EPS Magazine February 2015

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CONTENTS

PUBLISHER

Danny J. Salchert OFFICE MANAGER

Anita Salchert ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Bart Beason bart@epsmag.net CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Derek Gaylard CIRCULATION DIRECTOR

Pam Fulmer CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Andrew Savage • Jeff Jowett Ed Rousselot • Jack Boesch

6 FEATURES 6

Solar Trackers Help Homeowners, Businesses Save Money with Solar

By Andrew Savage

12 24

Testing Copper for Voice, Video & Data Transmission

By Jeff Jowett and Ed Rousselot

Electric Radiant Floor Heat – A Hot Source of New Business

By Jack Boesch

DEPARTMENTS 32 Product Focus 40 Ad Index

ON THE COVER Photo provided by Megger

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Electrical Products & Solutions • February 2015

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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FEATURE • AllEarth Renewables

Solar Trackers Help Homeowners, Businesses Save Money with Solar

By Andrew Savage

W

hen the North Bay’s largest recycler of rubble materials saw their electric bills double overnight due to a rate redesign, they looked to solar to help.

Through local solar installer North Coast Solar, the Soiland Company recently commissioned a 202 kW installation of 33 AllEarth Solar Trackers in Cotati, California.

The 52 year old company provides innovative approaches to construction and material supply needs, producing rock, soil, and compost products at their three locations in Sonoma County, California.

They are a leading recycler of rubble materials in the area.

“The decision to go solar not only made economic sense, but really aligned with Soiland’s environmental values. Since the Soiland Company’s inception, we have always strived to be as sustainable and environmentally responsible as possible,” said Mark Soiland, the second generation owner of Soiland. The company first went solar in 2007 and has pursued other environmental measures, such as equipment upgrades to reduce smog even before it was required by state regulations.

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Working with their local utility, the A 202kW solar farm of AllEarth Trackers newly installed system will help Soiland provides energy and savings to the Soiland Company in Cotati, CA. cut their energy bills by more than half and is projected to pay for itself in just seven years.

AllEarth Renewables to bring their innovLocal installer North Coast Solar re- ative solar tracker to northern California. cently partnered with the Vermont-based AllEarth Renewables is growing a naAllEarth Solar Tracker manufacturer tional network of solar Continued on page 8

Electrical Products & Solutions • February 2015

Tracker installation underway at the job site.

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FEATURE • AllEarth Renewables

installers to sell and install their turn-key product to homeowners and businesses.

The solar trackers use GPS technology to accurately follow the sun from dawn to dusk, producing up to 45 percent more energy than fixed rooftop or ground mounted systems.

The dual axis tracker has been named a top product of the year by Electrical Products and Solutions, Solar Power World, and garnered a “Top-10 Green Product of the Year” by Building Green magazine.

The trackers arrive to the installer or directly on the job site on pallets fully preengineered, cutting out both project design time and product procurement. They are also designed to be installed in a day utilizing standard equipment, giving opportunity for existing businesses to expand into the quickly growing solar market.

More than 2,800 of the tracking units are operating throughout the United States today.

“When the Soilands approached me about helping them reduce their sharply escalated electric bill I turned to AllEarth Renewables in Vermont. Their AllEarth Solar Tracker gives the best return on their investment with significantly higher electrical output during the day. It will help with stabilizing their energy budget over the long term and reduce inflation risk. It will 8

Continued from page 6

provide decades of energy cost security for this local green business leader,” said Brian Hines of North Coast Solar.

