Fremont, CA, July, 2010 – Industrial Electric Mfg.™ (IEM), the largest independent full-line manufacturer of electrical and power quality equipment in the U.S., has received ISO 9001:2008 certification for its Quality Management System.  IEM builds all of its switchgear, control systems and custom assemblies in a single facility utilizing a unique parallel manufacturing process that incorporates ISO standards in its approach.

The audit and certification was conducted by NSF International Strategic Registrations, an accredited registrar that performs assessments of management systems against the requirements of national and international standards for quality.

“Achieving ISO 9001:2008 certification is an important milestone for IEM. This certification formally acknowledges systems we’ve had in place for a long time and illustrates to our customers the strong commitment to quality we have at all levels of our organization,” said Ed Rossi, president and CEO.  “Customers want to be confident that they are doing business with an organization that can meet or exceed their needs in a timely manner. Demonstrating compliance with globally recognized quality management standards is a clear sign that we are devoted to continually improving our quality management systems.”

About IEM

Headquartered in Fremont, CA, IEM (www.iemfg.com) is the largest independent full-line manufacturer of electrical distribution and power quality equipment in the U.S.  For over half a century, IEM has delivered customer-specific solutions to meet the ever changing power requirements of growth industries in North America.  At IEM, tradition and technology still drive innovation.  An experienced engineering staff and one of the most flexible design and manufacturing systems in the industry set IEM apart from standard product manufacturers.

About NSF

NSF International is the world leader in standards development, product certification, education, and risk-management. For 65 years, NSF has been committed to public health, safety, and protection of the environment. NSF develops national standards, provides learning opportunities, and provides third-party conformity assessment services while representing the interests of all stakeholders. Primary stakeholder groups include industry, the regulatory community, and the public at large.

Fremont, CA, June, 2010 – IEM, the largest independent full-line manufacturer of electrical and power quality equipment in the U.S., recently completed rigorous seismic testing for its entire line-up of low voltage switchgear, medium voltage switchgear and PIU, PIE, & CDP panels to comply with California’s Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD) earthquake certification requirements. Testing was completed at the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio,TX under the direction of IEM and San Francisco based Forell/Elsesser Engineering, Inc., structural consulting engineers.

“Seismic testing is particularly important for switchgear that is controlling power supplies to utilities and companies in critical industries like healthcare and data centers,” said Ashok Kulkarni, Vice President of Engineering at IEM.  “This certification and pre-approval exemplifies IEM’s commitment to test beyond accepted standards to deliver the most reliable electrical distribution products in the industry.”

IEM can now supply these pre-approved products to healthcare facilities in California without having to shake-test the units, resulting in faster installation and commissioning.

About IEM

Headquartered in Fremont, CA, IEM is the largest independent full-line manufacturer of electrical distribution and power quality equipment in the U.S.  For over half a century, IEM has delivered customer-specific solutions to meet the ever changing power requirements of growth industries in North America.  At IEM, tradition and technology still drive innovation.  An experienced engineering staff and one of the most flexible design and manufacturing systems in the industry set IEM apart from standard product manufacturers.

About OSHPD Certification

The purpose of OSHPD certification is to ensure that hospitals and other “Critical Care Units” in California will be able to continue functioning during and after an earthquake. The program covers all critical parts of a healthcare facility, including the building itself and its power systems, as well as electrical, mechanical and diagnostic equipment. The Facilities Development Division (FDD) established the Special Seismic Certification Preapproval (OSP) Program in 2009 in response to the overwhelming number of applications from thousands of healthcare facilities for OSHPD project approval.

http://www.oshpd.ca.gov/fdd/Pre-Approval/special_seismic_cert_pre-approval.html

About Southwest Research Institute

Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) is one of the oldest and largest independent, non-profit, applied R&D organizations in the U.S.  Headquartered in San Antonio, TX, SwRI provides contract research and development services to industrial and government clients.  SwRI’s nature is independent and impartial encompassing a wide range of technical competencies and capabilities.  With nearly 3,300 staff members in 11 technical divisions, SwRI can assemble a multi-disciplinary panel of experts required by any technical project, providing the SwRI flexible solutions not found at other R&D organizations.  SwRI is recognized under OSHA’s published list of Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTL).

