling tools and materials up and down scaffold is a challenging and dangerous chore that can increase user fatigue and lead to more slips and falls. Once a worker is on the deck, depending on the setup, there might not be anything to prevent them from taking a perilous step off the side of the platform. Lifts, on the other hand, offer a fully encircled platform with 38- to 42-inch-tall railings and toeboards, which protect people below from falling tools and materials. And just like when using ladders, operators using scaffolding are still tempted to sacrifice safety for productivity. When a scaffold needs to be moved, the worker needs to remove the deck and in some cases, disassemble and reassemble the scaffolding at the new location. When a
scaffold is on wheels, a user might try to “surf” an unsecured scaffold over to the new location by pulling on objects, such as overhead pipes and fixtures, around the work area. This takes the operator’s focus off of where the scaffold is traveling. And if the wheels encounter an object or an uneven surface, such as a ramp, the scaffold could tip. On self-propelled lifts, the user can focus more on the wheels’ path to avoid obstacles and uneven work surfaces while driving to the next location. Pusharound units have automatic locking mechanisms on the wheels to prevent the unsafe surfing practice.
Make Safety a Priority The International Powered Access Federation recommends that a complete jobsite assessment be completed before a project begins. This addresses factors such as how people will gain access to the project, its scope and size, and the working environment. Only after they’ve completed the assessment should contractors
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and project managers select the right tools and equipment for the job. The first step to enhancing elevated worksite safety is awareness. Know where the risks lurk, understand why they are there, and then face them head on. Ladders and scaffolds pose some of the greatest risks for injuries on jobsites, but with low-level lifts, safety can easily be restored. ❏ About the Author: Justin Kissinger is
the marketing manager for Custom Equipment Inc. He has been with the family-owned business since 1998, and during that time has gained knowledge from all areas of the company, including assembly, engineering, service and sales. He also has attended every major tradeshow in the lift industry since 2007. Kissinger earned a bachelor’s degree in business from the Milwaukee School of Engineering. He can be reached at 262-644-1300 x13 or justin@customequipmentlifts.com.
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company PROFILE
Generator Interlock Technologies, LLC
Generator InterLock Technologies, LLC G
enerator InterLock Technologies, LLC, is a small based company that manufacturers and sells its products across the . The company was founded after Hurricane Isabel hit the east coast in 2003. The product was developed to meet the need for a safe way to use portable generators to power homes in the event of power loss. The initial inspiration for the product came from a persistent friend of an electrician working for Master Electrical Services. As electrical contractors, they had seen various unsafe and illegal methods that people had used to try to power their houses with their portable generators. The electrician set out to develop a product that would meet National Electrical Code requirements and at the same time be cost effective and convenient for the homeowner. From that original inspiration came a new company: Generator Interlock Technologies or GIT. The Interlock Kit is a simple safety product that locks out the Main breaker in the existing home panel and allows for the portable generator to power the home through a back feed generator breaker. While many electrical inspectors liked the product; they all agreed that the product would have to be listed to UL standards. After thousands of dollars in fees, rigorous tests, a year of changes and modifications, the Interlock Kit was finally
approved for production to be used with panels listed under UL Standard 67. The company started filling orders in early 2005, using Master Electrical Services as its basis for customer awareness. Starting with a few kits that fit the most recent Square-D and Cutler Hammer panels, the offerings grew to over 30 different models in less than one year. Generator Interlock Technologies now has kits for panels from 30 years ago to the most current and they continue to add new kits to meet their customer’s needs. While contractors in Florida and the North East are the biggest customers, Interlock Kits have been sent throughout the United States and parts of Canada. Whether the power loss is due to costal hurricanes or from crippling ice storms in the northern , GIT has a kit that will allow customers to keep the power on in their homes. The Interlock Kits are designed to be installed by licensed electricians and are cost effective for both the customer and the installer. Other products on the market such as generator sub-panels and transfer switches require extensive rewiring of the home panel, often taking the electrical contractor 6 to 8 hours to install. With the Interlock Kit, a qualified electrician can install a complete system in 2 hours or less by simply mounting the correct kit to the face of the panel and wiring a generator convenience outlet to a
