Showing posts with label Ground Fault. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ground Fault. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 26, 2021

OSHA Specifications, Definitions and Standards

OSHA - Occupational Safety and Health Administration

STANDARDS    SPECIFICATIONS    DEFINITIONS

GFCI  ELCI  SAFETY PRODUCTS

GFCI 50 amp Protection Distribution Box p/n 19703R02










OSHA Specifications

OSHA REGULATIONS GROUND FAULT PROTECTION 29CFR1910.304(b)(3)(ii)(A) All 125-volt, single-phase, 15-, 20-, and 30-ampere receptacle outlets that are not part of the permanent wiring of the building or structure and that are in use by personnel shall have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel. Note 1 to paragraph (b)(3)(ii)(A) of this section: A cord connector on an extension cord set is considered to be a receptacle outlet if the cord set is used for temporary electric power. Note 2 to paragraph (b)(3)(ii)(A) of this section: Cord sets and devices incorporating the required ground-fault circuit-interrupter that are connected to the receptacle closest to the source of power are acceptable forms of protection. 29CFR1910.304(b)(3)(ii)(B) Receptacles other than 125 volt, single-phase, 15-, 20-, and 30-ampere receptacles that are not part of the permanent wiring of the building or structure and that are in use by personnel shall have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel. 29CFR1910.304(b)(3)(ii)(C) Where the ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection required by paragraph (b)(3)(ii)(B) of this section is not available for receptacles other than 125-volt, single-phase, 15-, 20-, and 30-ampere, the employer shall establish and implement an assured equipment grounding conductor program covering cord sets, receptacles that are not a part of the building or structure, and equipment connected by cord and plug that are available for use or used by employees on those receptacles. This program shall comply with the following requirements (2 pages…) 1926.404(b)(ii) Ground-fault circuit interrupters. All 120-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacle outlets on construction sites, which are not a part of the permanent wiring of the building or structure and which are in use by employees, shall have approved ground-fault circuit interrupters for personnel protection. Receptacles on a two-wire, single-phase portable or vehicle-mounted generator rated not more than 5kW, where the circuit conductors of the generator are insulated from the generator frame and all other grounded surfaces, need not be protected with ground-fault circuit interrupters. 

CORD PROTECTION 29CFR1910.304(b)(1) Examination. Electric equipment shall be free from recognized hazards that are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees. Safety of equipment shall be determined using the following considerations: (viii) Other factors that contribute to the practical safeguarding of persons using or likely to come in contact with the equipment. (7) Mechanical execution of work. Electric equipment shall be installed in a neat and workmanlike manner. 29CFR1910.305(a)(2)(x) Flexible cords and cables shall be protected from accidental damage, as might be caused, for example, by sharp corners, projections, and doorways or other pinch points. 29CFR1910.305(a)(2)(xi) Cable assemblies and flexible cords and cables shall be supported in place at intervals that ensure that they will be protected from physical damage. Support shall be in the form of staples, cables ties, straps, or similar type fittings installed so as not to cause damage. 1926.403 (b)(1) the employer shall ensure that electrical equipment is free from recognized hazards that are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees. Safety equipment shall be determined on the basis of the following considerations: (vii) Other factors which contribute to the practical safeguarding of employees using or likely to come in contact with the equipment. 29CFR1926.405(a)(2)(ii)(B) Branch circuits shall originate in a power outlet or panelboard. Conductors shall be run as multi-conductor cord or cable assemblies or open conductors, or shall be run in raceways. All conductors shall be protected by over-current devices at their ampacity. Runs of open conductors shall be located where the conductors will not be subject to physical damage, and the conductors shall be fastened at intervals not exceeding 10 feet (3.05 m). No branch-circuit conductors shall be laid on the floor. Each branch circuit that supplies receptacles or fixed equipment shall contain a separate equipment grounding conductor if the branch circuit is run as open conductors. 29CFR1926.416(e)(1) Worn or frayed electric cords or cables shall not be used. 


