April 2004 news archive

April 7, 2004
April 5, 2004 The Watt Stopper earns premier status with the Rebuild America program The Watt Stopper has earned premier status as a Rebuild America Business Partner by participating in the program’s educational activities like giving seminars on lighting controls. The company has been with the program since 2000. The U.S. Department of Energy sponsors the program that employs a network of partnerships

April 30, 2004

Schneider Electric News now available via mobile devices

The winners of the New Product Showcase and the Best of Category Awards were recently announced at Lightfair International. More than 30 awards were given out at the show, which took place March 31 through April 2 in Las Vegas.

In the New Product Showcase Awards division, Best New Product of the Year went to io Lighting for its LINE. The Bodine Co. won the Technical Innovation Award for its Flourescent Emergency Ballast Network (FEbnet), and Enlux Lighting took home the Energy Award for its LED Flood.

For a complete list of the Category Award division winners, visit www.lightfair.com.

April 29, 2004

E-Mon receives GSA’s Federal Supply Contract

E-Mon was recently awarded a U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Supply Contract for its advanced metering products. It’s the first full-service submetering company to be added to the approved product purchasing guide and catalog for federal facilities managers nationwide.

The GSA schedule also includes the D-Mon and the Pro-Mon submeters, which enable organizations to benchmark, analyze, and allocate their energy consumption costs, and RightEnergy software, an integrated energy intelligence system for electricity, gas, water, steam, and other energy sources.

In the past, E-Mon has assisted federal facilities managers like those at the Smithsonian Institution, the Los Angeles Air Force Base, and the U.S. Naval Station at Roosevelt Roads in Puerto Rico to achieve utility cost reductions as well as perform cost allocations and bill users.

April 28, 2004

NECA, IBEW joins Cisco Echelon to provide training programs

The National Electrical Contractors Association and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (NECA-IBEW) is teaming with Cisco Systems and Echelon Corp. for two separate training programs. The NECA-IBEW has been offering training programs since 1941.

NECA-IBEW is working with Echelon to offer LonWorks training at the organization’s national training center in Upper Marlboro, Md., which is one of two LonWorks training centers in the United States. Instructors from 284 of the organization’s training centers are sent to Maryland to complete intensive train-the-trainer courses in LonWorks design, integration tools, network troubleshooting, Internet connectivity, and systems specifying.

Cisco has named the NECA-IBEW team’s international training center near Knoxville, Tenn., a Cisco Regional Networking Academy. Upon completion of the training, the instructors will be ready to teach Cisco courses.

April 27, 2004

Meridian Project Systems offers $750 credit

Meridian Project Systems recently launched its Move Up to Meridian program in which the company will offer a $750-per-license upgrade credit toward the purchase of its Prolog Manager or Proliance project tracking software. This promotion is geared toward qualifying self-hosted project management programs users, and it applies to purchases made between April 1, 2004 and August 31, 2004.

April 26, 2004

Lightfair International recognizes lighting innovations

The winners of the New Product Showcase and the Best of Category Awards were recently announced at Lightfair International. More than 30 awards were given out at the show, which took place March 31 through April 2 in Las Vegas.

In the New Product Showcase Awards division, Best New Product of the Year went to io Lighting for its LINE. The Bodine Co. won the Technical Innovation Award for its Flourescent Emergency Ballast Network (FEbnet), and Enlux Lighting took home the Energy Award for its LED Flood.

For a complete list of the Category Award division winners, visit www.lightfair.com.

April 23, 2004

Milwaukee Electric Tool redesigns Web site

Milwaukee Electric Tool recently launched its redesigned Web site at the Milwaukee Tool Web site. The new site now features 3D product animations, product videos, radio commercials, a product comparison guide, and more catalog features.

The site also has a link to join the Heavy Duty Club. This membership offers new product information, drawings, and special offers for products, tips and techniques, and a chat board to discuss power tool questions, answers, and information with other members.

April 22, 2004

Accubid Systems acquires Sellect

Accubid Systems has acquired Sellect, a Denver-based provider of CAD add-on software for electrical contractors. Accubid has plans to develop and release a new version of Sellect’s cadTakeOff product under its brand.

Sellect founder, Keith Hallman, will join Accubid as the manager of its new CAD Integration Products division and continue to direct the development of the Sellect product line. Existing Sellect end-users will continue to deal with the Sellect team for product support, training, and implementation.

