Preparing Your Contractors for the Unexpected
It can feel like the occurrences of natural and man-made disasters seem to be increasing when we turn on the television or scroll through social media. Just tonight, we are watching nasty tornadoes roll through the outskirts of Denver and move across the Midwest. Seeing these storms raises a crucial question: were people prepared? Do local electrical contractors have enough essential products to get these farms, businesses, and families up and running again? All this must be considered as an electrical distributor because your contractors are looking to you for solutions.
Understanding Emergency Power Needs
When preparing for disasters, we often think of hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards and floods. However, distributors must help contractors prepare for other emergencies, especially in areas prone to unique challenges. California and its surrounding states don’t have to prepare for hurricanes but must be ready for other severe weather events.
Carlos Corona, Leviton’s Contract Construction and Technical Sales Manager, is based in California and brings another layer of concern to emergency preparedness. Earthquakes, rolling brownouts, blackouts, and wildfires – such as those recently seen in Palisades - overload the power grid and cause widespread electrical outages. One example of emergency preparedness we might not all consider is citizens with electric vehicles (EVs).
“During recent brownouts and blackouts, contractors called me for ways to power their customers’ electric vehicles (EVs) with gas generators,” Carlos explained. “They needed circuits that could connect to a receptacle, but what surprised me was how few of these products were in stock in some areas.”
Leviton’s heavy-duty 1450R 50 Amp EV Charging Receptacle/Outlet is one example of a plug-in EV charging application designed to keep EV drivers moving, especially during evacuation scenarios.
Power outages take many forms, from brief disruptions to full-blown emergencies. Leviton offers a comprehensive range of products, solutions, and educational resources to help distributors support contractors and, residential and commercial customers.
Leviton Temporary Power Solutions
Leviton’s wide range of temporary power products delivers electricity where and when it’s needed most. Designed for safety, and built to withstand the harshest conditions, our products provide reliable, code-compliant performance in any environment. Whether after severe weather or on demanding construction and industrial sites, Leviton keeps you connected when it matters most.
Portable Surge Protection Devices: Power surges can be fatal to electrical equipment. In less than a blink, these commercial surge protective devices (SPDs) divert excess voltage away from a circuit, protecting crucial equipment. Leviton has designed three types of SPDs that comply with the latest NEC requirements.
Commercial Power Strips: Built with durable metal housing and tamper-resistant receptacles, Leviton’s industrial, commercial, and hospital grade power strips provide temporary power when power is difficult to access. Commercial Power Strips
Portable Outlet Boxes and Coverplates: Available in single and two-gang sizes, Leviton’s portable outlet boxes are resistant to extreme heat and harsh chemicals, provide superior impact resistance and are
the perfect solution for creating NEC and OSHA compliant portable power pendants and stringers for temporary power applications. Portable Outlet Boxes
Portable GFCIs: Built to withstand harsh outdoor conditions, Leviton’s OSHA-compliant portable GFCIs are weather resistant and improve the safety of critical personnel from electrical shocks on construction sites, marinas, and wherever power restoration after severe weather is critical. Portable GFCI
You and your contractors, building managers and emergency professionals are committed to enhancing the safety and well-being of the people affected by storms and crises that put them in harm’s way. Creating a sense of urgency within your professional circle, to have the necessary products will go a long way to instill confidence in you as a distributor. Leviton is your partner in power in times of tranquility and in crisis, getting the best products into the right hands to get lives back on track.