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Around the Circuit
California
Electricians Face Deadline for Certification in January 2005
Electricians have less than five months to become
certified to continue working in California without one-on-one
supervision. Former Governor Gray Davis approved the mandatory
certification program, which requires electricians to become certified
by Jan. 1, 2005. The electricians must pass a computerized exam and
complete either an approved apprenticeship program or have thousands of
hours of on-the-job experience. About 10,000 individuals have applied
for the certification program, but only 5,400 took the exam as of June
2004. According to the National Electrical Contractors Association,
about 75,000 electricians currently work in California, which leaves
nearly 70,000 that still need to take the test before the January
deadline. For more information, visit the Division of
Apprenticeship Standards Web site.
ADVERTISEMENT
 Insulation Testing Just Got Easier!
AEMC Instruments' Megohmmeter Model 5070 is the only fully automated
5,000V graphical insulation tester, which provides insulation
measurements to 10Tohm. Test results include DAR, PI, DD, Capacitance,
Leakage Current as well as programmable temperature correction of
resistance readings. It offers the ability to program up to three step
voltage profiles (40 to 5,100V), each containing up to five steps. It
has
an RS-232 interface and an extensive memory function, which permits
storage results in files specific to the device under test. Includes
DataView Lite software for data storage, analysis and report
generation.
Visit www.aemc.com to learn
more.
Construction
Industry Continues to Expand Despite Slow Economy
The construction industry is continuing to show healthy
expansion in 2004, says Robert Murray, vice president of economic
affairs for McGraw-Hill Construction. "Right now commercial building
has
picked up the pace, and even institutional building and public works
are
seeing modest improvement after their weak performance earlier in
2004,"
Murray says. McGraw-Hill Construction reported that total construction
on an unadjusted basis came to $342.4 billion for the first seven
months
of 2004, which is a 10% increase from 2003. During the January-July
2004
period, residential building increased 19%, nonresidential building was
up 1%, and nonbuilding construction slipped 1%.
Washington
Group International Earns Contract for Puerto Rico Power Plant
The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA)
recently hired a subsidiary of Washington Group International to
provide
engineering, procurement, and construction services for the 500MW San
Juan combined cycle power plant. Washington Group's Rust Constructors
P.R. earned a $153 million contract to demolish existing San Juan steam
electric station units 5 and 6 and construct the new two-unit plant.
The
combined cycle power project will help to increase generating capacity
and meet the rising electric demand across Puerto Rico, says Louis
Pardi, president of Washington Group's Power Business unit.
NECA and NEMA Form
Partnership to Develop Electrical Installation Standard
The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA)
has partnered with the National Electrical Manufacturers Association
(NEMA) to develop a standard on nonmetallic underground utility duct.
This is the second time that the two electrical organizations have
teamed up to develop a National Electrical Installation Standard. NEMA
and NECA plan to publish the new standard in Spring 2005.
ADVERTISEMENT
 Yet Another Reason to Buy a LANTEK®.
With the IDEAL TLC Program in effect until the end of December, there's
no better time to look into a LANTEK. Buy a LANTEK 6P and you'll get
$350. Buy a TRACETEK™ adapter and you'll receive $500. And if you
purchase a LANTEK 7P, we'll give you $500 plus a free upgrade to the
new
LANTEK 7G, the first handheld certifier to sweep up to 1 GHz. Visit www.idealindustries.com
for demo and promotion details.
Project Watch
City of Oakland
Seeks Contractor to Install Security System at Airport
The City of Oakland is looking for a contracting firm
to
install a security system on the Taxiway B overpass and adjacent
service
road overpass to monitor airplane movements and control automobile
access. The scope of work includes the installation of an access
control
and alarm monitoring system, a video surveillance system, detection
equipment, area lighting, a security fence, and a card
reader-controlled
gate. Bids are due at 2 p.m. on Sept. 8 at Room 748, 530 Water St.,
Oakland, CA 94607. For more information, read the bid notice.
State of Wisconsin to
Accept Sealed Bids for Construction of Equipment Building
The State of Wisconsin Division of State Facilities is
seeking a contractor to build a
25-foot by 21-foot masonry block
equipment building. The firm must furnish and install an emergency
electrical generator, automatic transfer switch, ground grid system,
and
perform other electrical work. Sealed bids are due by 2 p.m. on Sept.
14
at the
State of Wisconsin Administration Building, 7th Floor, 101 East Wilson
Street, Madison, WI 53702. Read the bid
notice for more details.
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 Web site at www.b-line.com
Zone Exclusives
Eye on Safety
Electrical contracting firms and utility companies have
partnered with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
to improve electrical transmission and distribution safety. The health
and safety professionals from the signatories, which include Henkels &
McCoy, MYR Group, Pike Electric, Quanta Services, and Utility Services,
will analyze data and then promote best practices. "This partnership
was
constructed on mutual respect and trust by each organization with the
single goal of reducing injuries, illnesses, and fatalities in the
industry," says OSHA Administrator John Henshaw.
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.
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.
Shows and Events
IESNA Street and
Area
Lighting Conference
The Illuminating Engineering Society of North America
(IESNA) will offer continuing education opportunities to outdoor
lighting professionals during its 23rd annual conference from Sept.
26-29 in San Antonio. The conference program covers such topics as
homeland security and light trespass. For more information, visit the IESNA
Web site.
IEC Annual
National Convention
Network with electrical manufacturers, distributors,
and
service providers and discover the latest products and services at the
Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) National Convention and
Electric Expo. The event will take place from Sept. 29-Oct. 2 at the
Hyatt Regency Minneapolis in Minneapolis. More than 20 educational
sessions will teach attendees how to maximize profits, improve
leadership skills, and create a service department within a company.
Download a conference
brochure
or visit the IEC Web
site for more information.
ACEC Fall Conference
Learn how to retain top employees, take control of your
firm's future, and achieve success with limited resources at the
American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) conference. The event
will take place from Sept. 29-Oct. 2 at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in
Portland, Maine. For more information and to download a registration
form, visit the ACEC Web site.
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