Standardization News Goes Online
ASTM, West Conshohocken, Pa., is offering its official publication, Standardization News magazine, online at www.astm.org. This online publication will feature: articles outlining national and international trends and related issues in standardization; a global notebook, which includes short news items from around the world pertaining to standardization; and tech news, which reports news on ASTM technical committees standards development activities.
Invensys Acquires Best Power
Invensys, Raleigh, N.C., recently acquired Best Power, headquartered in Necedah, Wis., from SPX Corp. With this acquisition, Invensys Power Systems will combine the strengths of Powerware Corp (formerly Exide Electronics) and Best Power to create high-reliability power security systems.
HBD Acquires Powertec
HBD Industries, Inc., Dublin, Ohio, recently acquired Powertec Industrial Motors and Drives product lines. A manufacturer of adjustable speed, brushless DC (BLDC) motors, and drives for general-purpose, industrial applications, Powertec designs and manufactures a broad range of BLDC motors and preengineered systems.
ASCO Computerizes Stocking System
ASCO SERVICES (ASI), Florham Park, N.J., recently increased its technical service force by more than 50% and integrated an advanced computerized part stocking system to satisfy growing customer needs. The company's network of 55 in-house technicians provides 24-hr service response. To further enhance customer service, this system allows technicians to access a fully stocked inventory of replacement parts. For more information, call (800) 800-2726 or visit www.asco.com.
School is First of Its Kind To Use Fuel Cell
Liverpool High School, Liverpool, N.Y., is the first high school in the nation to use a fuel cell. Model PC25 fuel cell systems were developed by International Fuel Cells, Inc., (IFC) and manufactured by ONSI Corp. Both are subsidiaries of United Technologies Corp. It was installed by Niagara Mohawk Energy, Inc., as part of a $15 million project to improve energy service to the school system. Because the fuel cell does not burn gas, it operates virtually pollution free, eliminating air emissions normally associated with acid rain, smog, and global warming.
Bestroute.com Signs Logistics Group
Bestroute.com LLC, a privately held business-to-business e-commerce firm based in Dewitt, N.Y., recently signed a contract with UPS Logistics Group (UPS LG) for turnkey distribution, warehousing, fulfillment, and shipping management services. The company’s inventory of 60,000 electrical/voice/data SKUs will be housed at UPS LG’s Logistics and Technology Center in Louisville, Ken. The site caters to contractors, engineers, utilities, plant maintenance personnel, and local distributors.
Engineering Societies Create Online Alliance
Engineers, architects, and designers can now update their continuing professional development and increase productivity through the newly formed Alliance for the Continuing Education for Engineers (ACE). The National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) and the American Consulting Engineers Council (ACEC) formed an alliance with Virtual Education Corp. (VEC) to introduce a variety of new courses to its continuing education library each year. In addition to Internet delivery, the training courses will be available via company Intranets and CD-ROM. For more information, call (202) 364-5233.
EASA’s Recommended Practices Approved
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) recently approved the Electrical Apparatus Service Association’s (EASA’s) Recommended Practice for the Repair of Rotating Electrical Apparatus as an American National Standard (designated ANSI/EASA AR100-1998). The recommended practice provides record keeping, test, and analysis details, and gives general guidelines for repair and rewinding of electrical motors and generators.
Meridian and iPIX Join Forces
A provider of software and eBusiness solutions for the architectural, engineering, and construction industry, Meridian Project Systems (MPS), Sacramento, Calif., announced the integration of its eBusiness application Prolog WebSite and iPIX photo technology. The newly formed alliance and integrated product allows Prolog Web Site and projectTalk.com users to virtually tour the project site by viewing multidimensional pictures from their home or office. The integrated solution is in the final stage of beta testing and will be available at the end of the first quarter of 2000.
EGSA/ANSI Standards Begin to Take Shape
Now that EGSA has been approved as an ANSI-recognized Standards Developing Organization, management plans to rewrite its existing standards and develop new ones—all in conformance with ANSI guidelines.
Two of the Standards Committee’s Subcommittees (Power Generation Systems and Power Generation Components) identified the following existing EGSA standards as the first to be rewritten and receive the EGSA/ANSI designation:
• 100-B: Performance Standard for Engine Cranking Batteries Used with Engine Generator Sets;
• 100-E: Performance Standard for Governors on Engine Sets;
• 100 T: Performance Standard for Diesel Fuel Systems for Engine Generator Sets with Above Ground Steel Tanks; and
• 101P: Performance Standard for Engine Driven Generator Sets.
To serve on a workgroup, download the “Application for Membership on an EGSA Workgroup” at www.egsa.org or call (561) 750-5575 for a copy of the application.
