Seam Sealing Systems, Inc., a manufacturer of pavement repair vehicles, has selected Meltric's Decontactor Series Switch-Rated Plugs/Receptacles as the power connector of choice for the electric infrared asphalt heaters installed on its pavement roller and trucks. Seeking to source a connecting device designed for a mobile application that requires a high-capacity, compact, safe, quick-connect plug/receptacle, Seam Sealing Systems chose the Meltric Decontactor Series over competing brands due to its butt-contact, integral switching mechanism with plug-and-play simplicity that ensures safe make-or-break of live connections and its internal safety shutter that protects a worker from exposure to either live parts or arc flashes.
The need for a high-capacity, compact, safe, quick-connect power connector for portable electric infrared asphalt heaters used in pavement maintenance has generated increasing interest because the pavement maintenance industry has begun replacing propane infrared pavement heaters with the electric infrared type. The electric infrared heaters avoid operational problems associated with the propane heaters including the need for propane tank licensing, fuel tank problems, the possibility of open flame accidents, and the increased time needed to remove and reconnect propane infrared pavement heaters to pavement repair vehicles.
New Heater Presents New Challenges
But the migration from propane to electric infrared heaters has created a new challenge: finding the ideal way to connect the electric heaters to power with safety, convenience, and speed. Hardwired, external disconnect-protected heaters can be time consuming to unwire for transport and cumbersome to install due to the limited space on pavement repair vehicles for mounting junction boxes or electrical disconnects.
"We looked at other plugs and most of them were heavy and bulky. Meltric plugs were compact, switch-rated, and dead front," said Seam Sealing Systems' project engineer Isaac Sargent. "Since we operate our machines at construction sites in remote locations, we were also concerned about safety. After considering the worst case scenario of someone possibly pulling the plug out 'live,' we chose the Meltric plug because that's never a problem."
The Meltric Decontactors Series switch-rated plug/receptacles combine the safety and functionality of a disconnect switch with the convenience of a plug and receptacle. They are UL and CSA approved as a 'motor circuit disconnect switch' and as a 'branch circuit disconnect switch' (UL Subject 2682) and ensure safe make-or-break of live connections as well as eliminating the need for the expensive interlocks.
The 'plug and play' feature of Meltric's switch-rated devices reduces the time to disconnect/connect heaters, making them a time-saving alternative to hardwired disconnects. The deadfront, safety shutter design makes it virtually impossible for a user to be exposed to either live parts or arc flashes. Meltric's switch-rated plugs also provide for Lock Out/Tag Out (LOTO). These features help employers simplify compliance to workplace electrical safety standards like the NFPA 70E.
Benefits of Decontactor Series
Meltric Decontactor switch-rated plugs/receptacles have other benefits, including:
Solid silver-nickel contact material to provide superior performance and corrosion resistance – a performance improvement over copper alloy contacts of competing brands. Spring-loaded, butt-style contact technology to ensure optimal contact pressure that compensates for manufacturing variations and usage wear. Safe load-breaking/making, even in overloaded conditions. Ratings up to 200 A and 60 hp. Heavy-duty casings that offer excellent resistance in harsh environments.
"The Decontactor Series Switch-Rated plug/receptacle is a proven connection solution for electric infrared pavement heater applications. Their UL/CSA approved, integral switching mechanism provides both speed and convenience, a necessity for mobile applications," said Bill Fortman, marketing manager, Meltric Corp. "In addition, the internal safety shutter of Meltric switch-rated devices provides a high degree of safety, making it an excellent choice for operating in remote locations."