About Forell/Elsesser Engineers, Inc.

Forell/Elsesser Engineers, Inc. is a 50 year old, San Francisco-based company providing structural engineering and consulting services to architects, contractors, developers, and suppliers for new construction and retro-fit projects.

Fremont, CA, March, 2010 – IEM, the largest independent full-line manufacturer of electrical and power quality equipment in the U.S., recently completed testing of its new “VESTA–AR” 15 kV arc resistant switchgear to ANSI/IEEE standards at KEMA, Chalfont, PA. The new VESTA-AR switchgear has one of the smallest foot-prints on the market for any arc resistant 15 kV class switchgear. In addition, VESTA has full frontal accessibility making it convenient for applications such as data centers and other facility / industrial with limited space for medium voltage electrical equipment. VESTA will be installed at a data center in Phoenix in June 2010.

VESTA Specifications:

• Voltage rating: 15 kV, 95 kV BIL

• Current rating: 600A, 1000A, 1200A

• Short circuit and Short time rating: 31.5 kA

• Arc rating: 25 kA

• Dimensions per section: 24”W x 60”D x 96”H

The VESTA switchgear successfully completed BIL tests at 95 kV, short circuit tests at 31.5 kA and temperature test at 1200A. Epoxy coated bus is a standard feature for the VESTA switchgear.

In addition, all required arc tests were completed at 28 kA at 15.6 kV successfully. The ABB VM1 breaker was extensively tested to ANSI/IEEE standards. The VM1 breaker is a magnetically actuated, vacuum circuit breaker proven to be very reliable across the globe in many applications.

VESTA also features viewing Lexan windows and infrared (IR) scanning windows, front and back, for ease of maintenance. The IR windows did not suffer any damage during extensive arc testing. Consequently, IR scanning of VESTA switchgear can be done without the need for special protective gear.

“Dick Cubbage and his team of test engineers and technicians at KEMA were of tremendous help during the extensive UL testing of VESTA. IEM extends special thanks to all KEMA personnel for their expertise and assistance,” said Ashok Kulkarni, Vice President of Engineering at IEM.

About IEM

Headquartered in Fremont, CA, IEM is the largest independent full-line manufacturer of electrical distribution and power quality equipment in the U.S.  For over half a century, IEM has delivered customer-specific solutions to meet the ever changing power requirements of growth industries in North America.  At IEM, tradition and technology still drive innovation.  An experienced engineering staff and one of the most flexible design and manufacturing systems in the industry set IEM apart from standard product manufacturers.

The Sealy Mattress plant in Richmond, CA is a 60 year old facility with power distribution equipment that was completely outdated.  Upgraded replacement equipment had to be configured to meet strict utility requirements on one end and tie into existing custom bus work on the other end.

THE CHALLENGE

150 Sealy manufacturing employees showed up for work on Monday morning and were told to go home.  Gills Electric was called in to fix the problem and they asked IEM for help. An emergency generator was brought in at 830AM on Tuesday while IEM worked on site for several hours opening enclosures and measuring equipment. IEM then set out to build a new bus system with a custom housing to replace the obsoleted air-ventilated busway.  There were serious concerns regarding the outlook of continuing operations at this facility if the problem wasn’t fixed.

THE SOLUTION

IEM configured a new 480V busway system with custom connections for PG&E and Sealy.

THE RESULTS

Over the course of a single week, IEM and Gills Electric had the equipment built, installed and back on line with PG&E power – restoring manufacturing operations at Sealy to 100%.

IEM, the largest independent full-line manufacturer of electrical and power quality equipment in the U.S., is now offering UL-Certified PIU Panels with a 65kA short circuit rating at 240V and 14kA at 480V to meet the demands of utility, data center and other industrial customers.  The new panel has a very small footprint (6”D and 20”W), yet can withstand abnormally high levels of short circuit currents – up to 65kA.  Panels can accommodate up to 84 circuits with the length of the panel depending on the number of circuits.  Standard options such as main lugs, main breakers, and sub-feed breakers are available based on the application.

“Given the small size of the panel and rigorous standards, extensive product refinement was necessary to pass UL short circuit certification at 65kA,” said Don Kozerski, Vice President of Marketing at IEM.  “With the recent change in NEC code, the number of circuits on a panel can now be greater than 42.  A number of projects require circuits well in excess of 42 to feed their critical loads.  IEM now has a product offering to meet this growing demand.”

Depending on customer requirements, PIU Panel’s can be built in NEMA 1 or NEMA 3R enclosures, with the option of using GE Spectra or Siemens Sentron breakers.

About IEM

Headquartered in Fremont, CA, IEM is the largest independent full-line manufacturer of electrical distribution and power quality equipment in the U.S.  For over half a century, IEM has delivered customer-specific solutions to meet the ever changing power requirements of growth industries in North America.  At IEM, tradition and technology still drive innovation.  An experienced engineering staff and one of the most flexible design and manufacturing systems in the industry set IEM apart from standard product manufacturers.

CFRT (Critical Facilities Round Table) provides an open forum for members and their guests to come together and share information and to witness cutting-edge mission critical solutions, with the intention of helping each other improve in technical expertise and develop solutions for the challenges of day-to-day critical facilities operations.

The September CFRT Membership Meeting was hosted by Ed Rossi and Industrial Electric Mfg. (IEM), providing presentations and discussion on the following topics.

Agenda
Data Center Kyoto Cooling Air Economizers – Humid & Dirty Air
5000 KV Electrical Distribution Equipment for Data Center Energy Efficiency
Rotary UPS Systems with Frictionless Bearings
Modular UPS with Operating Bypass Mode
Electrical Power Conditioning Proven to Improve Equipment Performance, Energy Efficient
Electrical Distribution & Minimizes Waste Heat
Real Time Electrical Signal Monitoring Identifies Power Quality Problems to Help Prevent Equipment Failure, Improve Energy Efficiency and Monitor Branch Lines
Quick Connect Server Busway Minimizes Installation Costs and Maintenance of Electrical Distribution Systems Motor & Compressor Controls Improve Equipment Performance Sometimes Better than VFD’s
Opportunistic Removal of Heat from the Refrigeration Loop Allows HVAC Systems to Work Less and Save Energy

Mr. Rossi conducted a factory tour and gave an overview of IEM’s perspective on electrical distribution in the growing data center market.

Q.  Ed, can you give us a brief description of your company and its history?
A.  IEM is an independent electrical equipment builder with history back to 1950 when Frank Howe started producing equipment in a barn in Fremont, CA.  He remained fiercely independent during industry consolidations in the later 1950s and developed an approach to the business that allowed him to remain a market share leader in Northern California until the 1980s.  His innovation and early adoption of CAD/CAM methodology was key to establishing that leadership in Silicon Valley.

We’ve tried to continue that independent spirit and to implement new technology to grow our business beyond the local market with a focus on customers who want and need specialized solutions to their power distribution needs.  The efforts of our 135 employees have resulted in revenues of over $50M last year, and we are poised for significant growth.

Q.  How would you summarize the energy efficiencies of using medium voltage power in data center applications?
A.  Most data centers require large amounts of power that the utility company supplies at medium voltage which is technically defined as 2,400 to 38,000 volts. Data centers are normally provided with power between 12,000 to 34,500 volts.  The normal distribution strategy is to transform the utility power to a lower voltage (generally 480 volts) and to distribute large blocks of power at that lower voltage.

Our view of power efficiency in data centers is focused on what we know – power distribution.  Every time electrical power is transformed in terms of voltage or from AC to DC or DC to AC, there are losses that generally also have a heat impact where they occur. Our strategy is simple:  minimize the number of required voltage or system changes and the result will be fewer losses.  By using medium voltage further into the system (even onto the raised floor) that goal can be accomplished and gains in efficiency of 8 to 15% can be realized by the data center operator.

Q.  Most data centers focused on energy efficiency think of Direct Current (DC) when they think of power greater than 220V. Could you describe why it’s not necessary in your vision of energy efficiency?
A.  DC systems over 480V are not widely used in the sites that we have seen, so I’m not familiar with all of the implications of higher DC voltage systems.  DC power does have advantages in regard to synchronizing various sources more easily than AC; and larger AC to DC conversion devices (an AC to DC conversion is ultimately required within the server with an AC system) may well prove more efficient.  At the same time, DC power has its own set of challenges since it is far more difficult to interrupt DC power than AC and simple things like the plugs to connect servers to the system need to take this fact into account.  In any case, the two strategies are not necessarily in conflict since the final conversion can be made from the medium voltage AC system to either an AC or DC floor distribution system.

Q.  How long do you think before 4160 power is brought into the mainstream data center as a pilot, and how long will it take to gain acceptance as an industry standard?
A. There is an operating 4160V system in a major data center that is in full operation today. The major issue has been the availability of distribution equipment that is more suitable to the data center environment and the associated operating needs. We expect that there will be significant interest now that such equipment is available, and I doubt whether it will take more than a few years for MV to be a common distribution voltage. The challenge for full implementation will likely be the availability of MV UPS systems that don’t require transformers.

Q.  When you roll out your higher voltage cabinets, will the competitive landscape be different than it is today?
A.  All major manufacturers have MV products. All of those manufacturers have a strong market presence and loyal users. The manufacturers’ challenge will likely be to adapt their existing MV products that were designed for utilities and heavy industrial users to meet the new needs of the data center markets. Most of those manufacturers also have UPS companies that have a significant investment in 480V systems that will require major changes to adapt to an MV distribution system. I’m not certain how those companies will respond; whether they will respond with new products or try to resist any changes. We also know that at least some of the data centers will continue with their current 480V or 600V systems for expansion and new sites rather than re-train their personnel. Other users – and we hope there will be many of them – will be eager to get the operational advantages of a lower cost system that uses MV distribution.

About IEM
Headquartered in Fremont, CA, IEM is the largest independent full-line manufacturer of electrical distribution and power quality equipment in the U.S.  For over half a century, IEM has delivered customer-specific solutions to meet the ever changing power requirements of growth industries in North America.  At IEM, tradition and technology still drive innovation.  An experienced engineering staff and one of the most flexible design and manufacturing systems in the industry set IEM apart from standard product manufacturers.

About CFRT
The Critical Facilities Roundtable (www.cfroundtable.org) is dedicated to the discussion and resolution of industry issues regarding mission-critical facilities, their engineering and design, and their maintenance.

IEM, the largest independent full-line manufacturer of electrical and power quality equipment in the U.S., recently completed a series of seismic shake table tests at Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, TX, to qualify all of its low voltage switchgear and panels for the life of the equipment in the event of an earthquake.  All IEM low voltage equipment is now fully qualified to a worst case response spectrum and meets or exceeds the following standards:

• International Building Code, IBC-2006 Sections 1613 and 1708
• ASCE/SEI 7-05, Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Structures
• International Code Council, ICC-ES-AC156, Seismic Qualification by Shake Table Testing of
  Non-structural Components and Systems
• IEEE-344-2004, Recommended Practice for Seismic Qualification of Class 1E Equipment for Nuclear Power Generating Stations
• IEEE-693-2005, Recommended Practices for Seismic Design of Substations
• Telcordia GR-63-CORE, Seismic Specifications for Telecommunications Equipment

“Seismic testing qualification is particularly important for switchgear that is controlling power supplies to utilities and companies in critical industries like health care and data centers,” said Ed Rossi, President of IEM.  “This testing is an extension of IEM’s policy to test all of the products we manufacture to exceed accepted industry standards.”