TRC 44700 / 44720 GFCI 30 Amp Series GFCI's














2020 NEC New Standard in GFCI Protection

Article 210.63(A) for HVAC equipment & Article 210.63(B) for indoor service equipment and indoor equipment requiring dedicated space

 HVAC equipment in a basement is currently covered in code requiring basement circuits to be GFCI protected. HVAC equipment located in attics and other tight area is not currently covered by any GFCI requirement. The CMP recognized that many HVAC areas are typically tight working spaces where technicians perform justified energized work (they can’t troubleshoot a de-energized circuit). The 2020 code update assures equipment requiring service has a GFCI protected receptacle outlet that is readily accessible. 

Article 210.8(F) 

Code is updated for ALL outdoor outlets supplied by single phase branch circuits rated 150 volts to ground or less, 50 amps or less. This increased from 20 amps and now extends beyond receptacles to include ALL outlets and includes ALL hard-wired equipment. 

The National Electrical Code (NEC®) requires use of listed products to meet the requirements of various “Articles” within the code. 

We currently have the capability and current products that OEM and installers could use to comply with these changes without changing the electrical panel. Existing in line models can be offered as an optional installation kit by the OEM’s. The OEM could also choose to have an optional factory installed GFCI built into the equipment that would utilize our panel mount version. 

2021 UL 943 GFCI Certification Requirement Changes

WHEN IS IT EFFECTIVE: MAY 5, 2021

PARAGRAPHS AFFECTED 

Paragraphs 5.16 and 6.27 have been revised to include the extension of Auto-monitoring and end of life requirements to ALL types of GFCI’s Paragraphs 6.31.2 (d) and (e) have been revised to improve the auto-monitoring function of permanently connected GFCI’s 

WHAT THE CHANGES MEAN 

The changes to these paragraphs now requires ALL GFCI circuits to be provided with an auto-monitoring function. Prior to this change the auto-monitoring function was only applicable to permanently connected GFCI’s. Now all GFCI’s will be required to have periodic, automatic testing of the devices ability to respond to a ground fault. This test will occur each time the power becomes available to the load terminals and will be initiated within 5 seconds of power on and shall be repeated every three hours. If the auto-monitoring circuit detects a problem the circuit will deny power (trip with inability to reset) or trip with the ability to reset, subject to the next auto-monitoring test cycle. 

**Southwire GFCI products will self test within 1/10th of a second, after power on, and will self test every 17 minutes** 

Reason for the change In layman’s terms, currently, the user has to press the test button on a GFCI device to determine if the GFCI is operational. This is hazardous as many GFCI users do not test the circuit prior to use or during the GFCI life cycle. Auto-monitoring ensures the GFCI is ALWAYS operational against a potential life threatening ground fault event without user intervention. 

DEFINITIONS & STANDARDS 

GFCI 

 Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter is an LCPD specifically intended for the protection of people from shock hazard. A GFCI is a device that will immediately stop the flow of electricity if it senses any voltage loss, whether the loss is through the ground wire or to your body. 

EGFPD 

Equipment Ground-Fault Protective Devices (EGFPD) These devices operate to disconnect the electric circuit from the source supply when the ground-fault current exceeds the ground-fault pick up level marked on the equipment. EGFPS’s are intended to be installed only on grounded alternating-current systems IAW National Electric code. EGFPD’s are intended for use in applications where ground-fault protection of equipment is required. EGFPD’s are not intended to be used in place of GFCI where a GFCI is required by NEC. 

ELCI 

Equipment Leakage Circuit Interrupters are a class of LCPD not considered to be “people protectors,” and are generally only intended for equipment protection. ELCIs are virtually identical with ALCIs with the exception that the trip level is set higher than 6mA. 

ALCI 

Appliance Leakage Current Interrupters are a class of leakage current protection devices closely related to GFCIs. In fact, they share the same limits for trip level and response time. The main difference is that ALCI’s are intended for use only in circuits with a solidly grounded neutral conductor. 

