Page 14 - IEC Insights Nov-Dec19

FEATURE

chain with 100+ stores, Food City was
looking to expand its storefronts. It
wanted to deploy customized (and
compact) electrical systems that could
be standardized to meet specific site
requirements – supporting a cost-effective
and rapid construction schedule.
Eaton helped the grocery chain create a
standard electrical distribution system
with a factory pre-built package that
included: switchboards, dry-type
transformers, automatic transfer switches,
building controls circuit breakers and the
UPS for centralized power protection.
What was the result? Eaton delivered
the pre-built solutions pre-wired and
tested, helping maintain an aggressive
construction schedule, while helping Eaton’s Experience Center in Pittsburgh provides hands-on training environments and labs
the customer eliminate the need for helping current and next generation professionals study complex energy technologies. Next
25 UPSs at each location to save on summer, Eaton is hosting the 2020 IEC National Instructor Conference at its Pittsburgh
equipment costs and make ongoing Experience Center.
maintenance easier. This project was
such a success that the grocery chain
is using the same model for electrical
distribution across many newer projects, MARK RUMPEL: Applying digital I think it’s helpful to compare traditional
including new retail sites, its corporate technologies yields powerful advantages: and intelligent circuit protection to see
headquarters and its regional data center. what digital innovations get you in terms
• Reducing time needed for install, of maintenance, restoring power, installing
commissioning, maintenance equipment and code compliance. Simply
We’ve also seen the and troubleshooting put, Eaton technologies help address each
growing adoption of IoT and • Putting equipment to work in of these areas more quickly and easily:
digital solutions. How can new ways, which cuts the number
contractors leverage these of components needed • Through real-time intelligence,
maintenance is predictive and
connected devices to help • Dramatic improvements in equipment specific (you know exactly
improve productivity? Can procurement and system design where there’s an issue)
you provide any examples?
We’re also seeing the benefits of • Knowing the source of the problem,
SHANE SEMPLE: Manufacturers embedded transformative IoT technology you can restore power more quickly
are offering new platforms that can directly into foundational electrical • With real-time data readily available,
help you impact productivity through components. Molded case circuit breakers, compliance with energy codes
digitalization that allows for remote like our new Power Defense Molded Case is easier and systems can be set
device configuration and commissioning. breaker family, provide vital functionality up to run more efficiently
What does this mean? Contractors no in nearly every low-voltage application
longer need to wait for a specialist to around the world, protecting connected • And new equipment installation is
arrive onsite to configure electrical devices from overloads and short circuits. easier with capacity and electrical
devices, and with data and settings load information on hand
stored in the cloud, you don’t need Now, in facilities that require hundreds
to find “that guy” when you need to of these devices, real-time data from I think the most important thing
troubleshoot, adjust etc. eCommerce the intelligent circuit breakers can to remember is that there is a vast
solutions are also being incorporated be tracked and analyzed to prompt opportunity for electrical contractors
into the construction industry to improve condition-based maintenance – an easier, to boost productivity and we’re able
order accuracy and delivery times. faster and far more cost-effective way to help, so that contractors get the
to maintain an electrical system than most of their valuable resources.
reacting in an emergency situation.

12 Insights Magazine | November/December 2019 | www.ieci.org