Volume 6, Issue 1 - March 2004
Western United Electric Supply Corporation
The Supplier
WUE UPDATE
Price Increases! As the result of significant price increases and shortages in raw material, primarily steel, manufactures are being forced to raise prices. Price increases have ranged between 2-10 percent. Some manufacturers have implemented temporary surcharges ranging between 3.5-5 percent. These increases all take effect in March. Even existing contracts are affected. We cannot predict the future; however, most experts believe the raw material shortage will correct itself by mid to late summer. In addition to the price increases, lead times have increased significantly. We do not expect the price increases to come down in the future. However, we do expect the surcharges to be dropped when the situation improves. These price increases affect the entire electric utility industry.
Transformer Inventory As the demand for more inventory grows, and as a result of our alliances, we recently added additional racking in our warehouse to accommodate the storage of more transformers. If you have not yet investigated our transformer-stocking program, we encourage you to do so. This program is very successful in reducing your inventory to less than a two-week supply. We are currently stocking more than 2,000 units in our warehouse. If you would like more information, please consult with your sales representative.
Lineman’s Rodeo WUE is proud to co-host this year’s Fifteenth Annual Rocky Mountain Lineman’s Rodeo. Hosting the event with our company is Mountain View Electric Assoc., Inc., and R.A. Waffensmith & Co., Inc. The rodeo will be held July 10, 2004 at the Sheraton Hotel in Colorado Springs. We look forward to seeing you there.
Kaddas Enterprises Inc.
By Jenifer Sima
Ceramic Arrester Cap
Recent studies show over 605 of “animal caused outages” occur on poles with equipment, such as cutouts, transformers, reclosers, and surge arrestors, mounted on the pole. This picture shows the Kaddas KE 1066, Ceramic Arrester Cap, in place. This product is designed to snap over the first “shed” or “skirt” of the arrester, as well as fit down snugly over the wire. In addition to the use of the KE 1066, we recommend that you use insulated jumper wires, or use a cover-up material over all jumpers. As with all Kaddas products, this unit is manufacturered with U-V resistant, flame retardant, and fire resistant material. The dielectric strength of the KE 1066 exceeds 72KV. This item is accepted by RUS under item “rp”.
KE 1039 Line Protector
Insulator and tie fouling near feedlots and stockyards is a problem for utilities. If there is no protection provided for the insulator, crews can spend valuable time cleaning the insulators frequently, causing the customer and utility to accept an outage. The KE 1039 series, provides an easily installed, utility friendly solution. Made of U-V resistant, fire retardant, flame resistant material, the KE 1039 provides a layer of protection to prevent bird excrement from fouling and building up on the insulator and tie. This product, which has a dielectric strength exceeding 72kV, is available to fit C, F, J, and K neck pin and post type insulators and a wide range of conductor sizes.
HUBBELL POWER UPDATE
By Big Dog Dave Bauer
All Polymer distrubtion deadend insulators are not created equal......
Material: Manufactured with ESP*silicone alloy rubber. ESP* is a polymer compound made by alloying silicone and EPDM rubber. This alloy offers the desirable toughness and resistance to tracking (EPDM) with the hydrophobic characteristics derived from low molecular weight (lmw) silicone oils. The P
DI insulator has the same percentage of lmw silicone oil as does pure silicone rubber. Over time, recovery of hydrophobicity is a result of migration of lmw silicone oil to the surface of the insulator. Advantages of ESP* includes.....tear strength, abrasive strength, erosion & tracking resistance from the EPDM and hydrophobicity and surface resistance from the silicone. ESP* is a proprietary material of Hubbell Power Systems.
Interface: The PDI Insulator uses a bonded interface between the rod and shed. A routine test performed consists of stripping the rod from the shed. A minimum of 98% of the interface surface must display torn rubber.
Tests: Routine tests consist of... Tracking, Ultraviolet, Oxidative Stability, Corona Cutting, Tear Strength and Salt Fog. HPS (Ohio Brass & Chance) have in excess of 20 years of successful polymer experience. Materials are evaluated by specially developed accelerated aging test.
Experience: Our polymers have far more in-service experience than any other high voltage non-ceramic insulating material... Today, HPS has in excess of 7,000,000+++ PDV/PVR Arresters, as well as 10,000,000++ PDI Insulators in the field with no known material failures.
Pinnacle Steel
By Jennifer Gilbert
The W.E.S.T. department has been busy the past few months. We are happy to announce that WUE and Pinnacle Steel have formed a partnership. Pinnacle Steel is a local steel fabrication facility that can cover all processing of materials such as, steel, aluminum, and stainless steel. They specialize in infrastructure, highway, material handling, and power/energy industry. Being a local facility, they can provide a quick turn on material.
Ripley Tools
By Kent Davenport, Tool Specialist
UtilityTool cable preparation tools are used throughout the world by electric utilities, power distribution and transmission companies, electrical and power contractors for overhead, underground and secondary applications. Since 1965, Ripley's UtilityTool products have developed an outstanding reputation for high quality, reliable, cost-saving tools and components.
Contact your WUE representative for more information
+ Upgraded model of the WS 5
+ Same basic function as the WC 5 model
+ New adjustable strip stop w/rotary mechanism
+ New adjustable window
+ For 600 volt to 35KV cables
+ Ideal for primary URD cable
+ For 600 volt secondary cable
+ Cutting head for #6 AWG to 500 MCM
+ Strips 45 mil to 110 mil secondary insulations
Choice of square cut or chamfer cut blades
Warehouse News
By David Decker, Warehouse Manager
WUE added over 80’ of new racking.
Eric Royer, one of the warehouse employees has received his CDL “A” license. Customer’s can look forward to seeing Eric in the near future.
WUE has hired a new truck driver. Tim Weber will be making rounds with Ken Kuntz and myself to help Tim become better acquainted with all our customers. Welcome Tim!
The warehouse is gearing up for a busy summer and will be able to meet everyone’s needs.
If you have any questions or would like to tour our our facility, please contact your WUE representative.
WESTERN UNITED ELECTRIC SUPPLY CORPORATION
100 Bromley Business Parkway
Brighton, CO 80603