Tremors Coast-To-Coast

The SwRI testing included two primary processes.  First, a response spectrum was generated that represented worst case conditions across six regions of the U.S. based on similar seismic hazards, including five unique areas – California, Alaska, Hawaii, Charleston, and New Madrid.  The characteristics of the soils at a specific geographic location were included based on site coefficients for the full range of site classes.  The second part of the process involved the development of a composite test spectrum considering all different seismic standards.  This composite spectrum covered all site conditions including a full range of soil types.  For nuclear equipment, both vibration aging and seismic resistance were considered by performing five lower level tests followed by a single high level test.

The testing was performed to the developed composite spectrum on a 2D shake table at the test lab in San Antonio.  Each sample was tested by exciting (the equipment) in one vertical and one horizontal (front-to-back) direction.  The sample was then rotated 90 degrees to test in a vertical and second horizontal (side-to-side) direction.

“Testing to the IEEE 344 standard is by far the worst case scenario as the sample has to undergo a dozen tests to qualify for Nuclear 1E equipment.  Moreover, the equipment has to be functional before, during and after the test.  By performing these seismic shake table tests, we have validated the structural integrity of IEM low voltage equipment,” said Frank Cavezza, Vice President of Operations & Mechanical Design
at IEM.

About IEM

Headquartered in Fremont, CA, IEM is the largest independent full-line manufacturer of electrical distribution and power quality equipment in the U.S.  For over half a century, IEM has delivered customer-specific solutions to meet the ever changing power requirements of growth industries in North America.  At IEM, tradition and technology still drive innovation.  An experienced engineering staff and one of the most flexible design and manufacturing systems in the industry set IEM apart from standard product manufacturers.

About Southwest Research Institute

Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) is one of the oldest and largest independent, non-profit, applied R&D organizations in the U.S.  Headquartered in San Antonio, TX, SwRI provides contract research and development services to industrial and government clients.  SwRI’s nature is independent and impartial encompassing a wide range of technical competencies and capabilities.  With nearly 3,300 staff members in 11 technical divisions, SwRI can assemble a multi-disciplinary panel of experts required by any technical project, providing the SwRI flexible solutions not found at other R&D organizations.  SwRI is recognized under OSHA’s published list of Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTL).

The main hospital facility on a remote island of American Samoa desperately needs to replace key components of a failing 35 year old electrical distribution system.

Pago Pago, on the main island of Tutila, is the capital center of American Samoa in the South-Central Pacific Ocean. The LBJ Tropical Medical Center, a 128-bed general acute care hospital, is the only hospital in the territory.

The Medical Center provides a broad scope of general inpatient and outpatient services covering: medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, ear, nose and throat (ENT), eye, pediatrics, and renal dialysis. In addition, the hospital is the only clinical laboratory, diagnostic imaging and outpatient pharmacy services facility in American Samoa.

THE CHALLENGE

Design and build 480V switchgear and service entrance switchboards to fit into an existing hospital facility with critical dimensional challenges. The lineup required the ability to automatically transfer between normal utility power and auxiliary power sources.

At the 11th hour, responsibility to package for overseas shipment was thrust upon IEM for shipping to American Samoa by cargo ship.

THE SOLUTION

IEM worked closely with the Consulting Engineer to design equipment that would work in a tropical environment, fit into existing mechanical rooms, and allow efficient operation by a non-technical workforce. The solution featured two 4000 amp line-ups (facing each other) with multiple automatic transfer sections, a 3000 amp generator switchboard, a remote alarm/indicator panel, and 16 distribution switchboards.

