Celebrating 20 Years of Electrical Product Development and Innovation
It’s hard to believe it’s been 20 years since we unveiled the first EC&M Product of the Year winners in 2001. I actually remember when we started that competition — pretty crazy that several of us are all still on staff 20 years later. Although there’s no doubt 2020 brought with it a host of unimaginable and undesirable things, it also marks the 20th anniversary of our Product of the Year competition. Two decades later, this prominent awards program is still going strong.
This year was no exception when it comes to continuing the tradition of excellence this program established so many years ago by showcasing the most innovative products in the electrical industry. A total of 103 entries were received this year, which were reviewed by a panel of industry expert judges to narrow down the field to 31 category winners or finalists. These were featured in a special print supplement in April 2020 as well as online in a photo gallery. From this pool, our entire EC&M subscriber base had the opportunity to vote online for the most deserving product. We are proud to announce that the Platinum Award this year goes to Design Master Software for its Design Master Electrical 8.6 Software, a program capable of drawing time-current curves for breakers, performing arc flash calculations, and more. Read the unique story behind this product’s development and implementation, written by Associate Editor Ellie Coggins. Also showcased are the Gold Award winner (Cree Lighting’s Cadiant Dynamic Skylight) and the Silver Award winner (Service Wire’s ServiceDrive VFD Self-Terminating Connector). All of these products embody the ingenuity, innovation, and creativity it takes to succeed in the electrical industry as a world-class product.
One of the aspects I value most about this competition — which I believe is evidenced by the fact that it has withstood the test of time — is the fact that the products entered and winners chosen continue to represent such a variety of specialties and niches within the electrical products arena. They not only represent many different specialties, but they also come from such diverse origins — from multi-billion dollar companies with immense resources to a guy in his garage who had an idea he brought to fruition against all odds. I’d like to take a moment and celebrate the last decade of EC&M Platinum Product of the Year winners. Read each product’s profile articles at the links below.
• 2019: FLIR One Pro LT Series Smartphone Thermal Camera from FLIR Systems
• 2018: Angled Trough Enclosure from nVent Hoffman
• 2017: The CADDY TSR1220R Strut Replacement/Retrofit Solution from Pentair
• 2016: The Fault Trapper TFT100 Circuit Breaker Monitor from Platinum Tools
• 2015: All-Purpose Pliers from Klein Tools
• 2014: Open-Jaw Cable Cutter from Klein Tools
• 2013: USB TR Duplex Receptacle from Cooper Wiring Devices
• 2012: Combination Receptacle from Cooper Wiring Devices
• 2011: Remote 381 Clamp Meter from Fluke Corp.
• 2010: Disposable Electrical Bypass Conduit Accessory by The Electrical Bypass Co.
Join me in congratulating all of them and honoring what product innovation at its finest looks like.
