Adding Value on the Home Front
Nov 1, 2007, By Carlos Villalobos, Watt Stopper/Legrand
Many of today's homeowners are enthusiastic about energy-saving products, especially those that boast a quick payback. Vacancy and occupancy sensors are...
DOE Sets New Efficiency Standards for Utility Transformers
Nov 1, 2007,
Last month, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published a final rule establishing new energy-efficiency standards for distribution transformers. The...
Introduction To PLCs
Nov 1, 2007, By Steve Vidal, P.E., Joseph J. Vidal & Sons, Inc.
The programmable logic controller (PLC) is a microprocessor-based system that accepts input data from switches and sensors, processes that data by making...
Arc Fault Detection: Your Questions Answered
Nov 1, 2007, By Gerard Winstanley, National Electrical Manufacturers Association
The National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements for arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) have become more stringent with each passing Code cycle, stirring...
Power Play
Nov 1, 2007, By Rajan Battish, P.E., RTKL Associates, Inc.
Power is an essential component of any mission-critical facility, and data centers are no exception. Not only does the computer equipment need to be continuously...
Embracing Change
Nov 1, 2007, By Michael Eby, Editor-in-Chief
Many years ago, when I worked for an electric utility, I found myself in the position of tracking changes to the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC)...
The Design Burden
Nov 1, 2007, By Beck Ireland, Staff Writer
Driven by the desire for lower costs and earlier completion dates, many owners are abandoning the traditional design-bid-build project delivery method...
Using State-of-the-Art Screw-Based Lamps
Oct 1, 2007, By James R. Benya, P.E., FIES, FIALD, LC, Benya Lighting Design
The cost of high-technology lighting is widely acknowledged as a barrier to the greater use of advanced sources in retail and other commercial lighting...
Making Amendments
Oct 1, 2007, By Beck Ireland, Staff Writer
Although the three-year Code-making cycle for the 2008 edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC) recently closed, the dust has not yet settled on...
The Art of Selection
Oct 1, 2007, By Michael Eby, Editor-in-Chief
On the surface, incorporating the concepts of selective coordination in the design of power distribution systems seems like a Why wouldn't you want to...
Exterior Egress Lighting Requirements
Oct 1, 2007, By Keith Lane, P.E., Lane Coburn & Associates, LLC
When it comes to egress lighting requirements, there is conflicting verbiage between the Life Safety Code (NFPA 101), the Uniform Building Code (UBC),...
The ABCs of Fire Pump Installations
Oct 1, 2007, By Ken Granle, HDR/Jordan Architects
When it comes to fire pumps, there's more to designing and installing these units than meets the eye. As projects become larger and more complex, such...
Calculating Arc Flash Energy Levels
Sep 1, 2007, By Benjamin O. Medich, P.E., Ballinger
While not a major topic of consideration when designing and maintaining facilities in past years, code-enforcement bodies have become increasingly aware...
The Case of the Knockoff Motor
Sep 1, 2007, By Curtis E. Falany, P.E., FORCON International Corp.
Have you ever heard the expression, green is ground the world around? I have, many times. But do you ever personally check the green conductor to see...
The Changing Face of CPM
Sep 1, 2007, By Tom Zind, Freelance Writer
The advent of ever-more powerful software has relieved contractors of tedious work ranging from bookkeeping to taxes to estimating. Time that used to...
