Systems

 

 

Integrated electrical and low-voltage systems of all types—inside and outside a building—encompass the range of work that electrical contractors do. The articles in this section highlight different types of work, from security, fire and life safety, to traditional electrical power and distribution, to lighting, cabling and more. 

Recent test flights in Alabama directed by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) of prototype unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and payloads of video and other sensing equipment indicate that drone technology could be deployed to assess damage to electric transmission and distribution systems fol

Consider it a luxury. As a particular technology matures and becomes widely accepted, a new set of challenges emerge. Such is the case for the smart grid, which is passing the point of being a novelty and entering the realm of accepted practice.

The last two columns covered fiber optic power meters, test sources and the reference cables you need to test the loss of installed fiber optic cable plants. This month, I discuss using these instruments properly and how to determine if a tested cable plant passes or fails the test.


George Carlin summed up the hazards of working with electricity quite well when he said, “Electricity is really just organized lightning.” Few people, except for some extreme golfers and Benjamin Franklin, would normally take extraordinary risks with lightning.

More on Systems

 
Learning About Your Tools

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While we’re on the subject of tools, we should look at some of the testing tools in a fiber optic toolbox that often do not get enough attention (see Fiber Optics, February 2013).

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I Feel Connected: Home Automation Today
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Today’s home automation market isn’t so much evolving as it is mutating, like one of those time-lapse videos of microbes in a Michael Crichton science-fiction movie.

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Gotchas

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When using a power quality monitoring instrument, there are some “gotchas” to watch out for; otherwise, your efforts can either be wasted or, perhaps worse, misleading by coming to conclusions that aren’t valid.

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Taking Up The HEM
: Home Energy Management
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Home energy management (HEM) continues to be a growing opportunity for electrical contractors. With the increased energy-efficiency concerns of consumers, along with utility energy-efficiency programs in both deregulated and more highly regulated markets, there’s greater demand.

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Visitors Welcome

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Visitor management systems track the usage of a building or site and are frequently used to complement building security and access control systems. As electronic visitor management systems become more common and powerful, they are taking over many of the functions of access control.


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You’re In My Light

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Experienced fiber techs often harp on cleanliness. They know dirt causes many problems with fiber during installation, testing and operation.

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Building Renovation

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In these difficult economic times, we see much more renovation than new construction. Generally, when an owner renovates a building, the work will more than likely affect the fire alarm system coverage or operation.


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