Partner Spotlight: ABB Is Out Of This World

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You can find cable ties at building sites, transportation stations, computer labs, and even at sea. But did you know that you can now find ABB cable ties on a different planet?!

Yes, you read that correctly. ABB is officially out of this world.

In fact, ABB products have been provided to the NASA space program since 1973 with some cable ties from active missions still in use. Now, the Ty-Rap cable ties are part of the Mars Perseverance rover that landed on February 18 ,2021 for its current exploration of Mars. Even with the advanced equipment of the rover, wires are secured with cable ties like you would manage cables at your own home.

The Mars Exploration Program, which includes the Perseverance rover, seeks to answer further questions about Mars and its potential for supporting life. With a partner like ABB we can look forward to many more years of exploration!

Partner Spotlight: Leviton Prepares For The Future

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In April 2021, Leviton announced their new five-year partnership with the electrical training ALLIANCE (etA) that will include training kits, funding, instruction, and technical expertise to achieve the shared goal of shaping our nation’s electrical workforce into the most advanced and best trained in the world.

The partnership will provide a variety of resources from Leviton focusing on a mixture of learning tools to which all etA training centers will have access to the variety of digital and hands-on instruction. As stated in the press release from Leviton, specific programs in the partnership include:

  • “Wiring device endowments and training kits for regional etA chapters known as Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committees (JATC’s). Each kit demonstrates features and installation requirements.
  • Factory technical support provided at the local level to regional JATC’s.
  • Support to etA’s National Training Institute (NTI) help annually at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
    • $5000 Scholarship grant to a deserving NTI Graduate as part of the etA’s Advanced Studies Program.
    • Financial support of NTI logistics and operations.
  • Site use at Leviton Live Experience Centers for etA personnel. Access offers the opportunity f or etA to conduct regional meetings as well as experiential learnings with cutting-edge electrical equipment installed in real-world applications.”

The future is indeed bright for our industry!

Company News: Cat Buckley Joins the Team!

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In mid-May, Cat Buckley joined the Gordon Electric Supply team as a new e-commerce customer service representative where she will connect with online customers, handling customer service inquiries and processing orders.

Longtime customer service representative, Margaret Lamb said, “Cat is truly proving to be a great addition to our team” and that she is impressed with “how quickly she has become a valuable asset.”

It is no surprise that Cat settled into the position with the experience she brings from previous roles in customer service and management. We look forward to seeing her growth in the months to come.

A news brief about Cat’s hiring was featured in the July 7th edition of The Daily Journal.

~Kristine

You hear the buzz, then feel the sting!

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Summertime is great: The warm weather, sunshine, and days at the pool. But then there are the wasp, hornets and bees! There is no greater pain then getting stung by one of these little demons.

For electricians, they are really a pest. Always in light fixtures and outdoor boxes, waiting for their often unsuspecting prey.

So I was very excited when I found out that CRC has the 14010 Wasp & Hornet Killer Plus.

This stuff is great because you don’t have to be close to the flying menace to take them out! It can shots up to 20 feet. If you aim is good, and you want to take a chance, you can take them out in midair. The CRC 14010 Wasp & Hornet Killer Plus is also:

  •  Fast-acting
  • A high-strength insecticide
  • Ergonomic with a trigger that provides control, even with gloved hands

We’ve added it to our summer electrical work must-haves!

~Woody

Partner Spotlight: EC&M Product of the Year 2021 Nominations

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Every year, Electrical Construction & Maintenance magazine hosts a competition for the top product of the year where readers can vote for the winner; voting ends on June 28th. This year there are 32 nominations with some familiar companies and products that make it difficult to choose only one Product of the Year.

We want to share congratulations to all of our partners who were nominated. Thank you for your innovation and hard work!

~Kristine

Un-Tangled: The Newest Workout Trend

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One of the biggest pains for electricians is hauling and pulling wire without it getting tangled up. If you are using a lot of colors, and the spools are just sitting on the floor there is gonna be a mess!!

The wire usually ends up in a knot that even Houdini on a good day could not untangle.

And hauling multiple spools at one time can be back breaking. It usually means a lot of trips back and forth juggling heavy reels. (Yes, it’s a great work out, but there are better ways.)

Madison Electric Products by Southwire has a very cool rack that takes all the work out of pulling wire and lets you keep work and working out separate!

Their MH8210 Wire Cart is designed to carry up to 12 spools of wire where you need them most. Constructed of square-tube steel tubing with a premium powder coat finish, our Wire Cart holds up to everyday wear and tear. A 3/8 ” hitch pin clip allows easy loading and changing of spools.

