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CONTENTS
PUBLISHER
Danny J. Salchert OFFICE MANAGER
Anita Salchert ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
Jerry DiChiara jerryd@epsmag.net CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Derek Gaylard CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
John Olobri • Bill Allen • Karren Hodge
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CIRCULATION DIRECTOR
Pam Fulmer
FEATURES 6 Data Loggers – A Useful Tool for Monitoring Power & Energy Part 1 of a 2 part article By John Olobri
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Saving Time & Money with Remote Power Management By Bill Allen and Karren Hodge
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Battery Back Up Solutions
CASE STUDY 14 The Roosevelt Hotel — Using Advanced Dimming Controls to Eliminate LED Light Flicker and Create Perfect Hotel Ambiance
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DEPARTMENTS 24 34 40
Industry News Product Focus Ad Index
ON THE COVER Photo courtesy of AEMC® Instruments
PRESIDENT
Danny J. Salchert Executive and Advertising Offices 3591 Cahaba Beach Road 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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Electrical Products & Solutions • November 2012
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FEATURE • AEMC® Instruments
Data Loggers – A Useful Tool for Monitoring Power & Energy Part 1 of a 2 part article
By John Olobri, Director of Sales and Marketing for AEMC® Instruments
(Figure 1) Easily connect current sensors and voltage leads without power interruption.
ering both the significance and benefits of short-term diagnostic monitoring for plant maintenance and expansion.. We will discuss typical monitoring points and show several examples of data-logging results. In part two of this article we will discuss things to consider when choosing a portable data logging system and point out things to be cautious about.
What are Energy Monitoring Data Loggers?
TRACKING FACILITY OPERATIONAL PROBLEMS that have an effect
on energy consumption is quite often time consuming and expensive. However, hidden maintenance complications that often are not noticeable affect both operational and environmental quality and can be the reason for higher than needed energy costs and more frequent equipment repair and replacement. There are many instruments available to the engineer and maintenance staff to tackle finding these problems and costs. A work horse up to the task is the portable data logger. They are extremely flexible and can save a significant amount of time troubleshooting without the need for an operator to be constantly attending to it. They can detect unseen problems that may be costing many thousands of dollars annually in wasted energy and untimely equipment failures. 6
Whether for troubleshooting a known problem or proactively seeking opportunities to optimize power distribution systems, portable data loggers and their accessories should be as common in building maintenance technicians’ arsenal of tools as a multimeter or thermometer. Energy service industry professionals are making good use of data logging equipment and are discov-
Electrical Products & Solutions • November 2012
Portable data loggers are compact, lightweight, battery or AC powered, electronic monitoring instruments used for collecting data without the need for operator intervention or presence. They can be installed in load center panels or around the facility without difficulty and removed as easily without the need to shut down the plant or office building first. See figure 1. They are capable of storing tens of thousands of readings to several million readings and can be programmed to collect data on a sub cycle basis or store averages at user programmable aggregation periods. They are available with a display or blind (no display) and can transmit their recorded data locally or remotely. Data loggers can gather electrical data such as amperage, voltage, power and energy as well as temperature, flow, pressure, event and other data associated with facility maintenance and troubleshooting. The data loggers with the most versatile application employ separate sensors for each parameter to be recorded. They also provide the ability to automatically recognize those sensors and set the scale and measurement parameters accordingly. They come in single and multi-channel models. Multi-channel data loggers Continued on page 8
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FEATURE • AEMC® Instruments
can collect data for several input types simultaneously. For example, a six or eight channel logger may be set up to collect measurements from three or four voltage and three or four current inputs providing the ability to monitor three-phase power systems. Mathematical capabilities provide the ability to calculate power and energy, as well as the cost associated with that energy consumption. Remote access to the data collection process from the office or at remote locations with wireless or Internet access provides the ability to track several consumption points around the facility or multiple facilities without the expense of travel to retrieve the data. Energy management systems in place today provide logging however, they are often installed with only a limited amount of memory and will only capture a summary data. They tend to be permanently installed devices and will only monitor data from one point in the facility making it difficult to troubleshoot problems around the facility. Portable data loggers overcome these limitations by providing the ability to locate problems and provide information 8
Continued from page 8
vital to improving energy consumption. Data analysis software provides a picture of the monitored data over time and the ability to download to a computer for analysis. Most software is capable of displaying in line graphs often referred to as X/T plots with time on the X axis and amplitude on the Y axis as shown in figure 2. When evaluating harmonic data, it is often easier to view it in a bar graph format rather than a line graph. The ability to look at several channels of data on the same graph such as three voltage phases or three current phases provides a convenient way to easily troubleshoot power systems. Also, the ability to zoom in and analyze smaller time sections or compare this week’s data to last weeks is an invaluable tool. In the energy game, you can’t manage what you can’t measure. Energy consumption takes place over time and therefore should be recorded over time. Portable energy monitoring data loggers increase the technician’ ability to manage energy by providing the tool to measure and analyze that energy over time.
