ESL Power Systems Expands Partnership with LaSalle Representatives to Cover Additional States

ESL is thrilled to announce a significant expansion in our collaboration with LaSalle Representatives, one of our esteemed manufacturer representatives. LaSalle has been a key player in our network, serving the New Jersey and New York regions with unparalleled dedication. Now, we’re excited to extend their coverage to include Connecticut (CT), Maine (ME), Massachusetts (MA), Rhode Island (RI), Vermont (VT), New Hampshire (NH), and the entirety of New York (NY).

LaSalle Representatives has already proven their commitment to excellence by providing exceptional service in New York Counties, including Bronx, Queens, Manhattan, Kings, Richmond, Suffolk, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, and Orange. Their sales team boasts a rich history in the competitive NYC Metro Market, offering smart, sensible, and cost-effective solutions to our valued customers.

What sets LaSalle apart is their diverse team, comprised of individuals with backgrounds working directly for manufacturers, local distributors, and hands-on field experience. This unique blend enables them to collectively deliver the best service and support for each application, ensuring that our customers receive top-notch assistance.

As ESL Power Systems continues to grow and innovate, we actively seek out the best manufacturer representatives to join us in providing cutting-edge Emergency Power and Entertainment Power Solutions. LaSalle Representatives exemplifies excellence in embracing this opportunity, showcasing a deep understanding and expertise in ESL’s product lines. We take pride in our nationwide network of manufacturer representatives who offer technical expertise and customer service support. To discover the right representative for your state, we invite you to explore our representative map here. At ESL Power Systems, we are dedicated to powering your success and ensuring that you receive the highest level of support for your power solutions needs.

Critical Facilities Technologies: ESL’s Newest MRG

Manufacturing Representative Groups (MRGs) have become an increasingly important resource for businesses looking to enhance their customer service and sales support. At ESL, we recognize the value of MRGs and have made it our mission to find the most experienced and capable partners to help serve our customers across the country.

Our MRGs act as a liaison between our customers and our internal customer experience team, providing an expert level of knowledge and support to address any concerns or issues that may arise. By working with MRGs, we aim to increase customer satisfaction and enhance our sales support capabilities, ultimately improving the overall customer experience.

ESL is pleased to announce the latest addition to our expanding ensemble of Manufacturing Representative Groups, Critical Facilities Technologies (CFT). Based in the Midwest, CFT offers a range of services, including design, equipment procurement, project management, and more, to customers in Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Kansas. Their team of seasoned professionals possess a wide range of expertise and an impressive wealth of knowledge across diverse industries. This equips them to effectively guide and support projects of any scale, industry, or facility maturity level. Teaming up with CFT empowers ESL to now provide our customers with exceptional levels of support and expertise in these newly covered states. CFT’s extensive regional knowledge is especially valuable when it comes to designing and executing new projects.

ESL proudly provides manufacturer representatives throughout the United States to provide technical and customer service support for our Emergency Power and Entertainment Power Solutions products. To find the right representative for your state, check out or rep map here!

Intro to Company Switches for Temporary Show Power

thumb

Company Switches – Questions to Ask…

When making specifying and purchasing decisions regarding electrical equipment for entertainment venues there are many factors to consider. When challenged with choosing between company switches and standard disconnect switches, the top of the priority list should always be safety. While disconnect switches may often be the more affordable option, the value added into a company switch becomes apparent once all factors are considered.

What is a Company Switch?

A company switch is a power tap box that portable lighting, sound, automation, motors, and power distribution boxes can be plugged into. Often located backstage or in hidden areas of theaters and arenas, standard company switches are rated 100 – 400 amps. Company switches usually consist of a main circuit breaker and connection chamber; a common configuration is 208/120VAC 3-Phase 5 Wire. Equipment connections in the U.S. are typically made via female cam-style connectors. Color-coding for 208/120 is most often Red-Phase A, Black-Phase B, Blue-Phase C, White-Neutral, Green-Ground. However, additional options and configurations are available per customer requirements.

What Should I Consider When Selecting a Company Switch?

Safety
Safety is the primary concern in any production, especially when dealing with live power. A safety-interlock preventing access to live connections is critical. The door of a company switch should be safety-interlocked to only allow access to the connection chamber. Access to the deadfront-protected circuit breaker compartment should only be permitted after the main circuit breaker is physically turned to the off position. Further safety recommendations include indicator lights that show when power is being fed to the unit and also when upstream power has been cut to the unit, signaling that it is safe to perform maintenance or repairs.

