Assistant Editor Maria Woodie’s article, “Addressing hard water and scale with sustainable solutions,” explained some of the negative effects of hard water. Although not considered a health hazard, water dealers should educate their clients about the aesthetic and potential cost- and energy-related concerns associated with hard water. Hardness can cause scale buildup within a delivery system’s pipes and fixtures. This buildup may ultimately decrease the overall efficiency and productivity of the system. While other minerals can impact the quality of water, hard water is mainly a result of high levels of calcium and magnesium.
As mentioned, scale can impact the performance and lifespan of faucets, fixtures and appliances. Scale may also reduce the flow of water passing through the delivery system. Several treatment technologies are available that can remove hard water minerals and produce “soft” water — water tested below 1 grain per gallon (gpg) is considered soft. Depending on the quality of the water and the individual needs of the end user, treatment can be accomplished at the point-of-use (POU) and the point-of-entry (POE). These water softening technologies include:
Medium- and low voltage equipment specifiers can adopt digital twin technology to adopt a circular economy approach for sustainable, low-carbon equipment design.
Medium- and low voltage equipment manufacturers can prepare for environmental regulations now by using innovative MV switchgear design that eliminates SF6 use.
Using digital tools and apps for nearby monitoring and control increases safety and reduces arc flash hazards since electrical equipment can be operated from a safer distance....