Electrical Products & Solutions • November 2012
(Figure 2) Typical X/T plot of energy.
Energy waste is an ongoing issue and is often undetected. Installing an energy logger on equipment that uses large amounts of power or in electrical panels can provide clear and revealing information about energy use when the facility is in a non-operating state. There is a tremendous opportunity to save on energy costs by reviewing this information. Energy managers usually track monthly utility bills to understand a building’s energy use and demand. This helps managers understand when energy use or demand has increased or decreased. Although good energy reviewing practices will sometimes indicate that a problem may exist, it does not always help in understanding where, at what time, and why the increases are occurring or whether they are correct. The use of portable data loggers along with energy reviewing practices provides the missing information necessary to properly evaluate energy problems. Energy loggers can help identify and document when in Continued on page 12 time and where energy
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FEATURE • AEMC® Instruments
Continued from page 8
alone is not always enough. No matter how well technicians maintain equipment, if it operates inefficiently, or more often than needed, energy waste will occur. The cost of not paying attention to operational issues along with the maintenance issues can be significant. Many studies performed over the past several years indicate that most energy savings opportunities are operational in nature. Energy savings as much as twenty to twenty five percent of the annual energy cost can be realized through low-cost improvements, with operating improvements accounting for a good portion of the savings. Internal facility staff and maintenance personnel and service contractors can assist the building management more effectively by addressing operational issues as well as equipment maintenance issues. Measuring and recording the performance of energy-using equipment over time is the only way Benefits for Plant Maintenance to verify whether the equipment or system Staff and Service Contractors performs optimally. Maintaining an inPerforming preventive maintenance strument tool crib with several data log-
waste is occurring, which allows the technician and manager to proactively make improvements and cost savings. Energy managers can find it difficult to propose changes in equipment and/or procedures to upper management that require investment because of the lack of data to support their recommendations. Data loggers and their analysis software provide energy managers a clear, documented way to graphically present specific data on activities in the facility that increase or decrease energy use. This clear information based on measured data can help energy document the need for operational changes and procurement of more energy efficient machinery. They also provide the ability to record and document the savings by monitoring the energy usage after the changes have been made and by comparing the energy usage before and after.
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Electrical Products & Solutions • November 2012
gers will prove invaluable to service technicians and will increase their ability to locate costly building operation problems quickly. Periodically, monitoring critical machinery and high energy consuming building equipment to ensure proper operation should be as important as periodically performing maintenance other tasks such as cleaning coils, lubricating motors or changing filters. Portable data loggers allow facility staff and maintenance contractors the capability to expand their preventative maintenance programs to also include pre-emptive operation tasks. Next month we will deal with the selection process for determining the right data logger for the task at hand. We will review the process of selecting the number of channels needed, the right sensors, sampling and storage mechanisms, display and power requirements, communication techniques and data review and analysis software. Important user programmable parameters and options will also be discussed. ❏
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CASE STUDY • Residential — The Roosevelt Hotel
Using Advanced Dimming Controls to Eliminate LED Light Flicker and Create Perfect Hotel Ambiance IN THE HOTEL BUSINESS, creating the perfect ambiance is key. It helps showcase the look, feel and mood that hotel guests come to expect when they enter through the front doors. This poses unique challenges for electrical contractors and designers, as is evident in a recent lighting retrofit project completed by The Roosevelt Hotel in Seattle, Washington. Built in 1929, The Roosevelt is a handsomely restored hotel located in the heart of a number of downtown Seattle attractions. The hotel prides itself on setting the ideal mood for its guests, and embarked on an upgrade for the lighting fixtures in the lobby area with state-of-the-art energy ef-
ficient lighting to help achieve that. To achieve the targeted lighting levels and colors, The Roosevelt decided upon LED lighting, based on recent technological improvements in product design. When used with a dimming device, LED lamps would help transform the lobby area with perfect colors and aesthetics unable to be achieved with the standard incandescent lighting used for nearly a century. LED lighting not only sets the right mood, but since lobby lights require a 24-hour burn, also provides the hotel with savings on its utility costs. Early attempts at using dimming devices with the new LED lighting resulted in low-end flickering when the lamps were in dimmed to lower light levels. This was a very prominent problem for both guests entering the hotel and staff who could visibly notice the issue. The ideal ambiance that the hotel had worked so hard to be known for was not being recognized. Patrick Hughes, chief engineer at The Roosevelt, in looking for alternative solutions that would eliminate the low-end flickering issues, turned to Graybar, a specialized distributor of high-quality components, equipment and materials for the electrical and telecommunications industries. The alternative solution would have to not only eliminate the low-end flickering problem, but have to be an easy, straightforward solution that didn’t require extensive renovation to the hotel’s lobby – pulling wires, patching walls and repainting. In discussing the issues, Jim Edwards from Graybar Seattle, recommended Leviton’s Universal Dimmer, a preferred solution that eliminates flickering issues especially when dimming lighting banks that contain multiple LED lamps. Edwards has worked with Leviton products on a near-daily basis, and after seeing firsthand the capabilities that the product Continued on page 16 offered, knew that the
