Current Issue - August 2010
Featured Story
Influence by Design
Construction has evolved from a business of one captain and many lieutenants to more of a collaborative business in which many captains work together for the greater good. This approach has sent more responsibility down the line to all the subcontractors, especially electrical contractors who can perform a variety of systems work in addition to electrical. More
SECURITY + LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS magazine serves the unique and specific informational needs of 60,000 electrical/low voltage contractors documented to work in all areas of integrated systems.
On The Job
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Segregating Your Takeoff
Estimating software is a very powerful tool, but it is not just a database of items and assemblies that allows you to enter your takeoff faster. In fact, takeoff entry is probably the slowest feature. Read Now
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The Little Things Aren’t So Little
Last month’s column used the BP oil spill as an example of the risk associated with a “good enough” standard. Revolutionizing your corporate culture to embrace a “never fail” standard may seem unnecessarily expensive, but the BP spill tragically reminds us that a tolerance for failures, even small ones, can lead to disaster. Read Now
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Live Wire
Too often, when it comes to electrical safety on the job site, it is assumed that the protection is only about electricians or those working around live wires. Read Now
Codes and Standards
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Safety Takes Precedence
My August 2007 article, “Isolated Ground Receptacles,” questions whether isolated ground (IG) receptacles should be permitted in a patient care area. I wrote that Article 517 of the National Electrical Code (NEC) applies to electrical construction and installation criteria in healthcare facilities, providing healthcare services to human beings. Read Now
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Of Commerce and Industry
Readers requested an article explaining a simplified method for calculating a load for a commercial or industrial facility. Let’s arrange these loads in systematic order so that it is easier to derive a total load. Read Now
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Recessed Metallic Plugs, Overload Protection for Electric Motors and More
If you have a problem related to the National Electrical Code (NEC), are experiencing difficulty in understanding a Code requirement, or are wondering why or if such a requirement exists, ask Charlie. Read Now
Features
Choose Correctly
Forging an Alliance
Sustainable design depends on a comprehensive understanding of a building’s siting and systems, so it seems reasonable to assume a more integrated design and construction process could play a role in project success. Read Now
Integrated Systems
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Please Design Safely
The nature of design/build projects requires participation in the design process. You may even feel comfortable with assisting in this process. However, design/build projects come with responsibility. Read Now
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A Green Stand
Standard 189.1, the Standard for the Design of High-Performance, Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, published in late January by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), provides the first code-intended commercial green building standard in the United States. Read Now
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Borrowing a Code
Even after 30 years-plus of power-quality monitoring, no national design code standard exists for minimizing the impact of power quality phenomena; there isn’t an equivalent of the National Electrical Code (NEC) anywhere. Read Now
Industry News
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MIT and Utility Kick off Energy-Efficiency Program
In an effort to dramatically cut energy use at one of the country’s premier academic and research institutions, Massachusetts-based utility NSTAR and MIT are teaming up to launch the most aggressive efficiency project in NSTAR history. Read Now
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Reports of Housing Woes in May, Lower Builder Confidence
Sales of newly built, single-family homes declined dramatically in May, following the expiration of the home-buyer tax credit program in April, according to newly released figures by the U.S. Commerce Department. Read Now
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Electric Vehicle Programs Charging Up
While the rhetoric about U.S. dependency on foreign oil continues unabated, a counter development is quietly taking place. Read Now
Featured Products
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Boxes, Switches and Receptacles
This month, the featured products section presents some boxes, switches and receptacles from Appleton, Cooper Bussmann, Hubbell Wiring Devices, Leviton, Lutron, Midwest Plastic Fabricators, Orbit Industries/UMI, Siemens Industry Inc., Thomas & Betts. Read Now
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Cool Tools: Cutting Tools
Smaller, lighter in weight, more durable and easier to use—today’s power hand tools are superior to products first available only a few years ago. Lithium-ion power sources have revolutionized cordless power tools. Read Now
Web Exclusives
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August Quiz With Correct Answers and Explanations
Splicing fiber optic cables is the main means of connecting fibers in outside plant installations and is even used in some premises applications, but it is not as familiar to many installers as the termination process. How well do you know splicing? Read Now
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July Quiz With Correct Answers and Explanations
I’m often asked technical questions about copper and fiber optic cabling. The majority are about problems troubleshooting cabling systems or networks. Some have simple answers but not all. Here are some questions we’ve been asked. Read Now
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June Quiz With Correct Answers and Explanations
Let’s see how well you understand simple connection testing or wiremapping UTP cables, and how much you know about troubleshooting problems. Read Now
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May Quiz With Correct Answers and Explanations
Let’s look at some of the guidelines included in TIA 568 or ISO/IEC 11801 standards. Read Now
Now Available: Archive Version of Integrated Project Delivery Webinar
On June 10, ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR held a webinar for integrated project delivery (IPD). Did you miss it? Never fear. Now, you can view an archived version of the webinar. IPD is a growing collaborative approach that integrates people, systems, business structures and practices. The webinar is a comprehensive discussion of the basics and benefits of IPD and the electrical contractor's role.
ECmagLIVE
New From GE Lighting (Ultramax & Evolve)!
Catch the latest in video product demos from leading electrical suppliers, industry issue webinars/discussion panels, news broadcasts from the editor and publisher, trade show coverage and much more. Now immediately available on ECmagLIVE.
Top Rated Articles
Featured Sponsors
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Rig-A-Lite
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