“By producing more energy from the sun we can boost the return on investment for solar customers,” President and CEO of AllEarth Renewables, David Blitters-

Solar trackers are being used to power the energy needs of homes and businesses.

dorf added. “We’ve designed our product to be easily installed by trades professionals looking to get into the growing solar market.” ❏

The AllEarth Solar Tracker System Streamlines Shipping & Installation Now anyone in the trades can get into the growing solar industry with a full pre-engineerd solar tracking system. The AllEarth Solar Tracker’s complete pallet system allows for simplified shipping of the dual-axis solar tracker directly to the installer or job site. Utilizing the rails of the tracker’s frame, the pallet and AllEarth Solar Tracker system vastly simplifies supply chain management and installation by including the entire tracker and materials necessary for a complete installation, reducing procurement time and the cost of The AllEarth Solar Tracker system sourcing materials. streamlines shipping, system design, The fully pre-engineered system can accommodate procurement, and installation. either 20 or 24 modules for 5kW-10+kW systems, includes free lifetime monitoring, and can be shipped free the same day it is ordered. The modules and base can be purchased separately, eliminating the need for costly project procurement. Each tracker includes GPS and wireless technology to precisely follow the sun and maximize production.

Designed and manufactured in America for projects large and small, the AllEarth Solar Tracker has been used for residential and small commercial installations throughout the United States.

Electrical Products & Solutions • February 2015

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FEATURE • Megger

Testing Copper for Voice, Video & Data Transmission

By Jeff Jowett and Ed Rousselot

U

pon its introduction to the telephone industry, fiber optic cabling was immediately hailed as the wave of the future. Copper was on its way out. Almost forty years later, it’s time to rethink. Bell Operating Companies together report 605,000 miles of fiber installed. Sounds like a lot, but compare that to a reported 3.1 MILLION miles of copper! Similarly, the FCC reports 80% of cable sheaths in the US are still copper. The challenge now is to optimize the performance of copper rather than to replace it. And the primary challenge is speed. These often OLD copper lines must now accommodate what is called Triple Play service: Voice, Data, and Video. Comparing required data rates gives a measure of the heightened demands placed on copper lines: ISDN 144 kbps (kilo bits per second), ADSL 1 1.5 Mbps (Mega bits per second), ADSL 2 8 Mbps, VDSL 2 52 Mbps!

Proofing and maintaining copper lines against such heavy demand requires a seemingly bewildering regime of specifically detailed tests. Fortunately, most of the work can be done quickly, efficiently and reliably by a single test instrument, the Copper Wire Analyzer. The tester is connected to the cable by a short lead set, and for most tests the connection follows established tip, ring, and ground configuration. A few of the more complex tests require an additional connection. Once connected, most testing is performed by merely selecting the appropriate key from the menu. Some tests may require an additional step or two from the operator, but most require no more than initialization.

The results appear on the display, and on to the next test. The initially complex array of tests is readily organized into a familiar procedure.

Lead sets for testing twisted pair are typically color-coded, using industry-standard terminology, as black for “tip”, red

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for “ring”, green for ground, and yellow for RFL and TDR applications. They are terminated in “bed o’ nails” clips, where a sharp point can pierce insulation to make contact with the conductor, yet not extensively damage the wire. Following is a de-

Electrical Products & Solutions • February 2015

scription of the various tests and their results.

The first test to perform is the AC/DC Voltage Test. Always check AC voltage first. It can kill you! Leads are connected in standard configuration Continued on page 14

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FEATURE • Megger

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as mentioned, black to tip, red to ring, green to ground. Voltage levels are shown in three configurations: tip to ring, tip to ground, and ring to ground. Less than 10 volts can generally be tolerated, but greater amplitudes can lead to noise problems and safety issues. Next, a Loop Current Test is performed. A typical range for loop current measurement is zero to 100 mA. Greater than 23 mA is considered acceptable while less than 20 represents an unsatisfactory condition. The narrow band from 20 to 23 is marginal. It can be considered passing but is not high quality.

A Leakage Test gives an indication of the quality of the insulation. Leakage current is that which passes through the insulation and eventually finds its way to ground. The more leakage current that flows, the greater is the deterioration of the insulating material through moisture ingress, cracking, contamination, localized damage, and so on. For this test, the green lead is connected to the shield, or to ground for unshielded cable. A typical range is 1

Megohm (1 MΩ) to 1 Gigohm (1 GΩ). The leakage test can be used to identify galvanic corrosion. To implement this test, the tester will provide a reverse polarity function.