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CASE STUDY • Residential — The Roosevelt Hotel Universal Dimmer would alleviate the problems The Roosevelt was having with other options. Since the Universal Dimmer works with both two- and three-wire installations, the solution was ideal for The Roosevelt’s existing residential wiring infrastructure that was built without a neutral wire at the switch box. This allowed for an ease of installation since contractors could install the devices without pulling a neutral wire. Through rigorous testing processes, Leviton ensured that its Universal Dimmer would be the ideal solution for a wide range of energy efficient lamps – both dimmable LED and dimmable CFL – and eliminate the low-end flickering often found with other solutions. Leviton’s Universal Dimmer is the ideal solution for eliminating a number of issues when dimming energy efficient lamps, including flickering or fluttering of the lamp – as was the case at The Roosevelt – as well as reduced dimming range
and inconsistent performance based on the number and assortment of lamps being controlled by one incandescent dimmer. It gives contractors, distributors and retailers the ability to offer a single lighting control capable of properly dimming nextgeneration lighting sources while remaining backwards compatible with current lamps. In total, The Roosevelt installed 12 Universal Dimmers – six in the public
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Electrical Products & Solutions • November 2012
Continued from page 14
lobby space, and since the devices worked so well, six more were installed in management offices to enable proper dimming control behind the scenes while individuals were working. Hughes noted that since the completed installation of Leviton’s Universal Dimmers in the lobby, everyone has been pleased. In the hospitality industry, guest satisfaction is the ultimate goal, and if something is amiss, they’ll notice. Roosevelt guests have commented on the updated mood of the hotel, and noted that improved lighting has made colors crisp and clean, even at low levels. “We have been extremely pleased with the end result that Leviton’s Universal Dimmers provided in helping create the ambiance that we here at The Roosevelt Hotel want our guests to receive,” explained Hughes. “Not only has the overall look and feel of the hotel improved, but we have been able to see utility costs go down significantly, which is a major plus for any business owner.” ❏
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FEATURE • Minuteman Power Technologies
Saving Time & Money with Remote Power Management
By Bill Allen, Director of Marketing, and Karren Hodge, Marketing Database Specialist
WHENEVER A DEVICE FAILS, the most proven method is to cycle power or reboot. This can be challenging if the device is not easily accessed or the device is located in another state. It’s simple to cycle power off and on when you can easily get to a device that’s locked up. However, when it’s in an inconvenient location, the problem is magnified. Remote power management systems are designed to solve the problem of equipment lock-ups and reduce downtime. With an RPM and a static IP address, IT, security and telecom managers can reboot devices utilizing a standard web browser and a password. Locked-up devices can be reset from a desktop pc, laptop, smart phone or tablet. Regardless of what causes downtime and/or lock-ups, it is essential to keep vital applications and equipment
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up and running. Things happen unexpectedly and preparedness for these events is vital. It pays to invest in solutions such as Remote Power Management products to aid in the support of mission critical devices. When equipment fails, it costs businesses money. Achieving the maximum amount of uptime is critical to the health of any company who relies on mission critical devices such as data centers for business critical services. Data centers have become a business asset and a core satisfaction. As these data center operaof business performance tions increase, so do the financial and inand customer tangible costs of downtime. When equipment fails, it costs businesses not only monetarily, but it affects their reputation. Ponemon Institute’s “National Survey on Data Center Outages” says that 95% of companies experience an unplanned downtime event. 60% of these companies rely on their data center to generate revenue or support e-commerce activity, and out of these, less than 35% believe they have the system in place to maximize the availability of uptime. The cost of downtime can be devastating to a business. According to a survey performed by CA Technologies, more than $26.5 billion in revenue is lost each year from downtime which means each business is losing $150,000 annually. The survey also revealed that outages can damage a company’s reputation, staff morale, and customer loyalty. According to the same survey, businesses suffer from 14 hours of IT downtime per year and an average of 18% of Continued on page 20 these companies
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FEATURE • Minuteman Power Technologies
Continued from page 18