With the Interlock Kit, a qualified electrician can install a complete system in 2 hours or less by simply mounting the correct kit to the face of the panel and wiring a generator convenience outlet to a breaker installed in the panel. 16
Electrical Products & Solutions • August 2017
breaker installed in the panel. To use their portable generator, a homeowner plugs an extension cord from their generator to the new generator convenience outlet. He then starts the generator, turns off the main breaker, slides the Interlock Kit, turns on the generator breaker and selects the circuits for use up to the capacity of the generator. Generator Interlock Technologies’ Kit is a defining safety product that has been recognized as a Innovation Award Winner by Electrical Contracting Products magazine and one of the Top Products by Electrical Products and Solutions magazine. Generator Interlock Technologies, LLC, has taken a problem of safety and convenience and developed a system to keep danger and expenses to a minimum. Starting with an idea of helping a friend in need, to helping thousands across the country, GIT continues to grow due to its commitment to deliver a quality product. Visit www.interlockkit.com for a complete list of products and details. ❏
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feature ARTICLE
Electri-Flex Company
PVC-Free Conduit Jackets Limit Combustion Products By Barry Manz
Introduction Every year, fires in residential and nonresidential buildings throughout the U.S. cause billions of dollars in losses and disruptions to families and businesses. However, thanks to the efforts of government
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agencies and industry groups and the use of more fire-resistant, low-smoke, lowflame-spread building materials, fires and the fatalities and injuries they cause have not spiraled out of control and in fact have declined even as more properties are built
Electrical Products & Solutions • August 2017
every year (Figure 1). In lockstep with this trend, low-smoke, halogen-free (LSZH) conduit materials are increasingly required in critical areas instead of conduit jacketed with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and similar materials. Continued on page 20
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feature ARTICLE
Electri-Flex Company Continued from page 18 ASME162 for flame spread, the index for flame travel over a set amount of time. In this test a specimen cannot produce any flaming drips. Another point to highlight is the ASTME662 for smoke generation in both the flaming and non-flaming modes, which measures smoke density over both the 1.5 minute and four minute time periods. When examining results from Bombardier SMP 8000-C to test for minimum trace amounts of gas, the outcome proved to be well below the acceptable threshold.
Halogen-Free Product Lines Figure 1: The number of fires in the U.S. has trended downward since 2005, as reported by the U.S. Fire Administration.
LSZH Conduit Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is by far the most widely used jacketing material for electrical insulation, thanks to inherent benefits such as dry and wet electrical performance, flexibility, long life, fire retardance, cold temperature resistance, chemical resistance, and ruggedness. But in a fire, PVC releases fumes collectively called halogens that include hydrogen chloride, hydrogen fluoride, and hydrogen bromide gases, as well as other deadly combustion products. As a result, where smoke from fire presents an increased hazard to people, the trend is toward the use of LSZH insulation and conduit. Typical examples include aircraft, ships, recreational vehicles, tunnels, mass transit vehicles, elevators, and other confined spaces. LSZH reduces the amount of smoke and flame spread, which can allow people more time to easily escape areas of fire. LSZH jacketing material has only relatively recently come into widespread use in North America and customer demand for it is rapidly increasing, as it virtually eliminates the release of the toxic gases found in PVC products. In some cases, PVC-jacketed conduit is no longer allowed for electrical construction by building codes and in locations where low smoke and low flame spread are stated requirements. After many years, Electri-Flex Company began manufacturing and developing LSZH-jacketed conduits and today offers six halogen-free product lines (Types ZHLA, CEA, ACEA, ATX, Cor20
rlok, and Shielding) in a broad array of variations dedicated to specific applications. Its proprietary formulation of thermoplastic polyurethane combines low smoke, flame retardation, and toxicity generation characteristics, virtually eliminating hydrogen chloride, hydrogen fluoride, and hydrogen bromide gases during a fire. Third-party testing of the polyurethane compound used by ElectriFlex for flexible jacketing material demonstrated that performance is far better than required by industry-accepted standards.
