As we reflect on over 32 years of being in business, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude for the trust and confidence you’ve placed in both Powertech Associates and UPSC. It continues to be our privilege to provide you with innovative products and solutions and to grow together as true partners in this ever-evolving industry.
During this special season, we extend our warmest wishes to you and your families. May your holidays be filled with joy, peace, and cherished moments, and may 2025 bring continued success and happiness.
Happy Holidays!
Sincerely,
The Powertech Associates/UPSC Team
Event Recap: 2024 Power Delivery Trade Show and Golf Outing
Our Power Delivery Trade Show and Golf Outing made its much-anticipated return this year at the Heritage Country Club in Charlton, MA, on Tuesday, September 17th, 2024. It was a fantastic day that brought together over 80 professionals from investor-owned utilities and municipal utilities all across New England and New York, mixing learning, networking, and some fun along the way.
We kicked things off with the trade show, where attendees got to check out hands-on demos of the latest products and solutions in the power delivery world from the thirteen of our principals that were in attendance. After the show, everyone headed out to the golf course for a relaxing round of 18 holes. The day wrapped up with a delicious steak dinner and an awards ceremony to celebrate all the highlights of the day.
A big thank you to everyone who attended this year’s event, and to all of our principals whose support and participation made it all possible. And if you weren't there, we hope to see you at next year's event!
Signs To Stand The Test of Time
Safety signage, on the surface, may seem straightforward. But there’s more than meets the eye. Signage saves lives. ForTech Products, Inc., creating durable and effective signage is more than just a business, it's a mission. The company, founded in 1948, is renowned for its innovations in long-lasting signs, serving industries that require high standards of safety and durability.
When Tech Products, Inc. was founded, the goal was simple: to provide durable signs that could withstand harsh environments, according to Daniel O'Connor, Vice President, Tech Products, Inc. "We started with embossed metal signs, where the letters are physically raised," explained O'Connor. This embossing technique ensures that even if the color fades, the message remains legible for years.
O'Connor noted that this attention to detail is critical, especially for industries where safety and compliance are paramount.
Tech Products, Inc. didn’t stop at embossing. In 1989, the company developed its flagship product, Everlast, which uses an injection-molded process to ensure that color is ingrained into the plastic. "It’s made to last 40 years in any weather condition," said O'Connor. This advancement means that signs won't fade or wear down over time.
Engineered for Longevity
Durability is a key descriptor of Tech Products, Inc.’s portfolio, according to O’Connor. Many of the signs the company manufactures are exposed to extreme weather conditions and replacing them can be both costly and time-consuming. Changing a sign at a mountaintop broadcast tower isn’t exactly a walk in the park. It could mean a long and expensive round trip to the site. "The cost of replacement is very high in these remote locations," O'Connor explained. “This makes investing in a longer-lasting product upfront a smarter decision, saving time, money, and potential legal headaches down the road.”
One of the most critical roles of signage in industries like telecommunications and utilities is to ensure safety and compliance with federal safety regulations like OSHA and FCC guidelines. From warning workers of dangerous microwave radiation near cell towers to notifying the public about restricted areas, signs play an essential role in preventing accidents and lawsuits. The U.S. government, for example, uses specific colors for safety warnings that must meet exacting standards. If the colors fade outside those standards, the sign is no longer compliant. “For just a few extra dollars per sign, you can prevent a million-dollar lawsuit," O’Connor stated.
Tech Products, Inc. operates in a competitive market, but its focus on durability sets it apart from companies producing cheaper, short-term signage solutions, according to O’Connor. “While other manufacturers may offer signs for as little as a dollar, these products often need to be replaced within a year or two, adding up in costs over time,” he said. O'Connor said some companies that initially opt for a cheaper option often switch to Tech Products, Inc. signs after facing the high cost of repeated replacements. "Our signs will save you money over time," he affirmed, "We might be the more expensive option on day one, but 20 years down the line, you’ll see the difference."
A Sign of Things to Come
Looking ahead, Tech Products, Inc. aims to continue innovating and expanding its product line. O'Connor hinted that while the company excels in creating signs for outdoor, high-stakes environments, there’s always room for growth. However, he emphasized that commitment to quality and safety will always remain at the forefront of its operations.
Tech Products, Inc. isn't just selling signs, said O’Connor, it’s selling peace of mind. For industries like telecom that rely on safety and compliance, Tech Products, Inc.’s products help ensure that companies can focus on their core operations without worrying about sign replacements or legal liabilities.
Translating Performance Testing to Field Performance in Conduit Adhesives
How does laboratory testing predict field performance?
Performance is directly related to product installation. Field installation adds complexity such as large temperature ranges, tight application space, short down-time window, and a fast cure time expectation. Performance testing must directly reflect the application parameters. Testing is built from the standardized test to reflect the field materials, use configurations, application constraints, and environmental conditions. Tests may be modified and new test methods developed to create standard performance criteria. These criteria can be used to improve and formulate better products.
The identity of a conduit adhesive is built through a series of tests. These tests are used first to develop an optimum product and then to quantify its performance. The first step is to define the field requirements:
1. Field application:
Packaging and kitting can simplify the adhesion process and minimize errors. Fewer measuring and mixing steps results in an efficient job with a high rate of success. Side-by-side or coaxial cartridges fitted with static mixers allow fast and clean application.
2. Adhesion to dissimilar materials:
Conduit adhesive is often used at material transition points. While laying conduit, HDPE (high density polyethylene) duct is often bonded to PVC (polyvinyl chloride) couplings. Other material transition points may involve steel, concrete or fiberglass bonded with, or in place of, these materials. A good conduit adhesive must have excellent adhesion to all these materials, regardless of the pairing.
3. Appropriate cure time:
Working time must be long enough to allow the assembly of parts, but cure time should be fast enough to get to the next step of the job in a timely fashion.
4. Extreme environmental and temperature performance:
While in-ground joints will experience limited extreme temperature swings, some joints are above ground. These joints can be exposed to very low and very high temperatures depending on the weather. In specialty applications, some joints may experience chemical exposure.
5. Pullout strength:
Once bonded, joints need to have the strength to stay together. The strength requirement depends on the specific size, geometry, and function of the joint.
For more information or a quote on any of the products featured in this newsletter, please reach out to Ryan Campbell at rcampbell@powertech-upsc.com or (860) 678-8772.
Powertech Associates and Utility Power Supply offer the latest products and solutions available in the Utility Industry. We are committed to meet the needs of our customers through quality product solutions and proven customer service.
