Evolving Power and Signal Distribution with Advancing Appliance Technology

Southfield, MI. – January 5, 2023 – Electrical Components International, Inc. (“ECI”), a leading global supplier of electrical distribution systems, control box assemblies, and other engineered components for diversified markets, is optimizing electrical distribution systems to build more energy-efficient appliances.

More Efficient and Cost Effective

A refrigerator made in 1970 consumes about 5x the energy of the same size unit built in 2020 or later1. Decreasing energy consumption comes from rising efficiency in more advanced devices used in the appliance fabrication, which means the wire harness technology must also evolve to deliver power to these advanced systems. ECI’s electrical distribution systems enable sophisticated devices in appliances to continue delivering efficiency gains.

“With older electro-mechanical systems voltages could easily spike above rated line levels for devices like compressors where there is substantial inductance. Today, the devices themselves are more efficient and there are smart strategies leveraging onboard electronics to reduce energy waste. These key factors enable reducing the historic wire voltage rating from 600V to 300V, which means a more flexible and cost-effective wire harness” said Lisa French, Director of Engineering Technology Optimization at ECI.

Increased Connectivity

ECI’s advanced technology allows manufacturers to add new strategic features to improve functionality and accessibility. Additionally, these electronic control strategies facilitate appliances to connect to the IoT and be controlled via mobile devices. High speed data lines enable remote control and improved diagnostics which increases convenience and safety. The same refrigerator that uses 5x less energy can now text you when the inventory of your favorite items runs low. These advances in appliance technology require ECI’s passionate engineering team to develop new, innovative, and constantly evolving, electrical distribution systems. With 37 facilities strategically placed all over the world to support our appliance partners we supply a breadth of solutions across all types and sizes of electrical distribution systems for power supply and data transfer that cover a broad range of applications. From concept design to development, prototyping, and high-volume production, we provide a complete solution for our customers around the world.

About ECI

Founded in 1953, Electrical Components International (ECI) is one of the world’s leading suppliers of electrical distribution systems, control box assemblies, and other critical engineered components for diversified markets. With 25,000 employees and 40+ global manufacturing locations, ECI is the trusted partner to market leaders with 500+ customers. At ECI, we power smart, connected, and electrified solutions that help solve the most complex challenges. For more information about ECI, visit www.ecintl.com.

Is your old refrigerator an energy hog? | Clean Energy Resource Teams