NAED – New member spotlight: LS Busway

EMR Analysis

More information on NAED (National Association of Electrical Distributors): https://www.naed.org + The National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED) is dedicated to helping progressive distributors overcome business obstacles by delivering resources so they can own their customer. We support our members through leading-edge approaches to effectively meet personalized educational and leadership development demands. Whether through online classes, expanded research, benchmarking and data analytics capabilities, or conferences and other networking opportunities, NAED empowers members – arming them with a competitive, long-term advantage.

Electrical distribution is a multi-billion dollar industry, made up of solution providers – from salespeople, product experts, skilled and technical professionals – to warehouse associates and drivers.

We help our members by creating the knowledge electrical distributors need to improve their long-term competitive advantage:

• Identify and explain trends and insights from a larger economy to a broader perspective for the industry.
• Develop an understanding of contractors’ challenges so distributors can deliver valuable solutions and services.
• Administer educational programs that develop employees and focus on leadership.
• Define relevant issues and assist in navigating the regulatory environment.

We assist our members by transferring knowledge and insight through a variety of networking channels:

• Use leading-edge approaches with education to meet the demands for our members.
• Create the best distributor networking opportunities
• Employ a learner focused approach to leadership and workforce education programs

More information on Wes Smith (President and Chief Executive Officer, NAED): See the full profile on EMR Executive Services

 

 

More information on LS Group: https://www.lsholdings.com/en + LS prepares you for the future energy, automation, and agricultural world. LS manages the global smart energy Companies. LS is a leader in the electric power, automation, machinery, materials and energy.

“LS Corp.” is a holding company, which comprises LS Cable & System (power & communications cables), LS ELECTRIC (electrical equipment & automation systems), LS-Nikko Copper (copper smelter & refiner) and LS Mtron (machinery & components). The company is controlled by the Koo family, the founding family of LG Group.

More information on Myung Roe-Hyun (Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, LS Group): https://www.lsholdings.com/en/sustainability/governance 

 

More information on LS Electric by LS Group: https://www.ls-electric.com/ + e are creating an abundant future by delivering safe clean energy. We guarantee all our customers a safe and affluent life and a happy future by supplying them with convenient smart energy.

Founded in 1974, LS Electric has 4,378 employees and realized a Revenue of 4,230,500 (million Won) in 2023.

LS ELECTRIC provides a power system and automated solution for efficiency and sustainability. We are creating an abundant future by delivering safe clean energy. In line with a manufacturing trend for smart factories and a bigger emphasis on energy solutions, we have been shifting from a device maker to a solutions provider that offers a platform combining hardware and software.

More information on Koo Ja-Kyun (Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, LS Electric, LS Group): https://www.ls-electric.com/about-us/ceo + https://www.linkedin.com/in/ja-kyun-koo-129bb9244/ 

 

More information on LS Busway  by LS Cable & Systems by LS Electric by LS Group: https://lscsusa.com/ + LS Cable & System USA is a leading US manufacturer of electrical products for the commercial, industrial, renewable and utility markets.

LS Cable & System U.S.A. Inc. is a leading manufacturer and supplier of energy wire and cable products serving commercial, industrial, renewable and utility markets. 

LSCSUSA is working to build better power cables that exceed industry standards. With our North American headquarters based in Atlanta, GA and state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Tarboro, NC, LSCSUSA’s commitment to service, product quality and support enable us to meet or exceed our customer’s requirements and expectations. 

Our products include: 

• LV instrumentation cables for control systems, audio, intercoms, energy management and alarm controls
• LV control, power and VFD cables for industrial or utility power or station control circuit
• MV power cables for primary power and distribution circuits
• Photovoltaic wire for the renewable solar market

Key Figures:

• 1962 Established
• 3 B Assets
• 9168 + Employees
• 21 Subsidiaries

More information on Harry (Seok Won) Han (Head of Busway, LS Busway, LS Cable & Systems, LS Electric, LS Group): https://lscsusa.com/contact + https://www.linkedin.com/in/harry-han-017856222/ 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EMR Additional Notes:

