For A Complete Line of UL 1008 Listed Emergency Power Solutions – Look No Further

For A Complete Line of UL 1008 Listed Emergency Power Solutions – Look No Further

Announcing DualConnect™, ESL’s New Dual Purpose
Docking Station

CORONA, California, October 22, 2021 – ESL Power Systems provides a number of solutions for the growing market to both load bank test, and provide temporary back up to a permanent generator.

For over 10 years, the ESL TripleSwitch® has provided the leading solution to perform both of these functions, and meets the required NEC codes for this application. ESL is now excited to announce the addition of yet another UL 1008 Listed Emergency Power Connection Solution, The DualConnect™ Dual Purpose Docking Station!

Available from 400 to 5,000 amps and rated up to 65kAIC@600VAC, ESL is now the only manufacturer that can provide a complete line of UL 1008 Listed Emergency Power Connection Solutions for all your design needs.

The TripleSwitch is the cost effective, most user-friendly solution for new construction design or adding a permanent generator to an existing facility. Utilizing the (3) circuit breakers necessary for this type of application, it provides the overcurrent protection and safety interlock between permanent and portable generator, without the need for key locks or breakers in separate locations.

The standard TripleSwitch is configured with an AUX Contact for the remote annunciator.  It is also provided with -a shunt trip on the load bank breaker, to dump the power to the load bank, in case utility power is lost during a load bank test. This meets the requirements of NEC Code 2017 700.3 (F).

However, there are applications where multiple generators or existing generators need the ability to be load bank tested and also have provision for a connection of a back-up temporary, portable generator. For these projects ESL’s DualConnect – Dual Purpose Docking Station is the right solution for the application.

Where multiple generators are utilized, the design will typically include the necessary switchgear and controls to selectively perform your load bank test or temporary back-up of the permanent generator. In addition, many existing permanent generators need back-up and the capability to do lower cost portable load bank connection. 

300A DualConnect™

Having a single unit to quickly connect a portable load bank or portable generator while using the existing switchgear overcurrent protection when possible minimizes the total project cost and redundant overcurrent devices.

The Dual Connect – Dual Purpose Docking Station provides the flexibility needed to meet your design criteria and is highly customizable with various optional features. Depending on the emergency back-up system design for multiple or existing generators, the DualConnect is available in three different versions.

No Breaker: Where all the controls and/or breakers are currently in the emergency power system. The interlock between the permanent generator and temporary back-up generator is accomplished by a key interlock between an appropriate designated breaker and the DualConnect portable generator cable access door.

One Breaker: Provides overcurrent protection to the unit and functions as the disconnect for both the load bank and portable generator cams. The interlock between the permanent generator and temporary back-up generator is accomplished by a key interlock between an appropriate designated breaker and the DualConnect portable generator cable access door.

Two Breakers: Provides overcurrent protection to the unit and functions as the disconnects for both the load bank and portable generator cams. The interlock between the permanent generator and temporary back-up generator is accomplished by a key interlock between an appropriate designated breaker and the portable generator breaker in the DualConnect. All of ESL’s DualConnect units with 2 breakers can be configured to meet NEC700.3(F) if required.

To learn more and get downloadable specifications for ESL’s DualConnect – Dual Purpose Docking Station visit: https://eslpwr.com/dual-purpose-docking-station-about/

About ESL Power Systems, Inc.

A 100% employee owned company, ESL Power Systems, Inc. is an innovative global leader in the design and manufacturing of cord-connected electrical equipment for industrial and commercial applications and is also the premier custom control panel builder in Southern California.

Media Contact:
Erika Thorson
ESL Power Systems, Inc.
2800 Palisades Dr.
Corona, CA 92878
+1 (951) 739-7000
ethorson@eslpwr.com
https://eslpwr.com

Sourcing Wayside HEP Power Systems for Rail Yards

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Head End Power Unit Configurations for Passenger Trains

In the late 1990s, the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), implemented practices for Head End Power sources throughout the passenger rail industry.

According to 3.1.3 in APTA RP-R-015-99, Head End Power (HEP) is defined as “A system by which 480 VAC 3-phase electrical power, to operate auxiliaries, is provided to railroad vehicles from a central source via a trainline system. The power source can be locomotive (hence “Head End”), power car, or wayside source.” Read more

Download ESL’s Enclosure Type Presentation

Download ESL’s Enclosure Type Presentation

ESL’s Enclosure Type presentation is now available for download! This deck includes all you need to know in an easy to reference slide format for various enclosure type ID’s, NEMA and UL requirements and the intended application for each enclosure.

How Can We Help?
If you have any questions or require a project quote, ESL is here to help. In addition to our world-class customer service team, we aim to provide each customer with a knowledgeable network of Manufacture’s Representative Agencies to provide timely service when you need it the most. Just click the button below to contact us!

