Following a call for nominations in earlier issues of EP, all of the entries have been assessed and now thirty finalists across five categories await your decision. The competition for the Electrical Products Awards 2004 enters it's final phase as we ask you to vote for your favourites new products and services in the electrical industry.

On this page, the evidence is laid before you to consider. As readers you are, by definition, the ultimate jury for a product or company. You are the clients, distributors and the competitors. Take the time to read the entries, make your decisions and vote. Ask yourselves - is it really innovative, new, or interesting? If you believe so, have your say and make your vote count.

However you choose to vote, make sure you do. Have your say, take part, and help us to continue to reward excellence in the Electrical Industry.

Remember, the deadline for voting is June 1st 2004.

BEST USE OF TECHNICAL INNOVATION Sponsored by Weg Electric Motors

Riello Galatrek Ltd. - Dialog Dual Said to be the first UPS to be designed with the space-centric telecommunications and computer environments in mind, the Dialog Duel boasts 19" rackmount and floor standing capabilities. It's digital display can even be rotated through ninety degrees to accommodate both options. The unit also claims excellent power supply performance. It produces a pure sine wave output, can withstand a 150% overload (even in inverter mode) and work in 0-40°C ambient temperatures. Mitsubishi Electric - WS Series circuit breakers The WS series is designed to perform in the most extreme of power overloads, disconnecting load from supply instantly, securely and reliably. At the core of the design is a polymer ablation type Auto-Puffer moulded from a patented polymer which is activated by the high temperatures locally generated when shorting occurs. The activation gives off an inert gas which prevents further arcing. The evolved gas is carefully focused by the Jet Pressure Trip Mechanism for maximum effect. Fluke - Fluke/Robin 1650 Series of Multifunction Testers The 1650 series, the first to be launched under the dual fluke/robin brand, is designed to verify conformity with the 16th edition IEE wiring Regulations. The units feature a large back-lit display, extreme ease of operation, test result storage and PC generated reports. The product's uniquely ergonomic shape and low weight (just 1.2 kg) allow comfortable all-day testing. Rittal - Power Distribution range of component adapters This range of component adapters for contactors, motor circuit breakers and miniature circuit breakers from 1 amp to up to 250 amps, provides system designers and manufacturers with the ability to increase design flexibility and reduce costs. The component adapters mount directly onto flat or profile busbars and are already pre-wired. The units are also designed to integrate with a wide range of manufacturers of control equipment. Logisty - Wireless Door Phone The Logisty wireless DoorPhone provides voice, control and data communication between inside and outside the home or office. The three components of the system are the caller unit, with a special anti-vandal metal cover and keypad, the controller, which provides a voltage free contact to control a motor driven gate, and the cordless mobile handset, with LCD display. Main system batteries are claimed to have an operating life of four years. Phoenix contact - PLC Interface The PLC-SO46 series PLC interfaces from Phoenix contact are designed to over come the problems of signal pick-up on long control connections. I/O units often fail to operate correctly due to leakage currents which can exceed several milliamps . The units include a RCZ (resistor, capacitor and zener diode) filter which prevents stray voltages and currents from adversely affecting the interface device.

BEST USE OF HIGH TECHNOLOGY Sponsored by Tempa Pano

EMKA - ELM Network Locking System The ELM network system features a conventional CAN-BUS using SNMP protocols, with each bus linked to a maximum of 512 cabinet handles. The font-end is a familiar windows environment and facilitates the definition of parameters such as : who has access to a cabinet, how access may be achieved, when access is permitted, what environmental sensor alarms are set, at what levels alarms are set and what controls are operated. Moeller Electric - MFD-Titan Based on Moeller's Easy 800 intelligent control relay, the MFD-Titan has a 60 x 30 mm LCD display mounted in an IP65 housing. The logic module and I/O unit simply clip to the rear of the display unit. The MFD's major advantage is in configuration. The Easy-Soft software allows control circuits to be copied directly from an electrical diagram onto the screen using a drag and drop editor. Once completed, control schemes can be tested off the machine using built-in simulation software. Rockwell Automation - RSTestStand This software package allows developers to create of a wide range of "virtual" control scenarios and realistic design configurations and programs on their desktops. Versatile enough to simulate both process and discrete operations, the software is said to greatly reduce delays associated with start-up and installation by verifying appropriate control system design offline. RSTestStand supports Allen-Bradley PLCs, drives and control equipment as well as a range of other third party OPC 2.0-compliant devices. Hager Ashley Klik - Klik DCS Klik DCS (Digital Control System) is a new installation system for digital lighting control. It is designed to enable contractors to supply sophisticated lighting control, which is easy to install and commission. Klik DCS is a marshalling box for distributing power and data to up to ten digital ballasts via a secure plug and socket interface. The company claims installation times to be up to 50% faster with Klik DCS. Elero UK - Radio control for shutters and doors Elero's easy to install, wireless control package for shutters, garage doors and awnings is said to offer fast, effective and secure operation with minimal wiring and disturbance. The control box is installed internally and needs only power connections. Communications between all devices is by radio, eliminating the need for control wiring. The maximum power output is 1000 watts, sufficient for all the motors in Elero's range. JMR Lighting Technology - Smart System 003 SS 003 consists of three electronic units that communicate and store electronic data packages from outdoor lighting installations, that have been designed to provide the end user with a fully automatic, autonomous street light surveillance system, which constantly monitors each individual lamp of each and every luminaire, included in the urban matrix. The system allows a lighting engineer to connect to the server via any PC, to each single group of lights and monitor their current status or change their operational parameters within the defined system.

CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS ENERGY SAVING Sponsored by HazardEx

Danfoss - VLT6000 The variable speed VLT6000 from Danfoss has been used in a number of energy saving applications since its launch in 2002. The installation at Sandtoft Roof Tiles manufacturing plant in 2002 led to energy savings of 60% on the combustion fans driven by the drives and it was this particular application that has been selected by the judging panel to be a finalist in this year's awards. Elcomponent - Sub-metering system The installation of a sub-metering system at Pegler's Belmont works in Doncaster identified annual savings in excess of £40,000. This led to the installation of a second more complex system and upgraded software. The MeterRing MM software not only produces daily consumption graphs for each furnace but also calculates the "cost per kg" of each brass melt using data imported from Pegler's own automation software. This data has allowed energy consumption to fall and productivity to rise. Trend Control Systems - Energy metering package. The building regulations require owners and occupiers of new / refurbished non-domestic premises to be able to account for at least 90% of the energy that they use. Trend have come up with a package containing everything required to ensure accurate energy measurement. The data logger constantly calculates energy usage based on water flow and the flow/return temperature of the hot water system. Accumulated consumption in kWh can be viewed on its integral display as can temperature and flow rate data. Eaton MEM 250 - Litesaver BC3 lamp holder This new type of lamp holder is designed with three J-slot fixings to restrict its use to low energy CFL lamps with a compatible BC3 cap. It will enable specifiers and installers to satisfy the requirements of the new building regulations for low energy domestic lighting. Approved Document L1 calls for a number of lighting points in new homes that will accept only low energy lamps. ABB - Bank House refurbishment with I-bus An ABB i-bus EIB control system was chosen to provide integrated, efficient control of a complex lighting and heating system for the reception and associated areas. All internal and external lighting can be controlled from the reception desk, this includes almost 90 flourescent lamps, track lighting and low voltage spotlights as well internal and external lit signage. In addition the reception area electrical system is now controlled from the desk, access to the under ground garage and control of the heating system are possible. Dimplex - DuoHeat radiator Dimplex's DuoHeat forms part of what they term "Smarter heating". This is essentially more efficient and intelligent use of electricity in domestic heating systems. DuoHeat provides a constant low level of background warmth, which helps to maintain the temperature of the building fabric. When a room is occupied or more heat is needed, DuoHeat responds to raise room temperature.