Measurements are taken for 15 seconds in both normal and reverse polarity and for each of the three configurations, tip to ring, tip to ground, and ring to ground. Look for sudden increases in resistance or fluctuating readings. These are indications of galvanic corrosion breakdown or evaporation of moisture. The leakage test is comple-

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Electrical Products & Solutions • February 2015

mented by the Resistance Test, which measures resistance in the three common configurations of tip to ring and then each to ground. A typical range is zero to 1 Megohm.

An important indicator of the quality of the circuit is the Stress Test, which can then be enhanced with a Super Stress Test. These tests compare the two legs, depending on lead hookup, and the results are expressed in decibels. It is a measure of longitudinal balance. The stress test is measured in a range of +30 to +80 dB, and the super stress from -10 to +30 dB. Less than 20 dBrn is considered “good”; 20 to 30 is marginal, and greater than 30 bad. Testers perform these functions sequentially and automatically, once the stress test is selected.

The stress test is performed first and, if passed, followed by the super stress. If the stress test is unsatisfactory, the super stress is not performed. Adequate mutual capacitance between the tested Continued on page 16 pair and ground or

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FEATURE • Megger

Continued from page 14

shield should be checked. This is accomplished by disconnecting either tip or ring after the super stress result is indicated. This causes maximum imbalance and the super stress reading should be ≥ 70 dBrn. Lower readings indicate an open shield or need for an improved ground.

The super stress can identify various faults: high-resistance opens, capacitive imbalances (length differences), imbalance in load coils, crosses, split pairs, and grounds. It will NOT identify shorted pairs. These are balanced and will therefore produce an acceptable reading. They can be discovered by performing the leakage or resistance tests. High resistance series faults causing noise will have stress and super stress readings <30 dBrn if there is less than 1000 feet of wire beyond the fault. Test from both directions. In cases of unacceptable readings, the pair can be divided into sections and tested; stress and super stress readings become higher the closer to the fault.

Thanks to the relative consistency of twisted pair cable (compared to power cable, for instance), the capacitance specification can be used to measure circuit length. The standard for twisted pair outside-plant cable in the US is 0.083 μF/mile tip to ring capacitance, and 0.134 μF/mile tip or ring to shield. A quality tester can be expected to have an adjustment function to implement other values if desired.

This is commonly called an Open Meter Test, and a range of zero to 50,000 feet is representative. Both distance and capaci-

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Electrical Products & Solutions • February 2015

tance can be displayed. This test should not be performed where a Central Office battery is present, and both ends should be open.

Line quality tests include Circuit Loss, Circuit Noise, and Power Influence. These tests are performed “off hook”. Circuit loss range is typically -40 to +10 dBm. A reference tone is sent and when received, the circuit loss reading will display. Local standards may vary but zero to -8.5 dB is generally acceptable, -8.6 to -10 marginal, < -10 dB bad. Similarly, the Circuit Noise Test employs the Central Office quiet line termination test number which is dialed and when connected the circuit noise level will be displayed. Typical values are zero to 20 dBrnC for an acceptable circuit, 21 to 30 marginal, and greater than 30 dBrnC a bad circuit. Finally, a Power Influence Test may be performed. This also utilizes the quiet line termination test number to close the circuit and display the power influence reading. Again, standards may vary, but reasonable levels are 60 to Continued on page 18

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FEATURE â&#x20AC;˘ Megger

Continued from page 16

80 dBrnC for acceptable, 81 to 90 marginal, and greater than 90 is bad.

Another useful function is the Load Coil Test. This will detect and display the number of load coils and provide a graphic display. But there are caveats that must be observed to make effective use of this capability. Presence of AC or DC current will inhibit the display of the cor-

rect number. CO battery removal is recommended. And there are typically distance limitations. Load coils within a limited distance of the unit, such as 500 feet, may not be detected. There must be 3000 feet of cable beyond the last coil in order for that coil to register. These limitations can be circumvented by testing from both ends.

