Portable Power Distribution FAQs

Below are some Portable Power Distribution FAQs our customers ask with answers.  If you can’t find the answer you need below, please contact us and our team we help get you the information you need.

YES!  We have been building custom products since 1991.  Our team of engineers can review your goals and/or specifications and design a product to meet your exact needs.  Contact us to start the conversation.

Yes.  We offer all types of portable power cable assemblies available for immediate shipment in both Type W (portable power) & Type SC (entertainment – stage & lighting), with a wide variety of plugs/connectors that are ready to install when you need it.

“Type W” Portable Power Cable is recognized by the National Electric Code (NEC) as being acceptable for hard or extra hard usage and is permitted for use in Temporary Wiring applications, “Welding Cable” is not. We recommend using only UL Listed “Type W” for all Temporary Wiring applications because it is more durable and is approved for a greater range of applications. We can supply this type of cable in any length and with various connectors.

No. There are versions of “Type W” Portable Power Cable available that is not UL Listed, and thus is not permitted for Temporary Wiring applications. We use only “UL Listed” cable in all assemblies, regardless of size or type.

A GFCI is a fast-acting circuit breaker that senses small imbalances in the circuit caused by current leakage to ground and, in a fraction of a second, shuts of the electricity. The GFCI continually matches the amount of current going to an electrical device against the amount of current returning from the device along the electrical path. Whenever the amount “going” differs from the amount “returning” by approximately 5 milliamps, the GFCI interrupts the electric power within as little as 1/40 of a second.

The GFCI, however does not protect from line-to-line contact hazards (such as a worker holding two “hot” wires or a hot and a neutral wire in each hand). It does protect against the most common form of electrical shock hazard – the ground fault, and it also protects against fires, overheating, and destruction of insulation on wiring.

Trapped key interlocks (TKI’s) are locks and keys for sequential control of equipment and machinery to ensure safe operation. A safe sequence of operations is enabled through transfer of keys that are either trapped or released in a predetermined order. For example, a key is used to isolate a power source (circuit breaker or supply valve), this key is then released and can then be used to gain access through a gate or door to a high risk area by inserting it into an access lock. The key will then remain trapped until the gate or door is closed. A personnel or safety key can be released from the access lock, this ensures that the gate or door can not be closed and the initial key released until this personnel or safety key is returned. This provides increased operator safety.

A phase rotation monitor is used to confirm the correct electrical phase rotation to match the existing service, eliminating the likelihood of running any three phase motors backwards and damaging equipment or processes.

Load bank connections are important because they allow for the quick, safe, and economical load bank testing of generators on scheduled basis.  They eliminate the need to disconnect permanent wiring and reduce the time required to service the generator.

  1. Using the existing service disconnect in conjunction with a trapped key interlock.
  2. Double throw manual transfer switch.
  3. Automatic manual transfer switch.

The safest way to hookup a portable backup generator with an existing switch or disconnect is to use a trapped key interlock.

Power Temp Systems Portable Power Distribution Equipment Product Group with Generator