The two main high-voltage infeed supplies were opened and tagged by the local electrical authority. The switchgear had two primary fuse compartments: one fed the in-service transformer while the other fed an out-of-service transformer (which had the fuses removed). The second transformer had been out-of-service for a long time and was assumed to have been disconnected from the secondary buss at some point. There were no up-to-date single-line drawings for the workers to use.

All potentials were verified as dead by both contractors on the job site. Temporary grounds were connected to the primary buss and system ground in the switchgear associated with the in-service transformer. All company procedures were in place and followed by the workers.

The repair work was required to repair damage from a flash-over in the primary fuse compartment due to excessive moisture. A generator was needed to supply the secondary 575 volts to the customer while repairs were being completed. The secondary leads were removed at the main transformer and the generator was tied into the secondary from the main 1000kVA transformer. The generator connections were made after checking of potential and installation of the temporary grounds.

The investigation showed that the secondary leads on the out-of-service transformer were still tied into the distribution buss from the building supply room. In this room, a Tie switch was present from a long-past owner of the building. The switch was in the closed position, supplying 575 volts to the secondary lines to which the out-of-service transformer was connected.

As a result, the second transformer was being back-fed, resulting in 13.8kV being present at the pothead conductors in the fuse compartment for the transformer. With no fuses present, there was no connection to the temporary grounds, allowing the potential to sit on the conductors. The aforementioned worker went into this compartment to move some equipment, made contact and was killed.

The MOL recommends that all potentials be verified before and after a temporary source of power is brought online. The temporary grounds should be applied to the line and load side of all fuses, even when fuses are not present in the primary circuit. These grounds will safely carry to ground any current from the conductors becoming inadvertently energized from an unknown source. MOL also suggests that up-to-date, single-line diagrams are present and legible.

Venture Lighting has begun what it calls “a new relationship with the Canadian marketplace”. Up until this Spring, Venture says it has relied on other companies to promote and sell its products, but now it is waving its own banner.

As part of its stepping into the limelight, Venture is re-introducing the Ballastronix Inc. brand of magnetic HID ballasts (starting July 1), for which—says the company—it has had many requests. “This is the original Sola Canada product line that has been well established in this country for over 50 years!” said Greg Guisso, Venture’s Canadian sales manager, distribution.

For more information, CLICK HERE to visit Venture.

HONEYWELL EXPANDS INTO THE PPE INDUSTRY

Honeywell signed a definitive agreement to acquire Norcross Safety Products LLC—a manufacturer of personal protective equipment (PPE)—for about $1.2 billion US. Norcross will be integrated into Honeywell Life Safety, part of the company’s Automation and Control Solutions (ACS) group. The agreement is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory review.

Roger Fradin, president and CEO of Honeywell ACS, said this acquisition provides Honeywell with a complete platform in a fragmented, global segment—one which is expected to yield substantial growth opportunities. Honeywell’s investment will allow them to fully participate in the broad and highly regulated industrial safety marketplace.

Norcross comprises the following three business groups: North Safety Products, W.H. Salisbury and Total Fire Group. CLICK HERE to visit them online.

Ontario’s Solar Task Force launched a province-wide consultation with the public and the renewable energy industry on two specific questions:

• What are the barriers to the installation and use of residential solar hot water systems in Ontario and how can they be removed?
• What actions could be taken by governments, the solar industry and others to expand residential solar hot water markets in the province?

The task force has been asked to advise the government on how to meet its goal of achieving 100,000 new solar roofs in the province. Submissions are due by June 27. They should be a maximum of five pages in length and must include a name and contact e-mail or street address. Submissions can be e-mailed to solartaskforce@ontario.ca or mailed to:

Solar Task Force
c/o Conservation and Distributed Energy Branch
Ontario Ministry of Energy
880 Bay Street, 6th Floor
Toronto, ON M7A 2C1

---

IDEAL LAUNCHES SPRING 2008 WIRE CONNECTOR PROMOTION

Ideal Industries announced its “The Race is On” spring promotion, providing you with prizes for purchasing Ideal- and Buchanan-branded wire connectors. When you purchase 20,000 Ideal or Buchanan connectors, you’ll receive a portable Keg-A-Que propane grill. Those purchasing 10,000 connectors will receive a 3-gal keg cooler, while purchasers of 5000 connectors will get baseball caps with built-in bottle opener and an Ideal pocketed T-shirt. Offer valid while supplies last at participating electrical distributors. CLICK HERE for more information.

---

Q-SCHOOL FOR LOW-VOLTAGE LIGHTING

Q-Tran, a supplier of power supply systems, transformers and components, is offering Q-School training sessions throughout the year at its company headquarters in Bridgeport, Conn., to lighting showroom and electrical distributor employees, lighting designers, engineers, electrical contractors, architects, specifiers and other professionals in the industry. Space is limited and registration are on a first-come, first-served basis.

CLICK HERE to check it out.

---

COMING EVENTS

Annual General Conference
Electrical & Utilities Safety Association (E&USA)
June 1-2
Niagara Falls, Ont.
CLICK HERE for details

InfraCanada - Central
ITC and FLIR Systems
June 3-5
Niagara Falls, Ont.
CLICK HERE for details

Annual Conference
Supply & Distribution (S&D) Council, EFC
June 4-7
Victoria, B.C.
CLICK HERE for details

Annual General Meeting
Independent Electrical Distributors (IED)
June 18-20
St. Andrews, N.B.
CLICK HERE for details

NELA on the Road (GE's Lighting and Electrical Institute)
GE Consumer & Industrial
June 11, Calgary - NEW!
June 25, Toronto (End Users Only)
June 26, Toronto, (Distributors Only)
CLICK HERE for details and to register (first come, first served)
Note: Dates have been added for Montreal, Halifax and Quebec City, too. Visit the Calendar at EBMag.com.

CLICK HERE for a MASSIVE LIST of upcoming events at EBMag.com.

(Please let us know of any dead/missing links)

---

Want more information, or have information to share? Contact the Editor at acapkun@clbmedia.ca or call (905) 713-4391.

Think someone else would enjoy receiving E-Line? Send them to EBmag.com where they can sign up right on the Home Page.