Testing By Third-Party Company—KEMA—And Witnessing by UL Representatives Prove ASCO Equipment Successfully Runs The Gauntlet for UL 1008 Certification
Florham Park, N.J. February 15, 2012 — Emerson Network Power, a business of Emerson (NYSE: EMR) and a global leader in maximizing availability, capacity and efficiency of critical infrastructure, reports that ASCO Power Transfer Switch technology continues to pass rigorous qualification testing by KEMA, a third-party testing and certification agency, required for Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 1008 listing for 480 and 600VAC equipment. Some manufacturers certify their equipment at 480VAC only.
UL 1008 listing confirms that ASCO Power Transfer Switches offer a short-time rating that meets strict requirements for selective coordination. To achieve a short-time rating, a transfer switch must be able to withstand a fault current of up to 100,000 amps for 0.5 seconds, or 30 cycles.
To meet UL listing requirements, a transfer switch must pass a series of tests to ensure it can operate after withstanding and closing-on a severe fault current, bolted fault or short circuit within the electrical distribution system.
A Withstand and Close-On Test is the primary test to determine whether a transfer switch’s contacts will remain closed during a fault current until the downstream protective device clears the fault. Its ability to accomplish this typically is rated in terms of its “withstand” current. The withstand rating is the maximum current that can be carried by a given transfer switch for a specific amount of time.
Amperes typically exceed 20 times the rated load. In this case, an ASCO Power Transfer Switch achieved its goal of carrying 100kA at 600VAC. Codes and regulations with jurisdiction in the United States dictate that transfer switches operate at 480VAC. ASCO, however, elected to have its transfer switches tested at 600VAC to meet Canadian requirements of 600VAC and to provide UL listed power transfer solutions across all of North America.
The Withstand and Close-On Tests satisfy a number of requirements including National Electrical Code (NEC) Articles 517, 700, 701 and 708. NEC Article 708 focuses on systems that are designated Critical Operating Power Systems for legally required and emergency power systems.
Finally, a Temperature Rise Test is performed after fault current tests to confirm that contacts can carry the rated current without overheating. After completing this test, the UL certifying official will visually inspect the transfer switch, looking for signs of damage. One basic certification requirement to achieve a short-time rating is that contacts must be “like new,” and the whole transfer switch be free of any visible signs of wear and damage after all testing is complete.
It’s important to note that the Withstand and Close-On Tests along with the Temperature Rise Tests are conducted on the same set of contacts. Parts are not switched out during any phase of testing.
For more information on ASCO Transfer Switch tests and the UL 1008 certification, call (800) 800 ASCO (2726), email CustomerCare@Asco.com or visit www.EmersonNetworkPower.com/ASCO and www.Ascoapu.com for more information.
About Emerson Network Power
Emerson Network Power, a business of Emerson (NYSE:EMR), delivers software, hardware and services that maximize availability, capacity and efficiency for data centers, healthcare and industrial facilities. A trusted industry leader in smart infrastructure technologies, Emerson Network Power provides innovative data center infrastructure management solutions that bridge the gap between IT and facility management and deliver efficiency and uncompromised availability regardless of capacity demands. Our solutions are supported globally by local Emerson Network Power service technicians. Learn more about Emerson Network Power products and services at www.EmersonNetworkPower.com.
About Emerson
Emerson (NYSE: EMR), based in St. Louis, Missouri (USA), is a global leader in bringing technology and engineering together to provide innovative solutions for customers in industrial, commercial, and consumer markets through its network power, process management, industrial automation, climate technologies, and tools and storage businesses. Sales in fiscal 2011 were $24.2 billion. For more information, visit www.Emerson.com.
Media Contacts
Bhavesh Patel
973-966-2746
Bhavesh.Patel@emerson.com
Jim Huckfeldt
609-426-0877
jhuckfeldt@first-team-usa.com
