In the year when, Gujarat State celebrates its golden Jubilee, the professional contribution of Electrical Research and Development Association (ERDA), Vadodara towards growth of electrical discipline in general and the state in particular was recognized by the Government of Gujarat when its four scientists were presented with the prestigious Dr Vikram Sarabhai Award. Shri Narendra Modi, honourable Chief Minister of Gujarat presented the awards in a glittering ceremony at Science City, Ahmedabad on 29^th April 2010. The two ERDA innovations namely "Design and Development of DC MCB" and "Development of a New Polymeric Blend for Wiring Accessories" received the above award.

Dr Mukesh K Shah, Joint Director and Shri MBM. Nair, Dy. Manager are the innovators of DC MCB. In this work a DC MCB having a breaking capacity of 5 kilo Ampere at 130 Volts DC as per RDSO specification E-12/1/03 was designed, developed and thoroughly evaluated for the first time in the country. This innovation has been patented and successfully commercialized by the technology recipient M/s Integra switchgear, GIDC, Makarpura, Vadodara.

Dr Vagish Shrinet, Deputy Director and Shri Jaydeep P Sheth, Sr Scientist, developed a new polymeric blend for wiring accessories. Urea formaldehyde and phenol formaldehyde are generally used to manufacture wiring accessories such as plug, sockets etc. Although these materials are economical, they are brittle and do not comply with the requirement of glow wire test at temperatures higher than 700° C. The alternate material is not cost effective namely Polycarbonate, ERDA has developed a blend of two indigenously available polymers having characteristics similar to Polycarbonate and at the same time economical. This technology has been transferred to M/s Shri Mahalaxmi Enterprises, Ahmedabad for commercial production in starter cap of tubular fluorescent lamps.