Line work requires specialized tools. Because it involves rigging, working at heights, working while exposed to high voltage and electrical arc hazards, the tools lineworkers use are made by specialty manufacturers and are...
Circuit analysis falls into three broad categories: commissioning, preventative maintenance and troubleshooting, said Greg McMurphy, assistant director for VEEP, LMS and rigging curriculum and training for the IBEW-NECA...
Low-voltage systems in buildings serve communications, data, internet connection, Wi-Fi, security and surveillance, and other devices. Low-voltage voice/data/video (VDV) systems may be built around copper or fiber optic...
Online learning gained enormous popularity when in-person training sessions stopped during the pandemic. Tool manufacturers and suppliers have increased online training for operating, maintaining and safely using tools and...
Electric motors convert electricity into useful energy that keeps much of the world working. From refrigerators in homes to motors operating large machines in manufacturing plants, electric motors provide necessary power. In...
Working in trenches and excavations is one of the most dangerous jobs in construction. Prospects for rescuing workers buried alive when a trench wall collapses are not good. It takes a long time to hand-dig them out, and it’s...
A basic cordless drill is found in the tool bag of almost every electrician and workers in many other construction trades. Today, cordless drills are available in several sizes, and many are promoted to be as powerful, or...
In addition to basic hand tools, electricians also depend on single-purpose tools for specific applications. The knockout tool, or punch, is used to make clean, round, conduit-sized holes in metal electrical boxes and panels...
The Showstopper awards brought several hundred new products to NECA 2021 Nashville. Both in-person and online, the entries drew plenty of attention. The Showstopper judges—industry experts, educators and tool users—carefully...
Hilti Corp., Plano, Texas has introduced a new line of 22V cordless tools that meets the needs of multiple trades, including electricians. More than 70 tools are in the North American rollout of the Hilti Nuron platform of...
An electrical system must have well-maintained insulation to operate properly and safely. Because insulation deteriorates with age, accurately testing its condition is essential. The megohmmeter is the basic testing tool to...
Tool buyers thinking of purchasing a product may find that it is “ergonomic” or has an “ergonomic design.” Yet often there is no explanation about what makes the tool ergonomic. For many, ergonomics is a feature added to a...