Product of the Year Entries Top 100

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.