by Alan M. Petrillo, Electric Times, v. 16 #2, November 2008.

A H Neal Sales Inc. of Scottsdale teamed up with Cooper Power Systems to hold a pair of seminars late last month in Phoenix and Tucson to address upcoming standards for medium voltage equipment.

Bud Neal of A H Neal Sales said participants in the Medium Voltage Apparatus Solutions seminars included representatives from the consulting, mining and industrial sectors, as well as reps from the University of Arizona, Arizona State University, distributors and electrical contractors.

The chief topic of discussion at the seminars was the recently-issued Department of Energy (DOS) Energy Conservation Standards for medium voltage liquid-immersed and dry-type transformers, scheduled to take effect January 1, 2010.

Phoenix Seminar, 29 October 2008

Neal pointed out that the DOE previously issued a similar standard for low-voltage dry-type transformers that was effective Jan. 1 of this year. he noted that the DOE was concerned that its medium voltage standards be technologically feasible and economically justifiable.

Tucson Seminar, 28 October 2008

“Though it’s still more than a year away from the effective date of the medium voltage standard, Cooper Power Systems strongly encouraged specifiers to include the DOE standard in future medium voltage transformer specifications so as not to be caught off guard, should transformers specified no longer be available at pre-DOE standard efficiencies,” Neal said.

He pointed out that Cooper Power Systems encouraged using a natural ester fluid-based dielectric insulation in transformers to enhance green design elements in the DOE standard. Natural ester based fluids are renewable, food-grade-quality insulating dielectric fluids that are extremely fire-resistant and serve to extend transformer insulation life over mineral oil dielectric insulating fluids.

A H Neal Sales supplies the industry with medium voltage apparatus solutions.