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Around the Circuit
Overall
Construction Spending Up
in August
Construction spending in August totaled $1.167 trillion
at a seasonally adjusted annual rate, up 0.2% from July but down 1.7%
from August 2006, reports the Census Bureau. Private residential
construction dropped by 1.5%, while private nonresidential construction
spiked 2.3% and public construction rose 0.7%.For the first eight
months of 2007 combined, total construction dipped 3.3% compared to the
first eight months in 2006. Private residential experienced an 18%
downward spike, slightly offset by nonresidential's 17% gain and public
spending's 12% gain. Single-unit housing was down 27% year-to-date and
multi-unit construction dropped 3.1%. The largest year-to-date gains in
private nonresidential spending were in lodging (60%), office and power
(22% each), and communication and education (20% each.) Education and
highway and streets, which comprise more than half of public
construction, were the two biggest public segments with gains of 12%
and
5%, respectively.
McGraw-Hill Construction recorded that construction starts rose 6% in
August. The company reports that residential starts were down 6%,
nonresidential building starts were up 16%, and nonbuilding
construction
starts were up 3%. Overall, year-to-date starts dropped 11%, compared
to
the first eight months in 2006. Residential was down 25%,
nonresidential
building was up 3%, and nonbuilding construction rose 8%.
ADVERTISEMENT
 AEMC offers a broad range of
Megohmmeters measuring up to 10T ohms with test voltages from 50V
to
5,000V. Hand crank, battery, and line-powered models are available.
Analog, digital, and graphical display show measurement results (model
dependent). DAR, PI, and dielectric discharge ratios are automatically
calculated models.
A comprehensive software program that allows for system configuration,
data storage, real-time testing, and report print out is included free
on some models.
www.aemc.com/products/index.asp
ComEd Offers
Discounts on CFL Bulbs for Homeowners
Chicago-based Commonwealth Edison Co. (ComEd) is
offering residential customers a 60% discount on compact fluorescent
light (CFL) bulbs purchased at participating stores in northern
Illinois. More than a million bulbs will be available for as low as 99
cents each at more than 350 retail outlets. Through the ComEd Discount
CFL Bulb program, customers may purchase up to 12 ENERGY STAR-rated CFL
bulbs at a $2 discount through Dec. 31 or while supplies last.Last
year, ComEd customers exceeded program goals by purchasing more than
1.2
million discounted energy-efficient bulbs in less than six weeks. It is
estimated that ComEd customers collectively reduced their overall
electric use by about 79-million kilowatt hours and saved $7.4 million
on electric bills this year as a result of using CFLs purchased during
last year's campaign.
Oregon Proposes
Roadside
PV Installations
The Oregon Office of Transportation's (ODOT) Office of
Innovative Partnerships and Alternative Funding currently is planning
pilot installations of photovoltaic (PV) solar panels on state
property,
or highway rights-of-way. ODOT has issued a formal request for
companies
or agencies to offer options to demonstrate installations that would
produce up to 250kW on road shoulders, noise barriers along highways,
bridges, abutments, rest areas, or ports of entry. The first
demonstration projects may be located in the Willamette Valley, around
Salem or Portland. Larger future projects eventually may be located on
the east side of Oregon, depending on where they could tie into
regional
electrical transmission lines.Incentive for the project comes from
Gov. Ted Kulongoski's mandate that state agencies must get 100% of
their
energy needs from solar, wind, and other renewable energy sources by
2010. Overall, the state's goal is to meet 25% of its power needs
through renewable energy by 2025.
Westar Plans Wind
Farms in Kansas
Topeka, Kan.-based Westar Energy, Inc., recently
reached
tentative agreements with developers to build three wind farms in
Kansas, totaling approximately 300MW to be available by the end of
2008.
The company may also seek an additional 200MW to be available by 2010.
The agreements with the developers are contingent upon receiving
satisfactory regulatory pre-approval of the ratemaking principles from
the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC). Westar has requested the KCC
to
issue its order by Dec. 31.
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" and 3/8" 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
Project Watch
Wastewater
Treatment Plant Project in Indiana
Gary, Ind.-based Gariup Construction Co. is actively
seeking qualified/certified MBE, WBE, and other subcontractors to bid
on
the construction, including electrical work, of the primary and
aeration
channel modifications project at the South Bend, Ind., Wastewater
Treatment Plant. Bids must be received by Gariup Construction at 9:30
a.m. EST on Oct. 21. For more information, contact Rachelle Janssen at
(219) 887-5233.
Approach
Bridges Rehabilitation
in New York
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is
accepting proposals for Contract LT-481, Lincoln Tunnel, rehabilitation
of the New York approach bridges. Scope of work consists of replacement
of electrical conduits, as well as replacement of concrete utility
sport
slabs and sidewalks, repaving of asphalt concrete pavement, patching
concrete spalls and cracks on the bridge substructure surfaces,
replacement of bridge deck joints and joint seal, and spot cleaning and
painting bridge structural steel. Proposals must be received by the
Port
Authority by 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 30. For questions, call Jessamma
Vatakencherry at (212) 435-3953 or e-mail her at mailto:jvataken@panynj.gov.
