Whether you’re involved in HVAC, plumbing, mechanical, or electrical systems, understanding the benefits of ERVs can help you optimize the performance and sustainability of your projects. Discover how an ERV can transform your living or working space, providing cleaner air and reducing energy costs simultaneously.

How ERVs work

An ERV is a mechanical ventilation system designed to enhance indoor air quality while maintaining energy from the outgoing air. Here is how it works:

• Fresh Air Introduction: ERV system introduces fresh outdoor air into the building and expels stale indoor air
• Energy Transfer: As the indoor air exits the ERV, it transfers its heat or cooling energy to the incoming outdoor air, helping to pre-conditioning it.
• Moisture Exchange: The ERV incorporates a moisture-transfer element that exchanges moisture between the incoming and outgoing air streams, helping maintain comfortable humidity levels inside

Why should you install an ERV system?

Did you know that we spend approximately 90% of our time indoors? The quality of our indoor environment—whether at home, work, or other spaces—has a crucial impact on our overall health.

Installing ERV has several benefits such as:

• Improved Air Quality: By constantly exchanging stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air, ERVs significantly improve indoor air quality, reducing pollutants, allergens, and odors.
• Energy Efficiency: ERVs recover energy from the exhaust air, making the process of bringing fresh air into the building more energy-efficient. This leads to substantial energy savings over time.
• Cost Savings: Improved energy efficiency translates to lower utility bills. Additionally, maintaining proper humidity levels can protect building materials and furnishings, reducing repair and replacement costs.

How ERVs Enhance HVAC Systems

ERVs are often integrated into HVAC systems to optimize performance and energy efficiency. By exchanging stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air and transferring thermal energy between the two, ERVs help pre-condition the incoming air. This process reduces the heating and cooling load on the HVAC system, leading to lower energy consumption and more stable indoor temperatures. By easing the burden on HVAC units, ERVs contribute to extended equipment lifespan and reduced maintenance needs.

Incorporating an ERV into your HVAC system can result in a more balanced and comfortable indoor environment. During the winter, an ERV can help recover heat from the outgoing air, pre-warming the incoming cold air and reducing the need for additional heating. In the summer, an ERV can expel warm indoor air while bringing in cooler outdoor air, decreasing the cooling demand on your air conditioning system.

Improve Air Quality with Panasonic

Intelli-Balance 100 Energy Recovery Ventilator

Key Features:

• Designed for multi-family dwellings and new homes
• Engineered for use in any North America Climate Zone
• 2 DC motors with Smart Flow technology
• Multi-speed selector provides customizable airflow to create balanced, positive or negative pressure within the home
• Built-in ASHRAE 62.2 timing function

The post How Does an Energy Recovery Ventilator Improve Air Quality? appeared first on E.B. Horsman & Son.

But it’s tough to find the right one you need. Let’s look into different pin and sleeve options to find the right option for your project. 

But First: What Are Pins and Sleeves?

Also called industrial connectors or plugs and receptacles, pins and sleeves are robust, weather-resistant electrical devices. They securely seal your power connections in harsh environments by interlocking a male pin (plug) and female sleeve (receptacle). 

How Do Pin and Sleeves—or Plugs and Receptacles—Work?

The interlocking design—thanks to the ground plug—keeps the connection stable, especially in areas with bumps or vibrations. 

The protective sleeve, or receptacle, shields the connection from dust and moisture, making these ideal for industrial and manufacturing environments, construction sites, and anywhere else that a reliable and secure electrical connection is necessary.

While pins and sleeves might all look similar, they each serve a specific purpose for a particular setting. Let’s look at different plugs and receptacles from top brands: Crouse-Hinds, Wiedmüller, Leviton, and Meltric.

Differences Between Leviton, Wiedmüller, Meltric, and Crouse-Hinds Plugs and Receptacles

As you can see, the pin and sleeve from each company is for different purposes.