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Electrical Products & Solutions â&#x20AC;˘ February 2015

A Wideband Spectrum Analyzer function will identify the frequency and amplitude of an input signal. It can measure noise from extraneous inductive sources and identify the source. Appropriate frequency ranges may be selected for scanning. Representative ranges are zero to 2.5 MHz, zero to 14.7 MHz, and zero to 33.2 MHz. A range of frequencies with their magnitudes will be displayed in a graphic, and by moving a cursor the corresponding frequency and amplitude are displayed.

These measurements are valuable in identifying service interrupters. The frequency indicates whether the source is AC and harmonics outside the cable or crosstalk within the cable. Wide band tones such as 20, 50, 100 kHz up to values like 2, 5 and 9 MHz, plus ADSL multi-tone, ADSL2+ multi-tone, and VDSL multi-tone are available. A Voice Band Spectrum Analyzer Test does essentially the same function, scanned over the appropriate frequency ranges like 200 Hz, 577 Hz, 1, 2, 5 and 10 kHz. As has been stated, multiple test functions indicate the presence of various problems on the line. The exact LOCATION of the problem can be pinpointed with the Time Domain Reflectometer (TDR) function. This operation sends a tone down the line which echoes off any change in impedance, returns to the tester, and the time of the return along with the velocity of propagation for the cable are used to calculate distance. Since only a portion of the energy is reflected, the remainder continues down the line and reflects from other faults. A trace is displayed and by moving a cursor the distance to successive faults can be determined. Some testers have dual channel operation so that two lines can be compared, their traces added or subtracted Continued on page 20 to enhance subtle dif-

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FEATURE • Megger

Continued from page 18

ferences. The pulse can be sent on one line and returned on the other to indicate crosstalk, and there may be an intermittent function to reveal events occurring at irregular intervals.

A Ringer Test gives a ringer equivalency number, or REN. This is the ringer loading effect on the line. A REN of one is equivalent to the loading effect of a single traditional ringing circuit, two bells with a clapper between. Modern sets may have a lower REN. An Impulse Noise Test permits a dBm threshold level to be set for noise detection, varying with filter selection setting; HDSL 5 to 245 kHz, ADSL 20 kHz to 1.2 MHz, ADSL2 20 kHz to 2.2 MHz, or Max VDSL 20 kHz to 30 MHz. The display will then indicate such data as a continuous tally of hits that reach the set trigger level, the continuous duration time of an uninterrupted test, and hits that are three dB lower and three dB higher than the set level. These indicate whether a line is marginally passing or marginally failing, respectively.

A Ground Test function measures the resistance between the Central Office ground and the local ground. A Resistance Fault Locator function can locate resistive faults less than 20 MΩ. In order for the test to work, the opposite end must be strapped, either between the fault wire and a known good wire or a good pair. There must be at least one good wire in the section of cable to be inspected. It must be of the same length and gauge and in the same sheath as the faulted wire. Alternatively, a second good PAIR can be used which does not have to meet these requirements.

So the cable being tested is strapped at the far end and connected to the tester at the near end, with the suspected fault between.

Various data relevant to the cable and conditions are entered and the tester will then indicate distance to strap, distance to fault, and fault to strap.

Finally, there are xDSL Capable models. These testers utilize a modem card to interface with the CO (DSLAM) to measure communication parameters such as

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Electrical Products & Solutions • February 2015

upstream and downstream speed, signal to noise ratios, percent utilization and more. A BINS graph and rates and levels table can be displayed and IP addresses can be stored and pinged. There are Vectored Capable models. This ability is otherwise invisible to the operator, but using a non-vectored unit on a vectored system can cause the system to crash. Data speed in kbps is displayed, as well as attainable rate and percent capacity. Line attenuation (total power transmitted versus total power received) is indicated.

The testing can be further streamlined by sophisticated models that offer Autotest functions, where the operator can program the entire sequence of desired tests and subsequently need only select and engage in order to perform an entire testing regime. Use of a Copper Wire Analyzer enables the service technician to fully test and condition a line for maximum speed and performance, reducing and eliminating outages, customer dissatisfaction, and costly backup service calls. ❏

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FEATURE • MP Global Products

Electric Radiant Floor Heat – A Hot Source of New Business

By Jack Boesch

I

nstalling radiant heating over a subfloor under a new hard surface floor as a business opportunity for electricians? Perhaps surprisingly, it is not such a stretch!

