Electrical Association

New Products and Services

American Midwest Power announces a new line of U/L Medium Voltage Metal Enclosed and Padmount Switchgear through 15kV.

American Midwest Power's Metal Enclosed Load-Interrupter Switchgear provides a secure, convenient method for switching and overcurrent protection of high-voltage cable systems in many applications such as service entrance gear, substations, isolation and protection or loop circuit sectionalizing.

The U/L listed Metal-Enclosed Switchgear has been designed to meet the most rigid ANSI requirements for this class of equipment while still providing an easy-to-install switchgear that American Midwest Power has been known for. Each section of gear is constructed from high grade 11 gauge steel so that each bay is an individual self-supporting unit with double walls between bays on multi-bay lineups. Available in both NEMA 1 indoor and NEMA 3R outdoor and fused and non-fused, with loadbreak rated switches equipped with a quick-make, quick-break stored-energy mechanism that can utilize a variety of fuse styles including S&C SM20. Designed with operator safety in mind, AMP gear includes viewing windows and mechanical interlocks as standard to prevent access or operation with exposure to live parts.

Standard or custom configurations, special paint, customer metering as well as utility metering provisions can all be incorporated into AMP metal enclosed switchgear. AMP can also offer MVS gear for retro-fit applications as well as add on sections to existing line-ups. For more information please visit AMP at www.ampmfg.com.

Streamlining the Digital Workflow – Increase Productivity!

Wouldn't it be great if you could view project plans, markup documents, send RFIs, find products and communicate information easily when you needed to?

Vu360 was recently introduced by The Blue Book as a universal digital document viewer that provides easy viewing, takeoff and markup of PDF and tiff documents for architects, engineers, contractors and suppliers. It works with any online plan room and even offline with documents from a CD. A key feature (generating a lot of positive feedback from the industry) is that within Vu360, users can directly access BPM Select—another new product from The Blue Book that enables users to search, specify and source building products from over six million manufacturer web pages. Developed by The Blue Book, with integrated technology from Google, BPM Select is a targeted search engine that returns only relevant search results and links directly to related company websites.

By utilizing BPM Select and Vu360 together, users can easily view and markup documents, respond to RFIs and quickly search and select products. With innovative tools like the 'Snapshot' for capturing specific pieces of the document and a 'Highlighter' for annotation, Vu360 enables users to quickly combine and communicate sections of a blueprint, portions of a spec book and detailed product information. More importantly—users can easily communicate that product information—all within one FREE application. Vu360 is available as a free download at thebluebook.com/vu. For more information, please call 888-303-2243.

CSC Introduces ReelSimple – The Ultimate Wire Box

Available exclusively from CSC, ReelSimple's tough, tangle-free design makes pulling wire faster and easier. Don't let other wire boxes slow you down. Take the ReelTough Box to any job site and experience labor saving, timesaving, hassle-free runs that take the pain out of the pull. At the same price of other brands, the choice is Reel Simple.

To take a test drive of the ReelSimple Wire Box, contact Rob Olson (651) 582-3900 at United Electric/CSC office for a FREE SAMPLE!

New Cooper Bussmann® Global Modular Fuse Holders Now Up to 1000Vdc. Ideal for Alternative Energy Applications -- Open-fuse indication available to 1000V.

These new fuse holders offer up to 1000Vdc (30A) protection with open-fuse indication making it ideal for Alternative Energy applications, specifically solar control panels. The new design also offers significant advantages for UL 508 panels over other manufacturer offerings including a smaller footprint to save valuable panel space, PLC remote open-fuse indication for fast troubleshooting, 48Vdc open-fuse indication with its Midget and Class CC versions and IP20 finger-safe construction.

While most modular fuse holders are rated only to 600Vdc for indication, Cooper Bussmann, has self-certified the new CHPV1 and CHPV1I MFH models to 1000Vdc with an indicating feature rated to 1000Vdc (CHPV1I). The CH-PLC remote indication device mounts easily to the side of the MFH and is supplied with 16AWG wires and 0.11 fork terminal quick connects. The device is UL Listed to UL 508 Auxiliary Devices.

