Page 27 - IEC Insights Jan-Feb2019

FEATURE

serial number, the crimp pressure and
indentation level, and success or failure.
Additional information, such as torque Any business that is reliant on crimped
value for lugs bolted to bus bars and a
photo of the connection, can be entered electrical connections for the stability
manually. Setup strategies can be
used to register the location of groups of its functions may be interested in
of crimps so that each crimp in each
enclosure on a floor, for example, can be the features the new tool offers.
accurately and automatically reported
along with the location – a system
that is faster, more complete and more
efficient than hand-recording data.
WHO WILL USE THE for them could benefit from the tool’s
• Bluetooth connectivity. Smart® data-gathering features, since even a
Tool+ data can be downloaded to NEW TOOL? single failure in far-flung equipment can
a unique mobile app via Bluetooth, With its cloud-based data storage, force expensive repairs. And industries
then uploaded to a secure cloud for Bluetooth communication features that function on tight margins, such as
permanent storage and retrieval. and RFID-tagged lugs, the Smart® food & beverage processors, may find
Tool+ system is an advance on today’s that the benefit of averting costly power
• Analysis and reporting. Using standard crimping technology. Early failures is well worth the price of a tool
reporting tools available on the adopters are likely to be users who must with simplified operating characteristics
secure Smart® Tool+ cloud based complete sensitive work such as hospital and built-in monitoring and reporting.
dashboard, data can be analyzed construction, data centers and military
and seamlessly reported to job installations. QAQC-guided work where In short, any business that is reliant on
supervisors, quality control engineers quality control and data collection is crimped electrical connections for the
or any other entity that requires crucial is a natural potential market, stability of its functions may be interested
full reporting on crucial electrical since the Smart® Tool+ system’s ability in the features the new tool offers.
connections. Access to a user’s cloud to perform automated quality checks
based data dashboard can be granted and collect, upload and store required As an industry blog from the Canadian
to building owners, inspectors or data on each crimp can save significant firm WireProcess Specialties noted
building commissioners to simplify amounts of time and hassle on the job. in 2017, “knowledge of the assembly
the process of sharing critical data. process is critical. But it is not enough.
But the demand for such automatic Assuming wire assembly is a simple
Connections made with the Smart® quality control and monitoring in other process that does not require constant
Tool+ are UL Listed to UL 486 A/B. The industries may well expand to meet the monitoring can be a critical mistake.“
tool achieves a UL listed connection capabilities of the tool, given the critical
with a single crimp on long and short need for crimp quality and the potential Smart® Tool+, along with its RFID-
barrel lugs and splices, when crimping expense of undetected quality failures. enabled lug technology, leads the
copper lugs on copper cables and way in harnessing the best of modern
aluminum lugs on aluminum cables. Oil & gas installations, telecommunications technology to improve the process of
companies, and those who do work crimping connections and the ability to
detect flaws, if and when they occur, in
a timely manner. Taken as a whole, the
Smart® Tool+ system is truly leading
SOURCES:
the industry to a better future.
Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty, “Product Recall: Managing the Impact of the
New Risk Landscape”, 2017
Brian Burke is the director of global
WireProcess Specialties, “An appliance recall. Breaking down the Causes of product management for connectivity and
Electrical Failure”, Nov. 23, 2017 grounding at ABB Installation Products,
International Association of Electrical Inspectors, “Not All Connections are Created based in Memphis, Tennessee. He holds a
Equal – A Focus on Crimping”, by Andrew Delonno, July 16, 2003 bachelor of science degree in industrial
Distribution (Engineering Management)
EDN Network, “Bad crimp, bad news”, by Martin Rowe, Sept. 27, 2013 from Clarkson University and an MBA in
© 2019 ABB Asea Brown Boveri Ltd and its related entities. All rights reserved. marketing from Syracuse University.

www.ieci.org | January/February 2019 | Insights Magazine 25