LCDI 

Leakage Current Detection Interrupter cord sets are intended to sense leakage currents flowing between or from conductors of the cord set and interrupt the circuit. 

AFCI 

Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters are designed to mitigate the affect of electrical arcs. Defined by UL 1699 they can be provided as circuit breakers, outlet devices, combination devices, adapters and cord sets. The AFCI must differentiate a normal arc (i.e., power tool, light switch, etc.) from a bad arc (i.e., a parallel fault in the wiring). To avoid nuisance tripping, the trip levels are quite higher and time longer than GFCIs, ALCIs or LCDIs. A cord type AFCI’s maximum trip level is 75A for parallel fault and 5A for a series fault, both of which could be a fire in progress. 

PRCD 

Portable Residual Current Devices are designed for use in international applications and intended to protect people from electrical shock by interrupting the electrical circuit to a load when a fault current exceeds its rated trip level. They are compliant with IEC and NEMA standards, depending upon your country of use, and are available in 120V to 230V versions with 6-30mA trip levels. 

UL STANDARDS 

UL Listed products are used in applications where the product is not an integral part of the manufactured system. UL Listed wire and cable products are intended for use within residential, commercial or industrial buildings. 

OSHA REGULATIONS 

OSHA’s scope of regulation covers three major business areas; the Construction Industry, the Maritime Industry and a third category, General Industry, which covers most other business enterprises except for those in mining and agriculture which are overseen by other government agencies. OSHA’s regulations are Federal Law and are contained in the U.S. Government’s Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Violations of OSHA regulations can subject companies to legal action and fines. 

NEC (NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE) STANDARDS 

The National Electrical Code (NEC®) requires use of listed products to meet the requirements of various “Articles” within the code. 

TRC Southwire HD-Pro High Power GFCIs
24396 001 30 amp, 24542 001 60 amp, 24646 001 30 amp
24672 001 60 amp, 24846 001 30 amp













See our listing of  GFCIs HERE!

Sords Electric
216-765-4230
www.sordselectric.com

OSHA...OSHA...OSHA...OSHA...OSHA

Monday, February 22, 2021

Southwire Eletrical Assembled Products

 Southwire Assembled Products from Sords Electric

For a Quote, Please contact us HERE!

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters, GFCI, Extension Cords, Surge Strips, Work lights, construction lighting, portable lighting, Timing devices, Power distribution Boxes, Wire, Spot Lights, ELCIs, Personnel Protection


                                                         Southwire

























For a Quote or information, Please contact us HERE!

Sords Electric
216-765-4230
www.sordselectric.com

Friday, January 29, 2021

Littelfuse SE-134C Series - Ground-Fault Ground-Check Monitor

Littelfuse SE-134C and SE-135 Ground Fault Monitor

The Littelfuse SE-134C/SE-135 is a microprocessor-based, combination ground-wire monitor and ground-fault relay for resistance-grounded or solidly grounded systems. It continuously monitors the integrity of the ground conductor to protect portable equipment from hazardous voltages caused by ground faults. The Littelfuse SE-134C/SE-135 is field proven in monitoring trailing cables on large mobile equipment such as drag-lines, mining shovels, shore-to-ship power cables, dock-side cranes, stacker-reclaimers, submersible pumps, and portable conveyors.

To get a quote, please click HERE!

