EPS Magazine May 2017

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CONTENTS

PUBLISHER

Danny J. Salchert OFFICE MANAGER

Anita Salchert CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Derek Gaylard CIRCULATION DIRECTOR

Pam Fulmer CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Rachel Wilkin

6 COVER STORY 6 Raising the Bar for Higher Power The Advantages of Overhead Power Distribution in Data Centers

By Rachel Wilkin

CASE STUDIES 16 Boise Data Center Guarantees 100 Percent Uptime All-Copper Grounding Systems Ensure Reliability, Lower Maintenance Costs

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Fire and Life Safety a Top Priority at University of Arizona

DEPARTMENTS 32 Product Spotlights 40 Ad Index ON THE COVER Photo courtesy of Starline

CORRECTION In the April 2017 Buyer’s Guide we inadvertently listed Bolt Star by their old name and address. We sincerely apologize for the mistake. The correct listing should be as follows: Bolt Star LLC 4120 Douglas Blvd. #306-527 Granite Bay, CA 95746-5936 844-380-STAR (7827) www.bolt-star.com

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Electrical Products & Solutions • May 2017

PRESIDENT

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.

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cover STORY

Starline

Raising the Bar for

Higher Power The Advantages of Overhead Power Distribution in Data Centers

By Rachel Wilkin

W

e often take for granted the infrastructure necessary to support our increasingly digitized and interconnected world. This demand for bandwidth is only growing, and with it, so is the demand for power.

Mission critical facilities need to be larger to accommodate for more servers, and facilities managers need to be able to quickly address this constant need for additional capacity. In order to support the extra elements required, worldwide IT spending on servers, power and cooling, and management/administration has rapidly increased over the past decade.

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But other than just an increase in costs, the need for a higher voltage of power poses additional challenges.

To accommodate this need, overhead power distribution systems emerged within the data center arena within the past decade or two, and quickly began rising to the challenge of providing increasing amperages of power.

stalled onto a steel grid resting on stanchions 2 to 4 feet above a slab floor, have been deployed for cooling purposes. The perforated tiles that make up the floor allow for cool air to flow out of the below passage and onto the server racks.

However, this underfloor area also houses whips and cables that supply power to the racks. As a data center space grows, more server racks are inPast Power: “The Way It stalled which require more power, in turn Always Was” creating more and more cables under the When building a data center, power and raised floor; ultimately restricting the cooling are two of the top priorities. His- flow of cool air and completely contratorically, raised floors, or concrete tiles in- dicting the purpose of Continued on page 8

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Starline Continued from page 6

the excess space to begin with.

Over time many have realized this drawback of the traditional underfloor method, as well as various others, including the fact that raised floors are costly; maintenance is required to remove unused cables, which tend to be abandoned; and risk of human error while working with circuit breakers and cables that are not clearly associated with a given load.

Higher, Sustainable Busway Power Overhead power distribution—otherwise known as busway systems—directly combat the traditional power solution of whips and cables beneath a raised floor.

These systems have been proven to be both scalable and sustainable solutions to providing power.

Select busway systems also provide a continuous access slot to power- meaning that a data center space will always be cation with a variety of plug-in units, tion costs for dedicated power outlets. prepared for future reconfigurations or ex- eliminating panel boards, long runs of With an overhead bus system, there is pansion. Power can be tapped at any lo- conduit and wire and expensive installa- no need to work on live Continued on page 12

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Starline Continued from page 8

panels or schedule outages to add, move or change outlets. Busway systems eliminate the need to remove and scrap short or undersized cable whips and run new longer or larger ones. Therefore, the risk of unintended potential power outages is avoided and racks can be installed or moved without disrupting operations.

Busways are highly sustainable systems: they can be used for years and years and create much less material waste than the traditional whips and cables method does. Also, in order to cope with today’s ever-increasing server densities, an increase in kW power density is needed, which equates to a related increase in cooling requirements. Before, this would mean additional power cables under the floor that obstruct air flow and thus make cooling more difficult. With an overhead busway system this threat is eliminatedmaking it an extremely energy efficient and safe method for distributing power.

reconfigure electrical outlets and their locations, which increases costs and causes schedule delays.

With a scalable overhead busway system, components and power circuits can be added as needed—without tying up capital and wasting resources—rather than building out the entire facility in the beginning. This is very beneficial for colocation and other facilities that are built out over time. It also means that the cost of maintenance is automatically dropped for the long run, as there is no need to recon- tant to accurately monitor the amount of figure electrical outlet locations and types. power being used. Uptime is everything for mission critical environments, and thus Increased Usable Space unplanned outages must be avoided at all With data center floor space at a pre- costs. Premium overhead power distribumium, every square foot is critical. Over- tion systems are capable of incorporating head busway systems eliminate RPPs, metering units at both the feed and circuit which result in more usable space in the breaker level. Power and energy measuredata center for IT equipment and server ments are captured instantaneously, proracks. In addition, miles of power cables viding the granular data necessary to are eliminated when power outlets or make informed decisions such as enabling drops can be located exactly where they phase balancing as needed.

Flexible & Scalable are needed.

