Waltham, MA – Extech Instruments (www.extech.com/instruments), makers of the world’s best test and measurement tools, announced today that Extech dissolved oxygen meters are being employed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency in the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. The EPA is using the Extech meters to monitor the effectiveness of oil dispersants being used underwater to manage the oil that is continuing to leak from the damaged Deepwater Horizon wellhead located on the seafloor of the Gulf of Mexico seafloor.

According to the EPA website, www.epa.gov, “When this crisis occurred, Coast Guard and EPA granted BP [British Petroleum] authorization to use an approved dispersant on oil present on the surface of the water in an effort mitigate the impact of the spill.” Then, the EPA and the U.S. Coast Guard authorized BP to use dispersants underwater, at the source of the Deepwater Horizon leak. Preliminary testing results indicate that subsurface use of the dispersant is effective at reducing the amount of oil from reaching the surface – and can do so with the use of less dispersant than is needed when the oil does reach the surface.

Concerned about the potential adverse effects of dispersant use below the surface, the EPA enacted an aggressive dispersant monitoring plan to be implemented by BP and that findings are routinely and carefully analyzed to ensure toxicity data is collected that may indicate any significant effects on aquatic life in the region. The good news so far is that the decreased size of the oil droplets is a good indication that, so far, the dispersant is effective.

An important parameter of these subsurface water quality studies is the monitoring of dissolved oxygen levels. Dissolved oxygen (DO) analysis measures the amount of gaseous oxygen (O2) dissolved in the water. Adequate dissolved oxygen is necessary for good water quality that is conducive to marine life. Normal ranges for DO in the Gulf area are 4 milligrams per liter (mg/l). The lower the concentration of dissolved oxygen, the greater the stress is on aquatic life. The evaluation criteria to determine further use of subsea dispersant include DO levels that are less than 2mg/l and the results of toxicity tests.

Concern initially arose when dissolved oxygen levels appeared low when first measured with one device. Fueled by the need to corroborate these findings, the EPA used an Extech dissolved oxygen meter for increased accuracy. According to the EPA, “In order to conduct a more thorough analysis, more sensitive equipment was then employed, called an Extech Probe. The subsequent dissolved oxygen readings from the Extech Probe indicate that dissolved oxygen levels are within the normal range.” So far, using the Extech dissolved oxygen meter, DO measurements continue to remain in the normal range. Read the EPA’s coverage for additional details. http://www.epa.gov/bpspill/dispersants.html#bpdata
Findings related to dissolved oxygen, water conductivity and temperature, oil droplet size, and other physical characteristics will serve as indicators of the effectiveness of BP’s efforts to manage the oil spill using subsurface dispersants. If any negative impacts on the environment or public health are identified, the EPA can use that data to direct BP to discontinue the use of this dispersant method.

Extech Environmental / Water Quality Testing Meters
Extech Instruments offers a range of handheld, easy to use meters for the measurement of a variety of metrics related to water quality. In addition to Dissolved Oxygen Meters like the ones used by the Environmental Protection Agency, Extech also provides over 25 accurate, affordable, and durable meters and test kits that measure chlorine, conductivity, fluoride, ORP (oxidation reduction potential), pH, salinity, and TDS (total dissolved solids). Visit our website to view the Extech range of environmental water quality testers and meters used by government environmental agencies, labs, R&D, waste water treatment plants, agriculture, and other industries: http://www.texsoinstruments.com/laboratory-equipment

Extech announced its revolutionary Extech EX540 wireless digital multimeter and datalogger has
been selected as the 2010 EC&M Product of the Year Category Winner for the Portable
Measurement Equipment (Multi-Function) category

Waltham, MA, USA (Vocus) March 18, 2010 — Extech Instruments (www.extech.com/instruments), makers of
the best handheld test and measurement tools, announced its revolutionary Extech EX540 wireless digital
multimeter and datalogger has been selected as the 2010 EC&M Product of the Year Category Winner for the
Portable Measurement Equipment (Multi-Function) category.

According to EC&M magazine, 99 products across numerous categories were evaluated by a panel of six judges
selected from their readership with a representative mix of electrical engineers, contractors, and plant facility
personnel. The Extech EX540 was selected over other entries including the Fluke 233 detachable display
multimeter, Fluke 28 II dustproof/waterproof multimeter, and the Agilent U1401A/U1401B handheld
multi-function calibrator/meter.

Extech vice president, Arpineh Mullaney, acknowledged the category award honors, “Coupled with our recent
Best in Test honors and extensive press and social media coverage of the industry-first wireless datalogging
multimeter, this award from EC&M truly validates Extech’s leadership and drive for high-feature, high-value
innovation in the handheld test equipment market.”

