June 1, 2008
Cover Story
Disaster Planning
Jun 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Beck Ireland, Staff Writer
On Aug. 30, 2005, Jimmy Haynes, owner of JH Haynes Electric, Gulfport, Miss., returned to his shop after weathering Hurricane Katrina...
Other Features
Cathodic Protection Systems and the NEC
Jun 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Whitt L. Trimble and Eddie Guidry, Fluor Enterprises, Inc.
During the 2005 National Electrical Code (NEC) review cycle, a relatively simple revision was made that created a significant change on the cathodic protection (CP) systems of petroleum and chemical facilities (plants)....
Recession-Proofing Your Business
Jun 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Bradley Dawson, LTV Dynamics
It's no secret that the U.S. economy is on the brink of another recession. A faltering financial industry, escalating energy costs, and sky-high material costs all play into our economic insecurities....
Real Ways to Reduce Material Handling Costs
Jun 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Philip E. Nimmo IV and Heather M. Moore, MCA, Inc.
The main goal of any contractor is achieving a high-quality installation on time and on budget. According to in-house research, MCA, Inc....
Mastering Production Tracking Methodologies
Jun 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By David Brown, D. Brown Management
The process of tracking production is arguably the most important skill a project leader can master. Whether you're a crew leader, foreman, superintendent, or project manager, learning the skills necessary for effective production tracking will help your career immensely....
National Electrical Code
Article 600: Electric Signs and Outline Lighting
Jun 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Mike Holt, NEC Consultant
Every commercial occupancy needs a form of identification, the standard method of which is typically the electric sign. This is one reason why you'll be working with Art. 600 if you do much commercial or industrial work....
Illustrated Catastrophes
Jun 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Joe Tedesco, NEC Columnist
Gary Parker, P.E., Burns & McDonnell, Centennial, Colo., found a circuit breaker panel installation that's gone through a few changes that do not comply with the NEC....
What's Wrong Here?
Jun 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Joe Tedesco, NEC Columnist
How well do you know the Code? Think you can spot violations the original installer either ignored or couldn't identify? Here's your chance to moonlight as an electrical inspector and second-guess someone else's work from the safety of your living room or office. Joe Tedesco, who has a knack for finding shoddy electrical work, did the dirty work and found this mess. Now it's your turn to identify the violation....
Code Quandaries
Jun 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Mike Holt, NEC Consultant
Can I connect the neutral conductor to the equipment-grounding terminal at both the transformer and the first disconnect?...
Industry Viewpoint
Starting Over
Jun 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Michael Eby, Editor-in-Chief
Imagine waking up one morning and finding the business that you've spent years, maybe even decades, pouring your heart and soul into has just disappeared....
Market Watch
Wind Turbine Maker Fined for Safety Violations
Jun 1, 2008 12:00 PM
On August 25, 2007, the collapse of a wind turbine tower at the Klondike III Wind Farm near Wasco, Ore., killed one worker and injured another. As a result...
Ohio Home Builders Fight 2008 NEC Adoption
Jun 1, 2008 12:00 PM
The purpose of the National Electric Code (NEC) is the practical safeguarding of persons and property from the hazards arising from the use of electricity....
Product of the Month
Hand Tools Detect AC Voltage in a Snap
Jun 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Stefanie Kure, Senior Associate Editor
We all realize electricity can be dangerous, but did you know that people have been killed by as little as 100VAC? To help keep electrical workers safe,...
Voice/Data/Video Today
BICSI 2008 Spring Conference Field Report
Jun 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Joe Knisley, Senior Editorial Consultant
Held April 15-18 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Conference Center in Nashville, Tenn., the BICSI 2008 Spring Conference drew more than 2,100 information transport system (ITS) registered attendees, exhibitors, and visitors...
Lighting & Control
LightCongress 2008 Field Report
Jun 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Joe Knisley, Senior Editorial Consultant
The 6th Annual LightCongress, held on April 22 at the Hotel Affinia Manhattan, allowed lighting professionals and students in the New York area to learn about green initiatives that can ensure profitability in the industry....
Inside PQ
Powering Change in the Data Center
Jun 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Russell Shetler, Emerson Network Power
Changes in the quantity, configuration, and density of servers are reshaping the data center environment these days....
PQ Corner
UL 1449 and the 2008 NEC
Jun 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Joseph DeGregoria, Underwriters Laboratories
The use of surge protective devices (SPDs) within residential, commercial, and industrial applications has sharply increased over the last decade...
Construction Watch
Low-Voltage Lighting Primer
Jun 1, 2008 12:00 PM
The use of low-voltage lighting systems has become increasingly popular over the past several years. In fact, low-voltage halogen and xenon lighting systems...
North American Industrial Plant Construction Continues Rapid Climb
Jun 1, 2008 12:00 PM
With a total investment value of plants currently under construction in 2008 predicted to exceed $181 billion, grassroot industrial plant construction...
AGC Supports New Construction Ethics Association
Jun 1, 2008 12:00 PM
The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), Washington, D.C., applauds the Construction Industry Ethics and Compliance Initiative (CIECI) and...
Project Spotlight
Bridge and Observatory are a Maine Attraction
Jun 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Stefanie Kure, Senior Associate Editor
Boasting 17 million acres of forestland and 3,500 miles of coastline, Maine is known for its abundance of beautiful scenery. The completion of the new...
Back to Basics
Calculating Series Voltage Drop
Jun 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Walter Boncal, P.E., Electrical Designers' Reference
Series voltage drop is the progressive loss of voltage that occurs when feeding a string of parallel-connected loads. It's of particular concern when...
Product Spotlight
Focus on Computers & Software
Jun 1, 2008 12:00 PM
Online lighting estimator The CalcMaster online interior lighting estimator is now available in Flash format for enhanced interactivity and a richer,...
New Products
Product News
Jun 1, 2008 12:00 PM
Photovoltaic fuses These photovoltaic (PV) array protection fuses feature ratings from 8A to 15A at 1,000VDC. The PV fuses also comply with the operating...
Product News
Jun 1, 2008 12:00 PM
Conduit Fiber-Guard low-smoke zero halogen (LSZH) conduit is flame-retardant with low-flame propagation and meets NFPA and UL-1685 standards for confined...
Product News
Jun 1, 2008 12:00 PM
Steel switch boxes This series of steel switch boxes in available in multiple sizes and models from 1-in. to 3-in. deep. With more than 500 SCUs, box...
