January 2008

Cover Story

Waging the War for Talent

Jan 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Beck Ireland, Staff Writer

Last year, the construction industry declared a war for talent. Faced with a simultaneous increase in workload and decline in the workforce, the industry...

Other Features

Command Performance

Jan 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Bob Mitchell, Integrated Management Group

While preparing themselves to compete in the ever-changing electrical design and construction industry, many contractors admit to putting profit above...

The Real Role of the Contractor/Owner

Jan 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Jayme Dill Broudy, Contractor's Business School

You don't see Donald Trump dealing blackjack or George Steinbrenner playing third base for the Yankees. Instead, they spend their time developing solid...

The Changing Shape of Renewables Technology

Jan 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Beck Ireland, Staff Writer

Until recently, breakthroughs in renewable electric energy technology debuted in relative obscurity. With high up-front costs and rates of return spanning...

AC-DC Data Center Debate Heats Up

Jan 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Tom Zind, Freelance Writer

The candidates exude power, supporters are campaigning hard, the issues are framed as vital, and the outcome is ultimately uncertain. That's the 2008...

Disposable FR Garments: What Are the Differences?

Jan 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Hugh Hoagland, ArcWear.com

Any petrochemical worker or electrician exposed to electric arc has something in common with a meth lab cleanup team. When they arrive on the job site,...

National Electrical Code

Feeder Taps

Jan 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Mike Holt, NEC Consultant

Sometimes, it makes sense to tap into a feeder conductor to power another conductor. From Art. 100, we know that a feeder conductor runs between service...

What's Wrong Here?

Jan 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Joe Tedesco, NEC Columnist

How well do you know the Code? Think you can spot violations the original installer either ignored or couldn't identify? Here's your chance to moonlight...

Industry Viewpoint

Once an Engineer, Always an Engineer

Jan 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Michael Eby, Editor-in-Chief

By the time this issue hits your inbox, Engineers Week, celebrated around the world from February 17 to 23, will be less than a month away. Although I'm...

Letters to the Editor

AFCI Article Sparks Reader Debate

Jan 1, 2008 12:00 PM

Your magazine is very informative. I would like to comment on the article by Gerald Winstanley from NEMA, starting on page C34 of the November 2007 issue....

Market Watch

Don't Get Burned by Not Following Protocol

Jan 1, 2008 12:00 PM

Proper training is an important part of any occupation, but it's especially critical to workers in the electrical profession. A journeyman electrician...

Free Guides to Ampacity Adjustments for Wire and Cable Derating

Jan 1, 2008 12:00 PM

Did you know that conduits on the rooftops of commercial buildings can run more than 70F hotter than surrounding temperatures? For example, depending...

Increase Your Motor System's Efficiency

Jan 1, 2008 12:00 PM

Although electric motors consume more electricity than any other technology in industrial and commercial applications, today's energy-efficient and premium-efficiency...

DOE to Invest Millions for Concentrating Solar Power

Jan 1, 2008 12:00 PM

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Washington, D.C., recently announced plans to invest $5.2 million in funding to support the development of low-cost...

Motor Facts

Speed Control of Motors

Jan 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Steve Vidal, P.E., Joseph J. Vidal & Sons, Inc.

Speed, torque, and horsepower are three inter-related parameters in motor control. The speed of a motor, measured in revolutions per minute (rpm), defines...

PQ Corner

Tracking Down Transient Voltages

Jan 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Tom Shaughnessy, PowerCET

Have you just spent another day at the office fighting with computers? Join the club. Besides viruses, malware, and software, is it possible that something...

Construction Watch

Industrial Projects to See Spending Increase in 2008

Jan 1, 2008 12:00 PM

Market research firm Industrial Info Resources (IIR), Sugar Land, Texas, is forecasting a 5.55% increase in total investment value (TIV) for North American...

Lamp Demand Expected to Grow Steadily

Jan 1, 2008 12:00 PM

Growth in nonresidential construction and the shift to more efficient and more expensive lighting technologies will drive growth in demand for lamps at...

ASC Endorses AIA Document A401-2007

Jan 1, 2008 12:00 PM

Trustees of the Associated Specialty Contractors (ASC), Bethesda, Md., recently voted to endorse the 2007 update to the AIA Document A401-2007 Standard...

Analyze This

Jan 1, 2008 12:00 PM

Standby Power Stats at a Glance What do microwave ovens, garage door openers, and cable boxes have in common? They are just a few of the appliances found...

Project Spotlight

School Science Complex Has Students Seeing Green

Jan 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Stefanie Kure, Senior Associate Editor

When it opened its doors in 1967, the Sputnik Science Center at St. Olaf College, a private liberal arts school located in Northfield, Minn., was a state-of...

Product Spotlight

Jan 1, 2008 12:00 PM

Fire control panels The Flex Series line of fire alarm control panels includes 2-, 4-, 5-, and 10-zone versions. Another 10-zone panel, expandable to...

Short Circuits

Jan 1, 2008 12:00 PM

As the Trip Unraveled After finishing a job late Friday, it was time to clean up and get ready for the weekend. I placed all my tools in the toolbox,...