  • Designed to carry up to 12 spools of wire!
  • Made of square-tube steel with a premium powder coat finish.
  • Holds up to everyday wear and tear
  • 3/8” hitch pin clip allows easy loading and changing of spools
  • Shipped knocked down & takes up less shelf space
  • Saves time and energy carrying spools back and forth

So make it easy on yourself and get the MH8210 Wire Cart.

~Woody

Company News: Rob Midvale Joins the Gordon Team

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Rob MidvaleWe are excited to announce the hiring of Rob Midvale as the new Returns & Procurement Coordinator at Gordon Electric Supply, where he will work with our purchasing and warehouse teams on updating inventory management accuracy, purchasing, and coordinating order returns.

Rob brings years of experience to his new role that will be a benefit to the  company. He previously worked as a Production Scheduler and ISO Quality Coordinator. These positions enabled Rob to assist in the development of manufacturing processes to improve quality, materials procurement, and production repeatability.

Kim Boswell, Materials & Purchasing Manager, adds that “we are very excited to have Rob join us in the purchasing department. He’s enthusiastic with a positive attitude.”

Recently, The Daily Journal published a news brief about Rob’s hiring that can be read here.

EDIT: He is noted as the Returns & Purchasing Coordinator in the article while his actual title is Returns & Procurement Coordinator.

Sparking Awareness: Resources for Electrical Safety

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The month of May has Memorial Day, Mother’s Day, Cinco de Mayo, Star Wars Day, and Victoria Day in Canada. But did you know that the entire month of May is National Electrical Safety Month?

Safety is probably already at the top of your list like it is for us. So to kick off National Electrical Safety Month, we are sharing some resources from the experts. Stay safe and spark awareness, not injuries!

~Kristine

 

Partner Spotlight: Square D Is A Winner!

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We already knew that Square D by Schneider Electric was a brand with a history of innovation and trust, but we are excited to report that their energy center was recently recognized with the 2020 Global Innovation Award from the National Association of Home Builders. The Square D Energy Center specifically won the Product of the Year award for its proficiency in home energy control and monitoring. It will be available in spring 2021.

The energy center includes “whole-home surge protection, EV connectivity, the Qwik-Connect solar inverter, a backup interface module, [and] a backup-ready panel” in the redesign of the residential electrical panel, powered by Schneider Electric’s Wiser Energy intelligence. While a Tesla and solar panels do not come with the energy center, the emphasis on adaptability and sustainability in home energy use is an asset to its innovation. Making whole-home surge protection a standard part of the energy center offers maximum protection, and we could see this technology becoming more popular, especially as the spring storm season rolls in.

Our congratulations go out to Square D for this wonderful accomplishment!

You can learn more about the Square D energy center here and read more about the Product of the Year award here.

April Showers Bring…Lightning, Thunder, and Power Outages

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Finally, spring is here! The earth is coming back to life. Flowers are blooming and the wild life is coming out of hiding.

Along with this comes thunder, lightning, and an occasional twister. Most people take cover during these storms but we here in the Midwest like to go outside, flip open our phones, say hold my drink, and film the whole event even if a house fly by.

Since most of us have been stuck working from home, a power outage or (even worse) a power surge can really mess things up. Our friends at APC by Schneider Electric have a broad range of products to take care this situation. Below is a brief survey of what you can find in APC’s surge protection products.

Battery Backup & Surge outlets keep CPU’s, monitors, and other critical devices running when the power goes out or fluctuates outside safe levels. Surge Only outlets protect printers, faxes or other equipment without reducing battery capacity (including three power-saving Controlled outlets on the BE750G).

Similarly, PowerChute Software lets you use your computer to access additional power protection and management features:
• Preserves your work, shuts down system during outages
• Restarts your system, minimizing work disruptions
• Enables customization of your UPS settings
• Monitors and displays power and battery status

Data Line Surge Protection guards against surges and spikes traveling over data lines. The Combination Power Button/LED Indicator provides visual and audible status of unit. Along with its ultra efficient electrical design, it is RoHS compliance and contains all recyclable packaging materials minimize environmental impact and maximize efficiency. A Building Wiring Fault Indicator lets you know if there are problems in your building’s wiring. Push Button Circuit Breaker enables quick recovery from overload. Automatic Diagnostic Testing ensures your unit is ready when you need it.

So your home office or maybe home theater stays safe in spring storms!

~Woody