July 2012
arc flash safety written
 Electrical Contractors Newsletter
 
 
Greetings!

Thank you for taking the time to open our newsletter. Below are three articles that you may find educational.

- Aldo Gallelli
Arc Flash Safety                                

FLASH! As seen in the picture above, is not something you want to experience. Arc flash is very dangerous and is a safety concern in all facilities. Management must be aware of it. 

 

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), an arc flash is an electric current that passes through air when insulation or isolation, between electrified conductors, is no longer sufficient to withstand the applied voltage. 

 

Arc flash is a very bright and loud explosion with temperatures that can reach up to 35,000�F. The massive energy released from the arc flash vaporizes metal conductors, blasting molten metal outward.

 

According to CapSchell Inc., on average, approximately five to ten severe arc flash explosions occur every day in the United States. Each year, more than 2,000 people are treated in burn centers with severe arc flash injuries. 

 

An arc flash can be caused by a tool dropped into a panel, accidental contact with a live circuit or even build-up of dust, dirt, corrosion or particles that can act as a conductor (more examples to the right).

 

Insurance companies will be holding Facility Management responsible for Electrical Safety Requirements outlined in the NFPA 70e (National Fire Protection Association Electrical Safety Code). This is the Standard for Electrical Safety in the workplace. 

 

The National Electric Code (NEC) ARTICLE 110.16 requires that,

Electrical equipment such as switchboards, panel boards, industrial control panels, meter socket enclosures, and motor control centers that are in other than dwelling units, and are likely to require examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while energized shall be field marked to warn qualify persons of potential electric arc-flash hazards. The marking shall be located so as to be clearly visible to qualified persons before examinations, adjustments, servicing, or maintenance of the equipment." The NEC references the NFPA 70e. The NFPA 70e outlines the specific requirements for arc flash labeling.

 

Let's Be Proactive!

 

You can reduce your liability concerning arc flash hazards through the proper labeling of equipment. To label equipment properly, you will need a coordination/short circuit study performed on the entire electrical system. 

 

Once the available energy can be determined at the equipment, the proper labeling can be applied. This will allow a qualified person to know exactly what the potential arc flash hazards are. He or she can then wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

 

All employees should be trained on the hazards of arc flash. Qualified personnel must be trained on the proper PPE required when working on any electrical equipment. 

 

Proper labeling on equipment will reduce potential for injuries and protect the owner from liability.

 

In speaking with facility managers, it seems that insurance companies are becoming more stringent with the requirement of proper panel labeling. Since this is an NFPA 70e and NFPA 70 requirement, it is safe to say that we can anticipate seeing more of this in the near future. 

 

Is your equipment properly labeled?

Give us a call at 732.548.3995 for more information  

   

Generators cummins

In our last newsletter, one of the topics addressed, was the increase in the demand for generators in New Jersey. This was due to an increase in power outages caused by the utility companies' degrading infrastructure and inclement weather. We also demonstrated how businesses and homeowners would benefit from a fully automatic backup generator. 

 

Over the past several months we have been asked to price a number of different emergency generator systems for various customers. 

Some customers have requested specific manufacturers.

 

Even though many manufacturers can deliver similar products (for example the same KW rating, prime or standby rating, noise attenuated, or simply a weather enclosure) some manufacturers are preferred. 

 

The manufacturer that we have been asked to install more often is Cummins Power Generation.

 

"I once asked a facility manager why he wanted a Cummins generator. His reply was that 'Cummins was a one stop shop.' I asked him to clarify what he meant, he said he liked Cummins because Cummins was the only manufacturer that builds everything; the engine, alternator, transfer switch, turbo charger, and controller. I asked him what the significance was and his reply was that 'servicing is a lot easier when the same technician can work on all the components. It is not necessary to have one technician for the automatic transfer switch, another technician for the engine and another technician for the controller.' Since all the components are made by the same manufacturer, maintenance/service time was reduced. Shortly after this discussion I experienced this single sourcing in action. It saves time and simplifies servicing."   - Aldo Gallelli

 

Cummins' diesel-powered generator sets are durable and EPA certified. They are suited for standby emergency power, continuous or prime power applications. Sizes range from 10kW to 2.75 Mega watts. 