Further potential metering functionalIt is often difficult to know the exact ity includes optional display, daisy-chain electrical design needed at the beginning Monitored Power Usage Ethernet to save on network switch ports, of a project. This can result in the need to In a data center it is especially impor- alarm functions and Continued on page 14

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Starline Continued from page 12

remote communication via an integrated webpage. Having all of these capabilities included within your power distribution system makes it simple for data center managers to intelligently track usage and plan for the future.

goes live—let alone plan for future re- it is clear that the need for additional bandquirements—this will result in expensive width is only going to increase. This addiand time consuming changes that will tional bandwidth results in more and larger have to occur in the future. However, with mission critical facilities and infrastructure, a flexible, adaptable busway system, fu- which require more power. To address this ture changes that require expensive labor challenge in the most efficient way possicharges and potential outages are com- ble, it’s essential to take advantage of the Installation & Future pletely avoided. most up-to-date technology available; as Cost Savings With the world around us becoming opposed to facing the needs of the future Aside from the features and benefits of- more and more dependent on the Internet, with the solution of the past. ❏ fered by busway manufacturers, this type of system provides immediate monetary advantages in terms of installation and fuAbout Universal Electric (Manufacturer of Starline) ture costs. The installation of traditional methods is labor intensive in nature, and Headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, Universal Electric Corporation, a pioneer very costly. Compared to installing a raised in electrical power distribution since 1924, is a world leader in the floor and hundreds or thousands of whips development of customizable power distribution systems. Industry innovators and cables, busway installation is very simfor more than 85 years, the company’s premium, flexible products are ple and not time or labor intensive. designed to fit the electrical power needs of any business in any industry. As When designing a data center with traone of the only companies dedicated exclusively to flexible power distribution ditional electric systems, engineers or deproducts, Universal Electric’s award-winning Starline products have signers must pre-plan every outlet. revolutionized electrical power distribution in data centers, industrial Because it is nearly impossible to predemanufacturing facilities, retail chains, higher education and healthcare termine the power requirements for each facilities worldwide. For more information, visit: www.starlinepower.com rack in each location when a data center

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Copper Development Association

Boise Data Center Guarantees

100 Percent Uptime All-Copper Grounding Systems Ensure Reliability, Lower Maintenance Costs

Among Involta’s newest-generation data centers is this 31,400 square feet facility in Boise, Idaho. The colocation center targets clients who opt to outsource missioncritical services, along with IT consulting and management, in order to concentrate on their core businesses. The center initially comprises two 100-cabinet data halls but was built for a several-fold increase in capacity. Like other Involta data centers, the facility features a robust all-copper grounding system coupled with a full-area lightning protection system. And, like a growing number of mid-sized data centers, it was designed and built to maximize electrical energy efficiency.

I

nvolta is a Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based company that designs, builds and operates mission-critical-class data centers.

Founded in 2007, the company operates 11 centers in six states. It targets clients looking for the flexibility, security and economy of a full-service colocation center including

Figure 1: A portion of data hall No. 1 at the Involta-Boise data center shown shortly after the center’s commissioning in late 2014. Most tenants prefer to cage their cabinets for additional security beyond that offered by the extensive systems in place at the center.

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IT consulting and management. Among Involta’s latest-generation centers is a 31,400 square foot facility located in Boise, Idaho (shown above). Commissioned in December 2014, the center was built with an initial capacity for approximately 150 cabinets drawing 2.5 MW at full load. It can expand to nearly four times its current size and data capacity as business grows. It has two data halls, one of which is now operational (Figure 1). Involta creates and maintains the highest practical level of reliability at its centers to guarantee 100 percent uptime for its tenants. In data center terms, reliability means having lots of built-in redundancy, at least duplicate equipment and/or systems for any mission-critical need. Redundancy can be seen wherever one looks at InvoltaBoise, and most of it involves copper.

Redundant Power System Jeremiah Hinkle has managed Involta’s Boise data center since it opened. He can point out redundant equipment and systems literally from top to bottom. “I should start

Electrical Products & Solutions • May 2017

Figure 2: The Boise center is supplied with two 2.5-MW/12.7-kV feeds. Power is fed to the center via two independent, redundant feeds labeled “Blue” and “Red”.

Figure 3: One of two 2500-kW, 13.5kV/480-V utility transformers serving distribution switchgear in one of the Boise center’s data rooms.

by explaining that we have independent dual power feed systems that extend all the way from the Idaho Power substation (Figure 2) to the customers’ racks,” Hinkle said. “We chose to label them ‘Red’ and ‘Blue’ feeds and color-code them accordingly. Most other centers use ‘A’ and ‘B’ terminology. The substation supplies the center with up to 2.5 MW at 12.7 kV. Power is fed to two step-down utility transformers (Figure 3) that are individually dedicated to one power room apiece, supplying 480 V to our main distribution switchgear. The facility has additional transformers inside the power room to step power down to 208 V for distribution to the data hall and 120 V for the office.

