Have you ever wondered how it is that electrical power can be distributed over such a large area within an industrial setting? In the old days, this was achieved by copper-based electrical wires that went from the utility company to your location. However, it only takes a certain amount of imagination to realize how unsafe …
Industrial Electrical Busways: Everything You Need to Know Read More »
When it comes to industrial circuit breakers, they come in all shapes and sizes. No one circuit breaker will possibly fit all buildings and electrical needs – that’s why there are so many of them! There are many classifications and classes of circuit breakers out there, but one of the most important distinctions is between low …
Difference Between High and Low Voltage Industrial Circuit Breakers: Industrial Focus Read More »
Insulated Case Breakers – also known as insulated case circuit breakers (ICCBs) – are circuit breakers that are designed to protect electrical systems by opening and closing the circuit automatically and manually. This prevents events like overloads, short-circuiting, and ground faults from doing any damage to the system as a whole. According to the IEEE 1015 practice, …
When Insulated Case Breakers Are the Right Choice for You Read More »
Transformers are very useful devices that allow electricity to be used efficiently by things that can only handle low voltage electricity. Trying to power a small appliance directly from an electric pylon would lead to an unwanted explosion! They take the high voltage electricity from power stations, and transform it into low voltage electricity that …
The Difference Between Dry-Type and Oil-Filled Transformers Read More »
You’re running a special event, and you don’t have the electric appliances that you need to run it successfully. Rather than invest thousands of dollars in appliances and equipment that you may never use again, why not rent them for a day or two? You will save a lot of money in doing so, and …
When it comes to accidents and injuries that are caused by electricity, circuit breakers are the best way to prevent them from happening. A circuit breaker will interrupt the flow of electricity when the building undergoes an electric overload. This limits the amount of electricity that is allowed to flow through the wiring system. The building’s …
How to Find the Right Circuit Breaker for Your System Read More »
Counterfeit electrical supplies have been around for years, but the problem came into focus in the last decade when a 7-year old boy was fatally electrocuted while unplugging his Game Boy charger in 2007 while on a family trip in Thailand. The charger was counterfeit, and was the cause of this young boy’s loss of …
Counterfeit Electrical Supplies and How to Avoid Them Read More »
One big question that electrical contractors face when they start their business is whether or not they should specialize. It can be a tough decision, considering how fast the industry changes and how trends come and go so quickly. As tempting as it is to market yourself as a jack of all trades, this approach simply …
Top Reasons Why Electrical Contractors Should Find Their Niche Read More »
To many electrical contractors, copper conductors are seen as superior to aluminum conductors. However, aluminum has been receiving more attention lately as copper prices continue to rise. Is one truly better than the other? The debate is still hotly contested among many in the electrical industry. The truth is that both copper and aluminum conductors have their distinct …
An insulated case circuit breaker has all the characteristics of a molded case circuit breaker, with the addition of a two-step stored energy mechanism. Unlike the iron-framed breakers, they are constructed of molded plastic. Insulated, also called molded or plastic breakers, generally are used in low amp applications up to 1,000 Amps. They operate either …
Insulated Case Circuit Breakers vs. Air Circuit Breakers Read More »
When designing and installing electrical systems, electrical contractors must decide whether the system needs grounding or if it is better left ungrounded. While most electrical systems require proper grounding, there are certain instances where the National Electric Code (NEC) has determined that the benefits of grounding do not outweigh the risks that can come with it. In …
Choosing Between Grounded and Ungrounded Systems Read More »
Are You Making These Mistakes? The bidding market for electrical contractors has always been competitive. Simple mistakes can make contractors lose out on potential projects. In order to stay in control of your bid and win more jobs, it is important that you watch out for the common bidding mistakes many contractors make. Here are some completely …
6 Bidding Mistakes That Can Cost Electrical Contractors Read More »
It goes without saying that one of the major catalysts of the recent technological boom is electricity. After all, when the lightbulb was invented, no longer was work time restricted by the sun’s natural cycle. Productivity and development increased significantly, as people now had the ability to work around the clock, overnight, or whenever they needed to. …
According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs) are a leading cause of pain and suffering in the United States. These injuries are often the result of poor material handling techniques and can prove costly for employers in any industry. Those in the electrical trade often find themselves pulling, pushing, …
Stay Safe by Improving Your Material Handling Techniques Read More »
The electric submetering market is taking off, thanks to the United States increasing their efforts to reduce their energy consumption. With global revenue from electric submeters expected to reach $2.5 billion by 2024, there is a huge opportunity for electrical contractors to take advantage of this enormous growth. Not only can contractors help their clients …
How Electrical Contractors Can Profit Off of Submetering Read More »
With rising energy costs and increasing concern over the state of the environment, the demand for eco-friendly heating and cooling systems has skyrocketed—and the solution may be right beneath our feet. Geothermal energy has been around since the beginning of time, and uses the constant temperature from the earth to heat and cool homes and …
Geothermal versus Traditional HVAC: How Do They Compare? Read More »
As buildings become more energy efficient, the proper management of plug loads is now more important than ever. According to a report from the New Building Institute, electronic office equipment such as computers and printers can account for as high as 40 to 60 percent of all electricity consumed in a commercial building. By adopting …
Waste water treatment plants (WWTP) play a vital role throughout the world. Making water safe for industrial and human consumption, controlling water pollution, and reducing the chance of waterborne illness are just a few responsibilities that WWTPs take on each day.
The spread of counterfeit products is a world-wide problem, and one that isn’t easy to tackle. In 2014 alone, U.S. enforcement programs were able to seize fake products that were worth an estimated $1.2 billion, with the primary source of counterfeiting coming from China. Counterfeit products are a serious concern for every business, and the electrical …
What You Should Know About Counterfeit Electrical Products Read More »
The economy continues to improve in 2016, but not nearly as quickly as some would like. The outlook for the electrical construction market does seem promising, with gains of 16 percent in the residential sector and 9 percent for nonresidential buildings. However, this means little if your contracting business isn’t around to reap the benefits. Many contracting …
Tips for Getting Your Contracting Business Through Tough Times Read More »