In fact, installing an electric radiant heating product designed to serve as a source of supplemental heat can be a very good way to add value to a residential or light commercial electrical project. Indeed, if you are already ‘in the house’ and new construction, renovations or additions require new flooring, it can certainly make a lot of sense to recommend installation of an electric radiant heating system.

There are two types of radiant heat systems used in residential and light commercial installations: a hydronic system, which requires many components and installation

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of a piping system and a heat source to warm the water that will flow through it and which is not a suitable undertaking for electricians; and an electric system, which utilizes only a few components wired together and are typically easy to install.

Electric radiant floor heating systems are popular options, nowadays, for new additions, renovations, and rooms at the far extremes of primary heating systems. Electric radiant heat is popular in kitchens, children’s bedrooms, bathrooms, dens, entryways, laundry areas, sunrooms, and anyplace a bit of extra warmth would be appreciate. The generated warmth feels great

Electrical Products & Solutions • February 2015

under bare feet and is certainly enjoyed by toddlers and their parents (and pets) playing on the floor. Both low voltage and line voltage systems are available and each type requires the services of an electrician at the end of the line for the Continued on page 26

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FEATURE • MP Global Products final hookup to the power source.

An electric radiant heat system for residential and light commercial installations utilizes three main components: • Heating panels - either a film that, typically, installs between the subfloor and the finished floor or over underlayment above the subfloor and under the finished flooring material, or a mat that contains embedded heating elements and installs over a subfloor and under the finished flooring • A GFCI thermostat that generally installs on the wall and provides the means for local activation and control • A sensor installed in the floor to keep tabs on the temperature of the floor, rather than of the air in the room, enabling a reading closer to what temperature requirements actually are.

Continued from page 24

free, with the generated warmth distributing evenly across the floor. Plus – because under floor systems do not take up any floor space, they will not interfere with window treatments or furniture placement.

There are systems available for installation under a wide variety of flooring, including wood, floating wood, laminate, and ceramic tile.

For example, MP Global Products Perfectly Warm® Radiant Heat Film for Floating Floors, a rollout line voltage system which uses an ultra-efficient wireless filament configuration, is designed to generate gentle heat under a variety of floating floor materials, including laminate, engineered

There are several attractive features of electric radiant heat systems: there are no ducts to install and no moving parts (and therefore no required maintenance) and the generated heat is silent, odor-free and draft-

JACK BOESCH is the director of marketing at MP Global Products L.L.C., Norfolk, NE, an innovator and leader in the manufacture of made-in-America fiber acoustic and radiant heat underlayments. For more information on radiant heat underlayments, please visit www.quietwalk.com or call 888-379-9695.

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wood, luxury vinyl flooring, and some floating tile floors. Each panel has wires pre-attached at one end for ease of installation. It installs quickly in just one day over a subfloor or acoustic underlayment, without any mess, mortar or glue.

The film generates gradual evenly consistent supplemental warmth from low wattage resistance heating of ultra-thin, flexible radiant heat film. Using just 12 watts per square foot, the system conforms to the warranty requirements of many floating floors. Four sizes of film rolls (cut-able between the rows of conductive ink with ordinary scissors) will accommodate most any room layout. ❏

Electrical Products & Solutions • February 2015

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Product FOCUS

The Ericson Manufacturing Company Expands Perma-Kleen™ Anti-microbial Product Offering Ericson Manufacturing is pleased to announce a revolutionary step in the fight against bacterial contamination and growth with the introduction of Perma-Kleen™ Anti-microbial Plugs, Connectors, Cable, Cord Drops, and Cord Sets.

The Perma-Kleen™ Anti-microbial advantage brings a practical approach to controlling microbial growth by embedding anti-microbial additives directly into the polymer providing continual, long lasting protection. Inhibiting bacterial contamination is an ongoing task at any food or beverage processing facility and this can finally be achieved utilizing Ericson’s revolutionary anti-microbial product solutions.

