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Around the Circuit
IBEW Promotes
Alternative Energy
At the 37th International Brotherhood of Electrical
Workers (IBEW) International Convention in Cleveland, the Washington,
D.C.-based organization stated that alternative energy may be the
union's best chance for job growth. This statement comes after years of
focusing its membership on the manufacturing and construction
industries. According to the union, construction and upkeep of wind
turbines, solar panels, and hydrogen fuel cells will drive new jobs,
although currently the alternative-energy industry provides only a
small
portion of work for unionized electricians."I think, quite honestly,
the future lies in energy cells," says Ed Hill, IBEW president.
Recently, the union has lost jobs because of companies moving
operations
overseas, competition from foreign businesses, and the shrinking U.S.
auto industry. But Hill said some union locals are landing jobs in
solar-power development, especially in Western states.
ADVERTISEMENT
 AEMC® New Ground Resistance
Testers
AEMC's new rugged digital ground resistance tester with automatic
calculation of test results, Model 6470, performs grounding resistance,
earth coupling measurement, soil resistivity, and bonding tests. This
easy-to-use and accurate instrument measures up to 512 test results
that can be stored in internal memory for later recall to the display
or
downloaded to a PC for analysis and hard copy reports with automatic
fall of potential plots. www.aemc.com
Three Indicted in
Big Dig Fraud
On Aug. 30, three project managers for Mass. Electric
Construction Co., Boston, were charged with overbilling for work done
on
the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority's Big Dig project under a scheme
that allegedly scammed the government out of more than $80,000. A
federal indictment alleges that Steven M. Bowers, 54, of Fairhaven, who
was senior project manager for the company on an Interstate 93 tunnel
contract, defrauded the federal government from January 2003 through
June 2005 by submitting bills falsely claiming that work done by
apprentice electricians was completed by higher-paid journeymen. Two
other managers, Brian DiRie of Winchester and Richard Joyce of Norwood,
have agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to submit false
claims, according to U.S. Attorney Michael J. Sullivan.
NEMA Publishes
Two New Guides
Rosslyn, Va.-based National Electrical Manufacturers
Association (NEMA) recently published KS 2-2006, "Distribution
Equipment
Switch Application and Maintenance Guide, A User's Reference" and RV
3-2006, "Application and Installation Guidelines for Flexible and
Liquidtight Flexible Metal Conduits." The first publication is a guide
containing instructions for the proper installation, operation, and
maintenance of distribution equipment switches rated 600V or less. It
covers application and maintenance information for distribution
equipment switches that are rated at not more than 600V and 6000A with
or without a horsepower rating; with or without provision for fuses;
with current-carrying parts and mechanisms enclosed in metallic or
non-metallic cases or that are enclosed when mounted in an enclosed
switchboard or panelboard; and manually operable by means of external
handles.The latter standard offers practical information on correct
usage and industry-recommended practices for the installation of
flexible metal conduit (FMC) and liquidtight flexible metal conduit
(LFMC) in accordance with the National Electrical Code (NEC). The
guides
may be viewed and a hardcopy purchased by visiting NEMA's Web site.
ADVERTISEMENT
 FYI for the DIY
IDEAL is the
Brand to Buy
For do-it-yourself home electrical projects, use the tools and supplies
the professionals do from IDEAL. They're the leader in wire connectors,
wire strippers, voltage testers, and more. Pick up IDEAL products at
your local home center. For more information, visit www.idealindustries.com.
Project Watch
Dallas County
Requests Bids for Replacement of Motor Drives
Dallas County Public Works, Dallas, is accepting bids
for the replacement of variable-frequency motor drives at the Frank
Crowley Criminal Courts Building. A pre-bid conference is scheduled for
Sept. 20 at 11:30 a.m. CDT. Bids for the contract are due on Sept. 28.
For more information, visit Dallas County's Public Works Department's
Web
site.
Boston Seeks
Contractor for Fan Coil Replacement
The Boston Public Health Commission is inviting bids
for
a fan coil replacement project. Scope of work includes replacing four
electric control valves and thermostats in two unit ventilators;
removal
and disposal of five horizontal fan coil units; and supplying and
installing five new units, as well as the valves, sensors, actuators,
and piping. An on-site walkthrough is scheduled for 10 a.m. EDT on
Sept.
20. Bids are due by 2 p.m. EDT on Oct. 27. To download a pdf of the bid
documentation, visit the commission's Web
site.
ADVERTISEMENT
 New Flip Clip™
from Cooper
B-Line
The fastest, most inexpensive way to securely hang and level
wire-basket
tray, saving installers time and money. The Flip Clip can be used with
1/4-in. and 3/8-in. threaded rods, eliminating the need for multiple
hanger sizes. The Flip Clip requires only one nut and one tool for
installation. www.cooperbline.com/flipclip
Web Exclusives
Business Brief
Reston, Va-based Truland Systems Corp. recently
acquired
Blumenthal-Kahn Electric, Owings Mills, Md. Now a member of the Truland
group, the newly formed company will be called Blumenthal Kahn Truland
Electric, LLC (BK Truland). The company will provide electrical
construction, design-build, and electrical maintenance services.