April 21, 2004

Advanced Protection Technologies wins customer service award

Advanced Protection Technologies (APT), a manufacturer of transient voltage surge devices and services, recently received the 2003 Frost and Sullivan Customer Service Excellence Award. Frost and Sullivan, an international marketing consulting and training firm, presents the award to companies that demonstrate a dedication to a business plan and excel in the global marketplace.

APT was recognized for its sales engineer team, which provides training seminars for facility engineers, consulting engineers, and facility designers, and its real-time interactive Web site dedicated to educating a wide range of end-users.

April 20, 2004

Programs combine classroom and virtual training

Meridan Project Systems (MPS) has released two programs, MPS University and the Proliance e-Learning center, for employee education and training. The programs are a combination of classroom and Web-based education.

MPS University provides users with a variety of courses and delivery methods to educate employees. The program combines standard and custom classroom training and online demonstrations for getting started. The e-Learning center is a Web-based training program that allows users to learn at a time that’s convenient for them. It combines self-paced online courses and virtual classroom education via a virtual trainer.

April 19, 2004

USGBC awards 100th LEED project

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) recently announced the 100th project to be certified by its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. The Bonneville Power Administration Ampere Annex in Vancouver, Wash., was given a Silver rating under the LEED Green Building Rating System.

In addition to its 100th certified project, the organization recently celebrated its four-year anniversary of LEED. In that time period, more than 1,200 projects registered with the intent to certify, and in the past three months USGBC has awarded 18 LEED certifications.

The council is currently working on two new green building rating systems to be released later this year. LEED for Existing Buildings will address the operation and maintenance practices of existing buildings, and LEED for Commercial Interiors will address the specifics of tenant improvement projects primarily in office and institutional buildings.

April 16, 2004

Leviton course approved for CEUs

The National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association (NBFAA) National Training School (NTS) has approved Leviton Integrated Networks’ certified installer training course for 0.8 continuing education units (CEUs), which is two-thirds of the total 1.2 CEUs an installer needs to satisfy the NBFAA/NTS annual certification renewal.

The daylong workshop is divided into two parts: a Structured Wiring Essentials session and a Structured Wiring Planning and Installation session, both of which include textbook instruction, real-life scenarios, and hands-on wire-up of a system. While participants are encouraged to attend the entire course, the company will recognize installers with industry experience and offer an option to test out of the Essentials session. The total course costs $150. If taken by itself, Planning and Installation costs $50.

For more information or to register, visit the Leviton Web site

April 15, 2004

GE Consumer and Industrial presents its Edison Award winner

GE Consumer and Industrial recently presented its 2003 GE Edison Award to Joseph M “Jody” Good III of Spectrum Engineers, Salt Lake City. Good was recognized for his lighting work on the 32,000-square-foot St. John the Baptist Catholic church at Skaggs Catholic Center in Draper, Utah.

Good was one of three Award of Excellence finalists. Nine awards of merit and three additional awards for sustainable design were also presented at the awards ceremony held March 30 in Las Vegas.

April 14, 2004

NETA puts out a call for papers

The InterNational Electrical Testing Association is looking for presentation ideas for its Annual Technical Conference in March 2005. The submission deadline is May 1, 2004.

Papers should be 100 words and cover topics related to the testing and maintenance of power distribution equipment. Previous presentations have covered topics like review of testing basics, safety procedures and new OSHA laws, new types of power equipment, and insights into a new method, technology, or advancement.

Send submissions to NETA 2005 Call for Papers, P.O. Box 687, Morrison, CO 80465 or email to [email protected].

April 13, 2004

FuelCell Energy and PPL EnergyPlus to help power New York hotel

FuelCell Energy and its distribution partner, PPL EnergyPlus, will provide a 250W Direct FuelCell power plant for the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers. The power plant is expected to provide about 10% of the power and domestic hot water needs of the hotel.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has committed to giving $920,000 toward the project. The power plant was one of the finalists selected for funding in 2002 under NYSERDA’s combined heat and power program. The winners were selected based on the likelihood of success and the economical and environmental benefits of the project.

The power plant is scheduled for delivery this summer.

April 12, 2004

S&C Electric Co. lends a hand to Universal Studios

Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla., has enlisted the help of S&C Electric Co. to solve a potential voltage flicker problem.

