About AC DC Hotline LLC

Our Story

A Legacy of Power, Control, and Reliability Since 1953

AC‑DC Hotline stands at the intersection of four generations of electrical expertise and modern global supply. What began in 1953 as a family commitment to hands‑on motor work has evolved into a worldwide sourcing and technical support network for motor controls, VFDs, soft starters, clean‑power solutions, and industrial sensors.

Today, AC‑DC Hotline is led by Managing Director Roger Fritz, who continues the family tradition of practical engineering, field‑tested knowledge, and direct customer support. Every solution we deliver is grounded in decades of real‑world experience—motors repaired, drives commissioned, pumps optimized, and industries kept running.

What We Do

What We Do

AC‑DC Hotline supplies industrial customers with the equipment, expertise, and rapid response they need to keep operations moving. Our core strengths include:

Motor Controls & Soft Starters
Medium‑ and low‑voltage solutions engineered for reliability, heavy‑duty starting, and long‑life motor protection.
Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs)
Clean‑power, high‑efficiency drive systems designed to eliminate nuisance trips, reduce harmonics, and extend motor life.
Industrial Sensors & Transducers
Pressure, level, flow, and temperature sensing solutions for OEMs, integrators, and maintenance teams.
Water Pumping Efficiency & Clean Power
Specialized expertise in sustainable pumping, long‑lead motor protection, and power‑quality correction.
Global Sourcing & Rapid Delivery
A worldwide network of manufacturers, distributors, and logistics partners ensures fast access to hard‑to‑find equipment.

Our Approach

Technical First. Customer First. No Guesswork.

Industrial buyers don’t have time for vague answers or slow responses. AC‑DC Hotline is built on a simple promise: fast, accurate, technical support—every time.

We combine:

Deep engineering knowledge
Real‑world field experience
Direct access to global inventory
Clear, authoritative communication

This allows us to diagnose issues quickly, recommend the right equipment, and deliver solutions that work the first time.

William J. Fritz — The Man Before His Time A Visionary Engi

William J Fritz

William J. Fritz — The Man Before His Time

A Visionary Engineer Shaped by Service, Ingenuity, and a Relentless Curiosity for Power

William J. Fritz returned from military service in post‑war Germany with a rare combination of discipline, electrical mastery, and a mind wired for innovation. While helping rebuild a nation’s infrastructure, he developed the technical instincts and leadership that would define the rest of his life.

His abilities quickly drew national attention. MIT commissioned William to lead a groundbreaking research project unlike anything attempted before: the construction of a 300‑foot experimental tower surrounded by a 36‑mile semi‑circle of electrical conductor, delivered by train and installed with military precision. The project required advanced switching systems, motors, and control equipment—technology far ahead of its time.

The test site was established in O’Neill, Nebraska, chosen for its vast, flat terrain ideal for atmospheric and electrical experimentation. Working in conjunction with NASA and leading scientific institutions, the team released various gases into the atmosphere while aircraft gathered data on airflow, induced power, airspeed, and atmospheric behavior. A full semi‑trailer packed with early computers and frequency‑control equipment served as the mobile command center.

This was not just research—it was the frontier of American innovation.

A Family of Electricians United by Purpose

William’s passion for electrical power inspired his brothers—Joe, Donald, and George, all military‑trained electricians—to join him in building what would become one of the most diverse and inventive family enterprises in the Midwest.

Together, they created a powerhouse of American ingenuity. Over the decades, the Fritz family launched 13 different companies, each rooted in practical engineering and hands‑on manufacturing:

Industrial fan manufacturing
Steel pipe fabrication
Agricultural equipment
Multiple patented technologies
Tractors and machinery
Electric motors and controls
Phase converters and power systems
And many other innovations that served farms, factories, and communities across the region

Their work was not theoretical—it was built, tested, and proven in the real world.

The Foundation of a Legacy That Continues Today

The Fritz family’s contributions laid the groundwork for a multi‑generational tradition of electrical excellence. Their innovations shaped industries, empowered rural America, and established a reputation for reliability, craftsmanship, and forward‑thinking engineering.

From this lineage came the next generation of leadership—continuing the mission of delivering practical, high‑quality electrical solutions to the people who keep the world running.

AC‑DC Hotline stands today as a direct extension of William J. Fritz’s vision:
engineering that serves people, innovation grounded in real experience, and a commitment to solving the hardest problems in power and control.

Since 1958 Roger T Fritz

Roger T. Fritz — Second‑Generation Power & Controls Specialist

Born in O’Neill, Nebraska, Roger T. Fritz represents the second generation of the Fritz family’s long legacy in electrical power, motor controls, and industrial innovation. Raised in a family where engineering, motors, and manufacturing were a way of life, Roger continued the tradition by taking his expertise onto the world stage.

Early Technical Foundations

Roger’s career was shaped by extensive studies under Curtis Read, the renowned RCA engineer, and through advanced work with IEEE and power‑plant switching specialist Redal Curtis. These early influences built the foundation for Roger’s lifelong focus on electrical power systems, motor control engineering, and energy‑efficiency technologies.

Major Engineering Projects

Roger has contributed to high‑impact industrial and research projects across the United States and internationally. Key work includes:

EPRI Electrical Power Research Project (1995)
Contributed to the landmark EPRI report on energy conservation in injection‑molding operations.
Ford Aerostar Plant – Virginia
Led the installation of VFD systems on hydraulic press machinery ranging from 200‑ton to 1500‑ton, including complex multi‑motor configurations.
Thousands of VFD Design Studies
Developed, tested, and optimized VFD applications across industries, creating pilot studies that shaped modern drive‑system best practices.

Contract Services & Industry Leadership

Roger served nearly two decades providing engineering support and energy‑efficiency solutions for National Grid (2001–2020), covering Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New York. His work included:

Large‑scale VFD application development
Power‑quality analysis
Motor‑system optimization
Industrial energy‑efficiency programs

As a Speaker for the Association of Energy Engineers, Roger has educated thousands of professionals on VFD technology, clean power, and motor‑system reliability.

Global Supply & Manufacturing Network

Today, Roger leads an international supply network supporting industrial customers worldwide. This network includes:

7 motor manufacturing facilities
4 panel‑building facilities across Europe and the United States
Global sourcing for VFDs, soft starters, motors, controls, and power‑quality solutions

For Roger, motors and drives are more than a profession—they are part of his family’s identity. As he often says:

“Soft starters, VFDs, and motors are in our blood.”