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May/June 2010

Photo 1. LEED GOLD FACILITY EXPANSION PROJECT. Eaton Corporation’s Electrical Group headquarters LEED Gold Facility Expansion Project included the addition of more than 250,000 square feet. Achieving LEED Gold was an objective from the beginning for not only the savings but also as an example to industry of the importance of sustainable designs. This project achieved 39 points earning a LEED Gold rating.

Green Goggles Required Beyond This Point

[ 1 ] By  |  May 24, 2010  |  IAEI May-June 2010

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 [...]

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Connecting...

Connecting to Mother Earth

[ 1 ] By  |  May 24, 2010  |  IAEI May-June 2010

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), [...]

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Wind turbines

Renewable, Reliable, and Abundant Wind Energy — The Future is Here and Now!

[ 0 ] By  |  May 24, 2010  |  IAEI May-June 2010

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 [...]

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Photo 1

The 2009 IECC: Increased Inspections and Testing Lead to Increased Energy Savings

[ 0 ] By  |  May 24, 2010  |  IAEI May-June 2010

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 [...]

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Wind generator fire

Grounding of Wind Power Systems and Wind Power Generators

[ 0 ] By  |  May 24, 2010  |  IAEI May-June 2010

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 [...]

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Switchgear

Procedures for Inspecting Switchgear

[ 0 ] By  |  May 21, 2010  |  IAEI May-June 2010

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 [...]

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Photo. 1. Many people leave their appliances plugged in near sinks or tubs.

GFCIs and Electrocution

[ 0 ] By  |  May 21, 2010  |  IAEI May-June 2010

“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 [...]

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Photo 1

Extreme Indoor Air Quality Issues

[ 0 ] By  |  May 19, 2010  |  IAEI May-June 2010

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 [...]

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When Investing, Learn Aspects of Risks

[ 0 ] By  |  May 19, 2010  |  IAEI May-June 2010

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 [...]

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Figure 1.  Risk Control Hierarchy

Electrical Safety — It is Time to Get Serious!

[ 0 ] By  |  May 19, 2010  |  IAEI May-June 2010

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 [...]

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