In 1989, a group of youngster Lebanese, electrical engineers, started out in Beirut a small research and development electronic workshop. Its main objective was to assist people in solving their electrical problems during the Lebanese war. People had to confront several daily power challenges in order to acquire a certain minimum amount of well being. Honestly speaking, back at those old days, that was considered a luxury ! In 1993, Teknel Trading Est. was legally registered as a manufacturing facility of power electronic devices. We had the pleasure in taking part of this exciting journey by solving and sharing with people their various daily traditional power problems.

During those days, the EDL power provider had to increase the user voltage from 110V to 220V in order to ease up on the distribution power cables. It was a smart move from them, this way they could double their supply without needing to install bigger cables, and it was a lucky one for people like us. People had to use autotransformers in order to go down from 220V to 110V in order to supply some of their old electrical appliances. Sometimes we had to manufacture big three phase 100 KVA autotransformers for residential blocks; other applications involved isolation transformers for industrial, telecom and medical equipments; 12 V low voltage transformers for halogen lighting.

People had to use the Automatic Voltage Regulator, it was the jewel of the house. It is an expensive equipment that could automatically provide a stable 220 V without the burden of watching out for any sudden fatal increase or decrease in voltage that could kill all the Mother Load. For the majority of people who did not own an AVR, they had to worry if their refrigerator could operate at 170 V or if their TV could succeed in turning On at prime time to watch the news, when the power demand is at its maximum.

Some neighborhood did not have electricity, we had to figure out a way to provide some source of electricity, at that time illuminating a lamp and turning the TV ON was a very expensive option. We introduced the auxiliary power supply, known as APS, transforming DC supply to AC supply. Some people at that time started out by using their own car battery, and we provided the DC to AC converter. Of course development kept going on, later on we could use 4 batteries to supply the whole house : TV, lighting, refrigerator , and so on.

Steve Jobs, Apple personal computer revolution had its manifestation in its own Lebanese way. Repetitive power interruption was a dilemma. On line charger inverter operation, with isolated transformer solved the problems of interruptions, we were requested to add bigger batteries in order to enjoy longer operational time during power failures, some customers insisted on having 12 hours or even 24 hours for fax overnight operation. This heavy weight system was trouble free; it was called the on line no-break power supply, it could overcome repetitive power failures, fluctuations of voltage supply due to sudden demand of power like the starting of an elevator or big compressors, and protection against lightning surges during winter; that was heaven on earth.

By 1998, you could find a distribution power generator at every corner in every neighborhood. People had to rely on another maintenance free power provider; a 24 hour supply of electricity solved the majority of their power problems. Personal computer users had still to worry about the interruption of power and the time needed for the generator guy to turn on his system. Everybody agreed that an average of 10 - 15 minutes were needed to have power back again. People started getting rid of their old, bulky on line UPS systems and their huge battery sets being now expendable items. We had to develop mini back-up, off line ups systems with fast transfer switch so that the PC does not detect any power failure and we included inside a small battery of 12 V - 7.2 AH in order to compensate for the 10 - 15 minutes needed to get the power back!

It seemed that the power problem in Lebanon was unsolvable and becoming its legacy; we transmit this curse from one generation to another. By nature, the human being is in constant quest for development, and adjustment for the welfare of his way of living. In 2001, the introduction of the elevator rescue system solved crucial and vital aspects in our lives! People don't have to worry anymore about their kids being stuck in the elevator during power failures. Daytimes, night times, during a storm, doorman sleeping etc.... This small, compact, maintenance free system has done it all; most importantly, with a very reasonable budget that any building could afford. Of course this new development had led to a bigger and more sophisticated system that was able to operate the elevator for long periods of time. On the other hand, more compact designs applied to the Smart ERS enabled us to install it inside the main elevator control panel board, thus reducing space, easier installation, handling and transportation.

As you might have resolved from the above; at Teknel Trading Est. we have a mission, and we take it by heart. Our resolution is that we do not just sell products; first we investigate what the user wants and we try to satisfy his needs taking into account the size of his pocket. Our challenge is to offer a safe, smooth operation, and prompt after sale service. We care about the user equipment interaction and always try to be as we said at the beginning: one step ahead towards the luxury and well being of our customers. This is our legacy.