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Coming Up in EC&M
High-Mast
Luminaire Inspections
High-mast luminaires are commonly found lining the
nation's highways and roadways, providing light once the sun sets.
Outdoor stadium light poles, also known as high-mast luminaires, are
usually found in facilities such as recreational parks and fields,
parking lots, outdoor stadiums, high schools and colleges, and prisons.
Recently, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued an
advisory about outdoor steel stadium light poles after nine in Texas
fell and 50 developed fractures and/or cracks. The problem was so
persistent the CPSC is now investigating a variety of manufacturers'
light poles and issued a statement that a qualified inspector should
examine all high-mast luminaires for visible signs of cracking, fracture
or deterioration. An article in the February issue of EC&M
will focus on these incidents and analyze the CPSC claims. If you work
with high-mast luminaires or regularly inspect them and would like to
share your experience, contact Staff Writer Beck Ireland by phone at
(913) 967-1806 or e-mail at beck.ireland@penton.com.
ADVERTISEMENT
AEMC® Introduces Its Power Quality Analyzer
PowerPad® Jr. Model 8230
AEMC's Model 8230
PowerPad® Jr. is a single-phase power quality analyzer
that is easy-to-use and shock-resistant. Users are able to obtain
instant waveforms of the electrical network’s characteristics and
monitor their variation over time. All power quality parameters,
including volts, amps, watts, and harmonics out to the 50th, can be
recorded.
www.aemc.com.
Around the Circuit
No
Recovery in 2010, Say Contractors in AGC Survey
Nearly nine-in-ten contractors say there will be no
recovery in 2010 as part of the "2010 National Construction Hiring and
Business Outlook Forecast" recently released by the Associated General
Contractors of America (AGC), Arlington, Va. As a result, fewer
contractors plan to purchase construction equipment and after a year of
near-record industry layoffs, many doubt they’ll be able to hire new
staff this year. To read more on this story, visit EC&M's Web
site.
NEMA's Business
Confidence Indexes Post Positive Results to Kick Off 2010
The National Electrical Manufacturers Association's
(NEMA), Rosslyn, Va., Electroindustry Business Confidence Index (EBCI)
for current North American conditions rebounded in January, rising
nearly 9 points to 57.1. The index is derived from responses to a survey
circulated to senior executives of NEMA member companies. A value above
50 indicates that more respondents reported that the business
environment improved from the previous month. The index had fallen below
50 in December for the first time in five months, but this latest
reading suggests that the modest improvements in conditions that
characterized much of the second half of 2009 have persisted into early
2010.To read more on this story, visit EC&M's Web
site.
Architecture Billings Index Remains in
Negative Territory
On the heels of a more than three-point drop in
November, the American Institute of Architects' (AIA), Washington, D.C.,
Architecture Billings Index (ABI) had a negligible increase of less than
one point in December. As a leading economic indicator of construction
activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine- to 12-month lag time
between architecture billings and construction spending. AIA reported
the December ABI rating was 43.4, up slightly from 42.8 in November.
This score indicates a continued decline in demand for design services
(any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects
inquiry score was 55.3, down more than three points.To read more on
this story, visit EC&M's Web site.
Governor
Schwarzenegger Announces First-in-the-Nation Statewide Green Building
Standards Code
Continuing California's efforts to fight climate change
and protect the environment, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger recently
announced the California Building Standards Commission (BSC) unanimously
adopted the first-in-the-nation mandatory Green Building Standards Code
(CALGREEN) requiring all new buildings in the state to be more energy
efficient and environmentally responsible. Taking effect Jan. 1, 2011,
these comprehensive regulations will achieve major reductions in
greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, and water use to create a
greener California.To read more on this story, visit EC&M's Web
site.
