An HVAC contractor without components and accessories is like a football player without his gear - it just won’t work. By far the largest category in The NEWS’ fourth annual Dealer Design Awards, Components and Accessories winners fought to earn a place on the pedestal. There were also many components and accessories entries that finished with relatively high marks and were given honorable mentions.

EZ Trap Inc. took the top two spots this year. The Versatrap, Model EZT-170 won gold for its ability to prevent airflow into a unit while allowing full condensate flow. The Ultraswitch EZT-356 won silver for its ability to stop air conditioning overflow. ICM Controls Corp. rounded out the category with a bronze. Its Universal Motor Starting Relay with patented differential voltage sensing technology impressed judges with its versatility and application benefits.

GOLD WINNER

EZ Trap Inc.’s Versatrap, Model EZT-170 is a waterless condensate trap for negative pressure systems up to 6 inches w.g. According to the company, “The unique patented design needs no water to seal year-round, and it never needs priming.” Offered in three models to fit 3/4-, 1-, and 1 1/4-inch PVC pipe, Versatrap is fitted to the condensate drain outlet of negative a/c systems and prevents airflow into the unit while allowing full condensate flow.

“A common service complaint is condensate water problems,” noted one contractor judge. “The Versatrap is used on horizontal systems where pressure can cause a suction through the drain line, thus preventing that suction.”

Versatrap prevents ingress by insects, rodents, and odors. It has a maximum flow capacity of 300 gallons per hour and a replaceable float. The trap disassembles without tools, making maintenance easier, and it installs with standard PVC adhesive. Contractors will find that it only takes about 60 seconds to clean and eliminate blockages. The cross inlet allows access to clean the trap and drain pan outlet, and the removable union on the trap facilitates cleaning and flushing of the drain line. Also, the removable cleaning caps are tethered to the unit to help prevent loss during cleaning and maintenance.

“It really appears to be easy to install and service,” remarked one judge. “And it can be used on residential and commercial products.”

Its waterless design negates winter freezing and it is UV-resistant. Not only does it help eliminate the guesswork in installing the correct trap, but it also presents a factory-made, high-quality professional finish.

Multiple judges found this product to be a perfect mark. “This is another innovative and well thought out product,” said one. “It has no problems with a dry trap and it looks like a good product for use on rooftops and possibly attic systems,” said another.

SILVER WINNER

EZ Trap Inc. also took the silver award with its Ultraswitch EZT-356. This electronic self-evacuating overflow switch for residential and light commercial a/c systems is fitted to the condensate overflow valve on a central a/c unit. When it senses an abnormal water level, Ultraswitch will turn off the a/c unit and the integral mini pump will remove most of the water from the drain pan within three minutes, ensuring that there will be no overflow. The a/c unit cannot restart until a reset button is pressed. This requires a service call essentially to determine the cause of the blockage. An integral 15-second delay helps prevent false alarms.

“This is an innovative and well thought out product from EZ Trap,” remarked one judge. “Of all the ones I judged, I think this is the best,” complimented another.

Ultraswitch benefits contractors with its easy installation and removal design. The assembly fits into a PVC tee or elbow that is attached to the overflow outlet on the drain pan. An integral LED and test button allow the contractor to monitor status and check for correct operation. The green LED indicates power and the red indicates that the unit has tripped.

The pump operates off of the 24-volt a/c unit, and the complete assembly is entirely electronic with no moving parts.

Installation for new and retrofit applications takes approximately 15 minutes. Once installed, no service is required, only periodic testing during regular service and maintenance calls on the a/c system. According to Gerry Spanger, president of EZ Trap Inc., “Ultraswitch virtually guarantees that there can be no risk of flooding in any HVAC system.”

BRONZE WINNER

The Universal Motor Starting Relay from ICM Controls Corp. is a “revolutionary advance” in motor starting technology. The UMSR50 is manufactured with patented differential voltage sensing technology and features a nonpositional mounting configuration. This al- lows the relay to offer a single, wire-for-wire replacement for all standard potential relays and helps cut costs by consolidating inventory.

“This product just makes too much sense,” said a contractor judge. “The voltage sensing capabilities are also good for the equipment it is installed on.”

The USMR50 senses the condition of the motor to determine the precise voltage needed to start the motor each and every time. It then self-adjusts to changing conditions caused by the load, the age of the motor, etc. For added safety, the starting sequence is time terminated if the motor does not start within two seconds. This reduces the probability of damage to the start capacitor if the motor fails to start. There aren’t any user adjustments required at installation, making installation easier and more accurate for contractors. Its nonpositional mounting configuration further facilitates the installation process.

ICM’s relay works with any single-phase induction motor up to 10 horsepower, with its primary applications being air conditioning, commercial refrigeration units, and heat pumps.

“Because it can be set up to so many different arrangements, it is great to carry on a service truck without having to stock different specific starters,” noted a judge.

HONOREES: COMPONENTS & ACCESSORIES

GOLD
EZ Trap Inc.
www.eztrap.com
Versatrap

SILVER
EZ Trap Inc.
www.eztrap.com
Ultraswitch

BRONZE
ICM Controls Corp.
www.icmcontrols.com
Universal Motor Starting Relay

HONORABLE MENTIONS
Danfoss Inc.
www.danfoss.com/North_America
Universal TXV kit for a/c and heat pumps

Honeywell Building Control Systems
www.honeywell.com
Infrared Thermostat Interface Module

Honeywell Building Control Systems
www.honeywell.com
Slimline™ Variable Frequency Drive Bypass Assembly

ICOR International Inc.
www.icorinternational.com
NU-22B

Sporlan Division - Parker Hannifin
www.sporlan.com
SORIT to CDS Conversion Kit

Publication Date: 07/16/2007