Verifying that the assembly has passed a series of performance and safety tests and is specifically designed for the intended application is critical. Company switches that are third party certified undergo rigorous tests to ensure the safety of the units. Underwriters Laboratories (UL) is a widely recognized, independent safety and certification organization. In order to receive UL certification, company switches must pass temperature, short circuit and environmental tests. The use of Company Switches that are not UL Listed can result in less than desirable performance, but more importantly, might be unsafe.

Security
In order to restrict operation to authorized personnel, Company Switch assemblies should be equipped with a padlockable main access door allowing access to the connection chamber only. It is also beneficial for the interlocked circuit breaker handle to be padlockable so the circuit breaker can be locked in the off position, thereby preventing unauthorized use.

Aesthetics
Since Company Switches are typically installed close to the stage for accessibility, it is important to ensure the unit remains hidden from the concert-goers’ view. Some Company Switch manufacturers provide options such as a wrinkle black finish and other custom colors to match the surroundings. Enclosures can also be furnished with a flush front and recessed circuit breaker handle, or a surface mount design that can be positioned unobtrusively in the background and prevent anything from catching on the handle.

Customization

Various facilities may have power requirements that cannot be met with an off-the-shelf solution. This is often true with large scale venues that have tailored designs to suit particular needs, such as:
• Flush Mount/In Wall Design
• Custom Finishes and Colors
• 100% Rated Breakers
• Bare Wire connectors behind interlocked doors
• Isolated Ground
• Dual Neutrals
• Reverse connectors (Male for N+G) to ensure that phase connections cannot be mistakenly connected to the neutral or ground
• Posi-Lok or Pin & Sleeve connectors
• Auxiliary GFCI power outlets
• Meters & Indicator Lights
• Custom Modular Units for larger power needs

Download Company Switch Specifications for Engineers here.

As a manufacturer of safety-interlocked power distribution equipment since 1991, ESL specializes in engineering safe solutions for custom Company Switches. ESL has had the opportunity to provide standard and custom Company Switch assemblies to venues such as Madison Square Garden, Rose Bowl, UCLA Pauley Pavilion, L.A. Live, Los Angeles Stadium, Las Vegas Stadium, and Kannapolis Ballpark to name a few. Visit www.showswitch.com to learn more about ESL’s Company Switch product line.

 

Company Switch vs. Disconnect Switches

When making purchasing or specifying decisions regarding electrical equipment for entertainment venues there are many factors to consider. The top of the list should always be safety. When it comes to making a decision between company switches and standard disconnect switches, the factor that often takes priority is price. While disconnect switches may often be the more affordable option, the value added into a company switch becomes apparent when features are compared side by side.

Company Switch Chart

The additional safety and features of ESL’s ShowSwitch make it a logical choice for entertainment power needs. The standard safety-interlocked feature of the ShowSwitch prevents live parts from being accessible, thus minimizing electrical hazards. In addition to being safety-interlocked, the ShowSwitch is equipped with an indicator light that clearly shows if the power is on. The ShowSwitch is also designed to be used without a certified electrician once installed. This cuts down significantly on operating costs. Disconnect switches are a generic solution that does not offer the combination of safety features desirable in an entertainment project.

For more information on why choosing a ShowSwitch over a disconnect switch is the right move for you, please contact us at info@eslpwr.com.

There are Company Switches and Then There is ShowSwitch

Today’s wave of live entertainment in venues such as hotels, theaters and sports arenas brings with it a surplus of technical production requirements. One of these crucial necessities includes quickly connecting and disconnecting portable equipment. Considering the fact that a majority of events are constantly travelling from location to location on a set time and schedule, having a convenient and safe way to connect temporary systems (such as lighting and sound equipment) is paramount. This is where ESL’s ShowSwitch Company Switch comes into play:  to supply customers with a power distribution solution that ensures a safe yet quick method of plugging into a venue’s power source.  The infographic below illustrates the ins and outs of set stage applications and the benefits that ESL’s ShowSwitch Company Switch has to offer.


downloadGraphicButton

Let ESL make it easy for you! Download Company Switch specifications here.