The NEWS’ seventh annual Dealer Design Awards’ Components and Accessories category entrants waged a fierce battle in a large field of competitors. The winning products found that making the technician’s job easier helped tipped the scales in their favor and in the end, three manufacturers received top honors.

The gold went to Emerson Climate Technologies Inc. Air Conditioning Division for its Copeland Scroll® UltraTech™ modulating compressor. The silver went to Electro Static Technology’s AEGIS™ SGR Bearing Protection Ring with Conductive Epoxy Mounting. The bronze went to Resource Conservation Technologies Inc.’s AG-3150E; an electronic water sensing system for the auxiliary drain of the primary pan.

GOLD WINNER

The next generation Copeland Scroll® UltraTech™ modulating compressor from Emerson Climate Technologies Inc. Air Conditioning Division, offers an easy-to-apply solution to enhance system efficiency and reliability for both air conditioners and heat pumps. With two steps of capacity, 100 percent at full-load and a 67 percent part-load capacity stage, this compressor maintains precise temperature levels and significantly lowers relative humidity, ultimately eliminating uneven cooling peaks and valleys and allowing for improved overall cooling comfort. In addition to this compressor’s enhanced part-load SEER performance, it also offers the unique ability to provide full-load EER performance equivalent to that of fixed-speed models.

The next generation Copeland Scroll UltraTech compressor offers an inherently simpler design for ease of installation, which has been shown through research to be one of the product’s strongest performance attributes, said the company. This new design uses an internal pressure differential to actuate the modulation assembly significantly reducing the power required to modulate the valve while also minimizing the expansion volume created during full-load operation. It also offers an expanded operating envelope, increased to 145°F condensing.

“This product may prove to be a hearty addition to the Copeland Scroll compressor line,” said one of the contractor judges.

With as much as a 200 watt reduction in power consumption, systems equipped with next generation Copeland Scroll Ultra-Tech compressors can better meet market needs for higher SEER and full-load EER ratings.

SILVER WINNER

Available in Solid Ring and Split Ring versions, Electro Static Technology’s AEGIS™ SGR Bearing Protection Ring with Conductive Epoxy Mounting is a maintenance-free shaft grounding ring that extends motor life. It provides protection from VFD-induced electrical bearing damage by channeling harmful shaft currents to ground. Conductive epoxy allows the Solid Ring AEGIS™ SGR to be permanently installed on the motor’s end bell by motor OEMs and motor repair shops, and the Split Ring AEGIS SGR to be installed quickly and easily in the field without having to disconnect coupled equipment. By preventing electrical damage to motor bearings, it extends the service lives of fans, pumps, compressors, and other HVACR equipment.

The AEGIS™ SGR Bearing Protection Ring with Conductive Epoxy Mounting can be installed in minutes, even in the field. After cleaning the motor shaft and end bell to remove any coatings, paint, or other nonconductive material, the installer simply applies the adhesive to the back of the ring, centers it around the motor shaft, and holds it in place briefly to allow the adhesive to set. The Solid Ring version can be installed quickly in the shop. The Split Ring version can be easily installed in the field without decoupling the motor. Neither version requires machining or drilling holes. To ensure that the Split Ring version is centered around the shaft, the installer can make use of small metal spacers included in the kit. The ring requires no maintenance.

BRONZE WINNER

The new AG-3150E from Resource Conservation Technologies Inc. is an extremely compact-sized electronic water sensing system for the auxiliary drain of the primary pan. It has a higher amperage rating of 24 VAC, 5.0 A, and has a water detection LED light. It is a solid state sensor with no moving parts to break down or become clogged. The switch is normally closed, but when triggered, it automatically resets itself without the need of a service call, thus avoiding nuisance calls for service techs.

This sensor is mounted directly in the auxiliary drain port of the primary pan, and its sensor probe comes out less than 3/4 inch from the face of the unit, making it the smallest footprint available in the current market, said the manufacturer. The probe wire can also be extended with an optional extension kit that is sold separately. This switch has a bonus secondary pan sensor included as well - the electric controller box. It may be placed in the lowest point of the secondary pan to create a complete condensate monitoring system; two sensors with one install and one price. The probe and control box install easily in tight locations and allow for ease of service. It has solid-state “no moving parts” design to help ensure reliability.

2010 HONOREES - COMPONENTS & ACCESSORIES

Gold Winner:
Emerson Climate Technologies Inc. Air Conditioning Div.
www.copelandscroll.com
Next Generation Copeland Scroll® UltraTech™ compressor

Silver Winner:
Electro Static Technology
www.est-aegis.com
AEGIS™ SGR Bearing Protection Ring with Conductive Epoxy Mounting

Bronze Winner:
Resource Conservation Technologies Inc.
www.rctus.com
Electronic Water Sensing System for Secondary Drain of Primary Pan

Honorable Mentions
DiversiTech
www.heatpumppad.com
Heat Pump Pad

Taco Inc.
www.taco-hvac.com
LOFlo Mixing Block

White-Rodgers
www.emersonclimate.com
Single Stage HSI Integrated Furnace Control Kit

Publication date: 07/12/2010