• HPC (Hight-Performance Computing):
  • Practice of aggregating computing resources to gain performance greater than that of a single workstation, server, or computer. HPC can take the form of custom-built supercomputers or groups of individual computers called clusters.
• Cloud Computing:
  • Cloud computing is a general term for anything that involves delivering hosted services over the internet. … Cloud computing is a technology that uses the internet for storing and managing data on remote servers and then access data via the internet.
  • Cloud computing is the on-demand availability of computer system resources, especially data storage and computing power, without direct active management by the user. Large clouds often have functions distributed over multiple locations, each location being a data center.
• Edge Computing:
  • Edge computing is a form of computing that is done on site or near a particular data source, minimizing the need for data to be processed in a remote data center.
  • Edge computing can enable more effective city traffic management. Examples of this include optimising bus frequency given fluctuations in demand, managing the opening and closing of extra lanes, and, in future, managing autonomous car flows.
  • An edge device is any piece of hardware that controls data flow at the boundary between two networks. Edge devices fulfill a variety of roles, depending on what type of device they are, but they essentially serve as network entry — or exit — points.
  • There are five main types of edge computing devices: IoT sensors, smart cameras, uCPE equipment, servers and processors. IoT sensors, smart cameras and uCPE equipment will reside on the customer premises, whereas servers and processors will reside in an edge computing data centre.
  • In service-based industries such as the finance and e-commerce sector, edge computing devices also have roles to play. In this case, a smart phone, laptop, or tablet becomes the edge computing device.
  • Edge Devices:
    • Edge devices encompass a broad range of device types, including sensors, actuators and other endpoints, as well as IoT gateways. Within a local area network (LAN), switches in the access layer — that is, those connecting end-user devices to the aggregation layer — are sometimes called edge switches.
• Data Centers:
  • A data center is a facility that centralizes an organization’s shared IT operations and equipment for the purposes of storing, processing, and disseminating data and applications. Because they house an organization’s most critical and proprietary assets, data centers are vital to the continuity of daily operations.
• Hyperscale Data Centers:
  • The clue is in the name: hyperscale data centers are massive facilities built by companies with vast data processing and storage needs. These firms may derive their income directly from the applications or websites the equipment supports, or sell technology management services to third parties.
• White Space and Grey Space in Data Centers:
  • White space in data center refers to the area where IT equipment are placed. Whereas Gray space in the data centers is the area where back-end infrastructure is located.
  • White Space includes housing of: servers, storage, network gear, racks, air conditioning units, power distribution system.
  • Grey Space includes space for: switchgear, UPS, transformers, chillers, generators.

 

 

• Busbar – Busway – Bus Plugs:
  • A busbar is a rigid piece of copper or aluminum, bolted or housed inside switchgear, panel boards, and busway enclosures used to carry large amounts of current / to distribute ac power to the rows of circuit breakers
  • Quite often, busbars have no insulation—they’re protected by a separate enclosure.
  • Busbars are the backbones for most power applications, providing the critical interfaces between the power module and the outside world.
  • They are also used to connect high voltage equipment at electrical switchyards, and low voltage equipment in battery banks.
  • Bus plugs are large electrical power connections that contact bus duct or busway conductors to serve connected electrical loads — thereby supplying localized power to industrial equipment.
  • A typical bus plug consists of:
    • Copper conductor plates.
    • A plug or bolt-in clamps to physically contact the busway.

 

 

 

• Extra Low-Voltage (ELV):
  • Voltage of 50V or less (AC RMS), or 120V or less (ripple-free DC).
• Low-Voltage (LV):
  • The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) defines supply system low voltage as voltage in the range 50–1000 V AC or 120–1500 V DC.
• Medium-Voltage (MV):
  • Medium-voltage circuit breakers rated between 1 and 35/72 kV.
• High-Voltage (HV):
  • The International Electrotechnical Commission define high voltage as above 1000 V for alternating current, and at least 1500 V for direct current.
• Super High-Voltage or Extra High-Voltage (EHV): 
  • Is >300kV.
• Ultra High-Voltage (UHV): 
  • Is >1.000kV.

 

 

• Kilovolt-Amperes (kV):
  • Kilovolt or “kV” means a unit of potential difference equal to 1,000 volts. Kilovolt or “kV” means the potential difference between two points on a conductor carrying a current of one ampere when the power dissipated between the two points is one kilovolt-ampere. Kilovolt means one thousand volts (kV).
• Kilovolt (kVA):
  • kVA stands for Kilo-volt-amperes – a term used for the rating of an electrical circuit. kVA is the product of the circuits maximum current and voltage rating. It is also known as Apparent Power.
  • kW is the unit of real power and kVA is a unit of apparent power (or real power plus re-active power). The power factor, unless it is defined and known, is therefore an approximate value (typically 0.8), and the kVA value will always be higher than the value for kW.
  • A kVA is 1,000 volt-amps. It’s what you get when you multiply the voltage (the force that moves electrons around a circuit) by the amps (electrical current).
• Megavolt-Amperes (MVA):
  • MVA or megavolt-amperes is the unit used to measure the apparent power in a circuit. It’s a product of the voltage and current in a circuit.
  • 1 kVA is equivalent to 1,000 volts while the 1 MVA is equivalent to 1,000,000 volt-amperes.

 

 

• Optical Cabling:
  • An optical cable transfers audio digitally, but instead of copper wire, light is used. This is a variation of fiber optics, which is used in a variety of applications.
  • The biggest difference between Optical Cables and HDMI is that HDMI can pass higher-resolution audio, including the formats found on Blu-ray: Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio. These formats can’t get transmitted across optical. In terms of simplicity, HDMI also passes video signals.

 

• Network Cabling:
  • Coaxial Cable:
    • Coaxial cables or coax, have a single copper conductor at the center, while a plastic layer provides insulation between the center conductor and braided metal shield. The metal shield blocks outside interference from fluorescent lights, motors, and other computers.
  • Twisted Pair:
    • Twisted pair uses copper wires that are, as the name suggests, twisted together in pairs. The twist effect of each pair in the cables ensures any interference presented or picked up on one cable is canceled by the cable’s partner that twists around the initial cable. Twisting the two wires also reduces the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the circuit.
      • Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) Cable:
        • In STP, copper wires are first covered by plastic insulation. A metal shield, which consists of metal foil or braid, surrounds the bundle of insulated pairs. Where electromagnetic radiation is a serious issue, each pair of wires may be individually shielded in addition to the outer shield. This is known as foil twisted pair (FTP).
      • Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) Cable:
        • UTP cables typically contain four pairs of copper wires, with each pair containing two wires twisted together. These pairs are covered by plastic insulation. They do not have any shielding and just have an outer jacket.
        • Most categories of twisted-pair cables are available as UTP. But some newer categories are also available in combinations of shielded, foil shielded and unshielded.
  • Fiber Optic Cable:
    • Fiber optic cables consist of a thin optical fiber surrounded by cladding. Cladding is made from glass that is less pure than the core and has a lower refractive index than the core. The difference in refractive indices causes light to be reflected at the boundary. Additional layers, such as the buffer layer and jacket layer, surround the cladding to add strength and protect the cable against damage.
    • Data rates have increased throughout the network, and in some cases, fiber optics is the only option. While Cat8 twisted-pair cables can carry up to 40 Gbps of data, fiber supports data rates up to 400 Gbps.
    • Fiber has a low error rate. Network data is encoded in a light beam. Unlike with twisted-pair cables, the light beam neither generates nor is affected by electronic interference. Additionally, multiple frequency data streams can be multiplexed over a single fiber to increase the total data rate.

 

• FTTx:
  • Fiber to the Home (FTTH), Fiber to the Building (FTTB), Fiber to the Premises (FTTP) and Fiber to the Curb (FTTC), termed as FTTx are various technology and deployment options developed to enable reach of fiber as close to the user location as possible to provide high speed data and voice services.
  • Fiber to the home (FTTH) is the delivery of a communications signal over optical fiber from the operator’s switching equipment all the way to a home or business, thereby replacing existing copper infrastructure such as telephone wires and coaxial cable.
  • FTTP and FTTH are two different abbreviations for the same thing. FTTP stands for ‘fibre to the premises’ and FTTH stands for ‘fibre to the home’. … Unlike FTTC, FTTP broadband is delivered via fibre-optic cables not only as far as the cabinet, but across the entire span to your home or business.
  • Fiber-optic cables are less susceptible to glitches than traditional copper wires and can withstand the shock and vibration from inclement weather. FTTH is considered “future proof” and offers the flexibility to deliver additional services in the years to come.