ADVERTISEMENT
The 2010 IEEE Power & Energy Society Transmission and
Distribution Conference and Exposition
The 2010 IEEE Power &
Energy Society Transmission and Distribution Conference and Exposition
is scheduled for April 19-22 in New Orleans. Join us in the Crescent
City for the most informative event focusing on the technological
solutions that will drive the industry into the future. Discuss the
challenges you now face with equipment manufacturers and service
providers from all over the world.
For more information go to www.ieeet-d.org.
Project Watch
Electrical Repairs
in New Mexico
Commissioners for Lea County, N.M., are requesting bids
for as-needed electrical repairs and modifications for Lovington and
Hobbs municipal buildings, as well as rural community centers or fire
departments. The period of service will be one year from date of award.
The deadline for bids is 3 p.m. MST on February 9. For more information,
visit the Lea County Web
site.
Highway Lighting
Renovation in North Carolina
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT)
is requesting bids for lighting renovations on I-77 at the intersection
of NC 150 (Exit 36) in Mooresville. Sealed bids must be received in the
Division Engineer's Office by 10 a.m. on Feb. 23. For more information,
visit the NCDOT Web
site.
Web Exclusives
Business Brief
St. Louis-based Emerson Network Power strengthened its
data center infrastructure management portfolio with the recent official
announcement of the company's completed acquisition of Avocent Corp.
Avocent's technologies provide additional visibility into the data
center infrastructure, bolstering Emerson Network Power's infrastructure
management capabilities and ultimately giving data center managers
better control of energy consumption, IT operations, and costs.For
more Business Briefs, visit the EC&M Web site.
Survey Shows Big
Gap between Awareness and Adoption of Green Lighting Technology
The second annual Sylvania Socket Survey reveals a
paradox in Americans' attitudes toward lighting — although 74% have
switched to an energy-saving light bulb in the past year, the majority
is not aware of the impending federal phase-out of incandescent lamps,
starting in 2012 with the 100W bulb.To read more survey results,
visit the EC&M Web
site.
Report
Forecasts ESCO Business Will Achieve Double-Digit CAGRs
The current commercial building stock of more than 70
billion sq ft provides a fertile market opportunity for U.S. Energy
Services Companies (ESCOs), and a recent report from Boulder,
Colo.-based Pike Research, “The U.S. Energy Service Company Market,”
forecasts that the ESCO business will achieve double-digit compound
annual growth rates (CAGRs) over the next several years.To read more
about this report, visit the EC&M Web
site.
Eye on Safety
Ontario Power
Generation Fined $100,000 in Electrical Accident
Ontario Power Generation Inc. (OPG), Toronto, pleaded
guilty and was fined $100,000 for a violation under the Occupational
Health and Safety Act after a worker was injured after using a bypass
key to circumvent the lockout system at the operating station in
Atikokan, Canada, on Jan. 15, 2008. A Ministry of Labour investigation
found that the key used to bypass the lockout system was available to
workers. OPG pleaded guilty to failing to take the reasonable precaution
of preventing ready access to the means of circumventing the lockout
system.
Shows & Events
ASA Business
Forum and Convention
The American Subcontractors Association (ASA) Business
Forum and Convention will take place from March 3-7 in San Diego.
Workshops at this year's event include "Bid Errors and Protests: What
You Need to Know," "Collections Strategies for Specialty Trade
Contractors," and "Green Building: Defining Your Role -- and Your Risk."
For more information and to register, visit the ASA Web
site.
EGSA Spring
Convention
EGSA's annual Spring Convention is scheduled for March
14-16 in St. Petersburg, Fla. Sessions to be presented include
"Recovery: Positive Changes in the Workplace and the Economy," "Demand
Response," and "Organizational Development and Market Diversity." For
more information and to register, visit the EGSA Web
site.
Electric West
2010
The Electric West 2010 and Power Quality conference will
be held March 16-18 in Las Vegas. Topics at this year's event include
residential lighting control, surge protection devices, and renewable
energy worker certifications. Download a complimentary Expo pass (a $55
value) here.
For more information, visit the Electric West 2010 Web
site.
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