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Around the Circuit
Free Home
Networking Primer Offered Online
If you've been searching for more information on home
networking, look no further. Thanks to the Computing Technology
Industry
Association (CompTIA), Oakbrook Terrace, Ill., you can download The
Fourth Utility: Integrated Homes--Wireless, Wired, or Both? primer,
which includes instructions on computing, telecommunications, video,
security, and home automation, for free. The piece is written by
Michael
A. Tangora, HTI+, president of Tangora Technologies, Delmar, N.Y.,
winner of the 2003 Consumer Electronics Association Mark of Excellence
Classic Home System of the Year Award, the 2002 Mark of Excellence
Award, and is one of Consumer Electronics Pro magazine's Top 100
Installers in 2003. "Technology within the home is advancing so
quickly,
it is hard to keep up or even to know what questions to ask," says Carl
Bowman, Home Technology Integrator (HTI+) certification program manager
for CompTIA. "We asked a national expert to develop a document that
would
give anyone reading it a clear picture of the basics. Builders and
contractors will find the
information equally as helpful as it provides a much needed context for
these new developments." To find out when wired and wireless methods
make the
most sense, download the free primer.
ADVERTISEMENT
 Simple. Reliable.
Accurate.
AEMC Instruments' clamp-on ground resistance testers measure ground rod
and grid resistance in any environment without the use of auxiliary
ground rods. Both testers measure ground resistance from 0.01 ohm to
1200 ohms without disconnecting the rod under test. The Models 3711
and
3731 also measure ground leakage and phase current from 1mA to 30Arms.
The large jaw (1.25") accommodates ground conductors up to 1000MCM. The
Model 3731 includes both an alarm function and a memory function, which
will store up to 99 field measurements. Patented design. Visit www.aemc.com to learn more.
NECA Unveils
Updated
NEIS Standard on Fiber Optics
The second edition of NECA/FOA
301-2004, Standard for Installing and Testing Fiber Optic Cables
(ANSI), which is the 27th addition to NECA's National Electrical
Installation Standard (NEIS) series,
is now available. Because fiber has grown as a communications medium,
more installers continue to do fiber optic work, notes Jim Hayes,
president of the Fiber Optic Association and author of the updated
publication. "This standard provides them with up-to-date information
on
how to properly install fiber optic networks to meet appropriate codes,
standards, and performance requirements," he says. NEIS are the first
performance and workmanship standards for electrical construction, and
are approved by the American National Standards Institute. For ordering
information, visit the organization's Web
site, contact the NECA Order Desk by phone at (301) 215-4504, or
send an e-mail.
New Lighting
Technology Center
Opens in California
The University of California, Davis, recently opened
the
California Lighting Technology Center (CLTC) on its campus to foster
the application of energy-efficient lighting by facilitating technology
demonstrations, development, outreach, and educational activities with
the lighting industry, lighting professionals, and the electric utility
community. According to a recent report in NEMA's
electroindustry
magazine, the research facility includes full-scale lighting and
daylighting application laboratories for the development and
demonstration of next-generation, emerging lighting, and daylighting
technologies. NEMA provided seed money to begin this collaborative
effort, joining forces with the California Energy Commission, UC Davis,
and the U.S. Department of Energy. The new UC Davis center
is already introducing energy-efficient lighting products, including
compact fluorescent downlights, hotel guestroom lighting, and outdoor
lighting systems, into offices and homes through a partnership with
utilities and manufacturers. For more
information on the center, click here.
USGBC Announces LEED
for Commercial Interiors Green Building Rating System
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) recently
introduced the new Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
Green Building Rating System for Commercial Interiors (LEED-CI).
LEED-CI
marks the third green building rating system developed by the USGBC
thus
far, following the LEED for Existing Buildings (LEED-EB) and LEED for
New Construction (LEED-NC). Serving building owners and occupants as
well as interior designers, architects, and installers, LEED-CI
addresses the following performance areas: selection of sustainable
tenant space, efficiency of water usage, energy performance
optimization
(including lighting and lighting controls), resource utilization for
interior building systems and furnishings, and indoor environmental
quality. For more information, visit the Council's Web site.
EC&M to
Offer
Business Advice for Service Contractors
Calling all service contractors: If you've got
questions, we've got answers. Beginning in January 2005, EC&M
will launch a new monthly business-themed Q&A column for the owners of
electrical service companies. Each month in the print magazine, Patrick
Kennedy, president of Mister Sparky and CEO of Electricians' Success
International, will answer real questions submitted by real readers
with
real problems. Need advice on how to turn a negative service call into
a
positive referral? Having trouble drumming up new business? With nearly
20 years in the electrical service industry, Kennedy has almost seen it
all, and he's ready to use that experience to help you. To e-mail your
service contracting questions, 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
Maryland
Transportation Authority Announces Need for Electrical Service
Upgrade
The Maryland Transportation Authority is requesting
proposals from electrical contractors for work on an electrical service
upgrade at the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. Although it’s not
mandatory to attend the
pre-bid conference, which is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Jan. 4, 2005 in
the
Francis Scott Key Administrative Complex, Engineering Conference Room,
300 Authority Drive, Baltimore, MD 21222, it's highly
recommended. Bids for this project (Reference #40431261) are due before
2 p.m. on Jan. 18, 2005. For more information, contact Terry Niswonger,
chief of procurement, by phone at (888) 754-0098, by e-mail, or
by mail at 300 Authority Drive - 2nd Floor BID BOX, Baltimore, MD
21222.
To view documents online, visit the
Web site.