Power enters the facility as the two Red and Blue feeds. In the event that we do experience a utility failure, we’ve implemented and installed a tie-breaker system in our power rooms so that if we happen to lose our Red utility feed, for example, that tie will close and the Red bus will be fed through the Blue switchgear. It works well.” Hinkle explained that distribution from the power rooms to the customer occurs through two power modules that Involta provides. “Customers provide their own dual power distribution units to support their IT equipment,” Continued on page 18

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Copper Development Association Continued from page 16

Figure 4: Red and Blue power feeding equipment via Starline busways. The compact busways enable rapid connection of attached IT equipment.

The busways shown are rated at 208V/255A.

Hinkle said. “We use Starline™ busways (Figure 4) which enable technicians to add or change equipment quickly without relying on traditional connections. All-copper conductors in the busways supply threephase power to customers at 208V/225A, which is sufficient for any expected requirements. We try to split the load evenly

Figure 5a & 5b: Equipment racks in the relatively small (compared with data rooms) carrier rooms are also connected via busway (Figure 5a). Grounding connections are made to a copper grounding bus located above the stack of cabinets in the racks (Figure 5b)

and never get above 50 percent on either of the dual circuits, so in the event that there is a failure in one of those feeds, the alternate busway can support the IT load on that particular rack or row of racks.” Starline busways are also used in the carrier room, which houses servers for outside vendors such as internet service providers, telephone and communications networks, etc. Racked equipment is bonded to traditional copper

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Electrical Products & Solutions • May 2017

busbars installed on a portion of the racks overhead (Figure 5). Double-screw lugs ensure the long-term reliability of equipment bonding connections. Where Starline or conventional connections are used, the racks themselves are also robustly bonded (Figure 6).

Back-Ups The center is equipped

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with two, 1-MW emergency generators serving the Red and Blue power feeds, respectively (Figure 7). The generators are load-tested monthly and no-load tested weekly, with results carefully documented.

Should there be a utility failure and one generator simultaneously goes down, the second backup generator can support the critical load. Backing up the power feeds to

the data halls are two 500 kW-UPS units equipped with sufficient battery capacity to keep the critical load operating for 50 minutes based on the current critical load. One beneficial feature of the dual “Red” and “Blue” system is that it enables personnel to shutdown either feed if the other one requires maintenance or repair. Equipment on the system then remains completely opera-

Figure 6: Equipment mounted in racks.

Green wires are routed to the left of the figure and up to the Starline buses.

Bottom photo shows green wire with double-screw attachment lug.

Figure 7: Involta – Boise is equipped with two 1 MW emergency generators, either of which can supply the critical loads in the entire center.

tional and the center’s 100 percent uptime is preserved.

Cooling System Saves Energy

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Involta has refined its data center designs over the years. “This is what we do as a company,” Hinkle said. “At Involta-Boise, we decided to design our air returns a bit differently than those in our other data centers. At Boise, we actually built a four-footwide gap, or mixing chamber, between the data hall and the mechanical spine where the four, 25-ton Liebert DSE units reside (Figure 8). 2 Cold output air from the Lieberts feeds into the mixing chamber. We placed return grates in the Continued on page 22

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data hall up high near the ceiling so that the Lieberts constantly create a negative pressure — a vacuum effect — pulling the hot air in up high before injecting it into the four-foot mixing chamber. There, output from the Lieberts cools it and sends it back into the data hall to cool the customers’ IT equipment.” The center utilizes a number of other energy efficient practices, including LED lighting, motion sensing light switches and efficient mechanical equipment, plus the ability to incorporate free-air cooling Figure 8: Three of four 25-ton Liebert when outdoor temperatures permit.

Does it work?

Absolutely. Hinkle proudly notes that the center’s power utilization efficiency (PUE) is between 1.4 and 1.6, which is remarkably low for a center like Involta-Boise.

PUE is the ratio of a facility’s total energy consumption to the amount of energy sent to IT equipment. Total energy includes such functions as heating and cooling, lighting and office. A “perfect” PUE rating, obviously unobtainable, would be 1.0.

PUE = Total Facility Energy IT Equipment Energy While PUE has several shortcomings as an energy-efficiency metric, it is still widely used in the data center industry. “This facility really has exceeded my expectations,” Hinkle said. “In the beginning, my goal was to operate at 1.5 PUE. Typically, at older data centers, you see a 2.0 PUE. To be lower than that is good, but in my opinion to be at a 1.5 to 1.2 is incredible.”

“Textbook” Grounding and Lightning Protection Unfortunately, even in modern data centers, electrical grounding and lightning protection are too often treated as afterthoughts.

That’s not so at Involta centers, and certainly not at Involta-Boise, where grounding is especially robust throughout the facility.

• There is one grounding system with uninterrupted electrical continuity throughout the entire center. All of the center’s electrical equipment, including IT equipment, therefore operates at a single, uniform ground potential. That very important feature is surprisingly easy to overlook.

• An AWG 2/0 buried bare copper ring ground completely surrounds the facility (Figure 10). Bonded to the ring at periodic intervals are 10-feet X ¾-inch copper-clad grounding electrodes. Access ports along 22

units supplying cold air for the center. Air is then mixed in a mixing chamber (inset) located behind the units (inset).

the ring allow for inspection of such items as lug tightness and ground resistance. All electrical and lightning systems are connected to this ring.

