Fall-Restriction Device

Buckingham Manufacturing introduces the SuperSqueeze. This device has a one-handed brown strap and a green woven strap adjustment, and can adjust easily for the circumference of the pole. It also has a patent-pending serrated RotoSnap and WebGrab, and a modular design for easy strap change out in the field. The device can be configured to use a rope or a web strap. A user can disconnect to climb over an obstruction, and the device can be assembled for right-handed or left-handed individuals. The rope model of the device weighs 4.5 lb, and the Web model weighs 4.85 lb. The product meets ASTM F887-11 including dry pole, wet pole, conduit and iced pole. All straps and rope have a red warning center, and the hardware is 3,600 lb gate rated.

Buckingham Manufacturing | www.buckinghammfg.com

Chain Vises

Not only has RIDGID improved its line of portable TRISTAND chain vises with upgrades to the Model 460-6, but the company also has expanded the line with the introduction of the Model 460-12, a chain vise capable of gripping up to a 12-inch diameter pipe.

The TRISTAND chain vises are intended to hold PVC, steel and copper pipes. The Model 460-6 can hold pipe between ⅛ inch and 6 inches in diameter, while the new Model 460-12 has a 12-inch jaw and an extended chain to grip pipe diameters ranging from ⅛ inch to 12 inches. The chain vises are versatile and durable, and are designed to meet rugged job site needs year after year. The base is optimized to provide more working area — with the pipe benders located at the rear of the base for bending or adjusting pipe, and tool hangers for equipment storage during use. The large vise base also overhangs the front legs to allow for clear tool swing.

The 460-6 and 460-12 feature an integrated ground lug that provides a conductive surface to connect the weld ground, and a jack screw to help stabilize the unit during use. Both are self-hooking for pipe up to 4 inches, a feature that is ideal when a second hand is not available to engage the chain into the wear plate. The chain vises feature a leg chain that helps retain legs, even when subjected to rugged use during operation and transport, and a rugged tool tray to provide prolonged stability before requiring a leg adjustment. The Model 460-12 has an additional adjustable rear leg, making it easy for the end user to level the stand. The 47-lb 460-6 and the 71-lb 460-12 fold easily for storage or transport and are backed by the RIDGID lifetime warranty.

RIDGID | www.ridgid.com

Lock Nuts

Springfast Inc. has been supplying simple thread lock nuts to the pole line hardware distributors for many years. These products were invented in Sweden and were called “Pawl Nuts” because of the action of the gripping teeth against the bolt threads. Production of these parts began in the United States in 1925. These single thread lock nuts are made of spring steel, and IDs are oversized for use on a hot-dip galvanized bolt. The most popular sizes are ½-13, 5/8-11, ¾-10, 7/8-9, and 1-18 inches.

Springfast Inc. | www.springfastri.com

UVM Benchmarking Study

CN Utility Consulting is now accepting participants for its 2011-2012 utility vegetation management (UVM) benchmarking surveys. CNUC is the largest and most comprehensive survey of UVM in North America, and the resulting reports are a utility's best source for comparing its UVM program to its peers. New participants are welcome any time; reports updated with additional data can be released throughout the year.

CN Utility Consulting | www.cnutility.com

On-Line Transformer Monitor

The Serveron TM1 On-line Transformer Monitor offers a breakthrough price/performance point in on-line DGA. For the first time, the benefits of on-line condition monitoring can be realized across the distribution transformer fleet. The Serveron TM1 continuously monitors hydrogen PPM levels and can be programmed to alarm based on PPM levels and/or rate of change. The fact the device has no membrane, no consumables and no sensor replacement increases the reliability for remote-monitoring locations.

BPL Global Ltd. | www.bplglobal.net

Fall-Protection Product Line

Salisbury by Honeywell introduces Miller by Honeywell Fall Protection. These products enable customers to prevent accidents and injuries, while maintaining on-the-job efficiencies. Miller's solutions increase user acceptance and lower overall cost. All fall-protection products meet applicable OSHA, ANSI and CSA requirements and standards. CE-certified products are available. This line of products includes personal fall-arrest system components, belts, lanyards, ladders, fall-restraint system, arc-rated harnesses and lanyards, and much more.

Salisbury by Honeywell | www.salisburybyhoneywell.com

Meter Pedestal/Box Pad Combination

Nordic Fiberglass introduces the GS-37-39-MP-MG-22x22 meter pedestal/box pad combination. The fiberglass box pad accommodates single-phase transformers from 25 kVA to 167 kVA. The box pad can be direct buried up to 9 inches in the ground. An underground raceway allows electrical cables to run from the box pad to the meter(s). Install up to three meter enclosures on the meter plastic pedestal. An expansive meter pedestal interior makes installing meters easy. Penta-head locking is standard for the pedestal and is pad-lockable ready.

Nordic Fiberglass | www.nordicfiberglass.com

Hands-Free Work Station

Brooks Utility Products introduces Utilishelf, a safe, hands-free work station to meet everyday needs in the field. Designed for use as a laptop or tool holder, writing surface, lunch table or compartmentalized surface for holding small parts and connectors, Utilishelf makes field work easier and safer for employees and their equipment.

Utilishelf attaches magnetically to meter enclosures, switchgear, substation compartments or any metal surface providing a convenient and safe portable workstation. The unit is made from durable military-grade material, is dielectric safe and UV-resistant, supporting 15 lb of vertical weight.

Brooks Utility Products | www.brooksutility.com

Battery-Powered Cable Cutter

The REC-54M, a heavy-duty battery-powered cable cutter, will cut up to 1590 MCM ACSR and copper cables up to 750 MCM. The large jaw opening will accommodate aluminum cables up to 1500 MCM. Huskie Tools has notched both cutting blades to avoid the denting of the cutting surfaces when steel strand is encountered. The handle is rotated 90 degrees to the blade to achieve a more ergonomic and comfortable cutting position.

Huskie Tools
www.huskietools.com

Arc-Resistant Transformers

ABB's new arc-resistant transformer technology compliments ABB's SafeGear medium-voltage arc-flash switchgear to offer complete secondary substation packages. The primary benefit of these dry-type transformers is safety. This technology will protect nearby utility workers from serious injury or death if an arc-flash event were to occur inside one of the transformer enclosures.

The transformer's safety features include: proprietary seam panels and exhaust ducts for channeling gas explosions away from human contact into a surrounding room; reinforced panels that prevent burn-through; and special louver dampers designed to close off vents within milliseconds to prevent horizontal flame exposure.

ABB | www.abb.com

Transmission Catalog

The new Anderson and Fargo Catalog by Hubbell Power Systems has been updated. It features a complete reference source for connectors, fittings and hardware, and it is essential for those engaged in power system transmission. Request your catalog at hpsliterature@.hubbell.com.

Hubbell Power Systems | www.hubbellpowersystems.com

Composite Poles

Duratel is partnering with Power Line Systems Inc. (PLSi) to incorporate its FRP pole library with PLSi's PLS-CADD platform. The addition of the Duratel pole library will help engineers to use the composite pole when designing, simulating and analyzing a T&D system.

Composite poles can be installed with less equipment and manpower than other products and have proven to speed up recovery from severe weather and natural disasters. In addition, surveys among utility linemen who have worked with Duratel poles have shown that it takes about half the time to install composite poles compared to competing materials. Duratel composite poles also help solve woodpecker and other pest damage problems.

Duratel | www.duratelgreen.com