City of Anaheim,
Calif.,
Accepting Bids for Portable Generator Installation at Water Treatment
Facility
The Department of Public Works for the city of Anaheim,
Calif., is calling for bids on a project (#501-521-3779-7865-00056391)
at its Lenain Water Treatment Plant. The scope of work involves
performing electrical modifications to the plant's 800kW portable
emergency generator connection to help improve water system reliability
during a regional blackout. Estimated at approximately $47,250, the bid
is due before 2 p.m. on Jan. 6, 2005. For more information, contact
Gary
E. Johnson, director of public works/city engineer, by mail at Anaheim
City Hall, 200 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim, CA 92805, call (714)
765-5176,
or review the
bid document.
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.
Zone Exclusives
Ten Tips for
Planning Your Estate
You may not want to think about it, but if you own an
electrical contracting business, you have to plan for when you're gone.
Drafting a will and taking advantages of your estate-tax exemptions are
just a few of the things that Jesse Abercrombie, a financial advisor
with Edward Jones Investments, says you should consider. For the full
article, visit the EC&M Web
site.
Eye on Safety
The International Association of Electrical Inspectors
(IAEI), Richardson, Texas, wants to get the message out and keep it out
-- inspections performed by qualified electrical inspectors reduce the
potential for fire and shock hazards due to incorrectly installed
electrical products and systems covered by the NEC, reduce property
damage that may result from unsafe electrical installations, and save
lives. That's why the organization is reaffirming its support of the
Certified Electrical Inspection (CEI) Program, a certification tool
that
tests electrical inspectors on their knowledge of the NEC and measures
their ability to apply that knowledge. Starting Jan. 1, 2005, IAEI will
become the sole sponsor of this premier certification program, which
was
launched in 2003 at the request of the Electrical Code Coalition, a
group formed to promote the need for qualified electrical inspections
and direct adoption of the NEC. Developed jointly by IAEI and the
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), which will no longer
co-sponsor the program but continue to actively support this initiative
through committee work, the CEI program strives to meet the following
goals: establish a nationally recognized electrical inspector
certification system, improve quality control through advanced
credentials, reduce the need for developing and maintaining local
certification programs, recognize professional advancement, increase
efficiency and productivity, and improve electrical safety and
potentially reduce liability. For more information, visit the IAEI Web site.
On the Job and Out to
Lunch
Everyone makes mistakes. Some are just funnier than
others. Got a story about a jobsite blunder you'd like to share? Send us your
story of embarrassing on-the-job mistakes for use in EC&M's new
column
called Short Circuits. If we publish it, we'll send you a check for
$25.
Read the latest stories
from your fellow readers.
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Configurations include single sided or dual-sided multi-tap
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Dual rated for copper or aluminum conductor, the offering is UL Listed
and features removable plugs for entry port closure. Visit our web
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product information.
Shows and Events
International Consumer
Electronics Show
What began with 200 exhibitors and 17,500 attendees in
1967 has grown into the world's largest annual trade show for consumer
technology, according to organizers of the International Consumer
Electronics Show (CES). In 2004, CES drew nearly 2,500 exhibitors and
129,000 attendees and spanned 1.4 million net square feet of exhibit
space. This year's event, scheduled for Jan. 6-9 in Las Vegas, promises
to be just as impressive. Manufacturers, retailers, content providers
and
creators, broadband developers, wireless carriers, cable and satellite
TV providers, installers, engineers, corporate buyers, government
leaders, and financial analysts from more than 113 countries are
expected to make the trip to Las Vegas next year to check out the
latest
in consumer technology products. To register online, click here. To download a
conference brochure, click here.
NSPE Winter
Meeting
Scheduled for Jan. 13-16 in San Diego, the National
Society of Professional Engineers' (NSPE) 2005 Winter Meeting promises
professional development, education, and networking opportunities for
all. In addition to the leadership and management sessions, attendees
can also take advantage of a unique opportunity to serve the
engineering
profession by attending the EAC-ABET Evaluator Training session and
become a
qualified evaluator for the Accreditation Board for Engineering and
Technology (ABET) on Jan. 15. Also on that day, don't miss out on the
leadership development program, designed to offer tips from association
professionals on how to take your organization to the next level of
success. For more information, download the conference program.
International
Builders'
Show
Touted by organizers as the world's largest and most
comprehensive building industry show, the International Builders' Show,
scheduled for Jan. 13-16 in Orlando, covers more than a
million-and-a-half square feet of exhibit space, offering the latest
and
most advanced building products and services on the market. Targeting
home builders, commercial builders, remodelers, architects, engineers,
realtors, dealers and distributors, subcontractors, and land
developers,
this show features more than 300 building industry product categories.
See all of the latest innovations with hands-on demonstrations and
working models at this year's conference plus choose from more than 200
educational sessions, designed to address every aspect of building
management today. For a summary of seminars, click here. To
download show information, click here.
Electric West Show
For anyone who purchases, recommends, or uses
electrical products and equipment, Anaheim, Calif., is the place to be
in February. Held at the Anaheim Convention Center from Feb. 8-10,
Electric West will bring electrical contractors, engineers,
electricians, and plant and facilities managers together for the annual
interactive trade show. Not only will attendees be able to check out
the
latest and greatest products in the industry, but they will also have
access to a comprehensive conference program packed with technical
seminars. Presented by industry experts, session topics cover
everything
from the NEC, power quality, and maintenance, to lighting, renewable
energy, and home technology integration. Reverend Gadget from the
Discovery Channel's "Monster House" and "BIG!" will be delivering this
year's keynote address and then building one of his famous sculptures
right on the show floor. Ideal Industries will be giving away a
custom-built Orange County Chopper, and Biker's Against Drunk Drivers
(B.A.D.D.) will be displaying one of five custom-designed choppers and
offering attendees a chance to win it! For more
information, visit the event's Web site or click
here to register online.
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