About the EX540 Wireless Multimeter

The Extech EX540 digital multimeter is the first handheld multimeter to offer wireless data streaming to a laptop
or PC for datalogging or real-time monitoring. The new DMM is part of the EX500 series of industrial
multimeters, considered the “tough book” of multimeters. Extech’s ruggedized, dustproof and waterproof design
can withstand a 6-foot drop, making it the ideal starting point for a go-anywhere DMM.

The innovative new meter offers wireless connectivity to your laptop or PC using a USB receiver with a range
comparable to Bluetooth™ (10m/33 ft). The EX540 transmits real-time data for monitoring, trending and analysis
(using the included software) on one of two available frequencies (433 and 914 MHz).

Now, electrical professionals can monitor and datalog readings at a safe distance from hazardous locations.
Additionally, it is easier to perform remote tasks such as powering up a device from a control panel that is not
nearby. From a time-saving perspective for laptop users, the EX540 permits a user to set up his or her laptop at a
centralized location and then sequentially datalog readings throughout a site without relocating the laptop.

Ruggedized to industrial-duty specs, the new Extech is a True RMS DMM that, in addition to wireless datalogging, can log up to 9,999 readings internally and also reads voltage, current, resistance, capacitance,
frequency (with dual-range sensitivity for electrical and electronic work), duty cycle (dwell), continuity, diode
testing (2.8V), and even temperature (using its Type K thermistor bead probe).

The new meter features accuracy that is a tough-to-beat 0.06% and it is backed by a Category IV overvoltage
safety rating, protecting users even on outdoor wiring.

Several one-button statistical data functions include minimum/maximum, relative, hold, and peak hold as well as
selectable auto-ranging or manual-ranging. An analog-style bargraph complements the EX540’s informative
triple-reading display.

The Extech EX540 includes double-molded test leads, USB wireless receiver, temperature probe, magnetic
hanging strap, 9V battery and carrying case. Additionally, NIST calibration is available. The suggested retail price
for the EX540 is $299.99.

Shock, electrocution, arc flash, and arc blast are responsible for hundreds of worker deaths and thousands of injuries per year in the U.S. alone.  Many of the deaths and injuries are completely preventable with the proper preformed arc-flash analysis and the correct level of personal protective equipment worn.  January 2009 is just around the corner and time is ticking for companies and their workers to comply with NESC (National Electrical Safety Code) rules 410A3 and 42012.  Per NESC Rule 410 A3, “If an arc-flash assessment determines a potential employee exposure greater than 2 cal/cm2 exists2, the employer shall require employees to wear clothing or a clothing system that has an effective arc rating not less than the anticipated level of arc energy.”

In order for workers to be protected with the correct level of personal protective equipment, an arc flash hazard analysis must occur.  The analysis will identify the arc flash protection boundary, the proper ppe necessary, and also appropriate safety-related work practices.  Included in the process is a study of short circuits to determine the available “bolted” fault current at each location.  The study will gather all relevant overcurrent protection device data to accurately predict the clearing time of the arc fault current, and the calculation of arc flash protection boundaries and incident energies, which are used to determine PPE categories.  NFPA 70E (Electrical Safety in the Workplace) is a standard of the National Fire Protection Association that addresses electrical safety requirements for employees. Defined by NFPA 70E, the categories of personal protective equipment workers are required to wear for the work to be performed, based on the incident heat energy calculated at the appropriate working distance are the following:

Category      Cal/cm²      Personal Protective Equipment

0                 1.2            Untreated cotton
1                 5               Flame retardant (FR) shirt and FR pants
2                 8               Cotton underwear, FR shirt and FR pants
3                 25             Cotton underwear, FR shirt, FR pants and FR coveralls
4                 40             Cotton underwear, FR shirt, FR pants, and double layer switching coat and pants

We must keep in mind, the purpose of the new rules is to keep people safe.  Yes, it is tedious, yes it costs money and yes, it can be a nuisance to prepare your company.  The purpose of the NESC is the practical safeguarding of persons during the installation, operation, or maintenance of electric supply and communication lines and associated equipment.  The organization does not create rules to be a nuisance.  Chuck Woodings, a member of the NESC SCC8 subcommittee states, “The intent of the rules is to protect the employee from catastrophic injury and minor injuries if a flash occurs.”

Here at Texso Instruments, our goal is to provide the necessary personal protective equipment for workers, and to help ensure companies are compliant with this deadline.   We offer many types of PPE, and all categories of clothing to protect from arc flash dangers.    A lot of confusion exists regarding proper protection and categories of clothing.  January 1, 2009 is quickly approaching, and compliance is mandatory, not a choice.  Let us help keep workers protected and ensure compliance.

Contact:

Gary Phillips
Texso Instruments
(760) 444-0032
http://www.texsoinstruments.com