In 2010, a cyberattack was launched against the Iranian nuclear program. Stuxnet—a malicious computer worm that is part of a family of worms often referred to as malware—invaded the nuclear power plant through its control...
It sounds like a line from a bad science-fiction movie—"Robots are taking my job!"—but it is becoming a reality for a number of different industries. The automation revolution is replacing human labor with robotics, and it is...
In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, much of the electrical infrastructure was damaged and had to be rebuilt. Restringing power lines through the jungle is a dangerous pursuit that ordinarily would require...
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...
In New York’s Chautauqua County, the community is going green in many ways. It has adopted a policy that will track and report energy use in the county’s municipal buildings. It has deployed two all-electric, heavy-duty...
Like pyramids in Egypt, oil wells dot the landscape on the plains of Oklahoma, pumping ceaselessly. Back in Texas, petroleum engineers sit in their cubicles, monitoring picture-perfect renditions of the wells on a flatscreen...
In April 2018, a fire broke out in New York’s Trump Tower. An overloaded electrical circuit caused a fire that killed one person and injured six firefighters. By some estimates, electrical fires have reached a level where...
In March, the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation released a joint alert that revealed Russian government hackers have attacked and gained access to U.S. government infrastructure,...
Using or installing any electrical and electronic equipment improperly can create electrical hazards, as can cheaply made or unauthorized alternatives to legitimate devices. With new technologies come new potential electrical...
In 2017, three employees were unloading and staging structural metal beams with a boom truck crane. The truck-mounted crane was moving the beams from an open-top container when the boom truck cable touched a high-power line,...
The internet of things (IoT) is becoming common parlance in technology circles. For buildings and building systems, the IoT is gaining momentum as data is collected from numerous points and fed into large repositories where...
The digital transaction system known as Blockchain is a nascent technology that may be getting an outsized share of hype. Right now, it is confined to usage with cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin. However, analysts, energy...
In Morrow, Ga., Wendy’s restaurant chain has opened its first smart branch. It is loaded with slick new smart technology features that enable the restaurant to reduce its footprint while providing top-notch services to...
On February 15, at 2 p.m., ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR and Belden partnered to present a free webinar, "Connecting the Digital Building." The recording is now available. It's recommended for electrical and low voltage contractors,...
“The next big thing” is a familiar phrase for electrical contractors as they are introduced to new technology each year. As Phil Santoro, U.S. contractor segment manager, Schneider Electric, in Franklin, Tenn., pointed out,...
2018 is fast-approaching, so what is on your company’s agenda for next year? What opportunities and new endeavors should be on your agenda? When it comes to looking for new opportunities, 2018 will be a banner year for...
As new technology such as Amazon Alexa is linked to smart home devices, lamps are becoming more than simple lights that turn on when you flip a switch. Nowadays, smart lamps provide a host of options, from serving as a...
In Austin, Texas, monk parakeets nest in power transformers on poles high above street level. The nests become so large they can cause fires and power outages. Workers from the local electrical utility, Austin Energy, use...
Residential and commercial security products are becoming easier to integrate. Big box stores and electronics retailers sell security systems that enable users to check on their home or business from anywhere, with advanced...
BW Systems is a systems integrator capable of providing turnkey solutions anywhere in the United States. Based in Colorado with 38 employees, it provides assessment, systems engineering and design, installation, and...
