Suppression Device Approved by UL for Use Directly on Ground Lines

A UL-approved filtering device can be safely installed in series with the ground line of electronic equipment to completely eliminate ground transients. The ground transient terminator (GTT) technology was developed by ECM Electronics and is distributed by 9 Corp. Unlike conventional suppression techniques using metal oxide varistor, gas tube, or silicon-diode technology, the GTT suppression device goes directly on the ground line of electronic equipment to prevent disruptions in operation.

The technology incorporates a patented circuit with no moving parts or sensitive electronics. As a result, the device does poses no threat to intrinsic safety ground. “No previous power-protection technology addressed the unsolved problem of ground transients entering a system through the ground line,” said Dan Weaver of ECM. “By eliminating transients on the ground, potentially damaging voltages have no means to enter equipment.”

The filter works by opposing changes in electron flow on the ground wire, which slows the damaging rise and fall time of a transient voltage wave form rather than clipping it off and controlling frequency rather than amplitude. The filter is designed to achieve sufficient attenuation in the frequency band that covers interference and minimal attenuation at 50 or 60Hz, thus eliminating transient surges on the ground wire.

For more information, visit the company’s Web site at www.9corp.com, or contact 9 Corp. at 630-762-1515.

ETL SEMKO Acquires Testing and Certification Firm Entela Inc.

The ETL SEMKO division of Intertek Group plc has acquired 100% of the issued share capital of Entela Inc., a testing and certification firm. The acquisition enables ETL SEMKO to provide more comprehensive automotive components testing and certification as well as management systems registration.

"The addition of Entela's automotive expertise to our existing electrical safety, EMC, and performance testing means that Intertek can provide faster and more cost effective global market access to automotive components manufacturers," said Gregg Tiemann, president of Intertek.

Entela is headquartered in Grand Rapids, MI, with offices in Canada and Taiwan. For more information, visit www.intertek-etlsemko.com.