• Mechanical equipment, water, gas and telephone systems are properly grounded per National Electrical Code requirements.

Mechanical equipment and IT systems do not share branch circuits.

• IT equipment grounding begins at the cabinets, where #6 AWG or larger green wires are firmly bonded to equipment cases using double-screw lugs (Figure 6). Green wires are bundled and routed upward to Starline buses.

• Starline buses are used in the center’s carrier rooms, where servers for internet service providers, networking and other communications companies are installed.

Bonding conductors are routed to traditional copper grounding bars attached to rack frames. The racks themselves are bonded to the copper bus with heavy-gage copper cables (Figure 9).

• Heavy gage grounding conductors connect Starline systems with copper grounding bars placed at convenient locations in the data rooms and mechanical spine.

• Also bonded to the ring are copper downconductors from the rooftop lightning protection system. It consists of interconnected, regularly spaced surge termination devices (lightning rods) mounted along the roof’s periphery.

That’s a Lot of Copper! Is Copper Cost-Competitive?

The initial cost of copper cable is normally higher than aluminum cable of equivalent ampacity. But what seem to be simple economics in aluminum’s favor, is strongly

Electrical Products & Solutions • May 2017

Figure 9: Equipment racks themselves are bonded to copper busbars which serve the equipment cabinets and are then connected to the overhead busways.

Figure 10: A 2/0 buried copper ground ring completely surrounds the structure, with 10 feet X ¾ inch tinned copper-clad vertical electrodes placed at periodic intervals. Note the inspection box to allow maintenance and testing.

mitigated by the fact that electrical grounding conductors usually comprise less than one percent of a major technical construction project such as a data center. In addition, copper grounding conductors require far less maintenance (and lower labor costs) than aluminum systems. The red metal doesn’t “creep” like the softer aluminum does; meaning that connections remain tight and don’t require frequent torqueing to keep systems intact. Copper is also naturally corrosion resistant and represents a far less long-term deterioration. Taken together, those factors easily make copper the cost-comparative. All this means it’s more reliable, a vital consideration at data centers. “It may be cheaper up front to use aluminum, but it’s going to be more expensive to maintain,” Hinkle said. Inside plant at Involta-Boise, from downstream of the distribution switchgear to all the way out to the customer, our systems are all copper.” For more information about grounding and lightning protection systems, visit www.copper.org. ❏

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Tyco SimplexGrinnell

Fire and Life Safety a Top Priority at University of Arizona Situation The University of Arizona (UA) is a leading-edge public research university, with a main campus covering 393 acres in central Tucson and two smaller satellite campuses. Founded in 1885, the UA is recognized as a global leader that’s revolutionizing the various fields of space sciences, optics, biosciences, medicine, arts and humanities, business, engineering, and many others. The UA boasts its own astronomical observatories, the unique Biosphere 2 laboratory for research, two medical schools and one of the nation’s best hospitals.

Ranked among the nation’s top 10 producers of Fulbright scholars, the UA directly and indirectly impacts more than

65,000 jobs and infuses billions into the state economy every year.

While the UA’s mission of academic excellence is evident in their teaching, research, service and innovation, their commitment to the safety of the entire campus community cannot be overstated. Ensuring the safety of people on- and off-campus remains even more relevant in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and subsequent shootings and tragedies at college campuses around the nation. Over the past several years, the UA has taken bold and proactive measures to secure the overall safety of more than 60,000 students, faculty, staff and visitors occupying over 790 buildings across the state of Arizona.

Protecting the campus community, its fa-

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Electrical Products & Solutions • May 2017

cilities and artifacts is a top priority for the UA and vital to its recruitment, enrollment management, facilities management and the sustainability of campus life.

For more than 60 years, Tyco SimplexGrinnell has been the UA’s exclusive provider of state-of-the-art fire protection systems and life safety solutions. From the very beginning, Tyco SimplexGrinnell and UA have partnered to develop comprehensive, cost-effective fire and lifesafety systems and solutions designed to protect an entire network of buildings, individual buildings, or specific floors of a given building. Tyco SimplexGrinnell’s experts assist with critical issues such as alarm and sprinkler design and life-safety code and compliance— Continued on page 26

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Tyco SimplexGrinnell Continued from page 24

to create an ideal system for each building. Long-time employee Nathan Taylor, Electronic Systems Sales Representative from Tyco SimplexGrinnell’s Tucson district office, works directly with the UA to ensure all life-safety and fire protection systems align with the University’s vision and goals.

To oversee and maintain life safety and fire protection systems that protect the many buildings and their occupants, the UA relies on a highly-skilled and conscientious Facilities Management Fire Safety Team. Heading up the team is Facilities Management Fire Safety Manager Joe Branaum—an experienced life safety professional who leads with very high expectations. Joe takes great care in personally designing, engineering and managing numerous large-scale projects.

He and his team have a passion for life safety, making sure that the UA is a safe place for everyone on campus—on a 24/7 basis.

The long-standing relationship between

UA is flexibility in life-safety and fire alarm system design, architecture, operation and maintenance. At first glance, smoke detectors and overhead sprinklers are evident in residence halls, dining facilities, laboratories and classrooms. Yet upon further investigation, The University’s life safety needs are far more sophisticated— differing from building to building and one environment to another.