Project
Executive Bennett Rhodes of Truland Systems will oversee the new
operation. John Blumenthal, executive manager of Blumenthal-Kahn, will
remain an active member of the BK Truland team.
Recently, the firms teamed up to provide electrical construction for
The
Vue, a development project in Baltimore. The property will include
more
than one million square feet of hotel, condominium, office, and retail
space, as well as four levels of structured parking.For more
Business
Briefs, visit the EC&M Web site.
ADVERTISEMENT
Belden® DataTuff®
Industrial
Ethernet Cables
for Category 5e and Category 6 performance
ensure optimal network efficiency and reliability--even in the harshest
environments. Copper constructions include rugged unshielded and
shielded products. Heavy-duty, all-dielectric TrayOptic®
optical-fiber cables are also offered. Go to www.belden.com/ECM231.pdf
for Industrial Ethernet Product Bulletin 231.
Eye on Safety
Washington Program
Reduces Workers' Compensation Costs
A new program launched in three Eastern Washington
counties by the state's Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) assesses
when an injured worker may return to work and in what capacity. A
University of Washington (UW) study of the Eastern Washington Center of
Occupational Health and Education (COHE) recently reported that injured
workers treated by doctors enrolled in the program had less disability
and lower medical costs, saving the state workers' compensation system
an average of $447 per claim. The study tracked 7,162 injured workers
treated by physicians enrolled in the Spokane-based COHE between June
2004 and July 2005 and compared their outcomes to workers with similar
injuries who weren't treated by a COHE doctor. Workers with back
problems, in particular, had better outcomes. In all, the study found
the program saved the workers' compensation system about $3.1
million.
Shows and Events
EC&M
E-Tradeshow
Webinars
The EC&M E-Tradeshow
will feature three free webinars on Sept. 20.
"Ten Trends That Will Shape the Electrical Market," presented by
Jim
Lucy, chief editor of Electrical Wholesaling magazine. Learn the
latest trends in the distribution market and how they can affect your
business and the bottom line.
"Power Cable Basics," presented by John DeDad, senior director,
editorial and EC&M development. Learn why an MV power cable is a
complex and sophisticated product requiring careful testing and
handling. Find out how the current-carrying conductor, laminated
dielectric, MV insulation, semiconductive shield, metallic shield, and
outer jacket work together to control electrical stress and provide
mechanical protection. Also, learn about hi-potential and dissipation
factor testing.
"Hioki 3196 Quickstart Training," a hands-on webinar by PowerCET,
will show you how to use the VIEW screen (waveform, vector, and DMM
displays) to rapidly identify real-time power quality problems and the
Auto Setup for quick monitor installation. You'll also learn how to
create custom setups to capture more meaningful data, identify power
quality problems using the 3196's simultaneous capture of power quality
and energy data, and use Hioki PC-based software with a compact flash
card reader to transfer stored data and perform additional
analysis.
Please e-mail your webinar attendance notice to John DeDad.
NECA 2006 Boston
Bethesda, Md.-based National Electrical Contractors
Association (NECA) has scheduled its 2006 conference to take place from
Oct. 7-10 in Boston. The event will feature management seminars such as
flat-rate service pricing, compensation plans, and the effect of
absenteeism and turnover on labor productivity. Sessions
planned for this event will cover cost-effective fleet cycling,
benefits
of submetering, and lighting trends through 2016. For more information
and to register, visit NECA's Web site.
IEEE IAS 41st
Annual Meeting
New York's Institute of Electrical and Electronics
Engineers, Inc. (IEEE) Industry Applications Society (IAS) will present
its
annual technical program and conference from Oct. 8-12 in Tampa.
Presenters at this year's program will discuss permanent magnet motors,
cogging torque reduction in permanent magnet machines, and
determination
of the thermal convection coefficient for a small electric motor. For
more information on the programs and to register, visit the IAS Web site.
ESMO 2006
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers,
Inc. (IEEE) Power Engineering Society's 11th International Conference
on
Transmission & Distribution Construction, Operation and Live-Line
Maintenance (ESMO 2006) will take place from Oct. 15-19 in Albuquerque,
N.M. Host utility of ESMO 2006, PNM, will hold all activities at its
outdoor facilities site, which
will feature live-line demonstrations, construction techniques, safety
demonstrations, operation activities, right-of-way management
techniques
and equipment, and a heavy equipment display area. For more information
and to register, visit the ESMO 2006 Web site.
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