IEM brand switchgear?

[greenspark1]

Hello,
I just received a quote for a 480/277V switchgear from a company called IEM: http://www.iemfg.com/. I have never heard of or seen them before, especially not for low voltage switchgear. I am accustomed to ABB, Square D, GE, etc. Has anyone used IEM products before or had good/bad experiences? This is for a job in the USA. I'd really appreciate some input before accepting this on behalf of the client. Thanks!

 

[Jraef]

Hello,
I just received a quote for a 480/277V switchgear from a company called IEM: http://www.iemfg.com/. I have never heard of or seen them before, especially not for low voltage switchgear. I am accustomed to ABB, Square D, GE, etc. Has anyone used IEM products before or had good/bad experiences? This is for a job in the USA. I'd really appreciate some input before accepting this on behalf of the client. Thanks!

They are local to me here, so we see them a lot. Very good quality, well built, just kind of expensive. They tend to shy away from the Water / Wastewater lowest bidder type work, but have a great reputation in the Data Center / Server Farm business where reliability is the most important thing. Boeing is also standardized on them, even for panelboards (although they don't list that they make panelboards, they make them for Boeing because Boeing has very detailed specifications that the major players are not interested in complying to). You would not be disappointed. They tend to use GE breakers inside, but will use whatever brand someone may have a preference for.

PS: Just looked at their website, I guess they do advertize their panelboards now.

 

[curt swartz]

I use IEM all the time. Very good equipment and usually quick build times. They still use the old school heavy guage metal for enclosures and fronts, not the tin foil all of the big boys have gone to. Panelboard fronts are secured with 1/4-20 bolts into threaded holes instead of fancy toggle bolt style fasteners or flimsy spring clips everyone else is using.

Most of my projects are small so I don't get competitive quotes. I just send them the order and tell them to call me when its ready. The last large job I did they actually beat Square D on pricing to supply all power equipment (switchgear, panelboards and transformers). Even if they are a little more expensive I willing to pay for the service I get.

They are a small local shop but they ship equipment all over the country. I believe AOL used to specify IEM equipment for all data centers back in the day. I was told they did the MV gear for Levi Stadium but don't know for sure.

 

[norcal]

Only have seen their panelboards, & they are well constructed, some had Westinghouse/C-H, & others were GE breakers.

 

[greenspark1]

Thanks for all the responses, they are very helpful. Sounds like they are a West coast company which explains why I haven't seem them here on the East coast. This bid is for a job in New York but is out of their Fremont office. Very helpful knowing they make quality products at a competitive price, thanks again.