SJE Rhombus held its first advanced training Oct. 16 - 17 at corporate headquarters in Detroit Lakes, Minn. This follow-up course to the standard training was targeted to customers who had more advanced controls knowledge. OEMs, distributors and reps had the opportunity to get an in-depth look at how SJE Rhombus products work.

“Advanced training was designed to push our customers’ comfort levels with controls,” Jeremy Drinkwine, program manager-custom panels, says. “The goal was to create a hands-on experience where the attendee wired and trouble-shot a relay logic panel in a controlled environment.”

Class topics included units of electricity, motor basics, panel characteristics, level sensing, schematics, VFDs and pump controllers.

“From standard to advanced training, the biggest difference is the hands-on [aspect],” Drinkwine said. “For our advanced training, we had a total of four hours of hands-on training available, with three hours for building/troubleshooting and one hour for controllers.”

Attendees used their new knowledge in a friendly panel wiring competition. Teams of two competed in wiring a single-phase relay logic duplex panel. They were graded on assembly time and accuracy. Jason Genagon and Joel Boyer won first place, each receiving a $50 VISA gift card. John Davis and Ben Bright won second, each receiving a $25 VISA gift card.

Altogether, the two-day training served to build relationships and give the attendees more confidence when handling or talking about SJE Rhombus products.

“We sincerely want the attendees to have a different level of confidence when they leave, so that they can accomplish more when they are out in the field,” Tim Callander, regional sales manager, said.

SJE-Rhombus has more than 40 years of experience providing pump controls for residential, commercial, municipal, industrial and agricultural applications. The Detroit Lakes, Minn.-based company has eight locations across the United States and Asia. It is employee owned and privately held. For more information, visit www.sjerhombus.com or www.facebook.com/sjeinc, or call 888-342-5753.