Philip Green, British businessman and chairman of global retail giant Arcadia Group, put it plainly when he said, “Good, bad or indifferent—if you’re not investing in new technology, you’re going to be left behind.” In today...
Wind power is now well-established and enjoying impressive growth. Federal assistance disappears after 2019 (for the most part), so the growth may slow, but for how long is debatable if wind-power electric rates remain...
The market for residential energy-storage systems may be small, but it’s gathering speed. These systems require professional installation, so they represent a new market for electrical contractors. As manufacturers and...
Tech disruption can be a scary phrase. It can feel too fast, too soon. Break through the anxiety, however, and technology can ease and improve processes and performance. For the electrical contractor, maybe the time is ripe...
There’s no one definition or single certification for high performance buildings. The greater the owner’s wishes, the more ambitious the construction. Working on such projects can be daunting, but they can leave an electrical...
No matter how you define it, experts agree that one of the keys to a successful construction project is effective collaboration by the various participants. “Collaboration means getting the client or building owner, general...
For the ease light-emitting diodes (LEDs) can offer in providing an effective, low-draw and energy-efficient lighting solution, the considerations to their use are many. The best service you can provide is a bit of...
With cities and utilities worldwide upgrading to light-emitting diode (LED) lighting for streets and outdoor areas, owners and installers wonder when they will build in the controls for smart-city applications. Most analysts...
The proliferation of automatic lighting controls is creating demand for commissioning services, including functional testing. While commissioning—a quality assurance process—is required in many new construction projects...
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the portable electric drill’s invention. A century ago, the Black + Decker Manufacturing Co. (now Stanley Black + Decker) developed and filed a patent application for a ½-inch portable...
When the final camera, intrusion detection, or integrated solution is installed and the security system is commissioned, what comes next? Do you simply collect your final payment and move on to the next project? No. There has...
Wi-Fi is not the only means of transmitting data these days. Another unique method you may not have heard of is visible light communication (VLC). VLC is a free-space optical wireless communication technology that uses...
With national emphasis on energy reduction in the commercial sector, the use of lighting-control technology represents a key means of enhancing building efficiency. At the same time, the evolving field of lighting controls...
There are many frequently asked questions about performing an arc-flash study (risk assessment) and understanding electrical safety requirements. A careful read of standards such as NPFA 70E or IEEE 1584 can answer some...
Hospitals are complicated environments for green-design practitioners. Their scale, the critical nature of their mission and their often-stretched budgets can make sustainability—however it’s defined—a tough sell, without...
Our Houses—or, at least, the houses of the tech-savviest among us—are getting closer to running autonomously. Now, it’s not just that you can open your garage door or turn on your living room lights from a smartphone app...
In the new reality of resilient construction, there may be no place like home. According to McGraw-Hill Construction, green-built homes will represent as much as 38 percent of the residential market by 2016. What was a $17...
Fire is a building’s worst enemy, and time is a critical element. Each minute a fire’s progress can be slowed provides more time for occupants to get out of harm’s way and for firefighters to reach and extinguish a blaze. In...
For low-voltage contractors, keeping up with the technological changes in the voice/data/video industry means continuing education is necessary. To gain or hold a piece of the evolving market, contractors must focus on all...
Renovations play a critical role in the long-term, strategic planning of single and chain hotel properties nationally. Upgrades and rebuilds not only extend the life of a hotel property, but they also can boost image...
