Volume 1 Issue 1- August 2008
The Supplier
WUE Update
The latest issue of Electric Wholesaling magazine lists Western United as the 81st largest electrical supply distributor in the country, based on 2007 sales. More importantly, WUE retained the top ranking (#1) in the country for sales per employee. This is an excellent measure of productivity. Five other EUDA members (other cooperative-owned distributors) also were ranked in the top eight for sales per employee.
Mark your calendars for:
September 4, 2008. We will host our Annual Customer Appreciation Golf Outing at Marianna Butte golf Course in Loveland.
You don’t want to miss it!
New Transformer Efficiency Levels Mandated by DOE
As directed by the Energy Act of 1999, and after considerable research, the Department of Energy published new efficiency standards that ALL new liquid-filled transformers will have to meet beginning January 1, 2010. Rebuilt transformers are excluded from the standard. The new standard will apply to all single and three-phase transformers and will require the use of higher grades of electrical core steel. For those utilities currently purchasing non-loss evaluated transformers (50-60% of utilities across the country), the new standards will substantially increase the price they are currently paying for transformers. Additionally, the core steel used in some transformers in the future may need to be amorphous steel, and additional copper and aluminum conductor may need to be used in the construction of some transformers. This will result in both larger and heavier transformers being manufactured, some of which may require higher class poles. Single-phase transformers currently being purchased using a $4 per watt, no load formula, and three-phase using a $3 per watt or above formula, should meet the new standards.
The new standards are projected to reduce installed generating capacity by 2.6 GW (equal to the energy consumed by 27 million households per year) and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 238 MT. The following chart (TSLC) show the new efficiency ratings required for each size transformer. Linear interpolation will be used for sizes not shown.
WUE has been meeting with various transformer manufacturers to determine a new transformer efficiency design for each kVA pole and pad size that we stock. We intend to survey members (including a discussion at the October Inventory Management Meeting) to determine if they would be willing to standardize on the new core/coil design with the ability to add whatever accessories are required. Additionally, WUE is researching the incremental cost to begin supplying DOE spec transformers beginning in 2009. The new standards eliminates the need to calculate TOC when evaluating bids. Specifications should merely require that the units must meet TSLC efficiency standards. Your WUE account manager can discuss the new requirements in more detail.
Table I.1.—Standard Levels for Liquid-Immersed Distribution Transformers, Tabular Form
Fiberglass: An Alternative to Wood
A recent article in the December 2007 issue of RE Magazine pointed out the large scale interest by cooperatives across the country in moving toward the use of “lightweight and tough fiberglass and polymer products.” Many cooperatives in Colorado have begun to use strictly fiberglass dead-end arms rather than wood. Many have also begun to use fiberglass arms for tangent applications.
Fiberglass arms offered by PUPI, which has the longest field experience of any fiberglass cross arm supplier (since 1990), extends the following values to the electric utility cooperative.
+ Predictable performance using engineered materials and a controlled manufacturing process (something mother nature cannot.)
+ Rigid, but not brittle, in design allowing for resiliency during severe weather.
+ Improved electrical performance due to minimal moisture absorption.
+ Lightweight, one-third to one-half the weight of a comparable wood cross arm.
+ Easy, low-cost installation.
+ Minimum maintenance, no woodpecker or insect damage.
+ No hazardous chemical treatment.
+ Higher strength and lower cost (dead ends).
+ Three-level weathering protection using UV resistant materials that have been life-tested.
+ Internal bushings available to resist crushing during bolt installation.
+ Impact resistant end caps and closed cell polyurethane foam fill.
+ RUS accepted designs.
+ 40-Year Performance Warranty.
Your WUE account manager can provide additional information on cross arm ratings (per phase), drawings, cross references (including comparisons to competitor’s products and wood), RUS acceptance letters, customer references, and a listing of WUE’s extensive inventory of both 8’ and 10’ dead-end and tangent arms.
WUE Named as A Distributor
The following manufacturers have recently named WUE as a distributor for their products:
Maysteel: A manufacturer of capacitors and assembled capacitor racks.
3M Dynatel: A manufacturer of cable/secondary fault locating equipment.
Nicopress: A manufacturer of splices for 6A and 8A conductor.
Rainbow Technology: A manufacturer of chemicals (i.e., marking paint, cleaners, weed killers, lubricants, spill kits).
Curlee: A Manufacturer of street light arms (especially longer length arms, up to 20’)
Tony Meastas Joins WUE
Please join WUE in welcoming Tony Maestas! Tony is a distribution Sales Specialist serving customers in southern Colorado and New Mexico. Tony has over 10 years of customer service experience with other utility distributors and with a fiberglass pole manufacturer. He currently resides in the Denver area and enjoys restoring old classic cars and spending time with his family.
THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT