Are you fed up with hearing the word “Green”? Are you ready to put a code proposal in to change the green conductors to yellow? Are you purposely drinking out of Styrofoam cups? Are you driving a vehicle with your catalytic converter removed? Even if all of this fits your position on Green, it is [...]
When buying real estate, conventional wisdom dictates the three most important elements are—Location, Location, and Location. Based on my twenty-six years of working with PV systems, including the school of hard knocks, I strongly feel that the three most important elements to long- and short-term PV safety are—Grounding, Grounding, and Grounding. Utility-interactive residential (dwelling unit), [...]
Imagine, if you will, a nation powered by a renewable, reliable, abundant, and virtually silent source of fuel that can be converted readily and efficiently to supply an ever-increasing demand for electricity. Imagine a source of fuel that will lessen the demands for fossil fuels, the threat of depleting the ozone and the global concern [...]
What’s happening with energy efficiency in existing and new residential homes? The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is committed to improving the most popular model residential energy code by 30% by 2012 and moving to net zero energy homes by 2020. The first major step toward those goals is embodied in the 2009 International Energy [...]
Power continuity is essential in wind power projects where a tripped overcurrent device due to ground fault can have serious economic or operational consequences. An arcing phase-to-ground fault can totally destroy the equipment. Consequential downtime adds to the economic loss. Four typical grounding methods for generators and power systems are examined for these factors and [...]
UL University will train and certify system installers to meet growing demand for clean-energy technologies NORTHBROOK, Ill., April 26 /PRNewswire/ — Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a global leader in safety testing and certification, announced today the introduction of a new program to train and certify installers of photovoltaic (PV) products and systems. The program, available beginning [...]
What’s big, gray, and should be approached carefully? If you answered “an elephant,” why are you reading an electrical book? If you answered “switchgear,” you’re probably a code weenie. Inpectors often ask, “What are the procedures for inspecting switchgear?” Like eating an elephant, the best approach is one bite at a time. Switchgear is one [...]
“According to Acting Chairman Anne Graham of the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, “The GFCI shock protector constantly monitors electricity flowing through a circuit. If the hair dryer or any electric appliance accidentally topples into the sink or tub, the GFCI will shut down the power in milliseconds to protect the consumer against electrocution [...]
While performing inspections, you may be confronted with electrical components that just don’t appear normal and it may be for unexpected reasons. It is important to understand that there is an issue impacting indoor air quality currently being investigated and it may impact electrical metal components. Although extreme, and not quite the norm, some individuals [...]
Since I started working with electrical contractors and others in the electrical industry, I’ve been fortunate to learn things about the industry that most financial advisors don’t know. Like when it comes to an arc flash, preventive maintenance, worker training, and an effective safety program can significantly reduce arc flash exposure. Preventive maintenance should be [...]
Despite awareness campaigns, industry statistics and loss summaries, annual safety conferences and numerous industry associations driving the safety message, we still more often than not take a reactive rather than proactive approach to electrical safety. I am not pointing fingers or sermonizing because I was reactive, and I did not take electrical safety as seriously [...]
In the early 1970s, a new form of cable tray was introduced to the European market. Wire mesh basket tray promised savings in both materials and labor and gained considerable success in Europe through the mid-1990s when the concept was exported to the United States. The introduction of basket tray to the U. S. was [...]
Let’s refresh a couple of well-known facts: 1. All electrical equipment intended to be used under provisions of the CE Code must be approved. 2. Requirements of the Canadian Electrical Code cannot create obstacles for use of any new technologies, as long as each such technology presents “approved” equipment that could be utilized for specific applications [...]
Question I’ve heard UL has hired a new representative that covers the Northwestern Section of the IAEI. Who is it and how can we contact him for assistance?
Queston When a Type 3R metal enclosure is penetrated with a conduit, can a sealing gasket be installed on the interior of the enclosure to maintain the rating?
