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.

Desktop Power and USB Charging

Legrand/Wiremold has introduced a compact and convenient way to provide surge-protected power and USB charging for electronic devices right at the work surface. The new Wiremold® Desktop Power Center brings easy access to where it's needed the most and ends the frustration of trying to find an extra power outlet or a way to charge USB devices.

The Wiremold Desktop Power Center is available in two configurations: four power outlets or three power outlets and two USB charging connections. The 12' power cord allows for a long reach to connect to an existing power source. Because surge protection is built in, there is no need to install additional power management components.

The Desktop Power Center utilizes the existing cord drop openings typically found in office desks and workspace table tops. It accommodates standard round hole openings from 1 ½" to 3". For surfaces without an access grommet, an included clamp enables secure mounting onto the edge of a desk or table top.

Laser Level and Cutting Guide Ensure Neat, Accurate Raceway Installation

Legrand/Wiremold has introduced a unique way to improve the ease and accuracy of installing Wiremold® 500 and 700 Series raceway. The new Metal Raceway Laser Level and Cutting Guide simplifies and streamlines raceway installation and saves time by making it easier for one person to do the job.

The cutting guide, which attaches to a stepladder with a thumb screw, provides a secure channel for the saw so that cuts are straight and true. In addition to Wiremold 500 and 700 Series raceway, the cutting guide also accommodates 1/2" conduit and 3/8" threaded rod.

Once sections have been cut to length, the laser level ensures that the raceway will be perfectly aligned horizontally and vertically. The level works with both boxes and raceway fittings. Use it to properly align the box base on the wall; then slide the device over the base tongue and establish a level line as a guide to make holes for raceway mounting clips. The laser level also has a guide slot that connects to corner fittings, ensuring a 90º angle. The level uses built-in magnets for attaching to metal surfaces and push pins for sheetrock.

Ballroom Box Withstands Heavy Loads, Offers Capacity and Flexibility

Legrand/Wiremold has introduced new floor boxes that withstand the heavy loads associated with wheeled vehicles in locations such as hotel ballrooms, exhibition halls, convention centers, entertainment venues, museums, and automobile showrooms. These boxes feature rugged construction, including heavy-duty covers, and provide ample capacity for power, communication, and audio/video devices. New CCBBS Series small ballroom floor boxes are designed for above-grade (CCBBS) and on-grade (CCBBS-OG) concrete floors. CCBBS-OG boxes have an epoxy coating as an extra layer of protection for when the box is used in contact with the earth.

CCBBS Series small ballroom floor boxes provide up to 12 gangs of proprietary and industry-standard faceplates for power, communications, and A/V. Power options include standard duplex 20A and 30A receptacles, GFCI, Hospital Grade, and Turnlok receptacles. The open A/V system accommodates devices from a wide range of manufacturers such as Ortronics®, Extron® Electronics, Crestron®, and others. These floor boxes also feature designed-in features for ease of installation, including a minimum of 3" of wiring capacity behind each device face plate, ¾" to 2" trade size knockouts, and a removable/repositionable divider for separation of services.

The heavy-duty cast aluminum cover has been designed and tested to meet static loads of 25,000 lbs. The cover, which has a self-closing handle, rotates 180° to provide full access to the interior of the box. Two large cable egress areas offer plenty of capacity and flexibility for wires and cables. Covers designed for carpet installations maximize carpet and minimize the amount of metal showing.

TopGuard™ protection prevents water, dirt and debris from entering the floor box compartments and devices. CCBBS Series floor boxes have been UL listed to U.S. and Canadian safety standards for carpet, tile, and wood covered concrete floors.

Electrical Products Boost Construction Productivity

By Steve Killius


The careful selection of electrical infrastructure products has the potential to greatly improve productivity – not only for electrical trades, but for the entire project timeline – because an efficiently designed and implemented electrical infrastructure can affect other trades and the overall project.