SCONTRIBUTION TOWARDS SAFETY Sponsored by Pilz

Seaward Electronic - PrimeTest200 3-in-1 safety tester Seaward claim that the PrimeTest200 is the first electrical safety tester to combine the functions of a PAT tester with other electrical installation and diagnostic testing features. The unit can perform earth leakage and touch leakage tests in addition to earth loop impedance, RCD and socket polarity tests. This tester boasts a comprehensive range of electrical tests for the contractor, field service engineer or domestic appliance installer. Omron - D4NL and D4GL guard-lock switches These two new ranges of safety guard-lock switches are said to be convenient and cost effective machine safety tools. The units work via a key retention system preventing access to machinery whilst it is in motion. The locks are versatile and both ranges feature a choice of four head mounting directions. For added flexibility in tight mounting situations the D4GL range has a slimline body shape. Ter-Mate - Te-Bar This is a new design in the field of earth bonding. The product is based on a moulded insulator which supports twin tinned copper conductors on edge. The arrangement can accommodate clamped take-off connections which can be installed at any point along its length. Initial installation is simple as well as any future additional connections. IEE Wiring Regulations stipulate that all earthing systems must be fitted with a means to disconnect the earthing conductor. TeBar offers this but with a spring loaded disconnect link to prevent it from being re-closed by accident. System Sensor - Module family for intelligent fire systems The new additions to the Series 200 plus range addressable smoke and heat detector family are five interface modules. The modules fulfil a variety of functions within an intelligent fire system. There is an isolator module, single output, single and double input and a combined dual input/output module. The modules can be located either at the control panel or adjacent to the equipment with which they are associated. They are also fitted with tri-state LED indicators and rotary decade address switches. Euchner - Safety Relay Safety engineering company, Euchner has further extended its product range with the introduction of new ESM safety relays that can serve fields of application up to category 4, EN954-1. Safety relays play an increasingly important role where machinery or moving parts are involved, and the new ESM range can be relied upon to dependably break electrical control circuits and therefore switch off any potentially hazardous machine functions. Draka UK - FireTufPlus In July 2003 a new standard for fire alarm cables was introduced into the UK market, The main difference for cables was the introduction of a 2 tier requirement, Standard and Enhanced. The Standard requirement was aimed at pliable (soft skin) cables and the Enhanced requirement was thought to be achievable with only copper clad mineral cable (MICC). Draka UK Ltd have developed a sheath that has enabled a soft skin cable to meet the Enhanced test. Using nano composites the outer sheath of the cable does not burn where as other soft skin cables burn away very quickly. The technology used is new and a patent has been applied for.

MOST INTERESTING NEW PRODUCT Sponsored by Bartec

Super Rod - Cable Rod Super Rod have added a further two labour saving accessories to their successful Cable Rod system. Screwing the Super Beam attachment on to any male thread, activates the strong LED presenting a bright beam of light. The LED is powered by three button cell batteries providing a six hour run time. A second addition is the Whisk accessory which is designed to help Cable Rod overcome uneven surfaces. Raising the end of the rod over obstructions, its friction reducing fins allow the Whisk to glide over rough surfaces such as attic spaces, under floors and cable tray. Vent Axia - Air Minder Air Minder is claimed to be the "next generation of whole-house heat-recovery ventilation systems". Vent Axia say that is able to recover up to 90% of the warmth that would normally be lost by conventional air extraction and with space heating accounting for 50% of the nations energy consumption this is a significant benefit. The Air Minder's other selling point is its positive effect on air quality. According to Vent Axia as many as 20% of children now display the symptoms of asthma. GET - Control Guard The new range of smoke alarm products from GET includes an Ionisation smoke alarm, a photoelectric smoke alarm and a heat alarm. The units can be inter-linked which means that irrespective of which alarm is triggered all of them will sound. Control Guard also features built-in battery back-up, battery missing indicator and a low battery indicator. A multifunctional LED verifies the connection to the mains. Pirelli - FP Firefix FP Firefix kits contain all you need to secure Pirelli FP200 Gold and FP Plus fire resistant cable. It is an alternative to the traditional 'AP' clip used to secure fire resisting cable. The kits contain 500 Firefix clips, 500 nails, a gas cartridge and tool adaptors for the Spit Pulsa 700E gas nailer (not included). The kit is designed to go hand in hand with the 700E and can secure clips in a variety of substrates including concrete, steel, composite steel decking, masonry and block work. C-TEC - Domestic loop amplifier kit C-TEC's DL50/K can be installed by any competent electrician (no audio experience is required) and includes everything needed to create a high quality stand-alone induction loop system for any room in the house. The kit has been purposely manufactured to meet the needs of those wishing to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act. The amplifier can sit discretely alongside other audio-visual equipment and features phono inputs, two microphone inputs and an alert input for fire alarms, door bells etc. ETA Enclosures (UK) - Bioniq Pendant Suspension Arm system The ETA Bioniq suspension arm assembly provides a flexible method of moving operator controls into a convenient position for an operator to use. This uniquely modern stylised system is produced from the very best extruded aluminium profiles and innovative couplings are available in two styles of arm assembly which are offered in various lengths to suit most applications. Bioniq can be easily mounted to either a wall, machine tool or a control cabinet, with a matching pedestal version available for floor mounting.