|
|
Around the Circuit
IEEE Drops Lightning
Rod Project
At a hearing in late March, the Standards Association
of
IEEE voted to
terminate work on a standard to govern "Charge Transfer
Systems" (CTS) lightning protection. Also called
"Dissipation Array Systems" (DAS), a CTS uses exotic
multi-point lightning rods that prevent lightning from striking a
particular location. Started in December 2000, the IEEE project
remained
inactive during most of its initial four-year run. IEEE ultimately
terminated it due to a lack of vendor-sponsored tests,
which were supposed to establish the validity of the CTS theory --
the
tests were never circulated to IEEE working group members for their
review. Earlier this year, the National Fire Protection Association
similarly turned down Lightning Eliminators and Consultant's request to
develop a standard for CTS/DAS products. In a decision dated January
14,
2005, the NFPA Standards Council concluded that the manufacturer's
request failed to demonstrate "ample basis in the scientific and
technical literature to support meaningful standards development for
CTS/DAS lightning protection systems." The decision marks the first
occasion since 1989 that the NFPA has denied such a request concerning
the concept.
ADVERTISEMENT
Measure Low Resistance with High Accuracy
The 10A Micro-Ohmmeter Model 6250 measures low resistance with results
within 0.05%. Resistance measurements are automatically calculated,
taking into account the measurement value, ambient temperature, metal
type and metal temperature co-efficient. Metal temperature can be
manually entered by the operator or directly measured with an optional
RTD temperature probe. Uniquely designed to conduct tests on both
resistive and inductive material, with operator selection directly from
the front panel. Up to 1500 measurements can be stored and printed
directly to a printer or from a PC. www.aemc.com
New Mexico Gets
New
Energy Legislation
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson recently signed three
energy bills into law. According to the New Mexico Business
Weekly, the
two House bills and one Senate bill will create new funding for energy
projects, such as public buildings that initiate clean and
energy-efficient
programs. The legislation will also enable utilities like Public
Service
Company of New Mexico to implement similar efficiency programs. As
stated in the report, the three bills are:
• House Bill 32, the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Bonding Act,
will allow the state's Finance Authority to issue up to $20 million to
pay for the installation of energy-efficient measures in state
buildings
like schools.
• House Bill 720, the Natural Resources Conservation Bids
Bill, contains
amendments to laws that will broaden the types of guarantees the state
can obtain for energy improvement projects as well as make it easier
for
state agencies to enter into such agreements with energy services
companies.
• Senate Bill 644, the Efficient Use of Energy Act, directs
the state's
public utilities to develop and implement new cost-effective, energy
efficiency programs. If programs are approved by the state's Public
Regulation Commission, utilities could recover the cost of implementing
the program.
ESCOs Help
Government Agencies Fund Energy Retrofits
In a recent study, researchers at the Department of
Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Pacific Northwest
National Laboratory found that more than $15 billion invested in energy
efficiency projects installed by energy service companies (ESCOs) at
U.S. public and institutional facilities across the country since 1990
have provided significant value to their customers. In the report,
titled "Public and Institutional Markets for ESCO Services: Comparing
Programs, Practices, and Performance," researchers analyzed the
performance of more than 1,000 public/institutional projects,
representing
about $2.5 billion in investment and estimated net economic benefits of
more than $1.7 billion in reduced energy and operational cost savings.
Project data results are separated by market segment — federal and
state
local government, schools, universities, and hospitals — and analyze
the
impact of enabling policies and programs. To download the study, click
here.
ADVERTISEMENT
 Once You Try The Twister®
PRO, You'll
Never Turn Back
The Twister® is already the premier wire connector in the
industry,
but for IDEAL, staying ahead of the curve is what innovation is all
about. The new Twister® PRO features unique cushioned
SureGrip™
technology. It brings a soft grip that allows an unmatched level of
comfort and provides smooth, quick connections. Visit www.idealindustries.com
for a product sample today.
Project Watch
California Airport
Seeks Bids
for Electrical Renovation Work
Lincoln Regional Airport in Newcastle, Calif., is
looking for subcontractors to provide electrical work on a runway
lighting renovation. Bids are due at 1 p.m. on May 12 (payment and
performance bonds may be required). For more information, contact John
Huberty at Gabe Mendez, Inc., by mail at P.O. Box 459, Newcastle, CA
95658, by phone at (916) 663-3372, or by fax at (916) 663-1478.
Georgia
County Needs Contractors for Annual UPS Maintenance Contract
The Fulton County Purchasing Department in Atlanta is
seeking an electrical subcontractor to perform uninterrupted power
supply system maintenance for 12 months from the date of award in 2005.
The
scope of work will include furnishing all parts, labor, equipment,
transportation, and material for on-site preventive maintenance of UPS
systems. Bids are due at 5 p.m. on April 22 to the Fulton County
Purchasing Department, Public Safety Building, Suite 1168, 130 Peachtree
St., S.W., Atlanta, GA 30303. Interested parties should
perform an on-site inspection prior to bidding. To schedule an
appointment for a site visit, e-mail Rodney Herne at rodney.herne@co.fulton.ga.us
or call (404) 730-4216. For more information, view the
bid
notice.