 

Cummins' spark-ignited engine generator sets come in a standard line ranging from 20 kW to 100 kW. Cummins also has a custom spark-ignited generator product line ranging from 150 kW to 725 kW. 

 

Cummins can design a project for any application. They control all elements of the project-specific equipment. To see an example of a 1.5 Megawatt Cummins generator installation visit our featured project page

  

 

 

Solar Panel Seminar                         

AG Electrical Contractors partnered with              seminar

RER Energy Group and hosted a Free Solar Energy Workshop this Spring at the ARS Building in Kenilworth, NJ.

 

The goal of the seminar was to explain why solar energy is so important in New Jersey and how it can be beneficial for business. In addition we explored different ways to finance a solar energy project.

 

Attendees included New Jersey business owners, EPA representatives, government contractors and a church representative. The seminar was a success with a great attendee list, special guest speakers, a raffle, and solar products on display.

 

The attendees learned how a solar investment can provide paybacks in less than 5 years for systems that will last thirty to forty years. 

 

Solar Investments can improve cash flow for a business to provide additional funds for other investments such as personnel, building renovations, R&D and more.

 

Special guest speakers included:

- Tony Pizzutillo, Smith Pizzutillo LLC: (Public Affairs Professional and Solar SREC advisor)

- Paul Drexel, Sunco Industrial: (A Renewable Energy Company)

- Bob Davis, The Schulz Group: Satisfied customer

 

Bob Davis, President of The Schulz Group, and owner of the Reliable Electric Motor Repair electro-mechanical building in Paterson, NJ, spoke about his system's 40kW roof mounted solar array. The system was designed by RER Energy and installed by AG Electrical Contractors. 

 

Bob Davis expressed that at first he "wasn't certain about the solar project." After showing the numbers to his accountant, his accountant encouraged him to move forward with the project. The system now provides approximately 40% of the building's total energy.

 

The seminar demonstrated two primary ways to take advantage of solar energy savings.

- Owning the system and receiving all the tax and energy benefits

- Not owning the system but receiving reduced energy costs at a fixed rate over a 15 to 20 year period.

 

In summary, a solar project could be financially viable even if the credits for solar energy (SRECS) are not as high as they once were. 

 

It is easy to provide a financial spreadsheet to demonstrate how solar energy could work for you. All we need is a recent electric bill which will have the address, meter information and usage. It's that easy!  

 

If you are interested give us a call at 732-548-3995

 

 

 

Summer Edition
SAFETY FINAL
In This Issue
Arc Flash Safety
Generator Demand
Solar Panel Seminar
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Arc Flash 
 "Insurance companies will be holding Facility Management responsible"
With an Arc Flash Safety program in place, your insurance premiums may be reduced!

What causes an Arc Flash?
- Dust, corrosion or other impurities on the surface of the conductor 
- Dropping a tool or otherwise creating a spark that can ignite an arc flash. 
- Breaks or gaps in insulation.  
- Coming close to a 
high-voltage source with a conductive object can cause the electricity to flash over. 
- Equipment failure due to use of substandard parts, improper installation, or even normal wear and tear
 
 
Evaluate the Hazards 
Understand: Incident Energy, PPE Requirements, Flash Hazard Boundary, Shock Hazard, and the Limited, Restricted and Prohibited Approach Boundaries for Shock Hazard.
 





Generators  dont delete

Types of Generators

  Standby

  Portable 

Types of Generator Fuel
Gasoline
Diesel
Bio-Diesel
Emulsified Diesel
Propane
Natural Gas
 

The engine, alternator and control system are manufactured by divisions of Cummins. 
 

This integral approach means each element of a generator set is matched at the factory and not just pieced together.
 



Solar Panel Seminar 
seminar

Solar Energy in NJ

New Jersey has surpassed California as the largest commercial solar market
  
Benefits

Savings in energy result in an increase in cash flow.

Greater cash flow in a business .could be used for other investments such as personnel, building renovations, research & development and more.

Bob Davis, a satisfied customer, benefits from his 40kW solar array, providing approximately 40% of the building's total energy consumption. 

Check out the status of his solar array below!

Sunny Portal: 39.48kW Solar PV System

  


AG Electrical Contractors Inc.