In our offices at NECA headquarters, we have snazzy adjustable desks that let you work at the height that’s most comfortable for you, whether that’s sitting, standing or changing it up as the day goes on. Those of us who are more vertically challenged certainly appreciate that we can lower the desks to a more ergonomic height for working with just the push of a button.
Jeff Gavin discusses the modern, electrified work desk, from sit/stand desks to under-desk and modular power systems—and all the ins and outs of cabling and cable management that go into powering them. “Cabled for Your Convenience” is on page 40.
This issue is about cabling and connectivity, but sometimes cables may be superfluous. In “Yes, And,” Chuck Ross explores applications where lighting can now be controlled wirelessly, and when it still makes sense to keep those controls hardwired. In the end, it’s all about connectivity for those lighting controls. Read about it on page 30.
Of course, cabling is not just for buildings. In “New Lives for Cable,” Katie Kuehner-Hebert looks at what goes into sending power to and from battery energy storage systems. Manufacturers are finding new uses for existing cable types in this application as well as innovating new ones. Check it on page 52. Looking on an even larger scale, Jared Christman considers how a growing number of campuses, healthcare facilities and data centers are deploying microgrids to maintain power for critical systems in the event of a grid outage. “Growing the Microgrid Mind” is on page 66.
Finally, we turn to the ever-present issue of safety in the electrical construction industry. In his annual OSHA Outlook, Tom O’Connor discusses the likely possibilities for OSHA’s priorities in the coming year. Read “Changing Gears” on page 24.
What kind of cabling and cable management is your company working on? We have sent out the 2026 Profile of the Electrical Contractor survey and need to learn about all the great work you’re doing so we can better serve you in 2026. Check your email for the link, visit here. (FYI, taking the survey is easier on a computer.) You’ll need your subscriber ID number, which is on the mailing label on the front of this magazine. Email [email protected] if you have questions.