ADVERTISEMENT
Buy It, Install It, Forget It!
The maintenance-free GX series automatic hand dryer is quieter and
longer lasting than competitive models. This easy to install electric
hand dryer will save your customers 90% versus paper towel costs.
Contractors can visit
www.americandryer.com for the best prices on over 40 different
models with same day shipping. American Dryer has been manufacturing
quality hand dryers for over 50 years.
Zone Exclusives
Eye on Safety
To help support National Electrical Safety Month this May
across the nation and
elsewhere, the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) will
once again publish its "May Kit," packed with up-to-date
electrical safety facts and figures, tools, and tips. The focus in 2005
is on ESFI's national public awareness campaign "Make Safe Connections:
Plug Into Electrical Safety," which contains important information and
safety tips related to outlets, power cords, extension cords, power
strips and surge suppressors, and GFCIs and AFCIs. To browse through
current downloads on workplace safety, including the "Look Up! Look
Down! Look Out!" campaign on overhead and buried power lines and
pad-mounted electrical equipment work, visit the ESFI
library.
ADVERTISEMENT
 Contractors Earn Free Merchandise From
B-Line
Introducing the Great GearSM program, a way to acquire free
gifts by
collecting and redeeming B-Line Bucks found on B-Line's fastener
product
boxes. Simply remove your B-Line Bucks from the box label and use them
to select from a wide assortment of gear in B-Line's Great Gear
catalog.
To obtain a catalog and order forms, see your local B-Line distributor,
or visit our website at www.b-line.com.
Shows and Events
IALD Education
Conference Call for Speakers
The International Association of Lighting Designers is
seeking experts to present seminars at its 5th Annual Education
Conference to be held Oct. 21-22 at the Hilton Mark Center Hotel in
Alexandria, Va. Proposals must be sent by May 13 to: Call for Speakers,
International Association of Lighting Designers, Merchandise Mart,
Suite
9-104, Chicago, IL 60654; faxed to (312) 527-3680; or e-mailed to annualconference@iald.org.
Questions should be directed to Renee Campbell at the IALD headquarters
at renee@iald.org or (312)
527-3677.
To download the Call for Speakers proposal, click here.
Fuel Cell
Technology Institute & Hydrogen Workshop
Presented by the National Fuel Cell Research Center at
the University of California, Irvine in association with the 11th
Annual
Clean Cities Conference & Exposition, the Fuel Cell Technology
Institute
& Hydrogen Workshop will be held at the Wyndham Palm Springs Hotel May
4-6 in
Palm Springs, Calif. Because fuel cells hold the potential of producing
power more efficiently and without power lines, many believe they are
the answer to reducing emissions associated with the generation of
electricity -- one of America's largest sources of air pollution. But
how do they work? What's on the horizon for the technology? Find out
answers to these questions and more at this event, featuring presenters
from the National Fuel Cell Research Center, Plug Power, and the U.S.
Department of
Energy, among others. To download a registration form, click
here.
For more information on the workshop, visit the Web site.
Battcon 2005
International Battery Conference & Trade Show
Held May 2-4 in Miami Beach, Fla., the Ninth Annual
Battcon 2005 International Battery Conference is a three-day,
noncommercial, technical symposium targeting storage battery users from
various industries. Featuring a two-day trade show with more than 50
storage power-related product vendors, the conference provides a forum
for both users and manufacturers of batteries and battery test
equipment
to exchange ideas. Read the program guide
here,
or download the
registration form.
ADVERTISEMENT
.jpg) NIMBUS™ Offers 190 Insulated
Connectors.
Configurations include single sided or dual-sided multi-tap connectors
as well as in-line or offset splicer-reducer connectors. Dual rated for
copper or aluminum conductor, the offering is UL Listed and features
removable plugs for entry port closure. Visit our web site at www.ilsco.com for additional product
information.
|
BICSI Spring
Conference
Whether you are a newcomer, an experienced information
transport systems manager, or a supplier to the industry, the 2005
BICSI
Spring Conference, held May 2-5 at the Mirage in Las Vegas, offers
something for everyone. Designed to bring attendees the latest
information in the information transport systems (ITS) industry, this
event will draw an international audience, ranging from practitioners
to
end-users. Click here
to register online,
or download a registration
form.
You are subscribed to this newsletter as <*email*>
For questions concerning delivery of this newsletter, please contact
our
Customer Service Department at:
U.S. Toll Free: (866) 505-7173
International: (402) 505-7173
or custserv@newsletter.primediabusiness.com
Primedia Business Magazines & Media
9800 Metcalf Avenue
Overland Park, KS 66212
Copyright 2005, PRIMEDIA. All rights reserved. This article is
protected
by United States copyright and other intellectual property laws and may
not be reproduced, rewritten, distributed, re-disseminated,
transmitted,
displayed, published or broadcast, directly or indirectly, in any
medium
without the prior written permission of Primedia Business Magazines &
Media Inc.
|
|
.gif)