“Ericson is excited to be leading the industry with these innovative products capable of delivering exceptional protection against microbial growth, even on hidden hard to clean surfaces,” said Jon Semancik, Ericson’s Product Manager. “Independent testing reveals the ability of these devices to inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, such as Escherichia (E. Coli) and Staphylococcus (Staph), reducing surface bacteria by >99.98%, providing long lasting benefits to manufacturers beyond traditional cleaning methods.”

Ericson’s Perma-Kleen™ line is resistant to high pressure hose-down, as well as, strong cleaning agents and will continue to inhibit the growth of bacteria, mold, mildew and fungi even when nicked or scraped, which causes additional anti-microbial additives to bloom to the surface. Ideal for new or existing installations, these cost effective solutions deliver unparalleled confidence and peace of mind from knowing that every possible step has been taken to protect consumers.

For more information, visit www.ericson.com

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Product FOCUS General Cable’s MOR® POLYRAD® XT-125 Type P Unarmored CableVRecognized by UL for Hazardous Locations General Cable (NYSE: BGC) is pleased to announce that MOR® Polyrad® XT-125 unarmored Type P cables* have been added to its Hazardous Location (HL) line of products. Hazardous Locations, as defined by NEC 501 and API RP14F, may vary from extreme sub-zero drilling temperatures in the coldest regions to high-temperature conditions within motors and other devices. MOR Polyrad XT-125 cable with a Type TC-ER-HL listing provides maximum flexibility and flameretardant characteristics, along with resistance to environmental conditions, and has excellent mechanical properties.

“Our TC-ER-HL certified MOR Polyrad XT-125 cables offer the flexibility needed in tight, space-limited hazardous applications, while meeting the crush and impact resistance requirements of an armored cable,” said General Cable’s Tim Waters, Advanced Engineer, Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Products. “Designed and engineered to the toughest standards, these cables preserve the operational integrity of essential equipment while providing increased safety and productivity, and deliver unmatched reliability, performance and cost-effectiveness.”

From CCW® low- and medium-voltage continuously corrugated welded armor cables and MOR Polyrad XT-125 Type P mud oil-resistant constructions designed for hazardous installations to Carol® Brand cord products listed for extra hard usage, today’s industrial applications rely on General Cable’s product solutions for safe, reliable, and economic installations. Our extensive cable portfolio covers all applications within Hazardous (Classified) Locations, and all are designed to ensure optimal production uptime and compliance with the applicable safety standards for such environments.

For more information, visit www.GeneralCable.com

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Product FOCUS

Milwaukee® Provides Fastest Charging Solution in the Industry Milwaukee Tool continues to deliver productivity-enhancing solutions to the professional tradesman with the introduction of a charging station that has the ability to charge 6 packs 4X faster than previous offerings. The M18™ & M12™ Rapid Charge Station (48-59-1807) can charge 3 batteries simultaneously, each individual pack charging up to 40% faster.

“With the rapid expansion of the M18™ and M12™ systems, there is a growing demand to not only charge both platforms, but do so faster and more productively,” said Christian Coulis, Director of Product Management for Milwaukee Tool. “Whether the Rapid Charge Station is used by a single person or large crew, they can have confidence it will turn packs around at an accelerated pace – minimizing downtime and increasing productivity on the jobsiteAs pack capacities continue to increase and more users migrate from corded to high powered cordless tools, the M18™ & M12™ Rapid Charge Station is built to supply ample power to even the most demanding worksite. With a growing customer base using both M18™ and M12™ tools, the new unit has the capacity to hold up to (3) M18™ batteries and (3) M12™ batteries. This allows multiple users to charge off the one station, freeing up remaining outlets, and will reduce the amount of time spent changing out batteries, increasing productivity on the jobsite.

