Despite the slow economy, electrical manufacturers submitted a record number of entries for the 2003 EC&M Product of the Year Platinum Award.
A select group of electrical contractors, engineers, plant/facility professionals, and a National Electrical Code expert met on Feb. 3 in Los Angeles before the start of the Electric West show to evaluate the more than 100 entries. Their evaluation criteria was pretty simple: Will this product help me do my job faster, safer, smarter or more profitably?
EC&M readers will now have an opportunity to vote for the winner by visiting EC&M's Web site at www.ecmweb.com. The product photos and descriptions will also be published in the magazine's March issue and in Electrical Wholesaling's March issue.
In its third year, the Platinum Award honors excellence in new product development in the electrical industry. The 2003 Platinum Award winner will be announced on June 10 at Electric 2003 in Washington, D.C.
Here's a list of the 20 finalists:
American Power Conversion (APC): Power StruXure
Arlington Industries Inc.: Snap2it Zero-to 90-degree Connector
Dewetron: Portable Power Quality Analyzer (PNA-600)
Dranetz-BMI: Multi DAQ Taskcard
Extech Instruments Corp.: Model 470 True RMS Multimeter plus IR Thermometer
FCI Burndy Products: Burndy Patriot Battery Actuated Hydraulic Tool
First Edition Products: Drill Spotter
GE Multilin: Digital Feeder Protection Relay (SR F650)
Grasslin Controls: Lightmaster Light Level Sensor and Time Control
Ideal Industries, Inc.: LinkMaster Pro Tester (Datacom Cable Tester)
Ideal Industries Inc.: Tracetek Advanced Fiber Adapter
Kohler Power Systems: PD-300 Series Paralleling Switchgear
Leviton Manufacturing Co.: Out of Sight Telephone Power Jack
Leviton Manufacturing Co.: Dimension D3200 Series Controller/Dimmer
PVA Enterprises Corp.: PVA Transient Block
Raytek Corp.: PhotoTemp MX6 IR Thermometer/Digital Camera
Siemens Energy & Automation: SARRACS Remote Breaker Racking System
Specified Technologies Inc.: E-Z Path Fire Rated Cable Pathway
SymCom Inc.: Model 460 Voltage Monitor
Thomas & Betts: T&B XJG Rigid Conduit Expansion Coupling.