Features & Benefits

Adjustable pickup (0.5 - 12.5 A for SE-CS10)(2 - 50 A for SE-CS40) 
Unit can be used on a wide variety of trailing cable applications 
 
Adjustable time delay(0.1 - 2.5 s) 
Adjustable trip delay for quick protection and system coordination 
 
Output contacts 
Separate annunciation of ground-fault and ground-check faults
 
Ground-check LED indication 
Indication of open or short ground-check wire makes it easier to find faults
 
CT-loop monitoring
Alarms when CT is not connected
 
High-induced-ac rejection 
Makes unit suitable for applications with high voltages and long cables 
 
DFT (Harmonic) filter 
Prevents false operation
 
Zener-characteristic termination assembly 
Provides reliable ground-check loop verification 
 
Fail-safe circuits 
Ensures ground-check and ground-fault circuits remain safe even in the event of equipment failure 
 
Conformal coating 
Additional coating protects circuit boards against harsh environment 
 
XGC option
Increases maximum cable length for ground-check monitoring (10 km typical)

 

Littelfuse Ground Fault Check Monitor - SE-134C & SE-135

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Specifications

IEEE Device Numbers     Checking or Interlocking Relay (3GC), Ground fault (50G/N, 51G/N)

Input Voltage   65-265 V ac; 85-275 V dc; 18-72 V dc 

Dimensions   H 213 mm (8.4"); W 99 mm (3.9"); D 132 mm (5.2"); 

Trip Level Settings   0.5-12.5 A for SE-CS10, 2 - 50 A for SE-CS40 

Trip Time Settings   0.1-2.5 s 

Contact Operating Mode   Selectable fail-safe or non-fail-safe

Harmonic Filtering   Standard feature 

Test Button     Standard feature 

Reset Button   Standard feature

Output Contacts   Isolated Form A and Form B, Two Form C 

Approvals    CSA certified, UL Listed (E340889), RCM (Australia)(3), CE(3) 

Conformally Coated    Standard feature 

Warranty   5 years 

Mounting   Panel, Surface  

GC Trip Resistance   28 Ω (Standard), 45Ω (XGC Option)

Accessories

SE-CS10 or SE-CS40 Series Ground-Fault Current Transformer 
Required zero-sequence current transformer detects ground-fault current.
 
SE-TA6A Series, SE-TA12A Series Termination Assembly 
Required termination assembly; temperature compensated.
 
Part Numbers:
Littelfuse SE-134C00  120/240 AC/DC 
Littelfuse SE-134C10  24/48 VDC
Littelfuse SE-134CXGC00  120/240 AC/DC
Littelfuse SE-134CXGC10  24/48 VDC 
Littelfuse SE-13500  120/240 AC/DC
Littelfuse SE-135XGC00  120/240 AC/DC
Littelfuse SE-13503  120/240 AC/DC & Ethernet
Littelfuse SE-135XGC03  120/240 AC/DC & Ethernet
Littelfuse SE-13510  24/48 VDC
Littelfuse SE-135XGC10  24/48 VDC
Littelfuse SE-13513  24/48 VDC & Ethernet
Littelfuse SE-135XGC13  24/48 VDC & Ethernet

To get a quote, please click HERE!

Sords Electric
216-765-4230

Littelfuse SE-134C...Littelfuse SE-135...Littelfuse SE-134C...Littelfuse SE-135

Tuesday, September 29, 2020

Littelfuse SE-703 Earth-Fault Relay for Protection

  Littelfuse SE-703 Earth Fault Protection for plants and machines

For a Quote, click HERE!

The SE-703 is a microprocessor-based ground-fault relay for resistance and solidly-earthed systems. It offers sensitive ground-fault detection as low as 25 mA and can be used on systems with significant harmonic content. The SE-703 provides feeder-level protection or individual-load protection. The output contacts can be connected for use in protective tripping circuits or in alarm indication circuits. The analog output can be used with a PLC or a meter. The SE-703 is specifically designed to be Australian AS/NZS 2081 compliant.

Operates on AC solidly grounded and AC resistance grounded systems.