described the impact of the outages “very own dilemma. If an individual router fails, Another important function that Redamaging.” Out of 200 companies sur- for example, the UPS does not have the mote Power Managers can provide is veyed, small enterprises lost an average ability to power cycle on an individual power sequencing. During a power-up, of $55,000 in revenue, midsized compa- power outlet. each of the power outlets can power on nies lost more than $91,000 and large The Remote Power Manager provides sequentially, which distributes the load companies lost more than $1,000,000 due the ability to immediately cycle power or and eliminates the risk of a blown fuse or to IT failures. reboot a device without interrupting all of tripping a circuit breaker. Let’s face it, locked-up Remote power managesystems are a fact of life and ment solutions allow adThe Remote Power Manager any enterprise or service ministrators to remotely provider that relies on the provides the ability to immediately power cycle servers and deuse of networking equipvices and troubleshoot probcycle power or reboot a device ment, such as routers, ATM lems, both locally and switches, and DSLAMs, for remotely, from any location without interrupting all of the mission-critical networks or in the world. This eliminates equipment attached to the UPS. e-commerce services needs a unnecessary service trips to remote power management the remote locations. The system. the equipment attached to the UPS. Some RPM allows the administrator to securely A majority of enterprises use uninter- Remote Power Managers can also initiate control the power to every piece of equipruptible power supplies (UPS) to keep a graceful shut down for a wide variety of ment in the data center. their equipment operational. Multiple net- servers, and provide remote equipment This provides administrators with the working devices are connected via a sin- monitoring to ensure devices are running ability to manage servers more efficiently gle UPS to power outlets, which poses its correctly. and reduce equipment Continued on page 22 20
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FEATURE • Minuteman Power Technologies downtime by giving direct them access to power control. Remote power management solutions are also used by many businesses and organizations to manage servers at offices and branch locations where there are no IT staff members. Two-port, eight-port or sixteen-port Remote power managers are available, using a single static IP address to manage multiple devices. The newest Minuteman RPMs give the administrator the ability to individually control up to 16 connected devices. Just as these solutions have adapted to today’s technology needs, they will continue to adapt to future needs and requirements. Many organizations find remote power management solutions are cost effective and provide a significant return on investment (ROI). An example was provided by a DirectNet company where an enterprise worked with a multi-national business solutions provider and implemented a complete remote power management solution. Their investment of $30,000 provided a
savings of more than $65,000 within one year, by allowing them to terminate a costly support agreement with a 3rd party service provider. The solution allowed the company to more quickly mitigate and resolve issues as events occurred, increase worker productivity due to fewer distractions, and reduce equipment downtime. Today’s Information technology systems are far more complex and far more distributed than in the past. Because of this, the challenges of managing these systems has become a more arduous task, demanding that IT managers, security managers and telecom managers be far more informed about the status of all devices on their systems. These systems have become more critical to the on-going operation of businesses, and the job of managing these systems has become more important, as well as more demanding. Devices that help facilitate more effective management of mission critical systems can become the best friend of these managers. Making life easier for them is the ultimate goal of compa-
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Electrical Products & Solutions • November 2012
nies that produce solutions for these markets. Remote power managers do exactly that by providing visibility of equipment status and the ability to remotely re-start locked up devices. Minuteman’s RPM products are the ideal solutions for network administrators who manage one or more remote locations. Once connected to the network, the user can easily control power to attached devices from virtually anywhere utilizing a standard web browser and a password. With a simple click, users can perform a power up, power down or reboot for devices connected to the RPM. With the automatic ping mechanism, users can program the RPM to notify personnel when a device locks up, thus allowing immediate visibility. A re-start of the locked up device is only a mouse click or a finger touch on a smartphone away. Get a more in-depth look at remote power management strategies in Minuteman’s white paper: http://www.minutemanups.com/whitepapers ❏
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Industry NEWS
35 Years of Commitment to the Lighting Distributor The National Association of Independent Lighting Distributors (NAILD) was founded in 1977 by a small group of distributors who wanted to join forces and promote the Independent Lighting Distributor. Today there are over 100 active members who recognize the great value each of their organizations receives for their investment. The membership now consists of Lighting Distributors, full-line Electrical Distributors with Lighting Divisions and Manufacturers. In 2011 NAILD created an Associate Member category. Qualified Associate Members are organizations involved in the lighting industry that are not distributors or manufacturers, but whose inclusion in the membership would benefit both NAILD and the Associate Member. Typical candidates for Associate Membership would be Manufacturers Reps, Lighting Maintenance Contractors or Consultants. The 2012 NAILD Conference celebrated 35 years of promoting independent lighting distributors throughout the United States and Canada. It was held at the PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens, FL and included many retired members who returned to renew old friendships and learn about the ever-changing technologies available to lighting distributors. The conference continued its tradition of Education, Networking and Technology. The anniversary dinner featured a slide show with 35 years of conference photos including golf tournaments, networking sessions, keynote addresses and hospitality suite frivolity. Keeping in line with the era in which NAILD was created, the music of the 70’s was prominent throughout the evening. Over the past 35 years NAILD has grown beyond networking to serve the needs of its members in many areas. The main objectives of NAILD are: • Increase the effectiveness and profitability of the lighting distributor through educational programs and networking with like-minded members. • Develop marketing strategies and programs to improve membership awareness and to gain participation in supplier marketing programs. • Promote the importance and benefits of effective and efficient lighting.
