1045 Hickory Street Pewaukee, WI 53072 Phone: (262)524-3300 Fax: (262)524-3319 www.cooperpower.com News Release Contact: Julie Layer (763) 595-7777 Jules.layer@cooperindustries.com Cooper Power Systems and Cisco to Collaborate on IPenabled Smart Grid Solutions WAUKESHA, WI, February 1, 2011 – Cooper Power Systems, a division of Cooper Industries plc (NYSE: CBE), today announced its collaboration with Cisco to incorporate Cisco’s highly secure, IP-based smart grid technology into Cooper Power Systems’ next generation substation and distribution automation solutions for electric utilities. The agreement will allow Cooper Power Systems to include Cisco’s rugged routers and switches, the Cisco 2010 Connected Grid Router and the Cisco 2520 Connected Grid Switch in Cooper Power Systems’ substation and distribution automation solutions. This component of the evolving end-to-end, IP-based smart grid infrastructure will help enable utility customers to lower operating costs, support new sources of distributed energy, and increase reliability while simultaneously automating and improving outage management. “Both companies share a Smart Grid vision of integrated networks and have complementary offerings” said Tom Pitstick, vice president and general manager of Energy Automation Solutions, a strategic business unit at Cooper Power Systems focused on Smart Grid solutions. “This integrated solution will play a central role in furthering that vision by providing utilities with secure standards-based solutions to integrate smart grid devices and systems into the next generation of Smart Grid utility solutions. Cooper will bring its domain and applications systems expertise across a range of utility systems and will take advantage of Cisco’s extensive networking experience to help utilities integrate their systems and deal with the increasing volume of data and complexity of interconnectivity brought by the move to a Smart Grid.” Cooper Substation and Distribution Automation solutions already occupy leading positions in the Smart Grid market. Cooper is actively involved in projects using IEC 61850, GOOSE and advanced networking technologies. These efforts will benefit from Cisco’s leadership and vision in building the Smart Grid into an integrated network platform. “Cooper’s decision to incorporate our technology into their robust and standards-based Smart Grid solutions creates a powerful combination for utility customers,” said Laura Ipsen, senior vice president and general manager of Cisco’s Connected Energy group. “Cisco’s Connected Grid portfolio – with our substation automation solutions at the core - represents the foundation of an innovative energy platform that will improve the electrical grid’s efficiency and create exciting opportunities for utilities as well as new consumer energy services.“ Cooper Power Systems Smart Grid systems provide monitoring applications, communications, intelligence and action into integrated solutions that automate the electrical grid (from transmission to consumer) to improve reliability, productivity (cost) and efficiency. Cisco is the worldwide leader in networking that transforms how people connect, communicate and collaborate. Cooper Power Systems: Commitment to Smart Grid: Cooper Power Systems has long been a provider of comprehensive reliability and productivity solutions for utility, commercial and industrial customers. The Energy Automation Solutions (EAS) group within Cooper Power Systems is a leading provider of innovative smart grid technologies and solutions that enable customers to optimize their electrical grid performance. These solutions include Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), Demand Response (DR), Smart Sensors, Power Systems Engineering Software and Services, Substation Automation and Feeder Automation. About Cooper Power Systems Cooper Power Systems, Inc., with 2010 revenues of approximately $1.2 billion, is a division of Cooper Industries plc (NYSE: CBE). Cooper Power Systems is a global manufacturer of worldclass power delivery and reliability solutions for the electrical and industrial markets. Through its Energy Automation Solutions group, it is also a leading provider of software, communications and integration solutions that enable customers to increase productivity, improve system reliability, and reduce costs. For more information, please visit www.cooperpower.com or cooperpowereas.com. About Cooper Industries Cooper Industries plc (NYSE: CBE) is a global electrical products manufacturer with 2010 revenues of $5.1 billion. Founded in 1833, Cooper's sustained success is attributable to a constant focus on innovation, evolving business practices while maintaining the highest ethical standards and meeting customer needs. The Company has seven operating divisions with leading market positions and world-class products and brands including: Bussmann electrical and electronic fuses; Crouse-Hinds and CEAG explosion-proof electrical equipment; Halo and Metalux lighting fixtures; and Kyle and McGraw-Edison power systems products. With this broad range of products, Cooper is uniquely positioned for several long-term growth trends including the global infrastructure build-out, the need to improve the reliability and productivity of the electric grid, the demand for higher energy-efficient products and the need for improved electrical safety. In 2010 fifty-nine percent of total sales were to customers in the industrial and utility end-markets and thirty-nine percent of total sales were to customers outside the United States. Cooper has manufacturing facilities in 21 countries as of 2010. For more information, visit the website at www.cooperindustries.com. ###