Volume 2, Issue 1 - April 2009
The Supplier
WUE becomes 3M distributor
WUE is pleased to announce their selection by 3M as a preferred supplier of 3M products in the public utility marketplace. Based on surveys conducted by 3M with rural electric cooperatives (our members) and municipal utilities, WUE was ranked as the top utility distributor in the area. WUE is now stocking a full range of 3M splices, terminators, tape and jacket resealing kits. Please see your WUE account manager for more details or for information on 3M products.
WUE is in the tool business
WUE now offers a one stop shop for all required utility line tools, whether for overhead or underground usage. See your WUE account manager for a complete tool line card. Current tool lines include AB Chance, Hastings, Huskie, Greenlee, Klein, Speedsystems, Ripley, H.D. Electric, Burndy, Fairmont, 3M-Dynatel, Bashlin, Buckingham, Condux , Warren Heim, HK Porter, Estex, Lug-all, Nicopress, Oshkosh, Sievert, Reliable, Sherman, Reilly, and Salisbury.
WUE named Cooper Lighting and Union Metal pole distributor
In order to augment their current lighting product offerings, WUE has been selected as a Cooper lighting and also as a Union Metal (aluminum and steel pole) distributor. WUE now offers a full line of lighting products for use in security light applications, ballpark
applications, nostalgia lighting replacement poles, standard and specialty street lighting. In addition to Cooper and Union Metal, WUE also offers Howard lighting (bulbs and fixtures), GE lighting, American Electric lighting, Hapco poles, Eye (bulbs), Curlee, Maclean and Utility Metals mast arms, ALR, Ripley and DTL (controls). For lighting layouts lighting needs, information on new lighting products (i.e. induction, and LED products), see your WUE account manager.
Hubbell Power’s new maintenance-free single phase vacuum recloser-(Versa-Tech)
Named Versa-Tech because of the versatility and high tech design, Hubbell’s new recloser has been gaining in popularity. The unit is maintenance free (no oil) except for battery replacement every eight years. It is easy to program including the ability to enter notes referencing pole locations, settings, feeder names etc. It also can store data on 40 overcurrent operations. The units can function at both 15KV and 25KV (400 A continuous) and can be programmed for various trip settings (10 A increments) which allows for a significant reduction in inventory. The outside of the unit is energized and does necessitate additional precautions by the line crews. See your WUE account manager for a full product demonstration.
Replace or Rejuvenate Wood Poles?
With the price of wholesale power continuing to escalate, many utilities are looking to decrease their overall system maintenance costs. One cost effective approach that has been gaining in popularity is a pole (distribution or transmission) groundline reinforcement system developed by Laminated Wood Systems called the pole enforcer. The system (already tried by Tri-State, Intermountain and La Plata) enables a utility to either reinforce an existing pole that has been targeted for change-out due to decay, or to upgrade a pole’s classification thus allowing for greater wind/ snow/ ice loading. The cost to replace poles is significantly higher than the cost to install (pneumatically or using a drop weight system) steel reinforcing sleeves. The sleeves (either one or two per pole dependent on strength requirements) can be installed by a line crew in about one hour. The patented steel design is 10-12’ long and 5-13” in width and 1/4-3/8” in thicknessdependent on the application. See your WUE account manager for more details.
West Group Expands
Due to the increased building of substation and transmission lines forecasted for the future, WUE has expanded their WEST group. The WEST group (Western United Electric Substation and Transmission) specializes in the packaging of materials used for substation and transmission projects. The WEST group, includes degreed engineers and works with members, consultants, contractors and utilities in preparing bills of material (job drawing takeoffs), pricing on a complete package or for individual items (i.e. power transformers), and manages the material ordering/ expediting and final delivery of products for the project. Over 1000 substation and transmission projects in 35 states have been completed over the last nine years.
WUE ranked #1 Nationally for Sales Per Employee