April 2009

Cover Story

Selling Up Without Selling Out

Apr 1, 2009 12:00 PM, By Beck Ireland, Staff Writer

Tops tips for selling lighting upgrades to building owners and facilities managers...

Features

Module Behavior

Apr 1, 2009 12:00 PM, By Beck Ireland, Staff Writer

Prolonging PV module life by improving inverter maintenance and manufacturing...

Managing Schedule Acceleration More Effectively

Apr 1, 2009 12:00 PM, By Bob Mitchell, Integrated Management Group

A pre-bid risk assessment guide for electrical contractors working on fast-track projects ...

Primary Care Electrician

Apr 1, 2009 12:00 PM, By David Herres, Master Electrician

Understanding the specific challenges involved in of working on electrical systems in health care facilities...

National Electrical Code

What's Wrong Here?

Apr 1, 2009 12:00 PM

Here’s your chance to moonlight as an electrical inspector and second-guess someone else’s work from the safety of your living room or office. Can you identify the Code violation(s) in this photo?...

Pools and Spas — Part 1 of 3

Apr 1, 2009 12:00 PM, By Mike Holt, NEC Consultant

If Art. 680 of the National Electrical Code (NEC) has one overriding concern, it's to keep people and water separated from electricity. Article 680 applies to pools, spas, hot tubs, fountains, and similar bodies of water....

Stumped by the Code

Apr 1, 2009 12:00 PM, By Mike Holt, NEC Consultant

Q. We have a 400A, 3-phase feeder that we want to wire with two parallel sets of 3/0 AWG conductors in the same raceway. Is this acceptable?...

Industry Viewpoint

Cashing In

Apr 1, 2009 12:00 PM, By Michael Eby, Editor-in-Chief

How electrical engineers, contractors, and designers can cash in on rebate and tax deduction programs offered by the state/federal government and local electric utilities...

Product of the Month

Home Energy Management System Gives Television a Starring Role

Apr 1, 2009 12:00 PM, By Stefanie Kure, Senior Associate Editor

Control4’s Home Energy Manager platform helps homeowners save energy by using a programmable thermostat control, load disconnect measurement and control, and lighting control, which can be accessed via remote control through a television...

Forensic Casebook

The Case of the Imperfect Bird on a Wire

Apr 1, 2009 12:00 PM, By Michael S. Morse, Ph.D., University of San Diego

After a general laborer escapes serious injury following contact with electrical current, forensic investigators liken his experience to a bird on a wire scenario...

Lighting & Control

Installing and Troubleshooting Arc Discharge Lamps

Apr 1, 2009 12:00 PM, By Joe Knisley, Senior Editorial Consultant

Understanding how fluorescent and high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps work makes problem solving and corrective maintenance easier...

PQ Corner

Maximizing VFD and UPS Performance

Apr 1, 2009 12:00 PM, By Randy Barnett, American Trainco, Inc.

If you're installing a variable-frequency drive (VFD) or uninterruptible power supply (UPS) or if you already have this equipment in place you should...

Construction Watch

February Foreclosure Rate Reaches Record High

Apr 1, 2009 12:00 PM

Completed foreclosures in February reached the highest monthly total since the mortgage crisis began, according to the latest U.S. Foreclosure Index released by ForeclosureS.com...

DOD Unveils Stimulus Spending Plans

Apr 1, 2009 12:00 PM

Department of Defense (DOD) releases expenditure plan for $2.3 billion worth of military construction projects to be funded with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009...

Whole-Home Control Concept Not Yet a Reality

Apr 1, 2009 12:00 PM

Connected Home Research Council study indicates electrical contractors should offer easy-to-understand products with discrete functionality that can be linked to a centralized network...

Project Spotlight

New Yankee Stadium Is a Home Run

Apr 1, 2009 12:00 PM, By Stefanie Kure, Senior Associate Editor

E-J Electric Installation uses Building Information Modeling (BIM) during pre-construction phase to complete complex lighting and power solutions on world-class ballpark renovation...