Cooper Electric Supply Co.

The winter months bring us frigid temperatures, along with ice and snow. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), these conditions increase the likelihood of electrical injuries, fires and electrocutions. More home fires occur during the winter months than any other part of the year. Heating equipment is the second leading cause of home fires in this country. Further, portable generators, commonly used during power outages, attribute to 50 percent of carbon monoxide deaths. You can stay up to code this season with products through Cooper Electric Supply Co.

Cooper Electric Supply Co. started as a family owned business back in 1961. By 1998, it grew to 12 strategically placed branches. In 1999, Cooper Electric Supply Co. joined the Sonepar USA family of electrical supply distributors. Today, the company has over 30 locations, state-of-the-art distribution centers, and over 500 employees. Cooper Electric Supply Co. provides New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania markets with service and electric supply capabilities.

Today, the company has over 30 locations, state-of-the-art distribution centers, and over 500 employees.

For over 20 years, Lehigh Valley customers have relied upon the Bethlehem branch of Cooper Electric Supply Co. for their general electrical products and energy saving lighting products. The Bethlehem location features a contractor counter for the electrical trade. Builders, electricians, industrial companies, government agencies, health care facilities, even schools shop with Cooper Electric Supply Co. Contractors can purchase such items as power tools, copper wiring, circuit breakers, panel boards, dimmers, switches, outlets, and solar products. The Bethlehem branch also features its own lighting showroom.

“With Cooper Electric Showroom services, you will benefit from the experience of our professional staff who will help you make those important decisions on lighting for your home. You can enjoy a hands-on experience as you select the perfect lighting for your space or business. Our Cooper Electric Showroom offers products from major lighting manufacturers such as Lutron, Sylvania, Quoizel, Kichler, Sea Gull Lighting, Casablanca, Murray Feiss, and so many more,” says Bethlehem Manager Bill Nemchik.

The Cooper lighting showroom offers customers a variety of lighting options. Whether you are looking to update an existing room, give it a new look, or planning to remodel several rooms in the home, Cooper can help. “You can take a tour of our life-size house in the showroom. It is equipped with the latest in lighting technology. From automated shades, home automation, energy saving lighting, and landscape lighting, we can assist you. Working within your budget, we will help you with a lighting plan for your home or business,” Nemchik says.

Cooper Electric Supply Co. offers some helpful tech tools for the customer, including an App available through the App Store or Google Play. The Cooper App gives pricing, inventory availability and location, detailed product spec sheets, invoices, and more. Visit cooper-electric.com, to search for products based upon the elements. There are warm weather products, such as bath fans, landscape lighting, ceiling fans, and ventilation products. You also can search for cold weather products, including heated flooring, gear, and clothing. There is even a search option for severe weather and emergency products. Here you will find generators, industrial fans, sump pump detectors, ventilation products, manual transfer switches, even non-metallic flex and fittings.

Throughout the year, Cooper Electric Supply Co. in Bethlehem features special events. There are seasonal open houses in the showroom when designers, architects, and contractors are invited to browse the interactive showroom, enjoy light refreshment, and meet with vendors. Cooper Electric Supply Co. also sponsors several charitable events, including 3M Breast Cancer Awareness, as well as Cooper Cares, a special holiday drive.

With electrical products, safety is of utmost importance. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) offers ten important safety guidelines for homeowners to follow this winter.

1. Be sure to have all work done by a qualified electrician.
2. Only plug on heat-producing appliances into a receptacle outlet at a time, whether it is a coffee maker, toaster, or space heater.
3. Major appliances (dryers, washers, stoves, refrigerators) should only be plugged into a wall receptacle outlet.
4. Consider having arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) installed in your home. These special circuit breakers shut off electricity when a dangerous condition occurs.
5. Install ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) in bathrooms, kitchens, garages, and basements. GFCIs shut off an electrical circuit when it becomes a shock hazard.
6. Test AFCIs and GFCIs once a month to make sure they are working properly.
7. Use light bulbs that match the recommended wattage on a lamp or fixture. There should be a sticker that indicates the maximum wattage light bulb to use.
8. Make sure electrical cords are not running across doorways or under carpets.
9. Remember that extension cords for intended for temporary use.
10. Make sure all outdoor receptacles are GFCI protected.

Cooper Electric Supply Co. is located at 2198 Industrial Drive, Bethlehem, PA 18017. Their phone number is 610.865.5501. You can visit them
at cooper-electric.com or like them on Facebook. Counter sales in Bethlehem are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. Bethlehem Showroom hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Photography by Ryan Hulvat