In order to maximize their ability to communicate well in emergency situations, the UA relies on the Simplex 4100ES fire alarm platform, TrueAlertES Addressable Notification technology, and an advanced TrueSite command center for integrated life-safety information management. Advanced voice-enabled fire alarms and multi-tone horns help protect students and comply with strict National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reSolution quirements. Recent upgrades to residence With so many different challenges pre- halls provide emergency communications sented by this dynamic “mini city” envi- functionality—a key consideration in a ronment, an important requirement for the campus environment.

Continued on page 28

UA and Tyco SimplexGrinnell brings with it a mutual respect and common philosophy to provide a safe, secure environment, while supporting the University’s learning environment and goals. Tyco SimplexGrinnell was so impressed by the outstanding achievements of the University to create a culture of safety that they presented Joe Branaum and his team with a special Life Safety Award, honoring their commitment to excellence in standards, practices and maintenance. “It’s a real honor to be recognized by Tyco SimplexGrinnell,” says UA Facilities Management Fire Safety Manager Joe Branaum. “Our partnership with Tyco SimplexGrinnell helps ensure that our life safety tradition at the University of Arizona remains a reality, and we continue to build that success together.”

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Tyco SimplexGrinnell Continued from page 26

This improves emergency response by using multiple channels to deliver the right message to the right people at the right time.

To help the UA maximize the benefits of its fire and life-safety systems, Tyco SimplexGrinnell takes a consultative approach, meeting often with UA’s Facilities Management Fire Safety Team to review systems that may need attention.

Tyco SimplexGrinnell and the UA Facilities Management Fire Safety Team work closely to design, engineer, install and/or tweak equipment, devices and wiring with minimal interruption to students, staff, faculty and visitors.

Implementation The University of Arizona operates a campus-wide network of TrueAlert ES Addressable Notification appliances. Each TrueAlert ES appliance has the intelligence to report its operational status to a Simplex 4100-family fire alarm control panel. UA has more than 200 Simplex

4100-family fire panels. Over half of those panels are connected together to form a growing, peer-to-peer networked system. This allows the UA Facilities Management Fire Safety Team to view system activity remotely and determine if a device has been tampered with or removed altogether.

With TrueAlert ES addressable notification technology, the network infrastructure is electronically supervised 24 hours a day. The UA life safety system features fire alarm and alert strobes on the same circuit, thus using less power and less wiring than older systems. This translates into shorter installation times and lower costs. The UA Facilities Management Fire Safety Team can easily self-test these notification devices, resulting in fewer disruptions to building occupants.

Several UA structures present unique challenges for the Facilities Management Fire Safety Team. Biosphere 2 serves as a laboratory for controlled scientific studies, an arena for scientific discovery and

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discussion, and a far-reaching center for public education. It features five different environments that are monitored continuously for fire: a rain forest, a desert, a savannah, an ocean and a salt water marsh.

Biosphere 2’s Energy Center meets the electricity, heating and cooling needs of this unique complex. The many pieces of machinery, boilers and chillers need to be monitored regularly by fire and gas detection safety systems.

Results/Outcomes Working with the UA Facilities Management Fire Safety Team, Tyco SimplexGrinnell experts installed a specialized system in the viewing gallery inside Biosphere 2’s ocean environment.

This series of underground caverns could not be fitted with a regular fire detection system due to the rough rock ceilings. Now the Biosphere 2 features video smoke detection for complete coverage and the ultimate in visitor and staff safety.

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Tyco SimplexGrinnell Continued from page 28

The flexible Tyco SimplexGrinnell systems used at Biosphere 2 are remotely monitored using Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCPIP) connections. This is an important design feature since the Biosphere 2 is over an hour drive from the University’s main campus in Tucson. The remote monitoring helps ensure continuity of operations and provides added cost efficiency for the University.

At the Biosphere 2’s Energy Center, Tyco SimplexGrinnell systems provide continuous monitoring and detection of dangerous gases such as hydrogen and carbon dioxide inside the plant’s tunnels.

This comprehensive approach helps enhance safety, prevent disruption in operations and control costs.

Tyco SimplexGrinnell also helped integrate video smoke and flame detection at multiple buildings on the main campus to provide advanced detection in challenging environments.

Tyco SimplexGrinnell offers for-

30

ward/backward compatible technology – meaning its fire systems can be flexibly and cost effectively upgraded to newer generation technology. This makes it easy for UA to proceed with any system upgrades and enhancements without having to fully replace existing equipment, devices and wiring.

A Look Ahead Next up for UA: Simplex TrueAlert emergency visual display units will be strategically placed on campus to provide additional visual notification to building occupants. TrueAlert is so flexible it can even accept messages received via the University’s RSS feed or an individual fire alarm control panel to send real-time messages and instructions to individual buildings, quadrants, or campus-wide— depending on the particular emergency situation.

In preparation for this new system, amber strobes have been installed in residence halls and will eventually work in

Electrical Products & Solutions • May 2017

conjunction with the visual message boards to alert occupants of an emergency condition. Tyco SimplexGrinnell also is currently designing a feature that allows the RSS feed to be converted to a voice message and played outdoors over the fire alarm system speakers.

