April 2005 news archive

April 12, 2005
Monthly news archive

April 29, 2005

Emcor Group awarded contracts in the United States, Canada, and United Kingdom

Emcor Group, a provider of mechanical and electrical construction, energy infrastructure, and facilities services, recently announced that it has been awarded contracts for a number of major health-care projects across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The total value of the projects will exceed $150 million.

Over the past five years, the company has completed more than 300 health-care-related projects in both the public and private sectors.

April 28, 2005

Sonepar USA donates $300,000 to NAED foundation

Sonepar USA recently donated $300,000 to the National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED) Education and Research Foundation. The company’s donation will become part of an endowment fund for the foundation, and the principal amount of the endowment will remain untouched while the interest will be used to commission future projects and research studies.

For its contribution, the company will be recognized at the guarantor level and have a permanent position on the Channel Advantage Partnership Council, which will help select future educational programs and research projects.

April 27, 2005

Fluke Networks partners with Ipswitch, Inc.

Fluke Networks recently entered into a partnership with Ipswitch, Inc., a developer of network management, messaging, and file transfer products. The companies will combine Ipswitch’s Key Device Watch and Fluke’s LinkRunner and NetTool to provide a streamlined approach to network monitoring and troubleshooting.

The Key Device Watch proactively monitors and identifies any problems on a network on a 24/7 basis. LinkRunner and NetTool can trouble shoot an identified problem are with information about the connectivity and performance of the network.

April 21, 2005

Fulham launches new Web site

Fulham recently launched a new Web site at www.fulham.com that features an extensive product section. The company has also added a “Find a Rep” section and an interactive customer service section where customers can login to get the most up-to-date information on recent orders, including tracking information, shipping address, and account balance.

April 20, 2005

Advance donates $60,000 to IALD scholarship fund

To commemorate its 60th anniversary, Advance recently made a $60,000 contribution to the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) Education Trust. The contribution will be administered annually in the form of two $5,000 student scholarships for the next six years.

The “Beyond Illumination” scholarship is given to outstanding North American-based students to support further lighting education. The first two scholarships were presented at the annual IALD Education Trust Benefit Dinner in New York City on April 13.

April 19, 2005

Klein Tools announces the return of its Race and Win contest

Klein Tools recently announced it’s bringing back its Race and Win contest in conjunction with its sponsorship of IRL race car driver #26 Dan Wheldon. The company’s customers can log on to www.kleintools.com/racing from April 1 through Oct. 16, 2005, to enter to win.

Grand prizes include four tickets to any 2006 IndyCar race and a $1,000 American Express gift card, two tickets to any 2006 IndyCar race and a $500 American Express gift card, $1,000 worth of the company’s tools, and $500 worth of the company’s tools. There will also be weekly drawings for one of the company’s racing jackets and daily drawings for one of the company’s racing shirts.

Participants must be 18 years or older and a legal resident of the United States.

April 18, 2005

eBay reports buying in the construction and electrical markets on the rise

eBay recently reported that business buying on the site has increased from $1 billion in 2002 to $3.3 billion in 2004, with capital equipment for manufacturing and metalworking, construction, industrial, electrical and test, and MRO markets among the fastest growing categories.

According to the company, at any given time, there are more than 40,000 industrial electrical and test item available in online marketplace. The company also reports that 70 oscilloscopes, 68 circuit breakers, and 173 PLCs and modules are sold every day.

eBay also recently introduced a number of enhancements to its online Business & Industrial categories, including simplified pricing, seller assistance, and a “Best Offer” negotiation tool.

April 15, 2005

Appleton offers IEC/NEC Classification Comparator Guide

Appleton is offering a downloadable IEC/NEC Classification Comparator Guide on its Web site to help electrical engineers better understand the similarities and differences between these two standards for installing electrical systems.

Available in Adobe PDF format, the 18-page comparator is an in-depth guidebook to understanding world standards for the classification of electrical equipment in hazardous locations, such as petrochemical plants, refineries, and chemical processing facilities. It provides an overview in current world standards and explains how to determine a “Zone” along with examples, installation methods, comparison charts, types of protection and other valuable information.

For more information, call (800)621-1506, visit www.appletonelec.com, or e-mail [email protected].

April 14, 2005

Registration deadline for NECA’s Future Leaders Conference is April 15

A few openings still remain for the 2005 NECA Future Leaders Conference in Jacksonville, Florida, May 5-7. This event offers young electricians the opportunity to attend educational classes, develop their leadership abilities, and give the current NECA leadership feedback on policies and programs.

