Ad Advertisement space

Current Issue - April 2012

Featured Story

New Kid in Town

As an estimated 5-million-piece market valued at nearly $1 billion in U.S. sales, recessed lighting has been a familiar go-to configuration within millions of professional and residential lighting applications for decades. Once dominated by incandescent lighting, however, the recessed market has changed; LEDs now deliver a new level of energy efficiency, long life, low maintenance costs, and light and color quality to the recessed lighting market, proving this once-standard setup is anything but.  More

Cover Image

INTEGRATED SYSTEMS CONTRACTOR magazine serves the unique and specific informational needs of 67,000 electrical/low voltage contractors documented to work in all areas of integrated systems.

On The Job

  • A Day in the Life of an Estimator

    The challenges associated with electrical contracting are great and varied. Of course, estimating is one of the most crucial aspects of the process.  Read Now

  • Keep Your Eye on Your Assets

    In the first two parts of this series, I reviewed mutual funds, stocks and arbitrage. This month, I conclude with an overview of hedge funds, diversification and portfolio balancing.  Read Now

  • What’s Your CO IQ?

    Carbon monoxide gas is an ever-present fact of life these days. Because of the danger, it’s important to know some basics about CO.  Read Now

See all On The Job Articles

Codes and Standards

  • The Shady Side of PVs

    A friend of mine called with questions about overcurrent protection for DC output of PV modules, the DC output of combiner boxes, the location of disconnects for both DC side and the AC side of an inverter, and sizing conductors on both sides.  Read Now

  • Here’s Your Sign

    While teaching codes and standards across the United States, the question often arises why the NEC incorporates so many requirements for signage.  Read Now

  • Loop Length, Underground Feeders and More

    If you have a problem related to the NEC, are experiencing difficulty in understanding a Code requirement, or are wondering why or if such a requirement exists, ask Charlie, and he will let the Code decide.  Read Now

See all Codes and Standards Articles

Features

The Year of Living Socially

The Year of Living Socially

Many companies will remember 2011 for its ups and downs, but history might also label it as the year electrical contractors embraced social media. Cupertino Electric Inc., San Jose, Calif., got into the game in a big way last year.  Read Now

The Great Outdoors

Outdoor Commercial lighting has changed significantly since electricity began to power it in the early 1900s. However, the advent and emergence of LED technology with its efficiency and potential for new construction and retrofit projects would have astounded even Edison.  Read Now

See all Feature Articles

Integrated Systems

  • Roller Coaster Blues

    One of the biggest challenges transmission-network operators face in integrating large-scale solar and wind farms into their operations is the variability of these natural resources.  Read Now

  • Assessing Use and Sustainability

    The second step in the energy services project delivery process is normally thought to be an energy audit; it is the cornerstone of energy service.  Read Now

  • Can’t Cut the Cord

    Last month, I discussed the current status of broadband networks and the emergence of wireless as the preferred connection, since most users want mobility for their broadband-connected devices. Often, I find people think wireless means no more fiber optics (or any cabling at all), but that’s hardly the case.  Read Now

See all Integrated Systems Stories

Industry News

See all Industry News

Featured Products

  • Cool Tools: Cable Pullers

    Pulling electrical cable through conduit by hand used to be a physically difficult, often frustrating task, but the advent of power pulling equipment has changed the game entirely.  Read Now

  • Testers and Meters

    This month, we feature testers and meters from Hioki, Milwaukee, Megger, Ideal Industries Networks, and more.  Read Now

See all Featured Products

Web Exclusives

  • Installing Technology Today

    The integrated systems (low-voltage) electrical contractor provides installation and maintenance of optimized and integrated low-voltage building control systems and has now expandedservices to encompass a broader range, including commissioning and service of electronic security, fire-life safety, communications and other low-voltage systems.  Read Now

  • April Quiz With Correct Answers and Explanations

    Communications cabling installations follow rules—some mandatory, some advisory—covered by what we call standards and codes. In my experience, these two sets of rules are often confused, so let’s see how well you understand them.  Read Now

  • March Quiz With Correct Answers and Explanations

    Big buildings, convention centers, airports, hotels, casinos and other large public spaces require special cabling considerations because of the size of the space and the number of users. How well do you understand designing and installing cabling for big spaces?  Read Now

See all Web Exclusives Articles

Weekly Poll

Week of May 14, 2012

Critics are saying two of the greatest comic book movies (The Avengers, The Dark Knight Rises) are hitting theaters this year. In general, do you like how comic book movies have become summer blockbuster material?

View Results