The History of Ericson

For over 104 years Ericson has engineered and manufactured safe, code-compliant electrical products for the safety industry. From our first product, the insulated handlamp, patented in 1918, to our extensive line of temporary Jobsite Power and Lighting Products, over the past century, Ericson has led the industry in producing safe, jobsite power and lighting products for workers in a wide variety of applications.

Since our initial insulated handlamp patent in 1918, Ericson developed and patented the original overmolded string light, seen in various forms throughout the world today. The industrial version of this string light continues to serve critical industries including the United States Navy, who began use before WWII and continues even today. Ericson’s support of our troops in national defense is seen throughout all branches of the military, with maintenance and task lighting aboard ships, aircraft, and ground support vehicles.

Recognizing a need for a safer electrical plug to power crucial lighting and power products, Ericson patented the first “Safety Plug” in the late 1920s. This dead front rubber design was significantly safer than phenolic or even ceramic plugs and connectors that were prone to breakage and exposed workers to hazardous electrical shock. Today, this design is seen throughout all electrical plugs and connectors.

As lighting became more portable, including use in hazardous locations, Ericson responded with a hazardous location handlamp, originally patented in the 1930s. This handlamp is used extensively today in critical industries, lighting hazardous spaces with safe compliant lighting products.

In 1959, Ericson developed and patented the first nonmetallic electrical box for portable jobsite power, significantly reducing electrical shock hazards to workers. In 1970, Ericson further expanded this patent with the first portable box with GFCI Protection.

Ericson expanded development for a smaller, more portable GFCI and patented the first “go anywhere” In-Line GFCI in 1990. This significantly expanded GFCI portability and safety for all electrical cords. Today, Ericson is the first to produce compliant to UL943-5th Edition for Self-Testing GFCI’s.

Realizing the need for safer portable power in critical food and beverage industries where the water intrusion can be fatal, Ericson patented several water-tight plug and connector products in 1970, exceeding industry standards with critical IP69K level performance.

In the food and beverage industry, antimicrobial contamination can be devastating. In 2014, Ericson patented the only antimicrobial portable cord and water-tight plugs and connectors with its line of Perma-Kleen products— preventing the threat of E coli, Salmonella, Listeria, and other dangerous bacterial contamination.

Serving critical portable and temporary lighting in harsh and hazardous areas, Ericson further developed their patented linear SL String Light. This patented and award-winning design serves harsh, wet, and washdown environments, providing safe, quality, LED-efficient lighting. You’ll find this product used extensively in the most demanding industrial, food and beverage, mining, and petrochemical applications.

After 104 years providing safe Jobsite Power and Lighting Solutions, Ericson proudly continues development and production of safe electrical products in the USA.

Learn more about Ericson’s century long dedication to worksite safety at www.ericson.com.

Ericson has led the industry in producing safe, jobsite power and lighting products for workers in a wide variety of applications.

After 104 years providing safe Jobsite Power and Lighting Solutions, Ericson proudly continues development and production of safe electrical products in the USA.