News
Watlow's E-SAFE® II Hybrid Power Switch Offers Power Switching at High Amperage and High Ambient Temperatures
June 7, 2007
St. Louis, MO - Watlow, a provider of thermal solutions, introduces its new patent pending E-SAFE® II hybrid power switch. E-SAFE II provides reliable and accurate power switching for the foodservice industry. Regulations in the United States and around the world are forcing manufacturers to phase out mercury in their products. Mercury is being eliminated in power switching devices due to RoHS compliancy requirements and because of health and environmental concerns. Watlow's E-SAFE II is the best performing, fully RoHS compliant by design, mercury-free product on the market.
"Foodservice equipment manufacturers globally are being forced to eliminate mercury from equipment used in food preparation areas," said Don Commare, product marketing manager. "Watlow's E-SAFE II is the logical choice for replacing mercury-relay switches because of its fast cycle time, high ambient temperature rating, economical price and extended switching life."
E-SAFE II offers a switching life of millions of cycles at 35 amperes at a high ambient temperature rating of 70°C (158°F) providing superior performance in foodservice applications such as conveyor and convection ovens, grills and fryers. The inherent fast cycle time provides a complimentary product for time proportioning PID controllers. The E-SAFE II features Watlow's patent pending NO-ARC technology, allowing it to switch millions of cycles while decreasing noise and increasing temperature accuracy.
The switching mechanism of Watlow's E-SAFE II is a hybrid solid state and mechanical relay. This allows faster cycling and more precise control, which helps contribute to energy savings, extended heater life and lower overall costs.
In addition, E-SAFE II does not require the use of heat sinks even while operating in a 70°C (158°F) environment. Traditional solid state relays (SSRs) are often de-rated or require large, costly heat sinks to offer comparable performance to Watlow's E-SAFE II. While mechanical relays are sometimes used as a substitute, they have short life spans if cycled at typical cycle times of proportionate controllers. Operating a mechanical contactor at faster cycle times would lead to increased costly service or replacement issues.
E-SAFE II product features include a single-phase, dual-phase and three-phase device. It encompasses the ability to switch 35 amperes with a single command signal tied to a diagnostic LED. The E-SAFE II also requires no heat sink and operates in high temperature environments, which makes it an excellent choice for your foodservice equipment and power switching applications.
Applications for Watlow's E-SAFE II are griddles, convection ovens, steamers, toaster ovens, fryers, conveyor ovens and holding cabinets.
E-SAFE II, while being mercury-free, is also RoHS compliant by design, CE approved and C-UL®/UL® recognized.
About Watlow
Since the company's founding in 1922, Watlow has brought its thermal expertise to numerous applications, including semiconductor, photovoltaic, analytical, medical, clinical, plastics processing, foodservice equipment, packaging, aerospace and others. Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, Watlow is the largest custom designer and manufacturer of industrial heaters, sensors, controllers and software with offices and manufacturing facilities around the world.
For additional information call your nearest Watlow representative:
Watlow
Phone: 1+ (800) WATLOW2, 1+ (314) 878-4600
Fax: 1+ (877) 893-1005, 1+ (314) 878-6814
Internet: www.watlow.com