Featuring REDLINK™ Intelligence hardware and software, the station is equipped with the most advanced electronic system on the market. REDLINK™ monitors the health of the battery packs, protecting against over charge and over discharge. Each pack has a unique charging profile, fully optimizing its’ speed and life. As an added level of communication, the charger indicates an 80% state of charge by a slow, green flashing light. Rather than waiting until the pack is fully charged, this allows the user to pull a battery off of the charger sooner and have the confidence that they can still complete a significant amount of work.

For more information, visit www.milwaukeetool.com

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Electrical Products & Solutions • February 2015

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0215EPSp28-40_Company Spotlight 2/11/15 10:57 AM Page 38

Product FOCUS LaMar Lighting Launches Second Generation of Occu-smart® LED Luminaires Made in USA, Occu-smart® Line of Bi-Level Lighting Offers Enhanced Performance & Superior Components LaMar Lighting Company introduces the second generation of its LED occu-smart® series of motion-sensor controlled bi-level lighting, which delivers ample illumination when the space is occupied and dims down for energy-savings the rest of the time. The new fixtures feature superior LED components made in the USA and offer enhanced performance optimized for bi-level lighting applications.

The second generation of occu-smart is equipped with a new LED driver that allows installers to adjust full-output light levels in the field. Additionally, the fixtures offer the option of multiple low-light, or standby, levels, with energy savings up to 88% of full output during unoccupied times. Standby wattages are as low as 3.5W for the two-foot model and 5W for the four-foot model. The time delay feature can also be customized to suit the needs of a specific application.

LaMar Lighting also selected new LED boards for this generation of occu-smart. Made in the USA, the LED boards feature metal core printed circuit boards, which allow for cooler operation than most fiberglass composite boards, and are made with high-quality Samsung 5630 LEDs. Ultra-sonic sensors used in occu-smart luminaires have proven superior to other sensor types, triggering light levels from low to high at the slightest motion, including opening of the door, and ensuring that a person always walks into a brightly lit space.

Occu-smart has grown to become a leading motion-sensor controlled bi-level lighting technology in the US. It is most frequently installed in staircases, corridors and other seldom occupied spaces but has also been successfully used to save energy in libraries, parking garages and retail applications.

For more information visit www.lamarlighting.com

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Electrical Products & Solutions • February 2015

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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

PG#

RS#

28 14 IFC 39 7 40 20 27 22 31 4 17 20 34 34 BC 18 16 11 9 26 28

47 40 1 27 8 55 43 20 17 23 6 14 44 49 50 3 42 41 11 9 46 51

2015 BATTCON CONFERENCE ADVANCED TEST EQUIPMENT AEMC INSTRUMENTS ALBER CORPORATION ALLEARTH RENEWABLES, INC. AMERICAN CONNECTORS, INC. BOLT STAR/CONSTRUCTION INNOVATIONS BROTHER MOBILE SOLUTIONS, INC. CABLE GLYDZ LLC CLEAR-VU LIGHTING CONDUIT REPAIR SYSTEMS COPPER DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION DABMAR LIGHTING E-Z METER ELECDIRECT.COM LLC GARDNER BENDER GENERATOR INTERLOCK TECHNOLOGIES GREAVES USA HB BRACKETS HIOKI USA KOLBI PIPE MARKER CO. KRENZ & COMPANY

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Electrical Products & Solutions • February 2015

Company LIGHT EFFICIENT DESIGN MEGGER MH RHODES/CRAMER COMPANY MINUTEMAN UPS MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC POWER PRODUCTS MP GLOBAL PRODUCTS LLC NORTHWEST LIGHTING SYSTEMS PHASE-A-MATIC PLATINUM TOOLS POWER & TEL POWER-ONE RANDL INDUSTRIES SEPCO SMALLPC.COM SOKKIA SP PRODUCTS, INC. SURGE SUPPRESSION INC. TCP TOPCON TRIPLETT/BYTE BROTHERS UNDERGROUND DEVICES UTILITY METALS

PG#

RS#

5 19 40 30 3 25 37 28 33 21 29 35 15 26 IBC 32 36 23 13 1 38 10

7 15 54 22 5 19 26 52 24 16 21 25 13 45 2 48 56 18 12 4 53 10

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