The registration deadline is Friday, April 15. For more information, visit http://necanet.org/private.

April 13, 2005

Construction put-in-place in February up 10% from same time last year

The U.S. Commerce Department's Census Bureau recently reported that construction put-in-place during February was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.047 trillion, which is 0.4% above the revised January estimate of $1.043 trillion and 10% above the February 2004 estimate of $952 billion.

Spending on private-sector construction was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $807 billion, public construction spending totaled $240 billion, and nonresidential construction spending topped out at $461 billion.

Contracts for office construction projects increased slightly in February, rising to an estimated seasonally adjusted annual rate of $45 billion, and spending for highway and street construction climbed 2.7% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $73 billion.

Spending for commercial construction projects dropped 2.6% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $65 billion, while spending for educational building construction rose to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $77 billion. Contracts for highway and street construction projects also jumped 2.7%.

April 12, 2005

American Aerospace Controls receives AS9100 and ISO9000:2000 certifications

American Aerospace Controls, a leading manufacturer of AC and DC current, voltage, power, and frequency transducers, recently announced its AS9100 and ISO9000:2000 certifications. The company received accreditation in December 2004, following a surveillance audit by Perry Johnson Registrars, Inc.

The AS9100 certification, which is an enhancement of the ISO9001 certification, places special emphasis on requirements for the aerospace industry, including MIL-Q specifications. The ISO9000:2000 certification is one of the standards for quality management in several different industries.

April 11, 2005

NECA and BICSI begin updating joint telecom standard

The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and BICSI recently began updating the second edition of NECA/BICSI 568, Standard for Installing Commercial Building Telecommunication Cabling.

The standard is used as a guide to installing voice/data/video data networking systems, and the updated standard is expected to be published in spring 2006.

April 8, 2005

California jail-top solar array exceeds expectations

Alameda County recently announced that the 1.2MW solar array atop the County Jail in Dublin, Calif., is exceeding expectations since its installation in April 2002. Designed and installed by PowerLight Corp., the solar array now generates enough electricity during the daytime to power more than 1,000 homes.

The system has produced a summer peak demand reduction as high as 879kW, which equates to an overall cost savings of more than $1.2 million when factoring in energy efficiency savings and kilowatt-hours produced by the system.

In doubling its solar development, Alameda County will soon lead the nation’s counties in terms of solar use, generating a total of 2.29MW of power and will soon be meeting 6% of its electrical needs at County-owned facilities.

April 7, 2005

EYP Mission Critical Facilities launches technology infrastructure group

EYP Mission Critical Facilities recently launched its restructured Technology Infrastructure Group (TI) in response to increased critical reliability requirements in business sectors. Based in the firm’s New York office, the group will provide strategic consulting and high reliability engineering—specializing in data center strategy and disaster recovery services—to businesses nationwide.

The TI group provides a variety of services, including, conveyance design; strategic planning; and project and management construction administration for structured cable systems and technology spaces.

April 6, 2005

Safety Technology International enhances Web site

Safety Technology International recently enhanced their Web site at www.sti-usa.com/e35. This new site will make it easier for customers to locate new and existing products, literature, and trade show schedules.

Each of the company’s products is now broken down into categories like fire prevention, AED cabinets, theft prevention, polycarbonate covers, CCTV housing, buttons and switches, home automation, and wire/steel guards. Users can search by product name, part number, dimensions, and product approvals, and after finding the right product, they can download product literature or fill out a request form to have information mailed to them.

April 4, 2005

Staco Energy Products redesigns Web site

Staco Energy Products recently launched a new Web site at www.stacoenergy.com that features an online store where customers can purchase the company’s products directly from the factory. The site also features downloadable technical information like product guide specifications, engineering drawings, and user manuals; special promotional information; and enhanced customer interaction.

April 1, 2005

Leviton launches new site for structured cabling products

Leviton Integrated Networks recently launched a new Web site at www.leviton-lin.com that’s dedicated to structured cabling products. The site features product information, news, events, installation tips, online training, as well as catalogs, brochures, spec sheets, and literature.

Tabs at the top of the site’s homepage provide access to products; news and literature; an online learning center that provides design, installation and technical tips; information on programs for builders and installers; a support center for technical notes, specification, and design tools; and company information.

Leviton launches new site for structured cabling products

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