 

 

• Key Differences Between Copper Cable and Fiber Optics:
  • Data transmission speed of a fiber cable is comparatively more than that of copper cable. Copper cables are nearly 31% slower in data transmission than fiber cable.
  • A copper cable transmits the data through it in the form of electrical pulse i.e., due to the movement of electrons. As against in a fiber optics, the data transmission is the result of movement of photons thus it transmits in the form of light pulses.
  • The bandwidth provided by a copper cable is less than that of the fiber optics. Thus, a copper cabling meets the industry standards and provides a performance of up to 10 Gbps.  However, a fiber optics due to its large bandwidth possess better performance of up to 60 Tbps and above.
  • The energy consumed by a copper cable during its operation is somewhat greater than 10W but on the other side, fiber optics consumes less energy i.e., around 2W per user.
  • The lifespan of a copper wire is approximately 5 years as it gets easily affected by temperature variations and other environmental factors. However, fiber optics possess a lifespan of 30 to 50 years.
  • As fiber optics are difficult to be tapped as compared to copper cables thus proves advantageous from the security point of view. Due to this reason fiber optics are widely used for data transmission at present time.
  • A fiber optics allows transmission of data at a much faster rate as compared to copper cable.
  • The installation and maintenance cost of a fiber cable is more than copper cable.

 

 

• Switchgears:
  • Broad term that describes a wide variety of switching devices that all fulfill a common need: controlling, protecting, and isolating power systems. This definition can be extended to include devices to regulate and meter a power system, circuit breakers, and similar technology.
  • Switchgear contains fuses, switches, and other power conductors. However, circuit breakers are the most common component found in switchgear.
  • Performs the function of controlling and metering the flow of electrical power in addiction to acting as interrupting and switching devices that protects the equipment from damage arising out of electrical fluctuations.
  • There are three types of switch gears namely LV (Low voltage), MV (Medium voltage) and HV (High voltage) Switchgear.
• Circuit Breakers:
  • Mechanical electrical switch designed to protect an electrical circuit from damage caused by overcurrent/overload or short circuit. Its basic function is to interrupt current flow after protective relays detect a fault.
  • By definition a circuit breaker is an electrical safety device, a switch that automatically interrupts the current of an overloaded electric circuit, ground faults, or short circuits.
• Fuses:
  • Single time mechanical circuit interruption in an over-current situation through fusion of a graded electrical conductor. Employed in 30KV to 100KV range.
  • Electrical safety device that operates to provide overcurrent protection of an electrical circuit. Its essential component is a metal wire or strip that melts when too much current flows through it, thereby stopping or interrupting the current.
• Fuse Switch-Disconnector:
  • Fuse switch disconnector combines the functions of a fuse and a switch disconnector; It provides overcurrent protection like a fuse, and it also allows for manual disconnection of the circuit for isolation purposes.
• ACB (Air Circuit Breakers): 
  • Uses air as insulating medium.
  • Air circuit breaker is a circuit breaker for the purpose of protecting low voltage circuit, mainly for energizing and cutting off high current
• VCB (Vacuum Circuit Breakers): 
  • Vacuum is used as the means to protect circuit breakers.
  • Circuit breaker where the arc quenching takes place in a vacuum medium. The operation of switching on and closing of current carrying contacts and interrelated arc interruption takes place in a vacuum chamber in the breaker which is called a vacuum interrupter.
• AIS (Air Insulated Switchgears):
  • Air is used for insulation in a metal-clad system
  • Secondary power distribution device and medium voltage switchgear that helps redistribute the power of a primary power distributor powered by a high voltage distribution transformer. AIS controls, protects and isolates electrical equipment in power transmission and distribution systems.
• GIS (Gas Insulated Switchgears): 
  • All working components assembled under SF6 (Sulfur Hexafluoride HV Switchgears) gas-tight casing.
  • Compact metal encapsulated switchgear consisting of high-voltage components such as circuit-breakers and disconnectors, which can be safely operated in confined spaces.
• OCB (Oil Circuit Breakers): 
  • Vapors a portion of oil to blast a jet of oil through the arc.
  • Circuit breaker which uses insulating oil as an arc quenching medium
• Hybrid Circuit Breakers:
  • Combines Air-insulated and SF6 Gas-insulated technologies.
• MCB (Miniature Circuit Breakers): 
  • Employed in domestic households to safeguard against overload. Rated current max. 100 A.
  • Electrical switch that automatically switches off the electrical circuit during an abnormal condition of the network means an overload condition as well as a faulty condition. Nowadays we use an MCB in a low-voltage electrical network instead of a fuse.
  • Circuit breakers have a tripping relay mechanism, while MCB has a tripping release mechanism. Circuit breakers have a high rupturing capacity, but the MCB has a low rupturing capacity. Circuit breakers are used in High Voltage systems, while MCBs are used in Low Voltage systems.
• RCCB (Residual Current Circuit Breakers): 
  • To safeguard against electrical shock arising out of indirect contact and includes the detection of residual current such as earth leakage.
  • Current sensing device, which can automatically measure and disconnect the circuit whenever a fault occurs in the connected circuit or the current exceeds the rated sensitivity.
• MCCB (Molded Case Circuit Breakers): 
  • Incorporates insulating material in the form of molded casing within circuit breaker. Rated current up to 2,500 A.
  • MCCB has a higher interrupting capacity, meaning it can handle larger loads than a conventional breaker. Generally, a standard breaker is used for residential and light commercial applications, while an MCCB is suitable for industrial and heavy commercial applications.
• Disconnectors: 
  • Automatic switching device that offers specific isolating distance on the basis of specific requirements.
  • Disconnectors (also known as Isolators) are devices which are generally operated off-load to provide isolation of main plant items for maintenance, or to isolate faulted equipment from other live equipment.
• Contactors: 
  • Works alike high-current switching systems but at higher voltage rates. Contactors can however not be utilized as disconnecting switches. Contactors are employed in 30KV to 100KV range.
  • Special type of relay used for switching an electrical circuit on or off.
  • Electrical device that is widely used for switching circuits on and off. As such, electrical contactors form a subcategory of electromagnetic switches known as relays. A relay is an electrically operated switching device that uses an electromagnetic coil to open and close a set of contacts.
• PTCB eFuse Circuit Breaker:
  • Electronic micro fuse for DIN rail protecting electronically nominal currents below 1A to facilitate the clear detection of faults and supports precise fault localization and fast recovery. Response times are shorter compared to conventional fuse protection and the exact current value can be adjusted at any time
• RCD (Residual Current Devices): 
  • Sensitive safety device that switches off the electricity within 10 to 50 milliseconds if there is an electrical fault. An RCD is is designed to protect against the risks of electrocution and fire caused by earth faults.
  • The difference between a circuit breaker and an RCD switch is the purpose of a circuit breaker is to protect the electrical systems and wiring in a home while the purpose of an RCD switch is to protect people from electrocution.
• RCBO (Residual Current Breaker with Over-Current): 
  • RCDs can protect against electric shocks, residual currents, and earth faults. On the other hand, RCBOs can do what RCDs can do and protect a circuit from short circuits and overload. RCBOs are essentially a combination of MCB and RCCB.
  • An RCBO protects electrical equipment from two types of faults; residual current and over current. Residual current, or Earth leakage as it can sometimes be referred to, is when there is a break in the circuit that could be caused by faulty electrical wiring or if the wire is accidentally cut.
• Ring Main Unit (RMU):
  • Medium voltage, gas-insulated, fully sealed cabinet used to measure, connect, and integrate transformer protection functions with a fixed type breaker. Ring Main Units are safe, reliable, low-maintenance, and easy to replace switchgear.
  • A ring main unit (RMU) is a factory assembled, metal enclosed set of switchgear used at the load connection points of a ring-type distribution network.
• Load Center – Panel Board – Switch Board – Distribution Cabinet – Distribution Box – Distribution Enclosure:
  • A load center is used in residential and light commercial applications to distribute electricity supplied by the utility company throughout the home or building to feed all the branch circuits. Each branch circuit is protected by the circuit breaker housed in the load center.  In the event of a short circuit or an overload on a branch circuit, the circuit breaker will cut the power before any potential property damage or personal injury can occur.
  • A load center provides similar functionality in a power distribution system as a switchboard and a panelboard. As far as UL and the NEC standards are concerned, there is no difference between a panelboard and a load center. The term Panel Board is more used in commercial and industrial applications.
  • However, Panelboards are typically deeper than load centers and can accommodate both bolt-on circuit breakers as well as plug-in breakers, whereas a load center is limited to plug-in breakers.
  • Switchboards are often the typical choice for large commercial and industrial establishments. These panelboards generally house circuit breakers that can manage and supply electricity for machines with high-voltage demands.
  • Panelboards are only accessible from the front (as mentioned above), but switchboards allow rear access as well.
  • Distribution cabinet is used as a general term for an enclosure that houses electrical distribution components. It can refer to enclosures containing panelboards, switchboards, or other distribution equipment.
  • In terms of use, distribution boxes are generally used for households (smaller enclosures), and distribution cabinets are mostly used for centralized power supply. Distribution boxes and cabinets are complete sets of equipment. Distribution boxes are low-voltage complete sets of equipment. Cabinets have both high and low voltages.
  • An enclosure or distribution enclosure in a general term for any type of protective housing for electrical distribution components. It’s essentially a cabinet or box designed to safeguard components from environmental factors, prevent electrical shock, and potentially shield against electromagnetic interference.

