Helping to power up our utility customers for 30 years

Powertech Associates is celebrating 30 years in business in 2022. I remember starting the business in my garage in June of 1992 as if it was yesterday. We started with one product line from TE Connectivity/Raychem and a strong desire to provide our customers with the best solutions in the industry.

Initially, we focused on underground distribution systems with major New England utilities. As the months and years progressed, we acquired other product lines that complemented and expanded our offerings.

Our main goal has always been to provide our customers with the latest technology solutions in the Utility industry. We have grown to 10 employees and added UPSC, our distribution arm, to supply the demand for our products and to streamline the buying process.

I always stress to our team that “Customers have choices, “ and in our business timely solutions and product performance is of the upmost importance to our customers.

I would personally like to thank our principles and customers for their trust and support over the last 30 years. We would not exist without you and we look forward to continuing to serve your needs in the future.

With gratitude,

Bill Campbell

NOW AVAILABLE! Safety Lime FR Mechanics Hybrid Glove

Enter to win (1) pair and (1) AirLoop

Youngstown’s NEW FR Safety Lime Mechanics Hybrid is now in stock in both

Large and Extra Large.

Please click on the button below to enter to win (1) pair and (1) AirLoop!

2 winners will be drawn and notified on 6/30/22.

The FR Safety Mechanics Hybrid compliant to NFPA 2112 standards for industrial flash fire. The glove features a flame resistant goat leather palm along with a brilliant safety lime FR Nomex® on the top of hand. The entire glove is lined throughout with 100% Kevlar® fiber. Reflective fingertips and printing enhance visibility in low light situations. The entire glove is sewn into Youngstown’s signature form-fit pattern for excellent dexterity and comfort. This glove is flame resistant, cut resistant, puncture resistant and arc flash rated to 14 cal/cm2 and will not drip, melt, or ignite when exposed to flames or sparks.

Youngstown's AirLoop is an innovative tool designed to dry your gloves more quickly. Simply loop the AirLoop into a tight circle and insert it deep into the cuff of the glove. AirLoop will expand to hold the gloves open and promote airflow.

 FR Safety Mechanics Hybrid

AirLoop

 Duct Seals Prevent Ruinous Water Damage

Sealing electrical or communication conduits and duct banks isn’t just a code-compliance action item. It’s the easiest way to prevent costly and potentially catastrophic equipment damage.

How do we know when a seal is necessary?

The simple answer is that it’s required when we want to isolate one area from another. This separation can exclude water, gases, fire, dust, pests, or all of the above. A seal is often specified to meet governing industry codes, such as the NEC, CEC, TIA and BICSI. There are many chemical and mechanical sealing solutions available for the full range of conduit applications. Let’s look more closely at sealing to prevent water ingress specifically...

Vertical Break Disconnector

 With its unique and innovative design, EMSPEC VG1 Folding Vertical Break switch aka "The ICEBREAKER" has many advantages over conventional air break switches.

Operating under severe ice buildup is clearly one of them ! Compact design, Easy to operate and maintain.

Watch VG1 operate under ice build-up

With operational efficiency and safety top priorities for cable engineers, Ripley Tools has developed the UtilityTool® US16 drill operated jacket removal device. The first-of-its-kind tool is set to transform the stripping of power utilities cables and is available now.

Expertly designed for use in the energy sector, the UtilityTool® US16 enables engineers to remove outer jackets on medium voltage power cables more easily, safely and efficiently. The innovative tool incorporates a drill and self-feeding design, which makes jacket removal efficient and reduces the physical strain of the task for engineers. The cable is guided through the tool using a bushing and there are a range of bushing sizes available for use on different cable types up to 1.5” in diameter.

To ensure accuracy, the US16 features a micro indexing blade depth control and a simple mechanism for adjusting the blade depth when required, which protects the cable shielding. The tool cleanly removes the jacket to expose the cable shielding, allowing engineers to carry on with the job in hand.

In development of the US16, Ripley Tools worked closely with lineman, Andy Sedlacek, which has given a unique and expert insight into the specific challenges faced in the field and how they can be solved. The original version of the US16 was invented by Andy and Ripley Labs worked with him to further refine the tool and make sure it meets all the needs of energy engineers worldwide. One of the challenges was that existing tools put excessive strain on the wrist and
elbow joints, so the US16 prioritizes safety and comfort on the job.

As is to be expected from Ripley Tools, the US16 has been designed with durability in mind, to ensure a long lifetime for the tool and offer reliability for users. And, importantly, it can be customized to suit the requirements of a specific job. For example, the US16 can come with a customized bushing to ensure a precise fit.