Economic pressures, high labor costs, and compressed schedules have continued to mount on electrical contractors. In response to these pressures, contractors need improved means and methods to complete projects on-time and on-budget.

Products that contribute to higher productivity

Electrical infrastructure products and systems that have productivity "designed in" can help address issues like schedule acceleration, new project delivery methods, a shortage of skilled craftspeople, and a decline in productivity. Although these products have the greatest impact on electrical trades (and also data/com and A/V), they also have the potential to make other trades more productive. These designed-in features help the electrical contractor and benefit other trades by permitting them to proceed earlier. Examples include:
• Prewired raceway
• Modular wiring systems
• Welded wire cable tray and pre-assembled pathway supports
• Plug-and-play wiring devices
• Pre-fabricated wiring systems
• Integrated systems that can include lighting and plug-load control, power monitoring, load shedding and transient voltage surge protection.
Conclusions

The use of products and systems that have "designed in" productivity offer numerous benefits throughout the life of a building project.
• Reduce design time. Products and integrated systems offer time savings in the design, assembly and installation of the electrical infrastructure as a whole, which is the most labor-intensive portion of a commercial electrical installation.
• Address labor skill issues: simplify the installation, which means that less-skilled labor can install the job correctly. This results in fewer errors and less rework.
• Improve project timelines: products reduce the time required for installation, both individually and as an integrated solution. In commercial applications with repeating floors and rooms a contractor may eliminate up to 50% of the installation labor for feeder and branch circuits. Labor savings equal cost-savings, which improves contractor profitability.
• Overall costs are reduced and profitability is improved.

In and of themselves, labor saving products do not necessarily improve jobsite productivity, reduce risk and cost, improve timelines or increase profitability. It requires partnering and collaboration with suppliers who can integrate innovative products and newer best practices to impact the projects overall installed cost and timelines.

As other system and building product suppliers – and the contractors and subcontractors they serve begin to do the same, additional productivity can result from everyone working together more closely. For example, erectors, plumbing and mechanical contractors, and others are using pre-assembly and pre-fabrication of systems and sub-systems to speed installation, reduce coordination issues, eliminate errors and avoid risk.

# # #

Steve Killius is Vice President, Contractor Resource Group for the Electrical Wiring Systems Division of Legrand North America. The EWS Division consists of Legrand/Cablofil, Legrand/Pass & Seymour, and Legrand/Wiremold.

Legrand/Wiremold Introduces Enclosures for Cisco® 1250 Aironet Units

Legrand/Wiremold has introduced three new wireless access point (WAP) enclosures that are designed specifically for use with the Cisco® 1250 Aironet wireless access point. These secure enclosures conceal the WAP and allow for optimal Wi-Fi signal coverage to adjacent spaces while supporting industry standard POE (Power Over Ethernet). Two of these new enclosures are for drop ceiling applications, while the third is a wall-mounted unit.

Fast and Reliable Connections for Prewired Raceway

Prewired connectors significantly reduce installation time for prewired raceway. Each connector takes less than five seconds to install versus as much as three minutes to manually strip wires and attach twist-on wire connectors. Independent testing confirms that installers can get off the job up to 18 times faster with prewired connectors than when using conventional methods. Further, because the prewired assemblies are factory wired and tested, errors, backtracking, and troubleshooting are virtually eliminated.

Prewired connectors are available in 3-, 6-, and 8-wire configurations, and are rated for applications up to 250V, 30A. They are compatible with a wide range of prewired systems, including Wiremold® DS4000™, 4000, and ALA4800 Series Raceway.

Prewired connectors are particularly well suited for large, repetitive installations, such as hotels, classrooms, laboratories, dormitories, and healthcare facilities.

Power Pole Extender Increases Space Flexibility, Improves Job-Site Efficiency

Legrand/Wiremold offers power poles that are easier to install and enable on-site modifications to accommodate a variety of height requirements. Wiremold® Tele-Power® Pole Extenders are available in 5-foot sections that snap together to create a single standard pole – or they may be used to extend the length of an existing pole.

