Eight Things to Consider When Selecting a Company Switch

Company-Switch-Banner-part2
There are a number of options to consider when selecting and installing a company switch. Below is a list of 8 key items to answer before purchasing your unit.

1. What is the incoming wire size to be accommodated?
It is important to match the incoming wire size; you don’t want to have lugs on the company switch that are too small to accept the feed wires available at the installation. Make sure to indicate where the conduit will enter the enclosure.

2. Is 200% neutral required?
If unbalanced power is a problem, then an oversized neutral can be specified. If the company switch will be feeding more than one set of equipment, dual neutrals may be necessary. Depending on the amperage, there could be six cam-lock receptacles instead of five.

3. Is isolated ground required?
If the company switch will feed a sound system it is common to isolate the ground from the equipment ground in order to provide a noise-free ground return. If this is the case, an isolated ground is recommended.

4. Are direct-wire lugs needed?
If the equipment that is to be connected to the company switch does not have cam connectors available, direct-wire lugs will allow bare-wire ends to be connected.

5. Is a digital ammeter required?
An ammeter will allow quick and easy reading of the current being drawn through the company switch at a given time.

6. Is an interior work light required?
This option is very useful in dark theater environments, providing a lit chamber makes for easier connections.

7. Will the switch be inside (NEMA Type 1 enclosure) or outside (NEMA 3R enclosure)?
Standard ESL company switches are NEMA Type 1 however, if your unit will be installed outside, NEMA 3R should be specified.

8. Will the company switch use an electrical interlock or a mechanical interlock?
A mechanical interlock is more reliable; an electrical interlock can fail and expose live parts, while a mechanical interlock is a rock-solid way to ensure power is off to the company switch.

Interested in learning about ESL Company Switch features? Watch our ShowSwitch – Company Switch video here!

ESL Power Systems would be happy to discuss these options with you and ensure you get the right company switch for your venue! Contact us at 1-800-922-4188 or info@eslpwr.com for more information.

What is a Company Switch?

Company Switch Banner

Many engineers may know that during the planning and design stages of a project, an electrical disconnect will be needed. However, do you really know what you’re specifying, and what the differences are between your disconnect options? A question not so rarely asked by many engineers is, “What is a Company Switch?”

Here’s your short, to-the-point answer if you are one of the many who aren’t quite sure:

A Company Switch is a specialized type of electrical disconnect that is used extensively in the entertainment industry for set stage applications (such as lighting) by entertainers, road-shows, media personnel and the like. Company Switches include cam lock receptacles to allow single-pole cam connections to be made quickly and easily. Company Switches incorporate safety features and ease-of-use features that are not found in simpler electrical disconnects. These include safety-interlocked circuit breakers and lights to indicate which phases are live.

Any time there is a need for safe and easy connections to facility power, a Company Switch is the obvious choice.

ESL is here to help:

ESL Power Systems’ Company Switches utilize a mechanically interlocked safety scheme. This prevents access to live parts inside the Company Switch by interlocking the circuit breaker with the door handle. In order to plug in cams it is necessary to open the access door, which in turn disconnects the breaker.

ESL Power Systems’ Company Switches have lights to indicate when cams are inserted, and when power is available (circuit breaker is on). These lights are easily visible even in darkened theaters and performance spaces.

For a more in depth look at Company Switches, stay tuned for part two, “Eight Things to Consider When Selecting a Company Switch.”

Let us make your job easy, Download our Company Switch Standard Specifications or contact us if you have additional questions.

 

Be Proactive: Help Prevent Container Drive-offs

PORT SAFETY
Many key factors play a role in getting cargo in & out of ports and on the road to their final destination. In the process of getting reefer containers from one destination to the next, it is important that precautionary measures are taken to mitigate the occurrence and impact of accidents and safety hazards.

WHAT IS A DRIVE-OFF?
Drive-offs in a port terminal happen when an operator moves refrigerated cargo containers while they are still connected to an electrical source such as a rack mount reefer outlet assembly (Fig. 1 & 2). When a drive-off occurs, the plug or receptacle are in danger of breaking away. This breakaway can result in damage to equipment and infrastructure. In addition, and more importantly, it could also create hazardous conditions.

MONETARY LOSS
Aside from being dangerous, damage to refrigerated cargo containers can also be costly. In addition to repair or replacement cost, disruption to operations due to the unavailability of the reefer container slot corresponding to the damaged reefer outlet should be considered. Drive-offs are especially disruptive in automated container terminals. For safety reasons the automated operation must be stopped in the all or part of the stacking row while repairs are performed. Units must be repaired quickly in order to allow operation to continue and reduce financial loss.

Port Drive-off

SOLUTIONS
In order to minimize drive-offs, ESL recommends plug sensing devices which can be added to Reefer Outlet assemblies. This solution contains a dry contact micro switch powered by a secondary source which can be used to help trigger a warning system (visual or integrated to TOS). This proactive option helps limit damage caused by human error which in turn, reduces operational costs and the need for replacement receptacles.

When it comes to breakaways, ESL offers receptacles made from polyamide, a non-metallic material designed to break easier under stress, preventing further damage to other components of the Reefer Outlet Assembly. This allows for easy replacement of broken receptacles and less operational time lost.

With increased education about the dangers of port drive-offs, and implementing precautions such as Safety-interlocked cord connected devices, injury and cost can be minimized. Learn more about ESL and how we can help keep your port safe by visiting our Intermodal page or contact us!

ESL’s Watertight Plug Install Video

ESL’s complete line of refrigerated container plugs and connectors are designed to withstand wet marine environments and ensure a watertight seal. Watch our recent video to learn how to correctly install ESL’s watertight plugs and connectors.  Visit ESL’s Reefer Plugs, Connectors & Accessories page for further information on our product.

Want to see more videos like this? Watch ESL’s Magic Watertight Plug Video and see ESL’s playful take on a water ingress test.

Importance of Emergency Power

Frequency of weather-related power outages across United States

Impact of weather-related power outages

The reliability of power over the past 15 years has been strained by increased demand by growing populations, aging infrastructure and more frequent occurrences of extreme weather. As seen in bar graph [a] on the right, the number of weather-related power outages has doubled every five years since 2000. Although the timing of when these outages happen fluctuates from day to day, season to season, and year to year, the data shows that weather-related power outages are steadily on the rise.

The estimated costs of weather-related power outages, by year, are provided in graph [b]. The variations in cost change considerably year to year. These cost estimates are dominated by the impact of large storms and the numerous costs associated with power outages. These costs include lost output and wages, spoiled inventory, inconvenience and the cost of restarting industrial operations. Although weather is a major factor in the cost of power, the costs associated with power outages are influenced by the amount of time that the power is out as well. The pie chart [c] shows the average length of reported power outages in the digital economy, continuous process manufacturing and fabrication/essential services sectors of the economy. Regardless of what industry your business is in, the longer the power is out the more money you are losing.

As the climate changes and infrastructure ages, the economic and social impacts of power outages may be unavoidable. However, the effects can be mitigated by being diligent and taking appropriate steps to minimize operational downtime. ESL’s emergency power connection equipment is very cost-effective, especially when compared to the cost of being without power for extended periods of time. In addition, our emergency power products provide users with safe and simple operation so that grid-tied facilities can quickly connect to portable power when it matters most.

For more information on how ESL can help you be prepared for the next major power outage, contact us.

Sources:
1-Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters
2-Power Outages On The Rise Across The U.S.
3-Economic Benefits of Increasing Electric Grid Resilience to Weather Related Outages
4-The Cost of Power Disturbances to Industrial & Digital Economy Companies