• Solid-State Circuit Breakers:
  • Solid-state device, electronic device in which electricity flows through solid semiconductor crystals (silicon, gallium arsenide, germanium) rather than through vacuum tubes.
  • The solid-state breaker concept replaces the traditional moving parts of an electromechanical circuit breaker with semiconductors and advanced software algorithms that control the power and can interrupt extreme currents faster than ever before.
• Pad-mount Switchgear:
  • The pad-mount switchgear is made from the same modular switch and interrupter components as the vault switchgear. This means all components are sealed, submersible and protected, so you don’t have to worry about tracking, animal infestation, corrosion or the effects of condensation inside the enclosure.

 

 

• OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer):
  • Company that produces parts and equipment that may be marketed by another manufacturer.
  • Usually tagged on hardware or software that’s less expensive than normal retail products.
  • An OEM refers to something made specifically for the original product, while the aftermarket refers to equipment made by another company that a consumer may use as a replacement.
  • Electrical OEM manufacturers makes equipment or components that are then utilized by its customer, another manufacturer or a reseller, usually under the final reseller’s brand name. OEMs come in many shapes and sizes, making complete devices or specific components.
• MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Operations):
  • It refers to all the activities needed to keep a company’s facilities and production processes running smoothly.
  • Supplies consumed in the production process that do not become part of the end product.
  • Maintenance professionals use MRO items to maintain company structures, equipment, and assets. Purchases that fall under MRO include maintenance tools and equipment, replacement parts for production equipment, consumables such as personal protective equipment (e.g., safety goggles, work gloves), cleaning products and office supplies.
• Integrated Supply:
  • Integrated supply chain management refers to an enterprise resource planning approach to supply chain management.
  • Large-scale business strategy that brings as many links of the chain as possible into a closer working relationship with each other. The goal is to improve response time, production time, and reduce costs and waste.
  • Often takes the form of integrated computer systems. For example, the supplier’s computer system may be set up to deliver real-time data to the buyer’s computer. This allows the buyer to know: The current status of all orders., which products are in the supplier’s inventory …
  • Integration, operations, purchasing and distribution are the four elements of the supply chain that work together to establish a path to competition that is both cost-effective and competitive.
  • Integrated supply is the end-to-end process of managing the MRO supply chain (spare parts) through consolidated sourcing practices, storeroom operations, inventory management, data governance, and continuous improvement. The objective is to leverage spend, reduce transactions, and cut inventory and associated costs while eliminating risk around critical spares.