Dual-compartment Tele-Power Pole Extenders work with standard Wiremold 25 Series Tele-Power Poles to provide up to five feet of additional height. The Pole Extender, which can be cut to length, slips securely onto the original pole. A patent-pending mounting system ensures that the finished pole is as strong and durable as a single unit.

Legrand/Wiremold also offers prewired and unwired Tele-Power Pole Extenders that can be combined in the field to make a single 10-foot pole. Factory-wired units come with two 20A, 125V duplex receptacles. Wired and unwired units are supplied with mounting hardware, end plate, and ceiling trim.

Tele-Power Pole Extenders offer numerous advantages over longer, single units. They are shipped in smaller packages, so they are easier to handle and store on site. In addition, smaller units are less likely to be damaged during shipment. For last-minute changes, Tele-Power Pole Extenders can be shipped by air or ground, and are stocked by Wiremold distributors.

Wiremold® Floor Box now Accepts Round Poke-Thru-Style Cover

Legrand/Wiremold now offers a six-compartment floor box with the same 8" round cover as the popular Evolution™ Series Poke-Thru device. This gives designers the option of a round cover as well as the ability to have matching covers when Wiremold® Resource RFB6E Series floor boxes and Evolution Poke-Thru devices are used in the same space.

Resource RFB Series floor boxes are versatile activation solutions that provide power, communication, and audio/video services to open space areas or directly to workstations. Large openings provide full access to all compartments and ample space to make connections, an important consideration especially for audio/video installers.

RFB6 Series Floor Boxes are also available with new FloorPort™ rectangular activation covers, as well as round Evolution covers. These covers incorporate TopGuard™ protection to prevent water, dirt, and debris from entering the power and communication device compartments. These covers are UL Listed to U.S. and Canadian standards for tile, terrazzo, carpet, and wood floors. Covers are available in nickel, brass, bronze, black, and gray.

High-Capacity Work Surface Portals

Legrand/Wiremold has introduced high-capacity work surface portals that provide convenient table-top access to electrical, voice, data, video, and audio services. Evolution™ Series work surface portals are based on the design of the popular Evolution™ Series poke-thru device. These robust units have the capacity to accommodate large devices and cabling, yet install unobtrusively into any table top.

Evolution Series work surface portals differ from many table-top products in that the cover is fully closed, even when computers, projectors, and other equipment are plugged in and in use. The cover assembly features two unique spring-loaded slide cable egress doors that provide access without using flip lids, doors, or pop-ups. Power receptacles and voice, data, and A/V connections are mounted below the table surface, which protects the connections and minimizes obstructions on the table surface.

Evolution Series work surface portals are available in 6" or 8" sizes. Other options include surface- or flush-style and cord-ended or hard-wired versions. Solid, die-cast aluminum covers feature durable, powder-coated colors: nickel, bronze, brass, gray, and black.

Wiremold® Floor Box now Accepts Round Poke-Thru-Style Cover

Legrand/Wiremold now offers a six-compartment floor box with the same 8" round cover as the popular Evolution™ Series Poke-Thru device. This gives designers the option of a round cover as well as the ability to have matching covers when Wiremold® Resource RFB6E Series floor boxes and Evolution Poke-Thru devices are used in the same space.

Resource RFB Series floor boxes are versatile activation solutions that provide power, communication, and audio/video services to open space areas or directly to workstations. Large openings provide full access to all compartments and ample space to make connections, an important consideration especially for audio/video installers.

RFB6 Series Floor Boxes are also available with new FloorPort™ rectangular activation covers, as well as round Evolution covers. These covers incorporate TopGuard™ protection to prevent water, dirt, and debris from entering the power and communication device compartments. These covers are UL Listed to U.S. and Canadian standards for tile, terrazzo, carpet, and wood floors. Covers are available in nickel, brass, bronze, black, and gray.