The LS I program starts with a basic philosophy that the student should take personal responsibility for their own learning. It was designed to increase the student’s confidence and competence in light and lighting. The class is completed online within 6 months at a pace that the student is comfortable with. A Coach is available to each student to guide them through the process. The course consists of: • Ten online modules that are available on-demand. • Workbook activities for each module designed to reinforce the content of the modules. • Hands-on exercises that allow the student to practice what they have learned. • Module quizzes – ten questions that help the student ensure retention of the material. • Final Exam – a two part review of what the student now understands about light and lighting. The exam consists of multiple choice questions and case studies. • The ten modules cover all of the basics of lighting to help grow your business. ■ Module 1 Lighting Overview ■ Module 2 Introduction to Sources ■ Module 3 Light and Color ■ Module 4 How we see ■ Module 5 Filament Sources ■ Module 6 Fluorescent Sources ■ Module 7 HID Sources ■ Module 8 Ballasts ■ Module 9 Luminaires and Controls ■ Module 10 Solid State Lighting – LED Lamps
For more advanced Lighting Education, NAILD has also created the LS II program. NAILD LS II is available to all individuals who have successfully completed the NAILD LS I course. The focus of LS I is on the basics of lighting and technology. LS II focuses on how to apply those lighting principles at your customer’s facilities. NAILD LS II is a tool to help move you and your staff from the role of “product provider” to the role of “solution provider” In addition to the online training programs, NAILD also offers many other educational opportunities to its members. The annual conference includes several educational track sessions covering lighting technologies as well as insights into how to better run your business. There is a monthly program called “A Light Lunch” which is an online, hour long discussion group. It covers a topic of interest to the membership and is The new NAILD Mission Statement defines what NAILD is all about in moderated by either a member or an outside expert on the topic. NAILD 2012: Providing the opportunity to grow your business profitably. Through also produces a weekly email blast called “A Light Read” that covers education, networking and technology, NAILD continues to be extraordi- lighting, current events effecting the lighting industry and business related topics of interest. nary in the lighting industry.
Education
Networking
The educational opportunities provided by NAILD have become the primary focus of the membership. In recent years NAILD has developed the LS I Education Program to provide basic lighting training for the members and their staff. NAILD is now offering this extraordinary program to non-members. LS I is a ten module program that was designed to quickly educate employees on the basic concepts of lighting. Distributors, Manufacturers Reps, Lighting Maintenance Contractors and Property Managers can all benefit from training their Customer Service and Warehouse staff, as well as new sales or maintenance employees that do not have a lighting background.
NAILD was created 35 years ago to give Lighting Distributors the opportunity to network with colleagues from throughout the country and share ideas and experiences. Networking remains a major aspect of NAILD membership. The primary forum for networking is the annual Conference. Each year NAILD selects a premier resort property to bring the membership together for four days of Networking, training sessions and recreation. Since many of the members are manufacturing companies that provide products or services to distributor members, the conference provides a rare opportunity for distributors to spend time with Continued on page 26
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Industry NEWS
Continued from page 24
and get to know executive level personnel of their major suppliers. The convention schedule provides opportunity to meet and compare notes with other members in formal and informal settings. NAILD has a Linkedin Group where participants can pose a question, express an opinion or share experiences online, 24/7. The monthly “A Light Lunch” session allows for member interaction within the context of the given topic. There is also an email forum called “NAILD-Talk” whereby members can pose a question, express a concern or request input on a product.
Technology The resources of NAILD allow members to be on the cutting edge of lighting technology. The educational programs ensure that NAILD distributors possess the technical competence to provide the right lighting solutions for their customers. The annual convention brings in speakers with expertise in the new lighting technologies. NAILD is an organization of distributors and manufacturers facilitating the flow of information on new products. A NAILD distributor is well prepared to offer the best lighting solution to any facility.
Other Benefits NAILD members can become an ENERGY STAR partner with their NAILD membership. This permits the use of the logo of ENERGY STAR, a voluntary public-private partnership co-sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy, on your communications.