Finally, the UA’s future plans call for the installation of a life safety and fire protection system in Biosphere 2 that will be fully integrated with the rain system as a primary means of early fire suppression.

Each environment within Biosphere 2 will be able to be individually monitored without interrupting research in progress. In the Biosphere 2 rainforest, where humidity levels can exceed 95% and temperatures reach 160oF, Tyco’s FLAMEVision infrared detectors will be able to “see” through the fog, trees and water to detect a fire. Video also will be used as a visual trail of a fire event, and to allow the UA to determine from a research perspective, the impact fire has on a particular Biosphere 2 environment. ❏

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product SPOTLIGHT

AEMC Instruments®

AEMC®’s NEW Thermal Imaging Infrared Camera Model 1950

AEMC®’s NEW handheld Megohmmeter Model 6526

AEMC®’s IR Camera is a simpleto-use “focus free” instrument that features a 20° x 20° field of view, 13 hour battery life, captures real and thermal images and at an affordable price. It is a versatile tool for performing infrared thermography. This technology is an indispensable means for ensuring safety in industrial production. It is used in sectors of the industry as diverse as electrical maintenance, metallurgy, petroleum, automation, natural gas exploration, transportation as well as other professions. Infrared thermal imaging provides a real-time non-contact inspection method that does not require you to shut off power, shut down the equipment or interrupt production. It can diagnose latent malfunctions in advance and anticipate their occurrence and prevent production problems. The camera can be used as a real-time viewer for detecting hot spots and other thermal anomalies. Thermal images can be recorded and stored on the instrument. You can also add audio comments and measurement data (provided by a compatible clamp-on meter or multimeter) to the stored image files. The instrument features Bluetooth technology for connecting to electrical measurement instruments and a headphone for recording narration. CAmReport software (provided with the instrument) facilitates image processing, analysis, and report generation.

Key Features include: • 20° x 20° field of view with an IFOV spatial resolution of 4.4mrad • Focus-free imaging • 320 x 240 pixel 2.8” color display • Exceptional 13-hour battery life • Programmable trigger and cursor functions • Captures thermal and digital images simultaneously • Selectable color palette • Quick startup in less than 3 seconds • Built-in user configurable emissivity table • Accurate temperature measurement over the full range • Automatic non-uniformity temperature correction • Automatic brightness control • Record and store configurations according to the applications • Verbally record your comments directly to the image using the supplied wireless Bluetooth microphone • Wireless Bluetooth connection to AEMC clamp-on meters and multimeters to record electrical measurements simultaneously with thermograms

AEMC®’s handheld, battery powered, multi-function megohmmeter Model 6526 is ideal for testing cables, small motors, pumps, transformers and other industrial equipment. It is designed to measure Insulation Resistance, Continuity, Resistance, Capacitance, Frequency and Voltage. It is simple-to-use, compact and a lightweight meter. With a safety rating of 600V CATIV and IP 54, the meter performs insulation resistance at 50, 100, 250, 500 and 1000V measuring insulation values up to 200GΩ. The meter also incorporates a 700V AC & DC True RMS voltmeter and continuity testing capability with a selectable 20mA or 200mA test current. It includes a Timer and Lock function which allows the user to operate the unit hands free. ∆REL function enables measurement of the difference between a reference value and a new measured value. Data storage allows comparison of results with previous test and report generation.

Alarms with audible and visual Green/Red - Pass/Fail indicator light provides a quick indicator of the measurement results. The large digital/analog multifunction display provides clear and easy readings enhanced by a bright blue electroluminescent backlight. A magnetic stand facilitates holding the meter to a metal surface or cabinet during the test. An optional Remote Test Probe accessory with flashlight simplifies repetitive testing and helps access hard-to-reach, poorly lit, test areas. Store up to 1300 tests in memory and communicate the stored data via wireless Bluetooth communication (Class 2 wireless from up to 30 feet away) to report generation DataView® software. The Model 6526 is well suited for industrial environments where a wide range of test voltages, up to 1000V, are desired and documented test results are required.

For more information, visit www.aemc.com 32

Electrical Products & Solutions • May 2017

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product SPOTLIGHT

Hioki

LR8410 The Hioki LR8410-20, it is a multi-channel wireless logger with Bluetooth® technology. It can capture data from remotely installed logging modules wirelessly. Two types of 15 channel, logging modules provide measurement and recording capabilities for DC voltage, temperature, resistance, and humidity data. The logging modules can be powered via AC, optional battery pack or a DC source. The LR8410-20 base station can control up to seven logging modules (for a total of 105 channels). Data is logged using a high-speed sampling process that scans all channels as fast as every 100 ms.