Specs:

• Jacket is cleanly removed to expose cable shielding
• Micro indexing blade depth control to protect cable shielding
• Self-feeding design greatly reduces operator fatigue and strain
• Simple, safe blade depth adjustment
• Durable, reliable and built to last
• Ergonomic design prioritises user comfort and safety
• Suitable for cable diameters up to 1.5″ (38 mm)

Power Design Enclosure Extends Battery Life for Major IOU

THE CHALLENGE:

A major NC investor-owned utility was challenged to prevent their substation batteries from failing prematurely. The problem is not the batteries, but rather the environment in which they operate. The lead-acid batteries have been lasting 5—8 years before needing replacement when stored in free-standing, metal enclosures versus 20- years plus when in conditioned environments like station control buildings.

The batteries are designed to be kept in approximately 70 degrees Fahrenheit for optimum performance and life.* The free standing metal enclosures that are typical for the industry are not insulated or conditioned. With direct sunlight the enclosures can reach significantly high temperatures. As one station maintenance supervisor said, “You could fry your eggs on top of those cabinets.” With a material cost of over $5k for a 100Ahr set of batteries, coupled with labor and downtime costs, the IOU needed a better enclosure.

THE SOLUTION:

Utility engineers worked with Power Design, Inc., a manufacturer of fiberglass primary sectionalizing cabinets and primary metering equipment, to create a better operating environment for the batteries. Critical needs of the enclosure, outside of housing the batteries and charger, are AC/DC load centers, insulation, air conditioning, a timed exhaust fan, and portable battery connects. ‘Operations’ needed safe and ergonomic access to all components.

Optimizing cost with field needs, it was concluded a 4’ x 12’ x 7’6” tall enclosure would provide easy and safe access to the different components without taking too much station real estate. The enclosure is prewired and factory assembled with all components with the exception of the battery charger and batteries which are provided by the utility. The enclosure will improve reliability of the station batteries while reducing maintenance costs.

BENEFITS:

• Pre-wired: fully assembled at factory
• Reduces battery maintenance cost over time and improves reliability
• Easy installation with standard line truck
• Safer: less need to handle heavy batteries when they last longer.
• Easy access to batteries and equipment

NEW Temporary Protective Grounding System (TPG) from SAE Inc.

What is TPG? Temporary Protective Grounding

A system providing safe, reliable grounding performance through TPG Outrigger Pads and TPG Grounding Screws.

TPG Outrigger Pads

The TPG Outrigger Pads are designed to provide improved temporary grounding for your safety, easily replacing traditional pads / existing equipment.

TPG Grounding Screws are efficient for durable, reliable, and reusable grounding where difficult soil conditions exist.

Traditional insulated pads (wood or fiberglass) do not ground your vehicle. Simply swap out your existing outrigger pads and replace with the conductive TPG Outrigger Pads for improved protection.

The TPG Outrigger Pads are:

• Light weight
• Reversible
• Durable
• Stackable
• Holes for Water
• Easy Carry Handles

TPG Grounding Screws

The TPG Grounding Screws provide additional temporary grounding for special Conditions  For use where soil, tower distance or difficult ground conditions exist, use the TPG Grounding Screw.

TPG System   | The Protected Solution

By using the extremely reliable TPG System compared to traditional methods in use today, you will benefit from:

1. Improved personnel safety by efficiently dissipating lightning or other surge energy
2. Better asset protection and reliability by ensuring protection devices function as designed
3. Easy to deploy just swap and go!
4. Lowest lifecycle cost due to reusability and durability of the high strength aluminum

Elevate your safety with superior vehicle electrical grounding using the SAE TPG System.

Outrigger Pad

Outrigger Pad

Grounding Screw

Grounding Screw

Deadbreak Elbow Extension Adapter

15/25/28kV & 35kV Voltage Classes

The Richards Deadbreak Elbow Extension Adapter provides a robust solution for extension of medium voltage power cable. The DE features a specialized bus, designed to interface with a Deadbreak Elbow on one side and a Disconnectable Joint Sleeve on the other. The DE provides an easy method for extending a connection to reach new equipment and replacing damaged/cable accessories.

Features:

• Repair or extension for medium voltage power cable
• Great for Livefront to Deadfront Gear Conversion
• Top interface – Deadbreak Elbow Lug/Cable
• Cable Adapter/Cable “Simulator”
• Factory pre-installed lug with integral cable adapter
• Bottom interface - Disconnectable Joint interface
• Makes connection to wide range of cable sizes

• Factory-installed Lug
• 18 7/8” of extension length.

Also available in 35kV – supplied with a custom deadbreak elbow pre-installed 

 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.