Testing The chart below represents the results of these third-party tests on the compound for a variety of liquid-tight conduit. In addition to common UL tests and ratings, what’s important to call attention to is that the polyurethane material was tested to
Type ZHLA is made with a polyurethane jacketing and a core of hot-dipped galvanized steel that provide a working temperature range of -40° C to +80° C in air, +60° C when wet, and +70° C in oil. It is UL listed, CSA certified, and RoHS and Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive compliant. The conduit is rated for installation under raised floors in data processing areas and clean rooms, and is also suitable for use in electric signs and outline lighting over 1 kV and for use in elevators and hoistways. Type CEA has a polyurethane jacket and corrosion-resistant plated steel core and is designed for applications such as wiring harnesses within and under passenger train cars, as well as subways, tunnels, and enclosed public areas. Type ACEA is similar to Type CEA but has a core of an aluminum alloy strip that reduces its weight to half that of Type CEA while also providing flame resistance and limited smoke characteristics. Each has a working temperature range of -40° to Continued on page 22 +80° C and, although
Test Results for Electri-Flex LSZH Jacketing Material
Electrical Products & Solutions • August 2017
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feature ARTICLE
Electri-Flex Company Continued from page 20
Between 2005 and 2014, fires have decreased by nearly 23%, deaths by nearly 12%, injuries by 8%, and financial losses by 21%. not UL listed, is RoHS and WEEE compliant. Type ATX refers to the non-UL conduit line capable of withstanding extreme temperature ranges. This conduit combines the flexibility of the standard LT core with the advantage of a thermoplastic rubber jacket that is unaffected by temperature extremes and contains zero halogens. The material has a flammability rating of UL 94-HB and is UV stabilized. Typically, ATX is used in applications that possess temperature exposure risks, such as heavy outdoor equipment, boilers and furnaces, and sub-zero areas. The conduit’s working temperature range spans from -60°C to 150°C, intermitting to 165°C. For applications where the max-
imum rated working temperature is 150°C, it is suggested to use Thomas & Betts® 5300HT series of liquidtight connectors. The gland ring and insulated throat in these fittings are rated for 150°C. Type CLFR is a part of the Corrlok system of corrugated flexible tubing made from a flame-retardant Nylon 6 compound that provides low flame spread and smoke as well as limited toxic characteristics. It’s tailored for use within public transit and passenger rail vehicles, machine tools, medical and industrial control equipment, and a slit version is suited for protection of wiring harnesses in aircraft. The company also offers the option of halogen-free-jacketed shielding conduits in the HFSLA, HFEMS, and HFEMCS
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Electrical Products & Solutions • August 2017
families with a polyurethane jacket extruded over them that are better suited than standard conduits for data transmission circuits that require EMI/RFI shielding protection and are in a confined space such as a data center plenum floor.
