New Web Site Promotes Benefits of Motor Management
Oct 19, 2001, by EC&M Staff
Greater attention to motor system management can reduce motor energy costs by as much as 18%, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, and in response,...
Equipment Leasing: Is It Right for You?
Oct 1, 2001, By Matthew Halverson, Associate Editor
For electrical contractors who want new equipment without the hassle of massive debt, leasing can be a viable financing option....
What's New in Remote Predictive Monitoring
Oct 1, 2001, By Mark Lamendola, Technical Editor
The ability to head off tomorrow's failure is today's reality — even if you're not there....
The Case of the Backfed Fuse
Sep 1, 2001, By Mark Lamendola, Technical Editor
A combination of several problems led to a power quality situation that cost thousands in damaged equipment and lost production....
Telephone Reaches Out And Shocks Someone
Sep 1, 2001, By Alexander Kusko, Sc.D., P.E.
An electrician's poor judgment and lack of NEC knowledge leads to a disabling shock of an unsuspecting telephone user....
Uncover Your Motor's Hot Spots
Sep 1, 2001, By John Paschal, P.E., Editorial Consultant
Excessive heat — especially when it relates to motors — is a killer, but infrared thermography can identify this deadly condition....
Determining a Job's Selling Price
Aug 1, 2001, By Mike Holt, Mike Holt Enterprices, Inc.
In this sixth and final installment of a multipart series on estimating, we examine the bid process....
Applying Overhead and Determining Break-Even Cost
Jul 1, 2001, By Mike Holt, Mike Holt Enterprises, Inc.
Now that we've discussed the list of expenses you must include in any estimate, it's time to add them all up....
Tips For More Effective VFD Maintenance
Jul 1, 2001, By Dave Polka, ABB Automation University
Do you know how to maintain variable frequency drives (VFDs)? It's easier than you might think, but it's something you shouldn't take for granted....
Test Equipment You Can't Do Without
Jul 1, 2001, By Rod Hageman, PRIT Service, Inc. and Mark Lamendola, Technical Editor
If your work includes installing, maintaining, or repairing electrical systems, you need the right test equipment....
Electrocution Takes a Young Life
May 1, 2001, By Michael J. Foley, Technical Consultants Group, Ltd.
Just as he'd done several times that summer, Pete brought along his 5-year-old daughter, Lindsey, to the general store he regularly serviced. Located...
A Gold Mine of Troubleshooting
May 1, 2001, By Rich Travers, Round Mountain Gold
If you're on your fourth motor repair, it's time for a new test technique. When a motor drive goes down, important production equipment is sure to follow....
Safety Management Tips and Techniques
May 1, 2001, By David T. Duncan, CIH, PrSM Corp.
Poor leadership can lead to a number of sloppy work practices. Are you managing to be safe?...
Using the Right Voltage Tester Can Save Lives
May 1, 2001, By John DeDad, Editorial Director
Proper safety procedures are critical when testing high-voltage systems. As the following examples prove, mistakes happen. However, when the safety of...
Send Me Another Drive Please
May 1, 2001, By Stan Turkel, Power Quality Consultant
It's scary to think how many drives the engineer might have replaced before discovering the true culprit. Variable-frequency drives (VFDs) and power quality...
No Laughing Matter
May 1, 2001, By Michael Eby, Editor-in-Chief
Before you fire off a nasty letter or note to me concerning our cover this month, stop and ask yourself a couple questions. Did it get your attention?...
Including Direct Job Expenses in Your Estimate
May 1, 2001, By Mike Holt, Mike Holt Enterprises, Inc.
To ensure an accurate estimate, you must determine all job-related costs. Are you overlooking direct job expenses? Blueprints and specifications often...
Motor Vibration Analysis: Keeping it Simple
Apr 1, 2001, By William R. Finley and Mark M. Hodowance, Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
There's typically no way around it. At some time during a motor's life, it is likely to experience high vibration levels. What's behind this maintenance...
Digging Leads to Shocking Discovery
Apr 1, 2001, By Paul E. Pritzker, P.E., C.S.P., Ph.D.
Always know the voltage of the system you plan to install, and review the applicable Code sections. It seemed like just another rainy day for a laborer...
A Cure for the Battery Blues
Mar 1, 2001, By Mark Lamendola, Technical Editor
The typical outage or voltage dip rarely lasts more than a few seconds. A properly sized UPS will provide that much ride-through. Do battery-based UPSs...
