Electrical Contractor Magazine

Happy ! We've got Part II of the Profile of the Electrical Contractor to draw from today. Did you know that 8 out of 10 electrical contractors report they have a "high" or "medium" ability to influence overall electrical designs or specifications on projects? 😮

This follow-up from Part I is chock full of facts and statistics about your industry. Head here to see what industry experts have to say.

2024 Profile of the Electrical Contractor: Part 2 In Part 2 of the Profile of the Electrical Contractor, we look at some of the particulars of how electrical contractors do their work, including team structures, partnerships and product specification.

It's and we're excited to share a fresh one from the August 2024 issue of . Take a look at this story by Chuck Ross about the internet of things, at school and at home.🍎

Circuit Protection Goes to School: Growth of the internet of things and electrification of everything leads to more smart home products In the 15 years since manufacturers began marketing smart home products, connectivity features for remote monitoring and control have largely been limited to end-use devices.

Solar may still feel new, but it is getting more efficient every day. 🌞 Head to Jim Romeo's story on photovoltaic cells to find out more on recent solar research.

Improving Solar Cell Technology to Support Sustainable Power Researchers at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology have made a significant breakthrough in enhancing the efficiency and durability of perovskite solar cells, a type of thin-film PV device.

'Twas 16 days before convention, and we were filled with anticipation.
Hey reader, that reminds us, have you completed your registration?

Get all the information you need for the 2024 here:
https://hubs.ly/Q02NrY9N0

Now that it’s September, how is your company doing compared to the midyear projections?
https://hubs.ly/Q02N57hc0

Keep Calm and Carry On: 2024 Midyear Construction Outlook There’s much to be confident about in the construction industry. While there are areas to watch, “Keep calm and carry on” is an apt motto going forth.

You know about proactive versus reactive safety measures. But do you know about prevention through design? Tom O’Connor lays it out for us.
https://hubs.ly/Q02N532J0

Built-In Safety: Prevention through design in construction Over the last two decades, the way construction firms tackle safety in the workplace has evolved. 

Are you an electrician who has moved for work? Then this article by Susan DeGrane is for you. Read more about the population changes affecting the industry here. 🚚

Relocation Motion: Population changes mean contractors need more skilled labor The pandemic prompted a flurry of relocation activity in the United States, which continued through 2023. 

With home power generator sales on the rise, being prepared is a little more complex than simply stashing an emergency kit in the closet. Intermatic's surge protective devices protect against harmful transients that can damage electrical devices when generators turn on after a power loss.

Learn more 👉 https://hubs.ly/Q02N9D7v0

Do you dig? If so, do you call before you do it? Read up on 811 day for more on this crucial rule in construction.

811 Day Offers Reminder to Call Before You Dig Always call before you dig—that’s the message the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) want to emphasize to contractors and homeowners for “8/11 Day.”

September is here, which means the is in less than a month! You still have 23 days to register, so don't panic. Click here instead: https://hubs.ly/Q02Ns3QK0

If you can't make it to the 2024 NECA Convention & Trade Show, be sure to sign up for a free subscription to ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR magazine, NECA's official publication for the industry. We'll cover opening and closing ceremonies, keynote speakers and other exclusive events. 😎 Subscribe here! https://hubs.ly/Q02NrDC_0

The NFPA 70E gets refreshed every three years. Catch up on the updates with your own refresher here! https://hubs.ly/Q02N56rS0

Has It Been Three Years Already? Updates to NFPA 70E’s training requirements NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, provides a road map for electrical safety and the necessary training.

PoE is everywhere. Check out this article by Jeff Griffin for info on PoE testers and the tech behind them.⚡️https://hubs.ly/Q02LLl1x0

Cool Tools: PoE Testers Power over ethernet (PoE) technology allows electrical power for lighting, HVAC and security systems to flow over an ethernet cable rather than standard electrical wiring. PoE testers are useful in supporting PoE installations.

On this Labor Day, refresh your memory of the history of the IBEW here!
https://hubs.ly/Q02N51sx0

IBEW Celebrates 130 Years This year marks the 130th year of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. For a look inside the early history of the union, IBEW members, NECA members and history buffs may want to visit the Henry Miller Museum in St. Louis.

Labor Day is close to our hearts and reminds us of our values at ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR Magazine and NECA. Thank you for all you do for the country and each other!
Archival photo by Museums Victoria on Unsplash.

Electrical Contractor magazine is committed to being trustworthy and transparent. That’s why, for over 25 years, we've had a regular third-party audit by the Alliance for Audited Media.