Summary The number of fires, deaths, and injuries continues to decline in the U.S. as building codes and other regulations become more stringent. In fact, between 2005 and 2014, fires have decreased by nearly 23%, deaths by nearly 12%, injuries by 8%, and financial losses by 21%. While the specific reasons for these declines are difficult to pinpoint, there seems little doubt that the use of low-smoke, low-flame-spread building materials is contributing to this downward trend. LSZH conduit jacketing from Electri-Flex is designed to complement these building materials in critical areas without sacrificing other areas of performance, while also providing options such as resistance to EMI and RFI. ❏
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industry NEWS
Specifying Extreme Temperature Flexible Conduit metal core that could fatigue from repeated flexing or vibration. The PVC is flame-retardant and resists oils, mild acids, and exposure to sunlight with temperature ranges of -55° C to +105° C. The Corrlok system is a family (Types CL, CLR, and CLFR) of lightweight flexible raceway alternatives that withstands harsh environments and is made from speciallyformulated Nylon that is non-toxic and self-extinguishing, making it well suited for confined areas where fire can be a concern. It is LSZH rated, flame resistant, has high impact and crush strength, and is resistant to many chemicals and sunlight, with temperatures of -40° C to 105° C with spikes to 150° C. To download the entire High-Low Temperature Conduit Technical Article, visit https://www.electriflex.com/resource-library/ or email marketing at mktg@electriflex.com. ❏
E
LECTRI-FLEX COMPANY manufactures a complete line of liquidtight flexible electrical conduits that are designed for extreme temperature applications. These flexible conduits feature specially formulated jackets that withstand excessively hot or cold conditions, providing wiring solutions where standard flexible liquidtight conduits would not be suitable. Applications include chemical production, offshore drilling platforms, steel production, wind turbines, wireless communications towers, weather stations, aerospace, and defense stations, all which can experience temperatures ranging from -40oF to more than 120oF. Electri-Flex offers conduits tailored to serving extreme temperature ranges while also withstanding rugged environments, contact with or immersion in oils, chemicals, and other aggressive substances, or even exposure to fire. Electri-Flex offer five types of jacketed metallic flexible extreme temperature con-
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duit. Type AT is non-UL with temperature ranges from -55° C to +105° C, with short-term spikes to +120° C. Type ATLA is both UL listed and CSA approved, sunlight resistant and accommodates temperatures of -55° C to +105° C dry, 60° C wet, and 70° C in oil. Type ATX has a thermoplastic rubber jacket that is virtually unaffected by temperature extremes and is rated for low-smoke zero halogen (LSZH) conditions. Temperature range is -60° C to +150° C with spikes to +165°C. EMI/RFI shielding conduit, Types EMS and EMCS, are specified for operation between -55o and 105o C. Non-metallic flexible conduit offerings include Types NMHT, LNMP and Corrlok. Type NMHT is UL and CSA approved with temperature ranges of -20° C to +105° C dry, 60° C wet, and 70° C in oil. Type LNMP is UL and cUL approved and is well suited for continuous flexing situations and does not contain a
Electrical Products & Solutions • August 2017
Electri-Flex Company, a leader in electrical conduit design and manufacture for over 60 years produces Liquatite®, the most diverse line of liquidtight flexible electrical conduit in the industry. The company offers custom design, engineering, quality assurance and testing capabilities. For more information on Electri-Flex Company, call (630) 529-2920 or (800) 323-6174; fax: (630) 529-0482; e-mail: mktg@electriflex.com; visit: www.electriflex.com; or write: 222 West Central Avenue, Roselle, IL, 60172-1994.
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industry NEWS
Atkore International’s ACS/Uni-Fab Offers Prefabricated Wiring Systems Save up to 30 percent on installation costs compared to conventional wiring methods
A