Thermostats were integrated into every section due to the condensation and humidity found in the tropical Samoan environment. The thermostats controlled space heaters that were mounted along the bottom of each switchboard section in outdoor (and some indoor) gear to protect electronic devices like meters and relays from the moisture. Water from moisture can also ruin the internal components, the PCB’s, integrated circuits, and welded connections and can compromise the ability of the copper bus to conduct current efficiently.

IEM’s shipping department crated each switchboard, shrink wrapped them and loaded them into shipping containers for transport. All equipment was then double-braced within the containers.

Stacy Allen, IEM’s San Diego area distributor with Allen Power Distribution & Control Inc., took on the responsibility for ordering all the necessary 3000 and 4000 amp cable bus and miscellaneous material that was needed for this installation, as very little material was directly available on the island. “I especially enjoyed the interactive approach IEM took during the bidding negotiation phase. Through their efforts we were able to modify the design of the transfer schemes to create a more reliable scheme”, said Stacy.

THE RESULTS

Witness testing at the factory went smoothly and the equipment arrived in pristine condition, in time to service the critical needs of American Samoa.

IEM, the largest independent full-line manufacturer of electrical and power quality equipment in the U.S., now offers low voltage switchgear that is UL 891 (and cUL) certified to a short circuit rating of 200kA at 480V.  Additional low voltage switchgear enhancements include a current rating now up to 6kA, parallel bus rated to 12kA, and the use of any UL Listed circuit breaker with an appropriate short circuit rating or UL Listed Class L fuse.

“IEM has always used fully rated bus (1kA per square inch) in the construction of low voltage switchgear, minimizing temperature rise and improving the life of the switchgear by running cooler,” said Ed Rossi, President of IEM.  “The addition of UL Listed 200kA short circuit ratings enables us to serve the needs of high performance switchgear in large metropolitan markets such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York, where it’s common to see very high levels of short circuit current. And the ability to use circuit breakers from all major manufacturers gives IEM the flexibility to meet customer demands and consultant specifications.”

About IEM

Headquartered in Fremont, CA, IEM is the largest independent full-line manufacturer of electrical distribution and power quality equipment in the U.S.  For over half a century, IEM has delivered customer-specific solutions to meet the ever changing power requirements of growth industries in North America.  At IEM, tradition and technology still drive innovation.  An experienced engineering staff and one of the most flexible design and manufacturing systems in the industry set IEM apart from standard product manufacturers.

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Accommodates up to 84 Circuits

IEM, the largest independent full-line manufacturer of electrical and power quality equipment in the U.S., is now offering UL-Certified PIE Panels with a 65kA short circuit rating at 480V to meet the demands of utility, data center and other industrial customers.  The new panel has a very small footprint (7”D and 20”W), yet can withstand abnormally high levels of short circuit currents – up to 65kA.  Panels can accommodate up to 84 circuits with the length of the panel depending on the number of circuits.  Standard options such as main lugs, main breakers, and sub-feed breakers are available based on the application.

“Given the small size of the panel and rigorous standards, extensive product refinement was necessary to pass UL short circuit certification at 65kA,” said Don Kozerski, Vice President of Marketing at IEM.  “With the recent change in NEC code, the number of circuits on a panel can now be greater than 42.  A number of customers and consultants require circuits well in excess of 42 to feed their critical loads.  IEM now has a product offering to meet this growing demand.”

Depending on customer requirements, PIE Panel’s can be built in NEMA 1 or NEMA 3R enclosures, with the option of using GE Spectra or Siemens Sentron breakers.

About IEM

Headquartered in Fremont, CA, IEM is the largest independent full-line manufacturer of electrical distribution and power quality equipment in the U.S.  For over half a century, IEM has delivered customer-specific solutions to meet the ever changing power requirements of growth industries in North America.  At IEM, tradition and technology still drive innovation.  An experienced engineering staff and one of the most flexible design and manufacturing systems in the industry set IEM apart from standard product manufacturers.