Littelfuse SE-703 Fault Meter








The Littelfuse SE-703 requires an EF Current Transformer

The SE-703 Specifications are:

Input voltages: 24, 120, 240 AC and 12, 24, 48 DC

Dimensions: 3x2.2x4.5 inches

Trip Level: 25-500mA

Trip Time: INST - 500 ms

Contact Operating Mode: Fail-Safe

Contacts: Isolated Form A and Form B

Analog Output: 0-5 V

Reset and Test Buttons provided

Approvals: CE, UL, CSA, C-Tick

Littelfuse SE-703 Part Numbers are:

SE-703-OU   120/240 VAC or VDC control power

SE-703-OD   12/24 DC control power

SE-703-OT   48 DC control power

SE-703-OU   24 VAC control power

Accessories:

EFCT Series Current Transformer Required

PGA-0500 Analog % current meter

PMA-55 or PMA-60 Panel mounting adapters

SE-EFVC voltage clamp





For a Quote, click HERE!

Sords Electric

Cleveland, Ohio

216-765-4230

www.sordselectric.com

Littelfuse SE-703...Littelfuse SE-703...Littelfuse SE-703...Littelfuse

Littelfuse SE-701 Ground Fault Monitor

 Littelfuse SE-701 Ground Fault Protection for plants and machines

For a Quote, click HERE!

The Little Fuse SE-701 is a microprocessor-based ground-fault relay for resistance and solidly-grounded systems. In addition to common systems, it is uniquely suited for use on systems with significant harmonic content. The SE-701 can provide main-plant protection, feeder-level protection, or individual-load protection. Proper current transformer selection provides the desired pickup range. The output contacts can be connected for use in protective tripping circuits or in alarm indication circuits. The analog output can be used with a PLC or a meter.

Littelfuse SE-701 Ground Fault Protection Meter









The Littelfuse SE-701 requires a Current Transformer

The SE-701Specifications are:

Input voltages: 24, 120, 240 AC and 12, 24, 48 DC

Dimensions: 3x2.2x4.5 inches

Trip Level: 1-99% of Primary rating

Trip Time settings: .05 - 2.5 seconds

Contact Operating Mode: Either Fail-Safe or Non Fail-Safe

Contacts: Isolated Form A and Form B

Analog Output: 0-5 V


Reset and Test Buttons provided

Approvals: CE, UL, CSA, C-Tick

Littelfuse SE-701 Part Numbers are:

SE-701-OU   120/240 VAC or VDC control power

SE-701-OD   12/24 DC control power

SE-701-OT   48 DC control power

SE-701-OU   24 VAC control power

Accessories:

Current Transformer (application specific)

PGA-0500 Analog % current meter

PMA-55 or PMA-60 Panel mounting adapters

SE-EFVC voltage clamp





For a Quote, click HERE!

Sords Electric

Cleveland, Ohio

216-765-4230

www.sordselectric.com

Littelfuse SE-701...Littelfuse SE-701...Littelfuse SE-701...Littelfuse

Friday, June 30, 2017

TRC Southwire 33120 Panel Mount GFCI

Sords Electric Sell the TRC (Technology Research Corp) 33120 Panel Mount GFCI

The small by mighty GFCI is designed to mount in a panel.  The 33120 GFCI has an automatic reset in case of a power outage  The GFCI will trip when it senses a 4-6mA leakage.  A manual reset is required after an actual Ground Fault is detected.

The TRC 33120 is a 20 amp GCI and rated for 120 volts. It has a Test button and a Reset Button.
Unit is 3.25 inches high x 2.16 inches deep and 2.35 inches wide.
GFCI response time is less than 25mS and trip level is 4-6 mA. 
Unit has a power on indication light.

To Buy Click HERE.



Unit Top is left with test and reset Buttons and unit bottom is right
TRC Model 33120 GFCI Panel Mount
















Applications can include Control panels, Test Beds, Pumping Systems, Appliance, Boat Lifts, Pressure Washers, Winch systems and wash systems.

The Southwire 33120-001 has an automatic reset on power restoration following a disruption of primary power but is a manual reset with a Ground Fault trip.

The TRC 33120 is rated for 120 volts.
The Southward 33120 is rated to 20 Amps.
The TRC 33120 has a trip level of 4-6 mA (Milliamperes)
The Southwire 33120 is UR listed.


