Cooper Bussmann Contributes $500,000 to IEEE/NFPA Arc Flash Research Project

Business Wire, July 9, 2008

Multi-Year, $6.5 Million Program Aims to Better Define Arc Flash Hazards and Protect Workers

PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- Cooper Bussmann, Inc. has contributed US$500,000 to the Arc Flash Collaborative Research Project organized by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The company's Platinum level sponsorship will help expand the knowledge of the electric arc flash phenomena and enhance worker safety through advances in the codes and standards relating to safe employee work practices.

Arc flash is an electric current that is passed through air when insulation or isolation between electrified conductors is no longer sufficient to withstand the applied voltage. The flash is immediate, but the results can cause severe injury. Every year, more than 2,000 workers are admitted to burn centers for extended injury treatment caused by arc flash.

"Electrical safety and knowledge of the hazards associated with arc flash have come a long way since arc flash tests were first performed at the Cooper Bussmann Gubany Center for High Power Testing in 1996," explained Kevin Stein, president, Cooper Bussmann. "That groundbreaking work led to the award-winning IEEE paper, 'Staged Tests Increase Awareness of Arc Flash Hazards in Electrical Equipment,' and has since improved arc-flash understanding. Cooper Bussmann then led the industry with its Safety Basics(TM) electrical safety training program, so it is only natural that we would continue to lead as a Platinum Level Contributor for this latest round of electrical safety research."

Cooper Bussmann has a complete offering of products and services that help address electrical safety and arc flash in particular, ranging from current-limiting fuses that minimize the arc flash hazard, to engineering services that perform arc flash analysis, to electrical safety training and development of electrical safety programs.

"We are extremely pleased to have Cooper Bussmann join the growing list of sponsors for the Arc Flash project," said Sue Vogel, director, Technical Committee Programs for the IEEE Standards Association. "Cooper Bussmann's experience and history with arc flash safety research makes them an ideal partner for this effort, and their generous contribution brings us closer developing a more complete understanding of the arc flash phenomenon."

The IEEE and the NFPA have joined forces on an initiative to fund and support research and testing to increase the understanding of arc flash. The results of this collaborative project will provide information that will be used to improve electrical safety standards, predict the hazards associated with arching faults and accompanying arc blasts, and provide practical safeguards for employees in the workplace. The multi-year project is estimated to cost a total of $6-$7 million.

About Cooper Bussmann

Cooper Bussmann, the industry leader in downtime reduction, workplace safety and Code compliance solutions, is a division of Cooper Industries (NYSE: CBE), and is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. The company is committed to the development, manufacturing and marketing of innovative circuit protection products, and provides engineering, training and testing services globally for the electrical, electronics and transportation industries. Additional information about Cooper Bussmann is available online at www.cooperbussmann.com

About Cooper Industries

Cooper Industries, Ltd. (NYSE: CBE) is a global manufacturer with 2007 revenues of $5.9 billion, approximately 87% of which are from electrical products. Founded in 1833, Cooper's sustained level of success is attributable to a constant focus on innovation, evolving business practices while maintaining the highest ethical standards, and meeting customer needs. The Company has eight operating divisions with leading market share positions and world-class products and brands including: Bussmann[R] electrical and electronic fuses; Crouse-Hinds[R] and CEAG explosion-proof electrical equipment; Halo[R] and Metalux[R] lighting fixtures; and Kyle[R] and McGraw-Edison[R] power systems products. With this broad range of products, Cooper is uniquely positioned for several long-term growth trends including the global infrastructure build-out, the need to improve the reliability and productivity of the electric grid, the demand for higher energy-efficient products and the need for improved electrical safety. Sixty percent of total sales are to customers in the Industrial and Utility end-markets and 34% of total sales are currently to customers outside the United States. Cooper, which has more than 31,500 employees and manufacturing facilities in 23 countries, is incorporated in Bermuda with administrative headquarters in Houston, TX, USA. For more information, visit the website at www.cooperindustries.com.

About the National Fire Protection Association

The National Fire Protection Association has been a worldwide leader in providing fire, electrical, building, and life safety to the public since 1896. The mission of the international nonprofit organization is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education.