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New Sensors, Controls Give Contractors New Opportunities
Lighting retrofits will be big business for electrical contractors over the next couple of years. Two standard lighting technologies – T12 fluorescent lamps and most incandescent lamps – are being phased out, so building owners will be looking for new, more efficient alternatives. This gives contractors a great opportunity to introduce those owners to lighting control systems that could lead to even more energy savings. There are options for simply refitting existing T12 fixtures with electronic ballasts to accept T8 lamps, but a more comprehensive plan, incorporating dimmable fixtures with sensors and controls, could make for more efficient and comfortable interiors.
Environmentally Friendly Chemicals for Electrical Equipment
Few third party testing organizations have environmental standards that apply to chemicals used in electrical maintenance or construction in order to classify them as green. However, manufacturers need to conform to differing state guidelines regarding environmental health and safety and air quality issues (VOC regulations). The challenge is to provide products that meet the new "green" expectations but do not compromise performance or efficiency. It is up to manufacturers to market products that, in absence of clear third party standards, share attributes of an environmentally friendly product.
Chemicals for Restoring Moisture-damaged Electrical Equipment
Water contamination due to rain, floods, broken water pipes and fire can damage or destroy expensive electrical and electronic equipment if the equipment is left untreated, merely to dry out on its own. Implementing a restoration program that takes advantage of specific chemicals formulated to address wet electrical equipment can significantly reduce the damage and, in many cases, result in complete recovery of the wet equipment, advises Ken Cantwell, Director of Marketing, Industrial Electrical Division, CRC Industries, a manufacturer of electrical cleaners, degreasers, lubricants and other specialty products.
Value Engineering with Aluminum Wire
On most large projects the contractor has a chance to offer "Value Engineering". This is the contractor's opportunity to propose materials that are different from the original bid specification. This material has to save the customer money and yet still provide sufficient performance. This value engineering can result in both the customer saving money and the contractor increasing his profits. Many large commercial building owners have independently tested aluminum wire for reliability. At least one wire company, Southwire, can provide industry information about acceptance of aluminum.
New Sensors, Controls Give Contractors New Opportunities
Lighting retrofits will be big business for electrical contractors over the next couple of years. Two standard lighting technologies – T12 fluorescent lamps and most incandescent lamps – are being phased out, so building owners will be looking for new, more efficient alternatives. This gives contractors a great opportunity to introduce those owners to lighting control systems that could lead to even more energy savings. There are options for simply refitting existing T12 fixtures with electronic ballasts to accept T8 lamps, but a more comprehensive plan, incorporating dimmable fixtures with sensors and controls, could make for more efficient and comfortable interiors.
Shining a Light on New LEDs
By 2014, lighting manufacturers will no longer be producing the incandescent bulbs (or “lamps” to lighting pros) found in millions of table, desk and ceiling fixtures. So, what’s going to take their place? Compact fluorescent lamps have made inroads, but LED manufacturers say their solid-state lighting alternatives offer performance advantages that make them a clear favorite. LEDs long have been recognized for their efficiency, producing light levels equivalent to those of incandescent products using a fraction of the energy, but they also have posed problems for designers
Growing Solar Market Shining Light on Photovoltaic Fuses
As the number of solar power installations continues to grow, spurred on by tax incentives and improved performance, system designers are becoming increasingly concerned regarding the safety of photovoltaic (PV) equipment and, more importantly, the personnel who keep it running. Safety devices for PV equipment, including fuses, need to be tailored to meet their unique design and operating conditions. Fuses for these applications now are covered by the new UL 2579, “Low Voltage Fuses – Fuses for Photovolotaic Systems.”
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