The Southwire TRC 33120 is the 120 volt option.  Click to view or purchase HERE!

View all Sords Electric GFCI devices HERE.


Sords Electric
216-765-4230
www.sordselectric.com











TRC 33120-001 Ground Fault GFCI Panel Mount

Sords Electric
216-765-4230


Friday, April 27, 2012

GFCI's and Grounding ~ NFPA

Sords Electric Sells Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters for safety in homes and commercial estashblishments.


The ground-fault circuit-interrutper (GFCI) was developed in the 1960’s based on a concept by Professor Charles Dalziel of the University of California at Berkeley. The GFCI became a success soon after it was developed into a commercial product by a handful of companies, including several circuit breaker manufacturers. The GFCI was first required by the Code in 1968 for underwater swimming pool lighting fixtures. Backyard swimming pools were becoming popular at that time as more and more city dwellers were moving to the more spacious suburbs. In subsequent years the Code was revised to add the required use of GFCIs to other areas of the house, especially locations where people would be standing on earth or cement ground, or near water. By the 1980’s, receptacle type GFCIs were also becoming popular. Just 25 years after the GFCI was first introduced, the number of accidental electrocutions in the U.S. had dropped in half, even though the use of electricity had more than doubled in that same time period.

These are the locations in and around the home when GFCIs were first required:
1968 - Swimming Pool Underwater Lighting 
1971 - Receptacles Near Swimming Pools 
1973 - Outdoor Receptacles 
1975 - Bathroom Receptacles
1978 - Garage Receptacles 
1981 - Whirlpools and Tubs 
1987 - Receptacles Near Kitchen Sinks 
1990 - Receptacles in Unfinished Basements and Crawl Spaces 
1993 - Receptacles Near Wet Bar Sinks 
1996 - All Kitchen Counter-Top Receptacles 
2005 - Receptacles Near Laundry and Utility Sinks


Circuit grounding was one of the more hotly contested topics in the early history of electrification. In the early 1890’s, the New York Board of Fire Underwriters had condemned the practice of grounding the neutral as a dangerous practice, especially in a 3-wire Edison (120/240 Volt) system. The Edison utility companies, on the other hand, found just cause to ground their supply systems, even as others thought the utilities were doing this to just save copper and money at the cost of an increased fire risk. The great debate continued for over a decade, but in 1903 the Code was revised to recommend that these circuits be grounded, and finally in the 1913 Code a mandatory circuit grounding requirement was included for circuits like the popular residential Edison 3-wire system.
The most common way to ground a residential wiring system has always been to use the building’s metal water piping as a grounding electrode. The early Codes permitted water-piping systems of 3-Ohms or less to ground to be used as an electrode, which was usually the case if the metal water pipe extended several feet into the ground. In 1923, the Code first mentioned electrodes of driven rod or pipe. The 1925 Code further referred to these driven electrodes as “artificial” electrodes, and required them to be at least 8 feet long, with minimum diameters of 1⁄2 inch for a rod and 3⁄4 inch for pipe. It also noted that if only one of these artificial electrodes had a resistance of greater than 25 Ohms to ground, then two artificial electrodes had to be provided spaced at least six feet apart.
In 1951 the Code was revised to indicate that if there was 10 feet or less of metal water pipe in contact with the earth, or if there was the likelihood of the metal water piping system being disconnected, then the grounding system needed to be supplemented with an additional electrode. Ten years later, in 1971, the Code further strengthened that requirement by stating that a water pipe electrode must always be supplemented with an additional electrode, which in most cases meant adding a rod or pipe electrode to the house’s grounding system. In 1999 the Code was again revised to require this water pipe supplemental rod or pipe electrode to have a resistance to ground of 25 Ohms or less, or be augmented by an additional electrode. Also in recognition of the increased use of non-metallic water pipe, the 1993 Code was revised to state that interior water pipe more than 5 feet from the entrance to the building shall not be used as part of the grounding electrode system.
Homes built before the 1960’s had most of their original 125 V receptacle outlets of the non-grounding type (2-prong) (see Fig. 14). In 1947, the Code first required grounding type (3-prong) receptacles for the laundry. In 1956 the required use of grounding type receptacles was extended to basements, garages, outdoors and other areas where a person might be standing on ground. Finally, in 1962 the Code was revised to require all branch circuits to include a grounding conductor or ground path to which the grounding contacts of the receptacle must be connected. That effectively discontinued the use of non- grounding type receptacles except for replacement use in existing installations were a grounding means might not exist.
The permission for neutral grounding, the practice of using the neutral conductor as an equipment grounding conductor, was first permitted in the 1947 Code for electric ranges. At around that time many electric utilities were promoting the use of residential 240 V cooking for the post WWII housing boom, and many were even offering to install an upgraded service to older homes at no charge. However, there were no NM cables available at the time with conductors of sufficient ampacity to handle these higher amperage branch circuits. There were, though, service entrance cables of sufficient size, but they had a bare neutral conductor. This special Code permission allowed the frames of these large appliances to be grounded through the uninsulated grounded neutral conductor of the Type SE service entrance cable used to supply the branch circuit. The use of neutral grounding was also extended to electric clothes dryers in 1953. However, almost 50 years later, this special permission for neutral grounding was taken away in the 1996 Code for all but existing branch circuit installations.

