Z'Electrical Gazette

February 2009

Volume 12

Zotz Electrical Logo

February 2009 Volume 12     http://www.zotzelectrical.com/     Zotz Electrical     612-501-2012, 320-983-2500

Z'Electrical Logo

Product Spotlight

Electro Industries Electric Boilers

Electro Industries radiant electric boilers along with a radiant tubing system, have become one of the most popular heating systems for residential applications. These systems offer the comfort of radiant heat and the cost savings and safety offered by using their electric boilers. Electro Industries electric boilers have been considered "Standard of the Industry" for the past 20+ years. Whether your application is for radiant tubing, hot-water baseboard, dual heat or multiple applications; their Electro Boiler line can meet your hydronic heating needs.

Electro Industries Electric Boiler

For more information on Electro Industries boilers and model comparisons, click here.


Electrical Technical

How Off-Peak & Interruptible Programs Work

Electric power utility companies offer off-peak control programs, the programs that are offered vary between the different power utilities depending on who they are and the public they serve. Co-ops are more likely to offer more programs to save their customers money because they buy their electricity from the larger electricity producers and usually do not produce electricity themselves. In rural areas, versus metro areas, there are generally more options to how someone will heat their homes or water, so the rural power utilities take this into account and are able to offer more off-peak programs because of the ratio of alternative heating sources to customers.

Here are a few examples of off-peak control systems;

  • Air Conditioners
  • Water Heaters
  • Electric Boilers for Hydronic Heating Systems (Radiant Baseboard or In-Floor Tubing)
  • Electric Thermal Storage Heaters
  • Electric Baseboard Heaters
  • Air and Ground Source Heat Pumps

Electricity is generated at the power plants usually at a constant rate of production, meaning the generators run at the same speed, but during peak demand period times, approximately 3pm to 9pm, the generators may be induced to produce more power or standby peak generators may be started to compensate for the need for more electricity. If this is not done, there may be brown-out or black-out situations that arise. During peak hours when the generators increase power or the peak generators are started, naturally, more fuel is needed to run these generators and this is why the off-peak programs were started. The power utilities that have to purchase their electricity buy it in "blocks" of so many kilowatts or megawatts, if they need to purchase more to meet their customers demand during peak periods, all of the electricity may not be used. (I know this sounds strange because electricity is not a physical substance but it can be explained with math and engineering theory, but that's for another day. But I can say that electricity does have mass, in the esoteric sense.) So instead of buying more electricity, they offer the customer an option of saving money on some of their electrical appliance usage in exchange for being able to turn those appliances off during peak hours, in this way they do not need to buy the extra electricity for peak demand hours.

The power utility mounts a load control receiver near the controlled appliance or metering box and during peak demand periods the power utility sends a signal to the load control receiver to interrupt power. The utility's agreement has language that defines the times that power to these appliances can or will be interrupted but very rarely is it the total time that is stated, except for storage heat and storage water heaters. Many people think that the power utilities are trying to control the homeowners lives with these programs or trying to hold them hostage for higher rates but in reality, the power companies are trying to keep rates low and are looking out for the best interest of their customers. Most power utility companies that I have dealings with are concerned for the customer and do their best to give electrical power in the most efficient and cost effective manner possible.

Current News

Counterfeit Electrical Products

In January 2009, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) released its annual report on intellectual property rights (IPR) seizure statistics report for fiscal year 2008. According to CBP, the value of all seized counterfeit and pirated products for the year ending September 30, 2008 was nearly $273 million, an increase of 38 percent over 2007, including a 43 percent increase in seizures of counterfeit electrical products during 2008 over 2007, with a total value of almost $23 million in 2008.

The category for electrical products represented 8 percent of all seizures and ranked fifth among all product categories of counterfeit goods seized. In 2007, the category for electrical products was the third ranked category of seizures but also represented eight percent of all seizures. Seizures of counterfeit batteries totaled $1.8 million. Other electrical articles seized include power adaptors, extension cords, circuit breakers, and lighting products. The customs data indicates that the counterfeit electrical articles come from China and Hong Kong.

Read the full article at Anti-Counterfeit Products Initiative

U.S. Pentagon to Install Cree LR24 Recessed LED Luminaires

Cree, Inc. announces that more than 4,200 LR24 recessed LED luminaires are planned for installation in Wedge 5 of the Pentagon as part of a major renovation currently underway. In a signing ceremony today at the Pentagon, John J. Kubricky, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Advanced Systems and Concepts, and Albert C. Ellet, acting director of the Washington Headquarters Service responsible for overseeing the renovation, signed an intra-departmental Memorandum of Agreement kicking-off the initiative to install LED lighting in the Pentagon.

The Cree LR24 luminaires have undergone extensive government testing and business-case analysis, including a preliminary Pentagon installation to meter the fixtures and compare the results to the alternative fluorescent technology. This independent analysis demonstrated a 22-percent reduction in energy usage and improved light quality.

The business-case analysis yielded a payback of less than four years. The payback analysis considered energy savings, lifetime maintenance savings, savings from reduced load on the HVAC system, and elimination of hazardous waste disposal fees for mercury-laden fluorescent bulbs. Extensive modeling was also performed to determine optimal lighting design, analyzing the light distribution and spacing to ensure superior lighting and energy efficiency. The Wedge 5 installation is estimated to save 140 tons of CO2 emissions per year.

Read the full article at Cree's Press Room.

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