3 Reasons Why UL 1008 Should Be Specified

Erika Thorson

ul-3-reasons

When comparing NRTL Listings of different products, it is important to know what the appropriate UL standards are and how they apply to your specific application. You may not always be purchasing what you think you are purchasing. UL 1008 was specifically created for transfer switch equipment. Products with a UL 1008 certification ensure the complete assembly is certified and has undergone rigorous testing to validate performance, safety, and reliability. Non-Automatic transfer switches that are Listed under the UL 1008 standard are evaluated in accordance with Articles 517-Health Care Facilities, 702-Optional Standby Systems of the National Electrical Code (ANSI/NFPA 70) and the National Fire Protection Association Standard for Health Care Facilities (ANSI/NFPA 99). The local inspection process by the AHJ is typically much easier when emergency power transfer switch equipment is UL 1008 Listed. So what are some basic reasons to purchase UL 1008? How about these three…

  1. Your UL 1008 listed Manual Transfer Switch will be listed the same as an Automatic Transfer Switch unit. This means continuity of Listing in all your transfer switch designs.
  2. No need to “reinvent the wheel”. With a UL 1008 listed transfer switch for your project, there is no need to verify if your design meets all the requirements for a transfer switch. This should shorten your design time on your project.
  3. By specifying a UL1008 Listed unit, you are assured that the unit supplied is not just a UL 50 enclosure and/or UL Listed components but has been tested as a complete unit. AHJ are becoming more aware that a manual transfer switch should be listed the same as an automatic transfer switch since they perform the same basic function.

When there is a proper solution why go any other way? It just makes sense!

ESL’s line of emergency power connection equipment for commercial and industrial applications is UL/cUL 1008 Listed for StormSwitch® – Manual Transfer Switches up to 3000A, TempTap® – Generator Docking Stations up to 3200A, and TripleSwitch® – 3-Way Manual Transfer Switches up to 3000A. To get a quote on your next project contact us!

ESL’s eTRUconnect Refrigerated Truck-trailer Shore Power

Erika Thorson

ESL’s UL Listed patent pending eTRUconnect™ PS Series provides safe utility shore power to electric or hybrid refrigerated units on truck trailers, eliminating emissions while loading/unloading or idle. Connecting electric or hybrid refrigerated units to shore power eliminates the need of running onboard diesel generators/engines to keep the cargo within the optimal temperature range. This results in significant savings attributed to much lower electric energy cost. eTRUconnect’s, safe and simple connection and disconnection procedure allows truck operators to use the system while minimizing the risk of injury and the liability to the facility owner. ESL’s eTRUconnect is the ideal solution for distribution centers, warehouses, grocery stores and truck stops. Watch our video to learn more!

ESL Acquires Our First State-of-the-Art Robotic Welder

Jamie Luzano

ESL embraces a life-long goal of investing in our customers, employees and the growth of our organization. As a newly held 100% employee owned company, ESL’s most recent investment has been the purchase of a brand-new state-of-the-art robotic welder.

With a commitment to continuous improvement, ESL is dedicated to increasing value to our customers. As projects and work demands increase, capacity becomes an issue. Because of this, ESL decided to investigate the benefits of welding automation. When it comes to welding there are many variables to consider such as amperage settings, filler metal, shielding gas, heat application, and training. The goal of our preliminary research was to determine if robotic welding could increase capacity, cycle time, and quality.

Initial exploration indicated a robotic welder is consistent, wouldn’t take days off (no calling in sick or taking vacations) and would work diligently even at the busiest of times. It could weld twenty four seven, three sixty five!

After pulling 3 years of data on ESL fabricated enclosures and comparing the information to welding automation, it became apparent that the return on investment for a robotic welder would be a clear winner. ESL determined the investment would be cost effective, improve customer relationships, reduce risks and improve on-time delivery. The conclusion; bringing in ESL’s first robot would be monumental for the growth of our organization.

For projects that don’t fit the robotic welder criteria, ESL is still committed to manual welding quality. ESL’s valued manual welders work side by side with the new robotic champion to come up with better ideas when tacking and prepping parts for the robot. Recognizing that certain products could be redesigned for the robot to weld, ESL’s fabrication shop and engineering team are now brainstorming and redesigning key items so that robotic welding is achievable with even more enclosures.

Learn more about our fabrication shop capabilities and take a virtual tour of our company.

Designing a Safe Reefer Connection: Part 2

Erika Thorson

Designing a Safe Reefer Connection

Increasing safety

While little has changed in the construction of the receptacles themselves over the years, ESL is constantly challenged to find new solutions that meet unique customer safety and operational requirements. Usually terminal operators have limited or no control over the maintenance and standards associated with male plugs on reefer container cables, the quality of which varies considerably. A male plug with water and salt ingress can “flash” outwards into the operator when the interlock actuator is engaged. In order to energize a receptacle from a safe distance, ESL designed a rear-actuated receptacle that removes this safety risk by requiring the operator to engage the actuator rod from behind the assembly enclosure, out of the way in case of a flashover. Since the development of our rear-actuated receptacle, ESL has installed systems at terminals in Philadelphia, Nairobi and Vancouver. In Philadelphia, ESL added LED lights on the rear of the enclosures so operators can see they have energized the correct receptacle.

Damage control

Properly treated and maintained, a safety-interlocked reefer receptacle is designed to last many years. The reality, however, is that equipment is often damaged through misuse. In our experience, the number one cause of receptacle damage is “drive-offs”, where the reefer is moved without first being disconnected. This will destroy a nylon or plastic ROA, but not a stainless steel one. Stainless steel ROA’s can be repaired by just replacing the receptacle or swapping out a safety-interlocked outlet from another ROA. In North America, the incidence of drive-offs is such that stainless steel ROAs should be considered as an industry standard. ESL also offers microswitches in the receptacle that signals whether a container is connected, regardless of whether the reefer is energized or not. This information could be sent to the terminal operating system (TOS) and an instruction to move a reefer could be blocked if it is still connected.

If you missed part  of our series  focusing on operating reefers at terminals efficiently click here.