FLORHAM PARK, N.J., Oct. 2, 2003—ASCO Power Technologies a division of Emerson (NYSE: EMR) and Emerson Network Power, is introducing a line of contractor-installed power solutions for small businesses and homeowners who are demanding the same 24-hour protection against costly electrical outages provided to mission-critical organizations like hospitals and government operations.

Small businesses and homeowners are setting up generators and power transfer switches to ensure they have reliable electricity when utility power fails. This new demand is driven, in part, by the massive blackout that paralyzed much of the eastern United States in August and Hurricane Isabel in September.

ASCO Power Technologies’ new family of automatic transfer switches, when coupled with a small generator, provides residences and small businesses with 24-hour protection against expensive power outages. The transfer switches are based on the same transfer technology as switches required by the National Electric Code for mandated emergency power applications.

Available through contractors and certified electricians, it's the same technology used by Emerson's large business and industrial customers.

For both small businesses and homeowners, power outages can be disastrous, resulting in lost productivity and products, and even adversely affecting the performance of home medical equipment. The two recent widespread power outages helped bring top of mind for many small businesses and homeowners the need for reliable backup power—beyond a flashlight and wireless telephone.

The transfer switches are an opportunity for contractors and certified electricians to save their residential and small business customers money, time and aggravation, while adding profit to their jobs. Homeowners and small businesses want affordable protection against power outages. They are less tolerant of losing power for whatever duration and for what seems to be increasing frequency. The transfer switches help protect them against losing productivity, computer data, air conditioning or heating and lighting due to power outages.

The transfer switches are pre-packaged for trouble-free installation. They make reliable power hassle free by sensing an electrical power loss almost instantly and restoring power within 30 seconds. The transfer switches then sense when the utility restores power and automatically reconnect to the utility power source.

To ensure reliability, the transfer switches automatically perform a test to simulate a utility power failure every 14 days and a user-friendly control panel allows the contractor or owner to manually run a 'push to test.' LED indicators let the owner know the availability of both power sources and the transfer switch positions. The transfer switches are suitable for operation with portable or permanently mounted standby generators from 2 to 40 kW, 120/240 volts, 60 Hz single phase.

The family includes a transfer switch with service entrance breaker, a transfer switch with a load center, a power transfer load center and a manual transfer switch.

The transfer switch with service entrance breaker is ideal for applications requiring connection with the utility and existing panelboard. It is supplied with a utility service entrance disconnect breaker rated 200 amperes.

The transfer switch with load center is suitable for applications requiring only selected loads on the backup generator. The transfer switch is rated 100 amperes and incorporates a 12-circuit panelboard in one space-saving enclosure. It is available with a plug-in surge suppressor as well as a 6-ft. flexible conduit for connection to existing panelboards.

The power transfer load center integrates an automatic transfer switch, transient voltage surge suppression, and a 30-circuit power distribution panel into a self-contained, easy-to-install assembly. Also included is a service disconnect breaker for the utility source. The 2-pole service entrance rated power transfer load center includes a Square D QOD Panelboard rated 200 amps, 240/60Hz single phase with a 22 kA withstand rating.

For more information, contact ASCO at 800-937-ASCO, or at www.ascopower.com.

ASCO Power Technologies is a division of Emerson and Emerson Network Power (www.emersonnetworkpower.com). Through its Emerson Network Power companies, Emerson provides a full spectrum of reliable power solutions, including inbound power, connectivity, power supplies, power systems and precision cooling, backed by the largest global services organization in the power industry. These Emerson companies serve the needs of telecommunications networks, data centers, health care and industrial facilities worldwide. St. Louis-based Emerson (www.gotoemerson.com) is a global leader in bringing technology and engineering together to provide innovative solutions to customers in electronics and telecommunications; process control; industrial automation; heating, ventilating and air conditioning; and appliance and tools. Sales in fiscal 2002 were $13.8 billion.