Wiring Workhorses: New Lever Edge™ Devices for Industrial Applications
Leviton’s Lever Edge™ screwless termination devices deliver the durability, safety, high performance, and reliability demanded by the toughest industrial applications
On today’s fast-paced jobsites where time is money and labor is often in short supply, electrical products that are high-performing, reliable, easy to install, and cost-saving are a welcome addition to any electrical contractor’s toolbox -- and Leviton’s industry-leading new Lever Edge wiring devices fit that bill to a tee. In addition to our Residential and Commercial Grade offering, we have now extended Lever Edge to a range of Leviton plugs and connectors for industrial use. They are expertly constructed to address the harsh demands associated with high abuse applications. Wiring devices featuring Leviton’s unique Lever Edge design deliver quality, durability, and safety while ensuring peace of mind for contractors, end users, and distributors.
“We’re excited to extend our success with Lever to our industrial products for the first time,” confirmed Dary Ismail, Product Manager, Industrial at Leviton. “Our Lever Edge design – which features user-friendly, color-coded levers that lock wires into place with a simple and distinct click to ensure a secure connection -- is now available in receptacles, switches, and our industrial-grade Black & White™ line of plugs and connectors, all designed to withstand the tough conditions inherent in heavy-duty settings like manufacturing facilities, food processing operations, entertainment venues, and more.”
According to Ismail, Leviton tailored its industrial Lever Edge devices to ensure the utmost robustness, durability, and long life. Features of Lever Edge wiring devices for industrial applications include:
- Reliable Wire Retention – Because wires can get pulled on the job, Black & White plugs and connectors with Lever Edge are designed to withstand up to 50 pounds of pull force -- as much as 3.8 times UL requirements – and tests confirm that after being exposed to vibration, those retention results increase by almost 40%. “We designed Lever Edge for our industrial Black & White plugs and connectors with a twist feature that easily opens and locks while maintaining high wire retention,” Ismail added.
- User-Friendly Design – Thanks to their intuitive color-coded levers that each represent a terminal (green is ground, black is hot, and white is neutral), wiring devices with Lever Edge make for an easier installation with a smaller chance of mistakes or mis-torquing, even by less-experienced workers on the job.
- Robust Construction – “Contractors and end users can open and close Lever Edge levers without concern because they’re built to last,” Ismail said. “There’s no need to worry that the levers are flimsy or will open by themselves or get loose over time.”
- Screwless Wire Termination – While competing products require a screwdriver, power drill, or another tool to open or reopen the wiring device, industrial Lever Edge products enable a toolless wire termination -- just open the lever, insert the wire, and close the lever. As a result, “our devices can be wired faster and easier than traditional screw terminal devices.” Ismail said. “Lever Edge is also attractive to contractors doing prefab or OEM customers doing high-volume subassemblies like cord whips, which are in great demand in settings like data centers.”
- A Focus on Safety – Among its many safety features, Leviton’s industrial plugs and connector with Lever Edge feature a clear back cover that enables installers to easily see the connection status of wires inside. “And thanks to Lever Edge’s toolless wire installation, high-volume assemblers will avoid the nuisance of nicking their fingers from having to use a screwdriver to tighten down terminals on standard devices,” Ismail said. “Ultimately, Lever Edge designs reduce the risk of injury and help safeguard installers.”
High Performance, No Compromise
Because Leviton understands that customers can be reluctant to change from something they’ve been using successfully for years, the company designed their Black & White plugs and connectors with Lever Edge to have the same look and feel as previous-generation products.
“Products with Lever Edge resemble legacy devices so as not to disrupt customers who have been buying our traditional products for years,” Ismail said. “When it comes to Leviton’s new Lever Edge wiring devices, contractors aren’t sacrificing function, aesthetics, or performance and there’s no compromise versus legacy devices.”
Ismail confirmed that Leviton took a unique approach when incorporating Lever Edge into its industrial products.
“We solicited feedback from core distributor and contractor customers to understand their needs and concerns and used that information to get our Lever Edge design just right,” he explained. “As a result of our lengthy beta testing process with customers, the B&W Lever Edge design is user-friendly and has an optimal combination of features, functions, and benefits that contractors/assemblers can stand behind.”
Currently available in 11 industrial SKUs from Leviton with two more being introduced this fall, Lever Edge is offered in both straight and twist-lock configurations within the company’s Black & White plug connector line.
“Ultimately, distributors should carry Lever Edge industrial products because they promote a faster and safer installation for contractors while offering the same superior performance and long-lasting reliability of Leviton’s previous wiring devices,” Ismail said.
For more information on Leviton’s new line of Lever Edge products for industrial applications, visit the Lever Edge Page here or contact your Leviton Sales Representative.