The theme park is planning on opening a new roller coaster this summer based on the “Mummy” movies that uses linear induction motors to provide a high-speed launch. Universal wanted to make sure that the launch sequence didn’t draw down the voltage supplied to other parts of the park or other Orlando Utilities Commission customers.

Universal contacted S&C and after an inspection, the company recommended the use of its 2,500kVAR, 480V PureWave AVC adaptive VAR compensator to keep the voltage within specifications. The system delivers reactive power compensation to solve voltage flicker problems and poor power factors caused by rapidly varying dynamic loads.

April 9, 2004

Nexstar measures customer satisfaction

Nexstar has completed its annual Customer Satisfaction Survey. The organization enlisted the help of an independent market research firm to rate companies on workmanship, promptness, dependability, customer relations, price, and overall satisfaction.

This year, 156 of the organization’s member companies participated in the survey. They submitted a random sampling of 200 of their customers to the market research firm, who then contacted those customers and asked them to rate their service company. Responses were measured on a scale of 0 to 10, with 10 being the highest.

Service First Electric (Artex), Texarkana, Ark.; Buckeye Richland Horizon Mech. & Electrical, Mansfield, Ohio; Atomic Plumbing, Heating & Electric Corp., Virginia Beach, Va.; and Ozburn Electrical Contractors, Covington, Ga. are a few of the top 10 companies that received a score of 9.01 or higher.

April 8, 2004

Edwards Signaling changes name, expands product lines

In light of a product expansion plan, Edwards Signaling has changed its name to Edwards Signaling & Security Systems. The company will soon supply fire and security systems for the commercial and industrial markets.

The new lines will include fire alarm equipment, alarm horns and beacons, smoke and heat detectors, electromagnetic doors, and auxiliary devices and accessories.

April 7, 2004

Milwaukee Electric hits the road

Milwaukee Electric Tool is going across the country with the Red Zone Experience, a 53-foot interactive mobile event and training vehicle. The tour will offer power tool testing, safety training, and information for those interested in starting a career in the trades.

The trailer’s pop-out sides create a theater for video presentations, a training/display area, and a product testing area. The tour will travel to the company’s distributors, vo-tech schools, union training centers, fire and rescue events, trade shows, and jobsites. It will be on the road 160 days a year.

April 6, 2004

Boston’s Big Dig project faces lawsuit

Retired judge Edward M. Ginsburg is leading a team of lawyers and engineers to recover overcharges as high as $146 million from the Big Dig highway project in downtown Boston. The lawsuit claims that the project’s private-sector managers concealed true cost estimates from state officials to keep the project moving.

The lawsuit, approved by state Attorney General Thomas F. Reilly, states that Bechtel/Parsons Brinkerhoff cleared profits exceeding $140 million and $6 million in incentive fees out of total payments of $2 billion. This project is the largest public works project in U.S. history, and its estimated cost has increased from $2.6 billion to $14.6 billion. It’s scheduled for completion in 2005.

April 5, 2004

The Watt Stopper earns premier status with the Rebuild America program

The Watt Stopper has earned premier status as a Rebuild America Business Partner by participating in the program’s educational activities like giving seminars on lighting controls. The company has been with the program since 2000.

The U.S. Department of Energy sponsors the program that employs a network of partnerships made up of municipalities, state agencies, schools, universities, nonprofit organizations, and businesses to bring greater energy efficiency resources to communities.

April 2, 2004

Arlington Industries and Bridgeport Fittings settle lawsuit

Arlington Industries and Bridgeport Fittings have agreed to settle two lawsuits pending in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. In the suit, Arlington claims that the Bridgeport Snap-In and Speed-Snap products infringe on patents for its Snap-Tite and Snap2It product lines.

The precise terms of the settlement are confidential, but Bridgeport has agreed to immediately remove all of the products in question from the market.

April 1, 2004

Nexans works with Penn State on 10GBASE-T project

Nexans and Penn State University have researched and created a model for 10GBASE-T data traffic over 100 meters of Cat. 6 copper unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) cable. The International Copper Association funded the project.

This system design demonstrates the process data transformation into signal transmission on the cable, the effect of the channel on the signal, and the correction and interpretation of the signal as it’s returned at the receiving end. The data used for the model is encoded into a 10-level signal, which is transmitted onto the UTP cable. The model includes the evaluation information in signal eye-patterns and bit error rate versus signal to noise ratio.

Nexans has proposed the model to IEEE for consideration in the development of a 10GBASE-T standard.

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