The annual conference features a trade show of the Vendor members in a much smaller and relaxed environment compared to the major trade shows. There is also a Product Showcase of new offerings from the Vendors. In conjunction with the trade show NAILD schedules 20 minute oneon-one sessions between vendor and distributor members. These discussions are held at a much higher level than is typical of a vendor meeting back at the office. “Today’s Lighting Distributor” (TLD), is the official publication of NAILD. The quarterly issues contain official NAILD news, industry trends and the latest in product information. Several times per year NAILD organizes a “Road Shows” where a Vendor member hosts an event at their facility for local Distributor members and prospective NAILD members. The event consists of product presentations and networking in a small group setting. Lighting, as a market segment, has evolved into one of the most dynamic and rapidly growing sectors in our economy. Our industry sees an ever increasing appetite for energy-efficient lamps, ballasts, fixtures, controls and solutions. NAILD member companies are uniquely positioned to guide customers through this brave new world of lighting. For more information on membership or on the LS I lighting training program contact the NAILD office at 800-205-6210 or go to www.naild.org. ❏
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Electrical Products & Solutions • November 2012
Kevin Eagan serves on the Board of Directors of NAILD and is a Co-Owner of Northwest Lighting Systems Co.
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Industry NEWS
Immedion and Toshiba are a Reliable Team TOSHIBA’S G9000 UNINTERRUPTIBLE POWER SYSTEMS
are a favorite of many colocation service providers due to its industryleading efficiency, small footprint, attractive design, and superior reliability. Among them is Immedion, one of the country’s premier colo providers, based in South Carolina. Rob Moser, Co-founder and COO of Immedion, sums up his company’s mission. “Since 2007, Immedion has helped local companies keep their data, systems, and applications safe, secure, and always accessible. As South Carolina’s first and premier data center service provider, Immedion’s objective is to keep customer business-critical data and applications available 100% of the time 24x7x365.” Immedion has four data centers in South Carolina at press time. Their commitment to data security, budget consciousness and an infrastructure management plan that maximizes uptime led them to evaluate and eventually select the Toshiba G9000 as the sole UPS in their Greenville and Columbia, SC properties. Over time, Moser and his team were impressed by the G9000s that they installed in their earlier data centers, but still gave the competition a fair shot at their business when planning their more recent locations. In the end, the G9000 was their choice again. “In 2012, Immedion expanded our Asheville, NC data center, and
built a new data center in Charleston, SC as well”, Moser states. “As part of these expansion efforts, Immedion evaluated UPS systems and technologies from all providers; our criteria were reliability, efficiency, price, and partnership. Once again, we chose the Toshiba G9000 Series UPS. Given the proven performance Continued on page 30
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Industry NEWS Immedion and Toshiba... Continued from page 28
demonstrated by the Toshiba systems installed in our Greenville and Columbia, SC data centers, Toshiba was the correct choice for Immedion’s expansion. This further developed Immedion’s already strong partnership with Toshiba Systems, who now provides UPS systems at all four Immedion data centers.” ABOUT THE TOSHIBA G9000 The G9000 series UPS is a full-IGBT UPS designed specifically for data center loads. It is available in capacities of 80, 100, 160, 225, 300, 500, and 750 kVA and comes with an industry-leading threeyear onsite warranty. It is designed for stand-alone or parallel use in up to eight-unit configurations without requiring the use of special intelligence in the output switchgear cabinet. Using the new Toshiba IGBT technology in the rectifier/converter, DC/DC chopper, and the inverter sections of the UPS, the G9000's double-conversion topology provides an AC/DC/AC efficiency of up to 97% at loads from 50% to 100%. Even at 20% loading, the efficiency remains greater than 96%. This is 10% to 20% better than current industry systems, making the G9000 excellent for N+1 parallel systems where loads are typically 30-40%. Toshiba International Corporation (TIC) is a Toshiba America Inc. (TAI) Group Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Toshiba Corporation. TIC is headquartered in Houston, TX, and employs approximately 1,250 people. TIC provides application solutions to a wide range of industries including industrial, power systems, transmission and distribution systems, and lighting systems. For more information about TIC, please visit http://www.toshiba.com/ind.
