New White Paper: Managing Plug Load is the Next Challenge for Energy Efficient Buildings

Take a quick look at a typical office and you see machines like computers and copiers that are essential to operating a business. Then look at individual work spaces and note the task lights, cell phone chargers, and portable electric heaters under the desk. What these and many other everyday items have in common is that they plug directly into the building's electrical system. They constitute a building's plug load. The actual plug load of a building depends on numerous factors and no two buildings are exactly alike. Estimates of the contribution of plug load to overall building energy usage vary widely. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that plug load represents 26% of energy use in commercial offices. As building managers become more adept at reducing the energy required for HVAC and lighting, the need to control plug load becomes greater. Access the white paper here.

Overfloor Raceway Powers Up New Construction

The Challenge The combination of exploding technology and lean construction budgets is forcing architects and electrical engineers to address and hold down the cost of specification changes during construction. The new YMCA in Reading, PA wanted to keep up with member demand for recording exercise performance, specifying exercise machines that store workout data to help tailor individual routines. This electronic technology requires electrical power. Not usually a big challenge, except:

• The concrete floor had already been poured, leaving no built-in way to connect power wiring to the machines. The cost to rip channels in the floor was prohibitive.


• The ceilings are more than 20 feet high, making poles for wiring impractical.

The Solution The Wiremold® OFR Series™ Overfloor Raceway System enabled the contractors to add power connections even after concrete had been poured. Running from a Wiremold raceway on the wall, the overfloor extension reaches out four feet to the first station. The Overfloor Raceway feeds ten pairs of back-to-back machines at 8-foot intervals. While this raceway has been located between the machines where traffic is minimal, it is the lowest ADA-compliant product, essential if members decide to “cut through” between machines from one row to the other. The system eliminates the need for power poles from the ceiling – in fact the electrical wiring from the wall runs shorter than the 20 feet from the ceiling. The system installed directly onto the rubber floor surface, providing unobtrusive design. The modular system allows flexibility and room for growth, should the YMCA want to modify the machine line-up or add AV or data cabling.

Compact, Easy-to-Install Overfloor Raceway

Legrand/Wiremold introduces the smallest, lowest, narrowest, and ADA-compliant overfloor raceway system. Designed for relocatable or permanent installations where access through floors and ceilings is not an option, the Wiremold® OFR Series Overfloor Raceway System provides four channels of capacity and access to a wide range of power, communications, and A/V connectivity.

Unlike some products, this overfloor raceway system attaches directly to floor covering, including carpet, tile, and wood. Installers do not have to remove or cut into existing floor coverings. The textured black powder coat finish resists scuffing and scratches, is paintable, and blends well with many floor coverings. The raceway cover is difficult to remove without the proper tools, discouraging unwanted access.

The OFR Series Overfloor Raceway System includes transition fittings to feed from Wiremold DS4000™, 4000®, and 2400™ Series wall-mounted raceways, as well as from Vista® Point5 Architectural Columns. OFR Series Overfloor Raceway accepts Wiremold Open System device plates that provide connectivity to a wide range of devices from leading communications and A/V providers.

New Wiremold Product Catalog Now Available

This indispensible tool is loaded with enhanced features to provide more product information and to make it easier to locate and specify the Wiremold products you need. View the e-catalog online or order a copy now.

Versatile Round Floor Box for Raised Floor and Wood Floor Applications

A recessed round floor box from Legrand/Wiremold provides a high level of functionality and flexibility in raised and wood floor applications. The Wiremold® CRFB Series floor box fits into a standard raised floor air diffuser opening, providing easy access to recessed devices. This floor box is also approved for use in wood floors, including elevated platforms, stages, and balconies.

The CRFB Series floor box features four separate compartments that can accommodate multiple combinations of power, communication, and audio/video services. A tunnel feature allows two of the compartments to be used for a single service, while the other two are used for different services. Thus, these boxes can be field configured or reconfigured to accommodate power only, communication only, audio/video only, or combinations in a single unit. Trade size 1/2", 3/4", 1-1/4", and 2" knockouts accommodate standard conduit.

Standard CRFB covers offer large wire/cable egress with a locking feature. These floor boxes also accept round 8" Evolution Series poke-thru covers. This increases the ability to match aesthetics throughout the building. Die-cast aluminum covers are available in black, gray, nickel, brass, and bronze painted finishes.

CRFB Series floor boxes are listed by Underwriters Laboratories Inc. to U.S. and
Canadian safety standards for raised floors and wood floors. They meet NEC Section 300-22 and are suitable for use in air handling spaces and raised floor plenums. They are manufactured in the United States and comply with all BAA (Buy American Act) and NAFTA (North American Free Trade Act) requirements.

Tamper-Resistant Plugmold® Strips

Legrand/Wiremold has introduced a new Plugmold® multi-outlet strip that integrates tamper-resistant receptacles into a low-profile unit that provides more access to power anywhere in the home. The Plugmold 2000TR Series™ Multi-outlet System employs patented internal shutters to prevent insertion of unwanted objects into the receptacle. It meets the requirements of 2008 NEC section 406.11, which requires tamper-resistant receptacles in dwelling units.

Until now, the tamper-resistant feature was available only in larger profile multi-outlet products. The thinner size of the Plugmold 2000TR Series meets all requirements without sacrificing style. Color options include ivory, gray, white, black and stainless steel and anodized aluminum finishes. Plugmold 2000TR Series Multi-outlet strips are available in steel or aluminum in standard 3' and 5' lengths with 6" outlet spacing.