Cooper Bussmann Expands Photovoltaic Fuse Offering for Solar Power Installations. Now up to 15A at 1000Vdc, plus blocks and holders rated to 1000Vdc.

This fuse amperage now covers 1A-15A for protecting solar panel photovoltaic cell strings. This family of full range fuses offers time current characteristics specifically for PV low fault conditions at 1000Vdc or less. Cooper Bussmann, industry leader in critical circuit protection, power management and electrical safety, has also added fuse blocks and holders for PV fuse applications.

These fuses provide low level fault protection that can clear faults as low as 1.3 × In (fuse rating) @ 1000Vdc. They are designed specifically for 4˝, 5˝ and 6˝ solar cell based panels as well as thin-film based panels. The entire PV Fuse family offers superior cycling withstand, and has been tested in coordination with cycling conditions associated with solar panel system operation and environmental influences.

PV Fuses are designed with a maximum 1000Vdc operating voltage based on typical solar panel systems with L/R of 1ms and below. Plus the PV Fuse is available in the globally accepted 10×38mm dimension with all amp ratings available with standard ferrule, bolt and versatile PCB mount options.

For more information about these Cooper Bussmann products, visit www.cooperbussmann.com/.

Vision InfoSoft Offers Electrical Bid Manager with New On-Screen Takeoff; Streamlined Electrical Estimate Process

Vision InfoSoft launches digital plan takeoff software that streamlines the way electrical contractors complete a project estimate. Contractors typically use printed construction project plans to manually count and measure takeoffs. Now, with Electrical Bid Manager and On-Screen Takeoff, contractors complete the entire estimate process from takeoffs, estimating labor, and creating the bid report all on one screen. Vision InfoSoft's database is directly tied into the On-Screen Takeoff software module, which creates a seamless and streamlined connection with Electrical Bid Manager. The shared database and state-of-the-art, efficient takeoff process allows you to cut your estimating in half while increasing accuracy.

"Over the years, we've looked at several software and hardware tools that promise useful electronic plan takeoff tools," said Michael Armbruster, Vision InfoSoft regional sales manager. "No one option completely fulfilled that promise until we combined Electrical Bid Manager with On-Screen Takeoff. With features like plan revision comparison tools for change orders, electronic plan archival and search, scale factor measuring, color-coded counting symbols, auto-count symbols, unified electrical database and Windows 7 support; electrical contractors will cut takeoff time in half while increasing accuracy." To learn more, visit www.visioninfosoft.com/ost.

Seaton Beck and Peters offers NEW PRICING! Limited Time Discounts

Discount On Employee Handbook & Employment Documents
Seaton, Beck & Peters, P.A., offers a limited time member discount of $100 off the normal $965 package price for a customized employee handbook, together with customized hiring, disciplinary and related employment materials. It includes up to 2 hours of attorney time in customizing the materials, with additional time covered at normal hourly rates. This package has been used by hundreds of employers to document legal compliance and to reduce and manage their risk of labor and employment related claims, charges, audits and regulatory investigations. Many employers pay thousands of dollars for customized employment materials of this kind.

Discount On Written Drug & Alcohol Testing Policy, Complete With Comprehensive Employer User's Guide
Seaton, Beck & Peters, P.A., offers a limited time member discount of $50 off the normal $465 package price for a customized drug testing policy, comprehensive user's guide and related materials. The package includes one hour of attorney time in customizing the materials, with additional time covered at normal hourly rates. This package has been used by hundreds of employers to document legal compliance with testing laws and to reduce and manage their risk with hiring, managing and disciplining employees. Many employers pay multiples of this package price for customized drug and alcohol testing materials of this kind.

Take advantage of these offers from long-time Association Member, Seaton, Beck & Peters, P.A. You may reach Doug Seaton or Jon Olson at 952-896-1700. Email Doug at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Jon at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .