Denver – At the core of every custom installation are the power supply and connections that drive the system while protecting its components. There are plenty of power accessories at CEDIA Expo designed to simplify that function.
Some highlights:
Richard Gray’s PowerCompany (RGPC) is exhibiting a new line of performance-enhancing products for residential and commercial applications, including the IPAC-8, a remote-IP addressable power conditioning and monitoring system.
The IPAC-8 features on/off remote IP control of eight individual AC power outlets and local monitoring with an RMS current meter display that provides a quick visual indication of the load, reducing the risk of overloads and tripped breakers, RGPC said.
On/off sequences can be defined and power can be remotely monitored via meter, web or RGPC’s free bundled software. Http, Https, SNMP, DHCP and UDP protocols are also supported. The system includes user-defined alarm thresholds for warning and overload, and event alerts that can be delivered via email or audible alarm.
The IPAC-8 features a space-saving footprint that provides 1U rack or wall mount options with no additional hardware required. It is available now for a suggested retail of $1,000.
Panamax will be exhibiting its MD2-ZB SmartPlug, which provides energy monitoring, individual outlet control, scheduled power conservation, and surge protection in a compact form factor that plugs directly into any standard 120-volt, 15-amp outlet.
Via ZigBee, the MD2-ZB can be monitored, controlled, programmed and remotely accessed with Panamax/Furman’s Cloud-based BlueBolt energy-management and control platform using a wired BB-ZB1 gateway.
The platform provides real-time and historical power-related data, including energy consumption in kilowatt hours and dollars, allowing integrators to schedule conservation periods to eliminate wasted power and decrease utility bills, the company said.
In addition, Panamax and sister company Furman have added BlueBolt network-management capabilities to their existing power conditioning and battery backup components to monitor and maintain network reliability.
The new products are being demonstrated in booth 1120.
Also on display is the Panamax/Furman Vertex VT-EXT vertical rack power strip, which provides integrators with eight outlets, three with transformer spacing. The strip addresses ground loop issues with specialized mounting brackets and simplifies cord management to reduce installation time, according to parent company Core Brands.
It is designed to be used in conjunction with a Panamax/Furman power management unit.
Torus Power is introducing its TOT entry-level toroidal power conditioner, designed to be installed in-wall, rack mounted or on a shelf.
The TOT’s toroidal transformer isolates attached A/V components from the outside power grid, providing low impedance. Proprietary Plitron narrow bandwidth technology (NBT) is added for noise filtration and series mode surge protection absorbs surges more than 2 volts above peak line voltages and provides voltage stabilization.
The TOT is available at 120 volts (7 amps) for North America and 240 volts (3 amps) for International regions.
PowerBridge is introducing four new in-wall power kits aimed at installers and DIYers but highlighting it new flagship OnePro, a single-gang kit with power and data cable passthrough for low-profile mounts and HDTVs. The new PowerBridge kits meet the new 2014 NEC and UL requirements, the company said.
PowerBridge is in booth 3821.
MidLite is showing its extensive line of power accessories for installers and the DIY market.
New at the show is MidLite’s Power Jumper HDTV power relocation kit which contains prewired 2-gang recessed boxes, frames, brush plates and wall plates to allow the simple relocation of a power source and in-wall cord concealment for a wall-mounted TV.
Also new: the Décor Power Jumper kit, a single duplex power receptacle that is installed on the wall behind the mounted TV. It comes with a right-angled 6-foot IEC power cord and an over-molded power inlet with a 6-foot pigtail.
MidLite with also showing its wide variety of recessed wall plates, single- and double-ganged powers source kits, power inlets, HDMI adapters, cable pass-throughs and receptacles.
The company is giving away a product sampler kit to the first 500 attendees to visit its booth, 2028.
Sanus is featuring its EcoSystem Mini, a space-saving single-power solution that is significantly smaller than a traditional power strip. It features two 125-volt AC outlets, four 12-volt DC plugs and two 5-volt DC plugs and is compatible with the company’s new Premium TV wall mounts, Cadenza and Trillium furniture lines and A/V component boxes, all also on display at CEDIA in booth 2010.
The EcoSystem Mini retails for $99.99.
Finally, BlackWire Designs is debuting its SafePlug Model 1313 electrical load controller, which monitors real-time energy consumption and controls electrical loads, and provides automated on-off control of pumps, water heaters, HVAC, lights, fans, heaters and many other home automation loads based on schedule, remote Zigbee commands or local button pushes.
The SafePlug 1313 can be installed at the circuit breaker panel or inline at the load’s junction box, according to Blackwire. It is available in different versions for one, two or three loads for 120-volt (single or 3 phase) or 277-volt (3 phase) and 30-amp current, enabling control of one or two-speed motors up to 3 horsepower. It can also drive external relays for more than 30-amp loads.
It allows the isolation of equipment from high and low line voltage, protecting pumps from running dry and overheating and helps to prevent fires, shocks and appliance damage from power faults by intuitively detecting the need for maintenance such as the need to clean filters.