CS/Uni-Fab, part of the leading manufacturer of electrical products Atkore International, highlights their prefabricated wiring solutions for residential, commercial, and industrial lighting and power applications. Wiring components and devices are assembled to exacting standards in a controlled environment and delivered ready to install, significantly reducing the amount of labor required for installation. By making many of the electrical connections in the factory, the prefabricated products save up to 30 percent on installation costs compared to conventional wiring methods. The prefabricated solutions are available for standard device assemblies for a variety of configurations and styles; and typical units, built to specification on a made-to-order basis. All prefabricated products are assembled and tested by IBEW personnel, taking advantage of a factory labor force and controlled environment. The products are UL Listed and intended for installation in accordance with the National Electrical Code (NEC). After determining exactly what components are necessary in each room, the ACS/Uni-Fab products are gathered, cut and pre-assembled, and labeled. The room is wired before the contractor gets to the site – contractors simply go to the specific location and screw in all required wiring assemblies and devices ACS/Uni-Fab offers contractors excellent materials management and just-in-time shipping, which eliminates the need for sourcing, staging, and assembly. The prefabricated MTB option provides greater cable management by running multiple hotel, motel, or dormitory rooms back to the panel. The MTB is used to distribute 20 to 50 AMP branch circuits from
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the panel to remote locations using a multi-circuit neutral per phase or super neutral Home Run cable. The MTB provides detailed panel and circuit information, as well as terminal-strip termination for up to 20 current-carrying conductors (15 phase and 5 neutral), greatly reducing congestion in the electric closet. MTBs can be factory assembled with the Home Run cable or shipped separately. Standard device assemblies are available in a variety of configurations and styles to meet project requirements. Fast and convenient, standard device assemblies are ideal for tenant spaces, non-typical spaces, or when project scope or time allowed does not permit typical units. Also available are typical units, built to project specifications. Quoted price is based on room counts, device counts, and estimated labor. Included are detailed shop drawings, a complete job schedule, and shipping of materials packaged by
Electrical Products & Solutions • August 2017
room number, area and section. For more information, please visit: www.acsunifab.com. ❏ About ACS/Uni-Fab:: ACS/Uni-Fab is a brand of AFC Cable Systems, Inc., is a leading manufacturer of modular and prefabricated electrical products, tracing its origins back to 1984. ACS/Uni-Fab supplies a broad range of innovative, cost-saving products to the electrical industry. These products include modular wiring systems for lighting and power applications, prefabricated “room in a box” wiring assemblies, PDU assemblies, telecommunications systems, as well as audio visual boxes. ACS/UniFab provides products used in new construction, restoration and modernization of commercial office buildings, institutional facilities, healthcare, and more.
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new PRODUCTS Eaton Offers a Simple Low-Voltage Solution for Power, LED Lighting and Controls That Saves up to 40 Percent on Installation Labor Hours Power management company Eaton offers the Distributed Low Voltage Power (DLVP) system, a flexible and electrically efficient low-voltage system combining power, LED lighting and controls into one simple, energy code compliant, project solution by blending the benefits of both alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) power distribution. The easily configured “plug-and-play” system reduces installation labor by up to 40 percent with a total installed system cost savings of up to 20 percent. The energy-efficient, commissioning DLVP solution utilizes AC power for transmission and DC power for connectivity, offering a complete low-voltage, simple solution for applications with repeated spaces and matching configurations including schools, private and open commercial offices, conference rooms and healthcare facilities such as doctor’s offices, urgent care and rehabilitation centers. The light-emitting diode system was recently installed in the Cincinnati, Ohio-based offices of USGreentech, a company focused on the development and distribution of progressive synthetic turf infill for the sports field industry. For more information, visit www.eaton.com/DLVP
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new PRODUCTS Milwaukee® Introduces the Brightest Site Light in the Industry The leading jobsite lighting provider in the industry, Milwaukee Tool, continues to expand their Lighting Solutions with the introduction of the new M18™ RADIUS™ Site Light/Charger with ONE-KEY™*. Setting a new standard for cordless jobsite lighting, the Site Light is capable of running off one or two battery packs to deliver 9,000 lumens of high output light for full 360° workspace coverage – making it the brightest cordless light available in the industry today. “By utilizing our advanced LEDs, optics, and lithium-ion technologies, we are able to develop a solution for professionals on jobsites that have historically required higher output lighting. Traditionally, this category of lighting has been dominated by products that aren’t designed for longevity on the jobsite,” said Jason Isaacs, Product Manager for Milwaukee Tool. “On a single charge, the new M18™ RADIUS™ Site Light/Charger with ONE-KEY™ can light the site for up to 14 hours. In addition, it’s designed with a high-impact polycarbonate lens and ingress protected for long life in jobsite environments. With this huge advance in output, capacity, and durability, professionals can shift their view of jobsite lighting from a simple commodity to a long-lasting investment.” Equipped with an integrated two-bay sequential charger, the RADIUS™ Site Light/Charger with ONE-KEY™ creates more space on the jobsite to improve productivity. Additionally, a plug-in and daisy-chain capability allows users to connect up to eight lights off of a single circuit. A unique, stackable design makes the Site Light/Charger easy to transport and store in all work environments. Through ONE-KEY™, users will be able to customize, track, and manage their new Site Light/Charger and use their phone to control the light. With the ability to completely control its operation from their phone, users simply set the light and won’t need to access it again until moving it to the next job.*Based off use with an M18™ 9.0 Battery Pack For more information, visit www.milwaukeetool.com
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new PRODUCTS
TENMAT now offers 1 and 2 Hour UL Fire Rated Enclosures for LED Lights The innovative TENMAT covers are UL fire tested and suitable for a wide range of recessed incandescent, fluorescent or LED lights. The flexible and lightweight covers allow electrical contractors and builders to easily meet the building code without having carpenters build expensive and bulky drywall boxes. For more information, visit www.TENMATUSA.com
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new PRODUCTS Douglas Lighting Controls Introduces Next Generation Lighting Control Unit Douglas Lighting Controls, a member of the Panasonic family of companies, today announced the introduction of its next generation Dialog® Lighting Control Unit (LCU) to manage centralized facility or multi-facility lighting applications. The LCU Controller is located in a relay panel and acts as the main processor of the Dialog Lighting Control System, which includes wall switches, dimmers, daylight and occupancy sensors, control cards and other peripheral devices. By connecting switches and sensors to the LCU via the 2wire network, control over the entire floor is centralized while still providing the capability for individual room control. The LCU’s 6.25” x 3.75” touchscreen interface can be used for adding or changing system settings; a web browser permits direct access from a laptop or remote access over the Internet; and its USB port can be used for memory backup. Other features, such as quick diagnostic checks via on-controller LED and native BACnet capabilities, make the LCU an integral part of any high-performance Building Management System. “Facilities managers and end users looking for complete control at facility, floor, area and room levels will love the Dialog system’s ease of use,” said Rob Mahaffey, general manager for Douglas Lighting Controls. “The LCU’s demand response feature enables users to commission their lighting systems at scale, enhancing time savings and allowing them to focus on other priorities throughout their day.” For more information, visit www.douglaslightingcontrols.com
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advertiser INDEX
AUGUST 2017
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.
Company 2017 NECA SHOW ADVANCED TEST EQUIPMENT AEMC INSTRUMENTS AUTAC INC. CONDUIT REPAIR SYSTEMS COPPER DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION DABMAR LIGHTING ELECTRI-FLEX COMPANY EMERGENT SAFETY SUPPLY FACILITY RESULTS GENERATOR INTERLOCK TECHNOLOGIES GRADY RESEARCH, INC. HERCULES INDUSTRIES, INC. HIOKI USA HY-BRID LIFTS ITOOLCO KRENZ & COMPANY MEGGER
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33 22 32 45 IBC 2 36, 37 24 4 6 24 26 40 51 22 42 21 16 38 48 17 14 7 8 40 50 IFC, 9, 25 1, 9, 18 11 11 31 21 30 44 1 4
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Company MILLER SAFETY CONSULTANTS, LTD ORBIT INDUSTRIES, INC PHASE-A-MATIC PLATINUM TOOLS POWER & TEL POWERSIGHT / SUMMIT TECHNOLOGY, INC. PROBUILT PROFESSIONAL LIGHTING RANDL INDUSTRIES ROLL-A-REEL SONEL TEST & MEASUREMENT INC. TCP THE HOME DEPOT TIMCO INSTRUMENTS UEI TEST INSTRUMENTS USA LED LIGHTING SOLUTIONS UTILITY METALS VOLT LIGHTING
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3 8 38 19 15 5 35 29 34 23 27 13 14 BC 39 10 34
5 40 49 15 13 7 23 20 46 17 19 12 41 3 25 10 47
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