ESL President cuts ribbon to new facility

ESL Makes Big Moves: Fabrication Building Ribbon Cutting Event

In November of 2020 ESL made moves for the future and leased a building 1,000 feet away from its headquarters at 2900 Palisades Dr. This new facility doubles ESL’s fabrication capacity and provides a clear path for continued growth and prosperity for ESL Employee Owners. The official Ribbon Cutting ceremony for ESL’s Fabrication Building Expansion took place this month with Mayor, Jacque Casillas and Council Member Jim Steiner in attendance along with the ESL Leadership team. ESL President Marcelo Gonzalez and Chief Sales Strategists Michael Hellmers spoke to the group about ESL’s bright future. They emphasized how this expansion gives ESL the ability to improve processes and lead times making it possible for our organization to fulfill commitments to our customers and accomplish our Mission of making it easy to do business with ESL.

4 Natural Events That Could Trip Up Your Business

Natural events have become a common occurrence in many parts of the US with a growing number of devastating natural disasters occurring in recent years. Preparing your business for emergency back-up power in the midst of a natural disaster such as an earthquake, hurricane, ice storm or flood is crucial for business continuity.

Earthquakes

In the US alone, the National Earthquake Information Center locates about 12,000-14,000 earthquakes per year. Globally there are approximately 55 earthquakes per day averaging out to 20,000 a year!

During an earthquake, a building’s emergency equipment may inevitably experience vigorous shaking and movement depending on the magnitude. Acquiring back-up equipment that is OSHPD “OSP” Special Seismic Certified provides enormous value in knowing your equipment has been shaker-table tested and certified to endure major earthquakes without fail. However, earthquakes aren’t just about shaky buildings, earthquakes also have the power to cause damage to electrical grids and powerlines. When either of the two are down, electricity and power can go out resulting in a loss of power to your business. This ultimately results in loss revenues, product and production to name a few. Where critical facilities are concerned, this could mean life or death.

Wind and Storms

High winds from hurricanes, tornadoes, and severe storms affect emergency power every year and are one of the most common causes of power outages. In 2020, NOAA reported a record-breaking 30 named storms (top winds of 39 mph or greater), of which 13 became hurricanes (top winds of 74 mph or greater), including six major hurricanes (top winds of 111 mph or greater). 2020 became the year with the most storms ever recorded in the continental United States. A report from Climate Central states that 44 percent of power outages are caused by storm events which negatively impact businesses and homes.

Strong winds tend to blow large debris resulting in broken power lines and utility poles. They can also cause lines to swing together which can result in short circuiting utility power. Strong winds are also traced to the cause of wildfires. Utility companies have begun to implement “Public Safety Power Shutoffs” in order to tackle the event of severe winds and prevent wildfires from occurring. With consistent power outages during severe winds, businesses are forced to find alternatives to utility power in order to keep the lights on during these long shutoffs.

Ice Storms

Ice storms fall into the “winter weather” category and occur in the U.S. primarily during the months of December and January. Also known as freezing rain, these storms occur when rain freezes and accumulates on surfaces such as trees, power lines, and the ground.

Severe damage to trees and power lines begins when ice accumulates between a quarter- and half-inch. When these ice droplets accumulate onto powerlines it can add up to 500 pounds of extra weight. With the amount of weight added by ice layers, trees and utility lines tend to fall and result in damage to roads, homes, and businesses. It can take quite a while for trees to be removed from roads and powerlines to be repaired, this can result in a loss of electricity and heat for many days. In January 2020, an Atlanta ice storm left half a million people without power, some for more than a week while utility companies tried to repair lines. Estimated total losses reported for this storm reached upwards of $48 million. In mid-December of 2020, an ice storm left more than 500,000 without power in parts of Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. At the time, it was called one of the most destructive ice storms seen to the electrical utility infrastructure in those areas. In February 2021 more than 700,000 people were without power due to ice storms in eight states including Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Kentucky, North Carolina, West Virginia, and Virginia.

Knowing that ice storms can last up to a few days, preparing ahead of time is the best decision. Businesses with back-up power solutions are able to sustain these winter events and keep the lights and heat on when it is needed the most.

Floods

According to the department of agriculture, ninety percent of all natural disasters in the United States involve flooding. Additionally, high-risk flood areas are not the only ones at risk, about 25% of flood insurance claims come from moderate-to low-risk areas.

Floods are caused by spring thaw resulting in the overflow of rivers, waterways, dams, etc. They are also caused by coastal flooding due to hurricanes, tropical storms, and heavy rains. Flood surges that occurred in Hurricanes such as Sandy and Katrina severely affected emergency power. Flood damage poses one of the greatest risks to on-site power.

Considering the location of your emergency back-up equipment is paramount when planning for possible flood-damage. The lowest level of a building is the most likely to flood knocking out emergency power distribution equipment, such as transfer switches, rendering switches inoperable. Organizations such as Medical facilities and Universities have begun mounting back-up equipment on the second floor keeping all equipment dry and operational during a flood.

Natural disasters are in abundance. All the U.S. incurs some sort of natural disaster that knocks out power daily. Designing on-site emergency power back-up systems is crucial to business survival and recovery.

Learn how to protect your business with ESL’s back up power solutions.