Safety Device is made of 3 layers of ballistic Dupont Kevlar.

Press Release Summary:




Including predetermined outlet openings at top and bottom that allow high-pressure gases and small insulator fragments to escape in event of any insulator failure, ABB Kevlar Wrap & Strap Safety Device ensures substation safety. Compatible with virtually any insulator design, it eliminates need to remove high-voltage leads prior to installation. Busing blanket protects employees from blasts and resulting fragmentized porcelain working on or near electrical equipment.



Original Press Release:



ABB Launches Exclusive New High-Voltage Safety Product Line



ABB Kevlar Wrap & Strap Safety Device represents next step in substation safety

Chicago, IL, April 21, 2008 - ABB, the leading power and automation technology company, today announced the formal product launch and general availability of the Kevlar Wrap & Strap Safety Device for the utility, industrial, generation and public power markets. ABB will be demonstrating the new product at the IEEE PES T&D Conference and Exhibition in Chicago.

This safety product - researched, tested and developed by the ABB High-Voltage Services division - is patent-pending and the only product of its kind in the power industry, representing the next step in the evolution of substation safety.

The Kevlar Wrap & Strap Safety Device includes predetermined outlet openings at the top and bottom that allow high-pressure gases and small insulator fragments to escape in the event of an insulator failure. The device will not eliminate an insulator from exploding due to high pressures or fractures but will indeed limit the extreme results of what is otherwise a catastrophic event. An uncontained explosion has been known to distribute itself in a radius of more than 100 yards from the initiation point.

ABB has implemented new features with this product to its already stringent set of safety standards and requirements.

These features include:
o A product made with three layers of ballistic Dupont Kevlar
o A product compatible with virtually any insulator design
o Simple installation performed in parallel with other maintenance activities
o Cost effectiveness, lower risk and peace of mind
o No need to remove high-voltage leads prior to installation

"We would like to thank ABB for its work on creating a product to increase safety for our employees working on or near electrical equipment containing pressurized porcelain," said Fred Hudson, director of safety and security, ITC Holdings. "When properly attached, ABB's new Kevlar Wrap & Strap busing blankets appear to serve as an effective barrier to protect workers from blasts and resulting fragmentized porcelain. The product design also appears to be usable on many different manufacturers' equipment and can be easily installed and removed."

The Kevlar Wrap & Strap Safety Device will be on display at the 4,000-square-foot ABB booth, #1506, at the IEEE PES T&D Conference and Exhibition in Chicago on April 21-24, 2008.

About ABB
ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve their performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs more than 111,000 people. The company's North American operations, headquartered in Norwalk, Connecticut, employ about 12,000 people in 20 manufacturing and other major facilities.

www.abb.us

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