February 2010

Industry Viewpoint

Training Days

Feb 1, 2010 12:00 PM, By Michael Eby, Editor-in-Chief

To say that continuing education has changed quite a bit from the time I first entered the electrical industry, back in 1987, would be an understatement....

Cover Story

Technical Difficulties

Feb 1, 2010 12:00 PM, By Beck Ireland, Staff Writer

When Brian Bernard, controls engineer for Amesbury, Mass.-based Munters Corp., moved from Connecticut to New Hampshire, he hadn't yet completed his bachelor's...

Other Features

The Harder They Fall

Feb 1, 2010 12:00 PM, By Beck Ireland, Staff Writer

On March 6, 2009, a 125-ft stadium light pole at the Bob Shelton Stadium at Hays High School in Buda, Texas, toppled into the adjacent gymnasium, crashing...

The SCCR Liability Trap

Feb 1, 2010 12:00 PM, By Peter R. Walsh, P.E., Ferraz Shawmut

Short circuit current rating (SCCR) requirements can be a serious liability for your company, your customer, and your supplier relations. Just knowing...

Developing a Branch Office Strategy

Feb 1, 2010 12:00 PM, By Rodney Schultz, Powercom Industries

Everywhere you look these days, electrical contractors are relying on a depleting backlog and sheer management skills to get through the economic downturn,...

Surviving the Recessionary Aftershock

Feb 1, 2010 12:00 PM, By Brad Dawson, LTV Dynamics

I think we all breathed a collective sigh of relief on September 15, 2009, when Ben Bernanke, the Federal Reserve Chairman, announced that the recession...

Spinning the Broadcast Web

Feb 1, 2010 12:00 PM, By Dawn MacFadyen, P.E., LEED AP, Syska Hennessy Group

Isolated ground (IG) systems have long been considered best practice for reducing noise (Electrical Noise on page C38) signals on the power supply of...

National Electrical Code

Commercial Loads — Part 2

Mar 25, 2010 10:20 AM, By Mike Holt, NEC Consultant

Calculating commercial receptacle loads and understanding the optional calculation method...

Illustrated Catastrophes

Feb 1, 2010 12:00 PM, By Brian J. McPartland, NEC Consultant

Now That's What I Call a Job There's no doubt this installation would make Larry the Cable Guy proud. Holy smokes! Although there is no electrical Code...

What's Wrong Here?

Feb 1, 2010 12:00 PM

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...

Stumped by the Code?

Mar 25, 2010 10:33 AM, By Mike Holt for EC&M Magazine

Your most pressing National Electrical Code (NEC) questions answered. All questions and answers are based on the 2008 NEC...

Maintenance Facts

Flood Repair of Electrical Equipment

Feb 1, 2010 12:00 PM, By Pat Beisert, Shermco Industries

Beginning June 8 and ending around July 1, 2008, extensive flooding in the Midwest devastated cities such as Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, Iowa. Referred...

Going Green

Solar Rebate Programs are Alive and Well

Feb 1, 2010 12:00 PM

A recent review of the Database of State Incentives for Renewable & Efficiency (DSIRE) Web site (www.dsireusa.org) reveals new program announcements in...

Smart Energy

Implementing a Successful Energy Management Plan

Feb 1, 2010 12:00 PM, By Melissa Golden, Schneider Electric

The weak global economy over the past two years has created a perfect storm of business challenges for electrical contracting firms, particularly those...

Construction Watch

Construction Market Expected to Drop 4% in 2010 after 13% Decline in 2009

Feb 1, 2010 12:00 PM

While 2009 was likely the bottom for the construction industry in terms of percent decline, 2010 will likely be the bottom in terms of dollar volume....

Stimulus Serves as Bright Spot in Grim 2010 Construction Outlook

Feb 1, 2010 12:00 PM

Nearly nine-in-ten contractors say there will be no recovery in 2010, based on a new national construction hiring and business outlook forecast released...

Shocking Stat of the Month

Feb 1, 2010 12:00 PM

Percentage increase expected in construction employment from 2008 to 2018...

Analyze This

Analyze This, February 2010

Feb 1, 2010 12:00 PM

Percentage increase in NEMA’s Primary Industrial Controls Index during the third quarter of 2009 as compared with the second quarter...

Project Spotlight

Colorado Ski Lift Project is a Revelation

Feb 1, 2010 12:00 PM, By Stefanie Kure, Senior Associate Editor

Anyone involved in the construction industry knows that extreme weather conditions can affect a project's timeline as well as its success. When Peak to...

Product Spotlight

Focus on Photovoltaics

Feb 1, 2010 12:00 PM

PV module This photovoltaic (PV) module kit with battery backup provides power for remote applications. The solar power modules can be applied to low...

New Products

Product News

Feb 1, 2010 12:00 PM

Circuit breakers These panel- and screw-mount circuit breakers are UL489A and UL1077 recognized and ROHS-compliant. Available in AC and DC trip curves,...

Product News

Feb 1, 2010 12:00 PM

Solar light controller aiSUN combines a solar energy controller and LED driver into one unit. Featuring adaptive dimming and energy-management control,...

in this issue

product spotlight

EV charger tester

May 25, 2012 8:26 AM

The Electrician is portable tester that verifies critical power and safety requirements of electric vehicle (EV) chargers...

View all 2012 Product Spotlights

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