Visit Sords Electric for our full list of Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters

216-765-4230

www.sordselectric.com


Monday, May 25, 2009

Safety Cords ~ Fire Shield Cords


Fire Shield is a next generation extension cord with built-in intelligence to sense cord damage and shut off the power before a fire can start.  No other extension cord has this capability.

Industry statistics indicate there is a cord fire approximately every 6 minutes.  The most frequent causes of such fires are short circuits, overloading, damage, and/or misuse of extension cords.

A special shield surrounds each of the insulated conductors of the Fire Shield Extension Cord.  The shield is continuously monitored by electronics in the plug head.  When a dangerous electrical condition is detected by current leaking to the shield, power is shut off before a fire can start.

Fire Shield differ from GFCI's and ground conductors. Grounded conductors only provide a path to ground. GFCI’s detect ground faults.  Neither detects the breakdown in the insulation of a standard extension cord, which can lead to an arcing condition that may start a fire.  By utilizing a sensing shield around the insulated Fire Shield conductors combined with intelligent electronics in the plug head, Fire Shield can detect damage in the cord such as series faults (broken and frayed conductors) and parallel faults (insulation damage between the live conductors), and shut off the power before a fire can start.

Unintentional misuse of extension cords is the main reason for cord fires.  Cords may be crimped, pinched, frayed, overloaded, overheated, or just worn out.  Any of these conditions can lead to an extension cord fire.  Fire Shield can detect any leakage currents from these conditions and shut off power before a fire can occur.

The cord fire protection is a function of the special shield and relates to the Fire Shield extension cord only.

Fire Shiled should be used anywhere you use standard extension cords or power strips; in children’s rooms, pet areas, with space heaters, electric blankets, waterbeds, etc.  Children and pets have been known to bite or chew electrical cords.  Fire Shield, with its built-in intelligence may provide protection in these circumstances.   Fire Shield Safety Extension Cords should also be used during the holidays with Christmas trees and other holiday decorations because of the tendency to overload extension cords.

Standard surge protectors only provide protection against power surges, which is important.  However, standard surge protectors do not provide cord fire prevention.   TRC has recently introduced a next generation line of Fire Shield Surge Protectors that not only protects against power surges, but also provides cord fire prevention.

Fire Shield cords are now required at many colleges as the only power strip allowed in college dorms.  This is due to students overloading the strips, or tacking the cords to walls or pinching the cords between doors or around corners.  All these issues can and will cause fires.

Fire Shield cords are patented and UL/CSA approved.

Sords Electric

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