Methode Electronics Announces Completion of EIA Testing on New 2000 Amp PowerRail Pluggable Power Distribution System.

ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill. -- Methode Network Bus Products and Cableco Technologies, both divisions of Methode Electronics, Inc., announced the successful completion of full EIA testing on the PowerRail 2000A pluggable power distribution system. The PowerRail 2000A is the 2000 amp version of Methode's PowerRail line of pluggable power distribution systems. The PowerRail 2000A represents an evolutionary and innovative, cost-effective solution in blind mate high power distribution technology.

The PowerRail 2000A has been tested by Trace Laboratories, Inc., an independent, internationally accredited (A2LA) laboratory, and has passed all EIA Standards for Electrical and Mechanical Requirements.

The EIA Electrical Test Standards successfully completed include Insulation Resistance (EIA-364-21) and Dielectric Strength (EIA-364-20). The EIA Mechanical Requirements (EIA-364-09) tested include Durability w/o Environment at 250 cycles at a rate of 10 cycles per minute, and Force, Blade Retention and Locking Insulator to Rail with excellent results reported.

EIA Environmental Requirements were successfully completed for Vibration (EIA-364-28), Shock (EIA-264-27), Humidity (EIA-264-31), Thermal Shock (EIA-364-TP-32) and Temperature Life (EIA-364-17). All of the EIA Requirements tested met or exceeded the standards and are available from Methode Network Bus Products in the PowerRail test document 05-26735.

The PowerRail system and the 2000 amp model offer significant cost savings over traditional power distribution methods. This is due to the standard PowerRail design, simplified installation, and fewer components than those required in traditional systems.

A complete line of PowerRail power distribution system products that range from 200 amp to 1000 amp is currently in development and will be available from Methode in the coming months.

For more information on the PowerRail, Methode Network Bus Products' bus bars or Cableco Technologies' power cabling systems, please contact:

Methode Network Bus Products, 4001 Industrial Ave., Rolling Meadows, IL 60008. Phone: [phone]. Fax: [phone]. Email: [e-mail]. Web: www.methode.com.

Cableco Technologies, 1750 Junction Ave., San Jose, CA 95112, Phone: [phone]. Fax: [phone]. Email: [e-mail]. Web: www.cablecotech.com.

Network Bus Products manufactures miniature, midsize, and large bus bars for today's full range of electronic devices and systems. Custom-engineered solutions are available in laminated, machined, and powder-coated products. Network Bus Products is ISO 9001 certified and is located in Rolling Meadows, IL, just outside of Chicago, with a full-capability manufacturing plant in Shanghai, China.

Cableco Technologies Corporation is a major manufacturer of cable, interconnection, and custom engineered products designed for high-current power distribution solutions in a variety of industries. Cableco products include the extra flexible PowerFlex(TM) cable, the Power SwivelNut(TM) rotating threaded nut for stranded wire cable termination, the cost effective PowerPath(TM) power distribution cable system, and the PowerRail(TM) pluggable rail power distribution system. Visit Cableco's website at www.cablecotech.com.

Methode Electronics, Inc. (NASDAQ:METH) is a global manufacturer of electronic component and subsystem devices. Methode designs, manufactures and markets devices employing electrical, electronic, wireless, sensing and optical technologies. Methode's components are found in the primary end markets of the automotive, communications (including information processing and storage, networking equipment, wireless and terrestrial voice/data systems), military, aerospace, rail and other transportation industries; and the consumer, safety, medical, and industrial equipment markets. Further information can be found at Methode's website www.methode.com.