Leviton LEV Series: 

• Ideal for commercial and light industrial application settings
• Voltage: up to 600V, 20-60A
• Compact & user-friendly design, easy to install
• Best for quick installations

Wiedmüller Rockstar HDC Connectors :

• Offers a series of compact, quick disconnect heavy duty industrial rectangular connectors
• Voltage: up to 690V, 16-125A 
• Corrosion resistance: IP65 and Nema 4X
• Durable and easy to assemble

Meltric:

• Industrial and commercial; the harshest environments
• Voltage: up to 600V, 20-200A
• Exclusive Switch-Rated Safety, durable
• Safe and quick to disconnect under loads, with contact mating sequence

Crouse-Hinds Arktite: 

• Industrial, hazardous environments; ideal for heavy-duty applications
• Voltage: up to 600V, 30-100A
• Explosion-proof, durable
• Meets stringent safety standards for harsh environments 

How to Know Which Plug and Receptacle to Use

To determine which one you need, start by identifying the voltage and current requirements of your project. You want to ensure the connectors are compatible with your equipment and can handle the electrical load. 

Then, consider exposure to water, dust, or extreme temperatures. To withstand harsh environments, look for connectors made of weather-resistant materials, such as heavy-duty plastic or metal.

Make sure they have proper certifications, such as IP ratings for dust and water protection, or IEC or UL ratings to ensure compliance and safety, and ergonomic design for easy handling and installation.

Are Connectors Interchangeable?

Industrial connectors are not generally interchangeable due to different designs, voltage and current ratings, and safety standards. 

They’re designed for specific uses, and have unique pin configurations and mechanical keying to prevent mismating. Additionally, manufacturers may also have proprietary designs that aren’t compatible with other brands. 

Still Not Sure Which Pin and Sleeve You Need?

Choosing the right plug and receptacle for your electrical project is essential. If you have any questions or need further assistance, reach out to our team of experts. We’re here to help you make the best choice!

The post Which Pin and Sleeve To Use: A Comparison of Connectors, Plugs, and Receptacles  appeared first on E.B. Horsman & Son.

Polywater has the right solution for you to increase system resilience and help you meet the codes. Their sealants, adhesives and cleaners, are the standard for risk mitigation in the electrical and communications industry.

Polywater Solutions

Polywater^® AFT Spray Foam Sealant

Polywater® AFT two-part foam water sealant seals cable networks with faster installation time and higher performance when compared to duct putty or insulating hardware store foam sealants.

This spray foam sealant is compatible with all cable jackets and bonds, sealing eleven 2″ inch conduits and stopping 11′ feet of waterhead pressure. Polywater® AFT spray foam sealant is designed for longevity and is both removable and re-enterable.

Polywater^® FST Foam Duct Sealant

Polywater FST stops 22 feet of waterhead pressure, is effectively deployed using a high ratio caulking gun, and each cartridge seals five 2” inch conduits. The closed-cell, foaming caulk technology provides superior pressure-blocking power in the toughest environments.

Polywater | Hauff-Technik PHRD 

Polywater^® Hauff Technik PHRD provides end users with custom mechanical seal solutions for their unique applications. It can stop 36 PSI of waterhead pressure, opens up to install around existing cables and busbar, quickly changes out, and has flexible options such as EDPM, NBR, Silicone or KTW rubbers.

Polywater | Hauff-Technik PHSD & PGKD sleeve seals

Polywater^® Hauff Technik PHSD and PGKD seal around conduits and pipes, stopping 36 PSI and 72 PSI of waterhead pressure. They are superior to mortar and open cell foams, have patented visual torque indicators, have stainless steel hardware, and reduce labor by decreasing installation times.

Water penetration can cause costly damage that is difficult to repair. Whether it is a new project, or a repair, having proper seals plays a vital role in success. Start protecting your assets and reducing costs with Polywater.

The post Is water causing you electrical outages? appeared first on E.B. Horsman & Son.