Wireless technology makes it possible to log data in applications where using a conventional logger would be difficult to access. Some examples of locations that may be hard to access are ones where one would need a ladder for access to setup the sensors or inside a secured or locked control panel. Since the wireless logging modules can be placed right next to the system to be measured, long wires and connection complexities are minimized. Initial setup is easy. Diagrams walk you through the module scanning process. The main unit lets the user know which modules have been found and registered. Setup for basic recording is also simple. A few channel settings and a recording interval are all that is required to start. Recording can be initiated with a manual button push, trigger input or a set date and time. Recorded data can be stored on the main unit’s internal memory, included 2GB SD card or USB jump drive. Recorded data is protected if power is lost, by using the optional battery pack and the logging modules’ internal buffer. Data transfer and remote control of the logger function can be controlled via the included logger utility software.

PQ3100 The PQ3100 is a comprehensive but easy to use PQA for monitoring and recording power anomalies. Power problems such as voltage drops, harmonics and other electrical issues can be quickly investigated. The PQ3100 power quality analyzer provides a cost effective yet full featured approach to reliable power analysis. It provides single phase two wire to 3P4W PQA measurement compliant to IEC 61000-4-30 class S standards (including neutral phase) for simultaneous AC/DC power parameter trending along with power anomaly capture capability. Voltage and current harmonics trending are also included as part of the parameter data set. A quickset function walks the user through an easy to understand 8 step on screen guide for measurement setup procedures. This feature eliminates the sometimes complex setup process of making sure all bases are covered. Fine adjustment of the event trigger points can be accomplished through the detailed setup button. There are also screens available to view the voltage and current waveforms, trended data, and events. The newly designed CT7000 series AC and AC/DC current sensors are powered by the PQ3100 eliminating the need for external sensor power supplies. The PQ3100 captures 11 seconds (1 sec before and 10 seconds after) of an event anomaly in addition to the standard 200msec event capture. This can be helpful when you need to analyze the data bracketing of an anomaly. The event triggers that can be set are: Voltage dip, swell, and interruption, inrush current, transient voltage, frequency, and THD. Remote control and FTP data transfer is accomplished through a LAN connection. To facilitate the use of the unit, specially configured kits, provide main unit with rechargeable battery, AC adapter, voltage test leads, 8GB SD memory card, 2 or 4- AC or AC/DC current sensors, PQ One power quality analysis software, in a hard carrying case.

For more information, visit www.hiokiusa.com 34

Electrical Products & Solutions • May 2017

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product SPOTLIGHT

Megger

Rugged DLRO from Megger with New Enhanced Features The DLRO10HDX is ideal for use in railway, aircraft and industrial applications Megger has enhanced its line of 10 A digital low resistance ohmmeters (DLRO) to include the DLRO10HDX. This new ohmmeter records tests and has onboard memory storage for up to 200 test records. This DLRO is ideal for use in applications ranging from railways and aircraft to resistance components in industrial environments. Powered by either a rechargeable battery or an AC power supply that makes it suitable for continuous testing in production lines or repetitive use environments, the DLRO10HDX combines the simplicity of operation with a rugged IP65 case that is designed for stable ground and bench operation. Megger’s DLRO10HDX features five test modes with auto start on connection. Each mode can be selected using a rotary control on a mode selection switch. This easy-to-use switch can be operated in all weather conditions and while wearing gloves. This improved ohmmeter offers significantly enhanced compliance and is capable of delivering 10 A into measurements up to 250 mΩ and 1 A into measurements up to 2.5Ω. Tests can last up to one minute. The rugged DLRO10HDX features a large, backlit LCD display that is easy to read from a distance, as well as a simple control panel that enables easy navigation for configuration settings. All memory functions of the ohmmeter, including delete, download to PowerDB and recalling test results are accessible via the range selection rotary switch. Interchangeable test and termination leads come standard with each unit. The unit is protected to 600 V without blowing a fuse and features a test lead live voltage warning light. It is also rated at CATIII 300 V provided the optional terminal cover is fitted to the instrument.

The Megger MIT2500 offers accurate measurements up to 200 GΩ Megger now offers an insulation and continuity tester that is rated at 2.5 kV. The MIT2500 offers accurate measurements up to 200 GΩ. Ideal for testing cables, motors and generators, this new portable tester delivers both fixed range voltages of 50 V, 100 V, 250 V, 500 V, 1000 V and 2500 V, as well as a variable range that allows any voltage between 50 V and 2500 V to be ‘dialed in’. The MIT2500 offers stabilized insulation testing to ensure that test voltages are limited to +2%, a guard terminal that helps remove insulation leakage currents on higher test voltages, as well as live circuit detection and protection functionality. A single continuity range to 1MΩ allows for fully auto ranging and current selection making testing easier for the user. The tester also features direct access to all primary and secondary test modes, storage and wireless downloading of test results.

The MIT2500 includes PI, DAR and timed testing. Designed to offer long, reliable resistance even in the toughest on-site conditions, the rugged MIT2500 features resilient rubber over-molding and an IP54 protection rating. The unit also has a CATIV 600 V safety rating that is in line with IEC 61010. The MIT2500 is equipped with six cells, giving the advantage of 20% extra capacity and higher voltage. Combined with better measurement economy, this tester delivers increased battery life with better charge status feedback.

3-Phase Power Quality Analyzer from Megger is Intuitive, Efficient The MPQ1000 is versatile and can be used for a variety of applications Megger now offers a handheld, 3-phase power quality analyzer that makes power quality analysis easier and more efficient. The MPQ1000 is Class A and is rated CATIV at 600V. It can be used for a wide variety of applications including substation monitoring, equipment and breaker tripping, load studies and load balancing as well as for switchgear and component failure. This highly intuitive unit delivers unmatched capability in a smart ergonomic platform. In both the scope and DVM modes, the versatile MPQ1000 can record power, energy, RMS, sags, swells, transients down to 1 microsecond, harmonics, inter-harmonics, harmonic direction, THD, TDD, flicker, unbalance, rapid voltage change (RVC), mains signaling, phase angle deviation, as well as performs waveform analysis to the 128th harmonic in real time. Data gathered during testing can be recorded with the MPQ1000 record verification by simply pushing a button. This feature automatically detects the current clamps, recognizes its range, identifies the nominal voltage and sets the triggers, as well as verifies that the unit is connected properly to what it is testing. The MPQ1000 features on board data analysis. An SD card is used to expand memory and all data recorded can be viewed on the unit’s color VGA display, or can be transferred to Megger’s power quality analysis software via USB cable, USB stick, Ethernet or directly from the SD card. The free PC software that comes with the analyzer provides unparalleled capabilities.

For more information, visit www.megger.com 36

Electrical Products & Solutions • May 2017

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product SPOTLIGHT

Sonel Test & Measurement

Sonel LKZ-1000 Underground Cable Locator Look Before You Dig! The LKZ-1000 allows construction crews to detect underground energized (live) conductors and de-energized underground cables, trace metallic or non-conductive pipes, trace a determined cable, and determine the depth of a cable. The LKZ-1000 locator consists of an improved transmitter and receiver that together deliver significantly higher detection technology to find underground services at greater depths, give more accurate depth estimation, and detect in the presence of high signal interference. Non-conductive pipes can be traced with an additional probe accessory. The LKZ-1000 locates cables up to 10 feet deep. The LKZ-1000 also warns when it finds cables at shallow depths. Its user-friendly design consists of sensibly located control buttons for hand operation, a backlit LCD with contrast + auto on-off. Clear visual and audio signals guide the operator when tracing, and in determining cable route direction. It is compact and light-weight for less fatigue when operating for long periods. The durable waterproof design is good for harsh outdoor conditions; it comes with a protection rating of IP65. The LKZ-1000 is also available for rent.

Contact Sonel at 408 898 2215 or www.soneltest.com.

Sonel LKZ-720 Cable, Wires, and Conduit Tracer The LKZ-720 is an essential tool for electrical technicians, contractors, and maintenance engineers for locating cables, wires, and conduits. It can be used to detect cables in ceilings, walls, and floors, trace cables in building installations, and trace underground cables. Cables may be shielded, or in conduits and metal ducts. It can be used to detect live cables and current flow direction, plus indicate breaks in cables or short-circuits between wires. Other elements in electrical distribution systems can be located such as power sources and switches, as well as fuses and breakers on panels and distribution boards. In non-electrical applications it will also trace conductive water and heating pipes. The LKZ-720 consists of a transmitter and receiver. It has 5 modes of operation - voltage, current, current-voltage, power, and current lamp. Using a headphone jack audio tones can be used to aid tracing. The backlit display and built-in LED flashlight is handy for working in low-light areas, and with congested wire bundles. The receiver can operate with up to four transmitters to locate interruptions or distinguish wires. The user may set 3 levels of transmitter amplification or choose automatic operation. It is designed for operation on systems up to 500V RMS. Contact Sonel at 408 898 2215 or www.soneltest.com.

For more information, visit www.soneltest.com 38

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advertiser INDEX

MAY 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 NFPA SHOW AEMC INSTRUMENTS AERIAL TOOL BIN CBC METALS PROCESSING CONDUIT RAT CONDUIT REPAIR SYSTEMS COPPER DEVOLPMENT ASSOCIATION DABMAR LIGHTING E-Z METER EMERGENT SAFETY SUPPLY FACILITY RESULTS GEAR ARC SAFETY GREAVES USA HERCULES INDUSTRIES, INC HIOKI USA KRENZ & COMPANY MEGGER

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RS#

37 24 IFC, 27 1, 19 11 11 18 42 39 25 4 6 17 14 28 48 26 46 21 16 24 44 35 23 8 40 28 49 IBC, 9, 23 2, 9, 17 26 47 BC 3

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Electrical Products & Solutions • May 2017

Company MILLER SAFETY CONSULTANTS, LTD PHASE-A-MATIC PLATINUM TOOLS POWER & TEL PROBUILT PROFESSIONAL LIGHTING RANDL INDUSTRIES ROLL-A-REEL RUNTAL NORTH AMERICA SONEL TEST & MEASUREMENT INC STARLINE STOUT TOOL TCP THE HOME DEPOT TIMCO INSTRUMENTS TOPAZ TYCO SIMPLEXGRINNELL UTILITY METALS

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RS#

5 24 19 15 33 31 40 1 3 7 40 29 13 14 20 25 10

7 45 15 13 22 21 51 4 5 8 52 20 12 41 43 18 10

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