FERRAZ SHAWMUT LAUNCHES NEW WEB SITE
Dynamic Search and Reference Tools Offer Valuable Resources for Mutliple Market Segments
Ferraz Shawmut, a global leader in the field of circuit protection, announces the completion of its new Web site for the company's North American division. The new site, us.ferrazshawmut.com, offers powerful site searches and special pages tailored specifically for electrical contractors and distributors, facility managers and MRO professionals, specifying engineers and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).
The site's intuitive interface allows users to easily navigate through catalog pages and application and compliance information. It provides detailed specifications for all of Ferraz Shawmut's circuit protection products: power fuses, semiconductor fuses, fuse holders, surge protection devices, disconnect switches and more.
The new "About You" section caters to Ferraz Shawmut's various customer segments, providing resources and content relevant to each market group's needs and interests. Powerful site and catalog search engines scan a database packed with information on circuit protection products to fit every application, and a new compliance section educates users on pertinent codes, standards and certification policies. By simply searching or browsing the online catalog, users can review product features and benefits, ratings, regulatory approvals, UL file cards, and charts and curves.
The site also features a cross-reference search, allowing customers to enter competitive product part numbers to determine suitable Ferraz Shawmut alternatives.
"Our goal was to showcase Ferraz Shawmut's extensive circuit protection expertise, and the new site offers many convenient ways to tap into our knowledge and resources," said Stephen Colvin, vice president of marketing at Ferraz Shawmut. "It doesn't matter if you're an electrical contractor, a specifying engineer, a facility manager or an OEM - you can access vital information, helpful tools, and links to educational resources, whenever you need them."
SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC NORTH AMERICAN OPERATING DIVISION LAUNCHES COUNTERFEIT DANGERS CAMPAIGN TO HELP DISTRIBUTORS IDENTIFY POTENTIAL HAZARDS
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) more than 1 million counterfeit electrical products have been recalled in recent years, including circuit breakers that did not trip when overloaded. As part of its continuing commitment to safety and in recognition of National Electrical Safety Month in May and National Safety Month in June, the Schneider Electric North American Operating Division today announced the launch of a counterfeit dangers campaign. The awareness campaign, titled “Beware of Counterfeit Circuit Breakers Dangers,” is intended to warn distributors of the potential risks associated with counterfeit circuit breakers and tips for identifying them.
“Distributors need to be aware that there are hidden and potentially deadly hazards associated with counterfeit circuit breakers being distributed on the market today,” said Jim Pauley, vice president of industry and government relations for the Schneider Electric North American Operating Division. “It is important distributors know the necessary steps required to decrease those dangers. By identifying counterfeit products and reporting counterfeiters, distributors can save lives.”
The CPSC reports that often, manufacturers of counterfeit electrical products neglect to use key components or skimp in the manufacturing process to save money. While many of these counterfeit products are made in China, the Schneider Electric North American Operating Division has recently sued a number of U.S. companies for selling or marketing counterfeits of Square D® products — the organization’s market-leading brand of circuit breakers. These companies include Scott Electric, Specialty Lamp, CES Liquidating, TES Liquidating LLC, North American Breaker Company, ABN Direct, Globe Electric Company, Latin American Investment, Maine Circuit Breaker, Miami Breaker, Showmen Supplies.
“Counterfeit products pose serious health and safety hazards to consumers and put unsuspecting distributors in the middle of a very dangerous situation,” Pauley said. “They can fail catastrophically and cause serious harm. Anyone near one of the counterfeit breakers when it explodes is going to be subjected to extreme heat, sprays of molten metal and a powerful blast of energy. Further, even if the breaker does not have a catastrophic failure, it may not properly operate to protect the home or building’s electrical system from an electrical fault, significantly increasing the likelihood of an electrical fire.”
While counterfeit circuit breakers can be difficult to identify, Schneider Electric offers the following tips for distributors:
Most importantly, only purchase Square D circuit breakers from authorized Square D sales representatives and through authorized channels.
Carefully examine the circuit breaker for any certification marks from an independent testing organization, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Products that have unusual trademark logos many signal a counterfeit.
Be conscious of counterfeit product pricing. If the price seems too low, it’s probably too good to be true.
“The Schneider Electric North American Operating Division is committed to eradicating the sale and distribution of counterfeit products,” Pauley said. “Through this campaign, our organization hopes to increase the awareness of counterfeit dangers and demonstrate our ongoing commitment to prevent counterfeiting and protect distributors, electrical contractors and homeowners.”
For more information on counterfeiting dangers, visit the Square D Web site at www.squared.com.