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FEATURE • Direct Connect Solar & Electric
Battery Back Up Solutions WHEN THE NEXT STORM or natural disaster hits recently completed a project that guarantees their customer and entire areas are without power, sadly the vast majority of power regardless of what may be going on outside. The inhomeowners, including those with solar, will not be able to stalled system features: 50 REC Group 240W solar modenjoy the comfort that uninterrupted power from a grid-tie ules, SnapNrack racking, 2 Schneider XW 6048s, 3 XW solar electric system with battery back-up provides. Despite MPPT 80-600 high voltage charge controllers, and 24 two recent reductions in system costs, currently less than 1% of volt Deka Unigy II cells making up a 48 VDC battery bank. homes with existing solar currently The batteries are sealed AGM which have a battery back-up system. means they are non-spillable and no Most people do not think about venting is needed. The system also inowning a back-up system until they cludes a Kubota 14kW super silenced When the grid is up lose power for more than a few minback-up generator to charge the battery and the solar system utes. When those minutes turn into bank in the event of extended overcast hours and food begins to spoil, temconditions. While traditional generators is generating more peratures drop or spike and comfort consume quite a bit of fuel and are electricity than the home rather noisy, the Kubota is almost silent disappears. In today’s world even a few hours without power can be and can be programmed to run during is consuming, the tremendously inconvenient. Homenighttime hours. customers’ meter will owners want their power back the moThe system was designed with the ment it drops off. support of the team at AEE Solar; a Calturn backwards giving Thankfully there is an alternative. ifornia based solar product and equipthe homeowner a bank Generating one’s own electricity has ment distributor with over 30 years of become both increasingly and comexpertise. of kWh credits to use monplace across the United States. This type of grid-tie battery back-up Some states even encourage their citsystem may be just the solution your at night or at a later izens to generate their own solar elecnext client is looking for. When the grid date when electricity tricity with favorable interconnection is up and the solar system is generating policies and incentives. Still, the vast more electricity than the home is condemand is higher. majority of solar electric systems do suming, the customers’ meter will turn not have a back-up system tied to backwards giving the homeowner a them and the market potential rebank of kWh credits to use at night or mains. In fact, the demand for such systems far outpaces at a later date when electricity demand is higher. the expertise to sell, install, and maintain them. For inDespite the added costs of battery back-up, the benefit is stallers looking to create a specialized niche for their busiimmediately realized when the next power outage occurs. ness, tapping into the emerging grid-tied solar electric with In areas of frequent power loss, this is a solution that probattery back-up market may be just the answer. vides not only consistent and reliable power, but more imMr. David Zachow and his team at Direct Connect Solar portantly the peace of mind and security that comes with a & Electric in Check, Virginia (www.directconnectsolar.com) warm lit home. ❏ 32
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Product FOCUS Cooper Lighting Introduces Lumark LED Parking Garage/Canopy Luminaire The low-profile Quadcast™ LED luminaire provides adjustable optical control, long life and energy savings. Cooper Lighting, an industry leader committed to delivering innovative products and driving transformational technology in the lighting industry, is pleased to introduce the Lumark Quadcast™ LED Parking Garage/Canopy Luminaire, an economical, high-performing LED solution for parking garage, canopy, stairwell and low-bay installations in which high security illumination and energy savings are needed. With a low-profile design, adjustable rotating optical light panels and easy installation features, the luminaire is an ideal one-for-one replacement for traditional H.I.D., fluorescent and induction light sources, while offering up to 80 percent in energy and maintenance savings compared to traditional HID products. The Lumark Quadcast luminaire offers seamless integration into existing or new spaces. The patent pending low-profile (3-1/2 inches) design includes field-adjustable, lockable, optical light panels for precise aiming and control to meet horizontal and vertical footcandle illumination requirements. Featuring Cooper’s patented AccuLED Optics™ system, the four 4000K CCT LED optical panels rotate 150 degrees and adjust in 15 degree increments. This adjustability vastly improves the cave effect caused by dark ceilings and walls, while improving depth perception and pedestrian and vehicle safety. The LED luminaire consumes only 56 watts while delivering a powerful output of 4,365 lumens and maintains greater than 90 percent initial output after 60,000 hours. Designed for easy installation, the Quadcast luminaire features a universal quick-mount plate that adapts to industrystandard junction boxes. The quick-mount plate is designed with built-in, tool-less click and lock tabs, ensuring a secure installation. A free-swing wire hanger bracket system allows for straightforward electrical connectivity and wire-way inspection. For more information, visit www.quadcastled.com
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Product FOCUS Continental Control Systems Introduces the WattNode® Revenue Line of Electric Power Meters with Revenue-Grade Accuracy New Meters Support BACnet®, LonWorks®, Modbus®, or Pulse Output Continental Control Systems announced today a new line of electric power meters, the WattNode Revenue. These meters are designed for use in applications requiring revenue-grade accuracy. The WattNode Revenue meters meet the accuracy requirements of ANSI C12.1 and C12.20 Class 0.5, and support Modbus, BACnet, or LonTalk® communications protocol or a pulse output. “We are excited to offer our customers meters that meet and exceed the ANSI C12.20 Class 0.5 accuracy requirements. Achieving this goal required a significant engineering effort to improve our meters, current transformers, and calibration systems.” – Nathaniel Crutcher, Director of Engineering, Continental Control Systems The WattNode Revenue marks a new level of performance for the WattNode brand of electric power meters. WattNode meters are used in building automation and energy management systems world-wide and offer a compact, cost-effective, networkable solution for electric power metering. The new WattNode Revenue now brings these same advantages to revenue-grade applications. The WattNode Revenue electric power meters are optimized for tenant submetering in residential and commercial spaces, PV energy generation metering, UMCS metering on military bases, and more. The ANSI C12.1 and C12.20 standards require CTs which meet IEEE C57.13 accuracy, such as the Accu-CT® line of current transformers. The WattNode Revenue meters are designed for 120/208/240 Vac and 277/480 Vac applications. Each meter is calibrated using NIST-traceable equipment following the procedures specified by ANSI C12 metering standards, and is supplied with a certificate of calibration. For more information, visit www.ccontrolsys.com
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Product FOCUS Milwaukee® Introduces Torpedo Levels for Electrical and Plumbing Trades Milwaukee Tool continues to extend its line of hand tools with its first set of levels, a 10-inch Torpedo Level designed for the electrical trade and a 10-inch Reaming Torpedo Level for general contractors and plumbing trades. Both levels take into account the unique needs of their users and provide design elements that enhance their function. “We are always looking at and researching how our core users use their tools every day in the field. We take into account the details,” said Tim Albrecht, vice president of hand tools, Milwaukee Tool. “Both of these levels are more than just a level, their features add benefits to the user’s experience, saving them time and making their job easier.” The 10-inch Torpedo Level has four level vials signifying 0, 30, 45 and 90 degrees. The 30-degree vial makes it ideal for users to place the level on a metal surface and with its built-in rare-earth magnet, bends conduit for running wire. Additionally, the level features two holes for switch and outlet alignment allowing for easy installation of these common parts. The 10-inch Reaming Torpedo Level has three vials centrally placed signifying 0, 45 and 90 degrees. The 0-degree vial has 1/4inch and 1/8-inch markers on both sides to assist with aligning pipes for waste water drainage. Reaming edges allow users to ream PVC pipes from 1/2 to 6-inch in diameter. Additionally, one end is angled and carved to serve as a shovel for clearing dirt. Because vials are centrally placed, they are less likely to be damaged. Both levels have a best-in-class accuracy rating, tested by a special optic meter. The levels are backed by Milwaukee’s Limited Lifetime Warranty. Dedicated to delivering advanced solutions to increase productivity, Milwaukee’s Hand Tool category will continue to grow and offer innovative products. For more information, visit www.milwaukeetool.com
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Platinum Tools® Adds Bridle Rings for Cable Management Now Shipping, Bridle Rings Offer an Efficient, Secure, and Cost Effective Solution for Low-Voltage Installations Platinum Tools®, the leader in solutions for the preparation, installation and hand termination of wire and cable, is proud to announce that it has added Threaded Screw Bridle Rings to its extensive inventory of lowvoltage cable management solutions. “We are now shipping our new threaded screw Bridle Rings for low-voltage installations,” explained John Phillips, Platinum Tools, Inc. product manager. “They attach with beam clamps on flanges up to a half inch. There are various diameter sizes and standard thread configurations available. This new line of Bridle Rings complements our extensive line of J-Hooks for an additional cable management solution.” For more information, visit www.platinumtools.com
NAILD The National Association of Independent Lighting Distributors (NAILD) has developed an online Lighting Training Program that is now available to non-members. The LS I program consists of ten online modules designed to train your staff in basic lighting concepts. There is no quicker way for Distributors, Manufacturers Reps and Lighting Maintenance Contractors to provide novice staff members with basic lighting knowledge. For more information, visit www.naild.org
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Advertiser INDEX 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 AEE SOLAR AEMC INSTRUMENTS ARPI OF USA BRADY WORLDWIDE BYTE BROTHERS CONDUIT REPAIR SYSTEMS CONTINENTAL CONTROL SYSTEMS, LLC COPPER WIRE STRIPPER/RACK-A-TIERS E-Z METER EXTECH INSTRUMENTS FLIR GENERATOR INTERLOCK TECHNOLOGIES GENSCO HB BRACKETS HIOKI USA ICC KRENZ & COMPANY MEGGER MH RHODES/CRAMER COMPANY
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Company MINUTEMAN UPS MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC POWER PRODUCTS, INC. NATIONAL WIRE & CABLE NORTHWEST LIGHTING SYSTEMS PHASE-A-MATIC QUICK MOUNT PV SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC SNAPNRACK SOKKIA SOUTHWIRE STEELMAN INDUSTRIES STRIP-TEC SUMMIT TECHNOLOGY, INC. T3 INNOVATION THE HOME DEPOT TOSHIBA INTERNATIONAL UNDERGROUND DEVICES UTILITY METALS YOKOGAWA CORPORATION
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