ADVERTISEMENT
 New Megger MIT400 Series 1kV Insulation
Testers
The perfect high-performance tester for commercial and
plant electricians. It features a CAT IV, 600V rating, digital and
analog arc display, adjustable insulation test voltages, and
exceptional
measurement range from 20 G-ohms to 200 G-ohms. Six models to choose
from with a three year warranty. www.megger.com
Web Exclusives
Business Brief
Portland, Ore.-based Robert A. Amey Co. recently
entered
into an agreement to be the sole representative of Grayslake,
Ill.-based
Harger's lightning and grounding products in Oregon, Washington, Idaho,
Montana, and Alaska. Harger designs, manufactures, and markets a number
of products for lightning and grounding protections for many
residential, commercial, communication, transportation, and computer
applications.For more business briefs, visit EC&M's Web site.
ADVERTISEMENT
 Belden® Offers a Full Line
of
2-Hour Rated Fire-Resistive (Circuit Integrity) Cables for a range
of applications: UL2196/NEC-listed industrial cables are PLTC-CI
shielded multi-conductor types; shipboard cables are ABS-type approved
shielded multi-conductor cables with low-smoke zero halogen jackets;
shielded/unshielded multi-conductor Safe-T-Line® EVAC
system cables meet all applicable survivability requirements. For New
Product Bulletin #249, call 1.800.BELDEN.1 or www.belden.com/ECM249.
Eye on Safety
Safety Program
Planned for the Northeast in 2008
OSHA recently announced plans to conduct a no-notice
safety program during its fiscal year 2008 campaign to prevent
construction-related fatalities in the southeastern part of the United
States. Under the Swept Up in Safety Weeks program, agency compliance
officers will focus enforcement efforts on construction sites in
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South
Carolina, and Tennessee. The agency hopes to reduce the number of
injuries and fatalities resulting from the four leading causes of
accidents: falls, struck-by, crushing events, electrocutions, and
caught-in-between events.During 2007's Swept Up in Safety Weeks
campaign, officers conducted immediate inspections when unsafe working
conditions were observed at construction sites. Officers also entered
work sites to provide outreach and training and encouraged employers to
continue safety practices. The campaign helped reduce fatalities at
construction sites overseen by federal OSHA offices to 10.4% compared
to
fiscal year 2006, says OSHA. During the four designed safety weeks in
2007, the agency conducted 2,086 compliance inspections and 1,294
onsite
interventions where no inspections were performed.
ADVERTISEMENT
ClearTrax® Lay-In Connectors
ILSCO has introduced ClearTrax® lay-in connectors. ClearTrax range
taking connectors feature easy lay-in installation of aluminum or
copper
conductors and accommodate a wire range of 1000kcmil - 6. Benefits are
a
faster and safer connection resulting from reduced cable manipulation
during installation. Fabricated from 6061-T6 aluminum alloy to ensure
strength and conductivity, ClearTrax is clear plated for low contact
resistance. The compact body is designed as a single piece and is
engineered for heat dissipation. www.ilsco.com
Shows and Events
IEC National
Convention & Electric Expo
Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) will present
its 50th annual National Convention & Electric Expo from Oct. 24-27 in
Houston. The organization will once again presents its IEC University
sessions. This year's session topics include construction scheduling
for
electrical contractors, NFPA 70E, risk management, estimating, and
overcurrent protection. For more information and to register, visit
IEC's Web
site.
Electronic
House
Expo
The Electronic House Expo (EHX) Fall 2007 event will
take place from Nov. 7-9 in Long Beach, Calif. Sessions for this year
include sales and marketing mini camps, a business workshop, and
fiber-to-the-home summit, as well as a one-day review for technicians
seeking the Electronic Systems Professional Alliance (ESPA)-certified
Electronic Systems Technician (EST) certification. Fore more
information
and to register, visit the EHX Web
site.
IWCS Conference
The International Wire & Cable Symposium, Inc. (IWCS)
will presents its 56th annual conference from Nov. 11-14 at Disney's
Coronado Springs Resort & Convention Center in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
Professional development courses at this year's event will cover topics
such as bend-resistant fibers, coaxial cables for wireless systems,
extrusion technology and equipment, and fundamentals of copper
conductors, metallic cable designs, and optical fibers. For more
information and to register, visit the IWCS Web site.
EC&M
Code
Change Conferences
Where do you turn when you need accurate information on
changes to the National Electrical Code? Acknowledged as the leaders in
providing information on the NEC, EC&M magazine and EC&M
seminars have been the preferred sources of this information for more
than 60 years. Seven Code change conferences have been scheduled in the
fall of 2007. Host cities include: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Orlando,
Philadelphia, St. Louis, and Seattle.
As an approved provider with the National Council of Examiners for
Engineering and Surveying (NCEES), through its Registered Continuing
Education Provider Program (RCEPP), our 2008 Code change conferences
will provide professional engineers Professional Development Hours
(PDHs), a requirement for re-licensing in many states. The conferences
are also approved by every state that has a continuing education
requirement for contractors and electricians.
For additional information on the dates and locations of these
events, download a pdf of the schedule from the EC&M Web site.
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