Before you clock out for the weekend, we have to remind you of two things:

1) The NECA 2024 Convention, the biggest in the industry, is only 29 days away! ⚡️
2) The convention will be in the sunny, beachy, birthplace of California: San Diego! 🌇

Are you registered? Are you excited? Did you know that San Diego produces the most avocados of any state in the U.S.? Can you tell how excited WE are?

Click the link below to register. You don't want to miss this.

NECA Convention - NECA 2024 San Diego NECA San Diego will take place from September 28 - October 1, 2024. Register today to join educational sessions, network, and more!

Have you read Part II of the Profile of the Electrical Contractor yet? If not, why wait? Access the story here and learn about the industry we're all rooting for.💡

2024 Profile of the Electrical Contractor: Part 2 In Part 2 of the Profile of the Electrical Contractor, we look at some of the particulars of how electrical contractors do their work, including team structures, partnerships and product specification.

Tilly takes her duties very seriously. That means heightened awareness around construction zones and roadwork. Pedestrians, drivers and roadside workers will thank you! (And maybe give you pets on the head.)

"I remember Brooke as being deeply passionate about codes and standards, as well as life in general. He was a motivating presence to staff, both professionally and personally. I have fond memories of him organizing after-work bike rides from Bethesda into DC," said Traci Walker, NECA's chief financial officer.

Searchers Provide Closure for Family of H. Brooke Stauffer After 17 Years After 17 years, searchers have finally discovered the wreckage of a small plane that went down over Lake Huron in 2007, and the remains of one of its passengers, H. Brooke Stauffer. Stauffer, 56, was NECA’s executive director of standards and safety. 

How does your helmet hold up? 👷 Virginia Tech would like to know. Stop by this story for more about helmet safety ratings.

Virginia Tech Researchers Aim to Rate Construction Helmets The Virginia Tech Helmet Lab is going beyond testing and rating sports helmets used in football and setting its sights on the safety performance of construction helmets.

Working with reconditioned electrical equipment? What does the Code have to say about it?
https://hubs.ly/Q02MmlK40

Reconditioning Requirements: How the NEC handles this type of electrical equipment In my January 2024 column, I briefly covered the adoption and coverage of reconditioned electrical equipment in the 2017 NEC. I believe a closer study and better understanding of reconditioned electrical equipment in the NEC is warranted.

Now that both parts of the 2024 Profile of the Electrical Contractor are out, what would you like to see more survey questions about next time?
https://hubs.ly/Q02MlZbN0

Photo by Richard Hedrick on Unsplash

Bits are a big deal, according to this story by Donny Metcalf. Check out the article for more details. 🔩

What To Know About Drill Bits: Small tools integral to an electrician’s work While most of us understand the importance of properly maintaining power tools, drill bits deserve an equal amount of care

There’s a lot of focus on new construction. But what happens next? Our service/maintenance experts update the idea of “customer lifetime value.”
https://hubs.ly/Q02MlWSQ0

Focus on Lifetime Value: There’s much more business in what follows new construction We have come up with a better way of reflecting the one-two combination of initial construction and subsequent service related to erecting and then maintaining a building or facility.

How do you stay safe in all situations? Contributor Tom O’Connor has some suggestions!
https://hubs.ly/Q02Lvn8d0

What I Did on My Summer Vacation: Keeping safe on and off the job Being on vacation doesn’t eliminate the risk of getting hurt. By practicing basic awareness and adhering to some simple safety tips, most hazardous outcomes can be prevented.

If you’re an outside line worker, we’ve got all the latest industry updates for you here! 🎉
https://hubs.ly/Q02Lvpyd0

Outside Line Content on high-voltage transmission and distribution lines, including substations, outside line safety, the National Electrical Safety Code and more.

As competitive as this industry is, teamwork still wins the day. Check out Susan DeGrane's story for examples of ECs pulling together for big projects.💪

Stronger Together: Companies of all sizes are combining forces to tackle larger projects Efforts to achieve energy efficiency, enhance connectivity and harden infrastructure are fueling an abundance of construction projects across the nation—data centers, solar farms, manufacturing and healthcare facilities, universities, schools and more.

The global circuit breaker market, which was valued at $6.36 billion last year, is expected to increase from $6.67 billion this year. Check out Lori Lovely's story at the link in bio for more details. 🔌

“In hazardous areas, there are increased concerns about establishing an effective ground-fault current path that will not create an explosion or fire if a ground fault occurs.” Get more comfortable with the NEC general bonding requirements here.
https://hubs.ly/Q02Lvp8H0

Another Look: Grounding and bonding for circuits in hazardous locations Effective bonding is important for safety in general locations, but in hazardous areas, there are increased concerns about establishing an effective ground-fault current path that will not create an explosion or fire if a ground fault occurs.