Electric heating elements are a staple of cooking, baking, frying, holding and steaming food products, and mercury is a commonly used element in power switching devices, which control these heaters. In the foodservice equipment industry these devices are called mercury displacement relays (MDRs). However, mercury is rapidly being phased out in the United States and around the world, and Watlow is responding to the call for mercury-free products.
Mercury phase outs are already in place in Maine and Vermont and are scheduled to occur soon in other states, including New York, Illinois and California -- not to mention international regulations already in place. These bans, coupled with the sweeping changes associated with the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) regulations means that changes are afoot in the adoption of mercury-free power switching devices.
Major chain restaurants are implementing strategic initiatives to eliminate mercury in their kitchen equipment. They are pushing equipment manufacturers to adhere to the evolving standards. All manufacturers throughout the supply chain, whose products use mercury, are under pressure to respond with mercury-free and RoHS compliant products.
In the foodservice equipment industry, manufacturers are substituting solid state relays (SSRs) or mechanical contactors for MDRs, but each has its own set of inherent limitations that can have a major impact on equipment cost and performance. But with the introduction of Watlow's E-SAFE® II hybrid power switch, there is a new mercury-free, RoHS compliant alternative that addresses the limitations of both SSRs and mechanical contactors.
E-SAFE II does not require the use of heat sinks even while operating in a 70°C (158°F) environment. SSRs are often de-rated or require large, costly heat sinks to offer comparable performance to E-SAFE II. Unlike a SSR, the E-SAFE II product features include a single-phase, dual-phase and three-phase device. Three separate SSRs would need to be purchased, installed and wired to deliver the same functionality of a single three-phase E-SAFE II. The new hybrid power switch also encompasses the ability to switch up to 35 amperes with a single command signal while operating in high temperature environments.
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 can lead to increased costly service or replacement issues. The E-SAFE II features Watlow's patent pending NO-ARC technology -- the first technology of its kind in the industry. NO-ARC allows E-SAFE II to switch more than four million cycles in their lifespan, which increases the life of the product with decreased noise and increased temperature accuracy.
"The E-SAFE II provides reliable and accurate power switching, and it is the best performing mercury-free product at the most economical price," explains Don Commare, marketing manager. "It is a logical choice for replacing mercury relay switches because of its fast cycle time, high ambient temperature rating and economical price."
E-SAFE II's compact and touch-safe package fits in shallow foodservice cabinets and allows horizontal or vertical mounting installations. The product increases safety for installers and operators. E-SAFE II is UL® recognized, C-UL® and CE approved and RoHS compliant by design.
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