May 2009

Cover Story

Strategic Maneuvers

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

EC&M magazine ranks the year’s biggest electrical design firms...

Features

Multitaskers

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

How electrical contractors can increase profits by pulling double duty with structured cabling services divisions...

A Lesson in SBA Loans

May 1, 2009 12:00 PM, By Mark E. Battersby, Freelance Writer

Newly expanded Small Business Administration (SBA) programs may be new quick fix for smaller electrical contractors...

Putting PPE Performance to the Test

May 1, 2009 12:00 PM, By Dan Doan, DuPont, and Tom Neal, Neal Associates

At the 2009 IEEE Electrical Safety Workshop held in St. Louis in February, we presented the results from our new study, Field Analysis of Arc Flash Incidents...

The Evolution of Solar Photovoltaic Systems

May 1, 2009 12:00 PM, By Ron Slade, P.E., Solar Consultant

Although NEC rules for photovoltaic (PV) systems haven’t changed much over the years, confusion still surround some portions of Art. 690...

Building a Successful Customer Management Program

May 1, 2009 12:00 PM, By Brad Dawson, LTV Dynamics

Electrical contractors must establish a proactive customer management program to help them identify and secure untapped profit potential...

National Electrical Code

Pools and Spas — Part 2 of 3

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

How to meet Art. 680 requirements for wiring pools and spas per the National Electrical Code (NEC)...

What's Wrong Here?

May 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?...

Code Quandaries

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

Q. How does the Code address diesel fuel dispensers as they relate to hazardous locations? ...

Industry Viewpoint

Stop and Think

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

Why electrical engineers, contractors, and designers should stay on top of the latest research in electrical devices and equipment...

Motor Facts

The Basics of Variable-Frequency Drives

May 1, 2009 12:00 PM, By Peter Novak, Fluor, Inc.

How to use various types of VFDs and harmonic mitigation tactics to combat the heat loss that accompanies these devices...

Construction Watch

U.S. Construction Market Remains Soft, Despite Pickup in Government Projects

May 1, 2009 12:00 PM

U.S. Construction market remains soft, despite pickup in government projects, according to the latest from McGraw-Hill Construction forecast...

Homeowners Turn to Technology to Help Cut Energy Costs

May 1, 2009 12:00 PM

Recent study from the Consumer Electronics Association reveals an increasing consumer interest in the energy efficiency benefits of consumer electronics products...

DOD Announces Additional $835 Million in Recovery Act Projects

May 1, 2009 12:00 PM

Department of Defense announces additional stimulus money allocated to military construction and repair projects...

Project Spotlight

Solar PV Installation Helps Company Achieve LEED Platinum Certification

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

Venture Electric performs solar photovoltaic installation on first LEED Platinum-certified facility in Wisconsin...

Back to Basics

The Basics of Instrument Transformers Part 1

May 1, 2009 12:00 PM

Understanding the potential transformer (PT), a conventional, single-phase transformer that has its primary and secondary windings on a common core...

Product Spotlight

Focus on Cable Tray & Raceway

May 1, 2009 12:00 PM

New product spotlight on lamps and ballasts for electrical contractors, electrical engineers, and plant facility personnel...

New Products

Regular Products

May 1, 2009 12:00 PM

Wall-mount LED Trilux wall-mounted luminaires feature Luxeon K2 9W, 18W, 36W, and 50W LEDs mechanically bonded to an aluminum heatsink. The LEDs provide...

Contractor Products

May 1, 2009 12:00 PM

Prefabricated boxes These prefabricated steel outlet boxes are available in 4s (4-in. square) and 5s (411/16-in. square) models. Constructed from galvanized...