Electrical Industry News Week
Published by Kerrwil Publications Limited with support from the EFC
Cooper Industries

Message From The Editor

Often, prevention is better than the cure

We talk a lot about disruptive technologies in our industry. They're changing the work environment, the way we do things, and the tools and applications we use. But these aren't the only sources of disruption. What if your business is plunged into a crisis, and managing what you do turns into a nightmare? As contributor Michelle Branigan says, United Airlines will pay long for its mismanagement of last month's customer service debacle. While the problem may have started with questionable policies and processes, the CEO's heavy-handed blame-the-customer response just added fuel to the fire. What's the learning? Make sure your own policies and procedures are sound, and you have an effective emergency preparedness plan in place. Good reading!

Line Goyette
Managing Editor
linegoyette@kerrwil.com  
EIKO

Changing Scene

Prompt Payment Act Senate Approves Prompt Payment Act
Canada's Senate has unanimously passed Bill S-224, the Canada Prompt Payment Act, regulating payments on federal construction contracts. As Don Wall reports in Daily Commercial News, the bill now goes to the House of Commons…
Electrical Apprentice Quota BC Construction Labour Industry Calls for 25% Apprentice Quota
Construction labour representatives have requested that 25% of those employed on new government projects be apprentices…
AEA Golf Alberta Electrical Association Events: Funding Educational Opportunities
This June 1 golf day in Calgary is just one of four events across the province, planned by members of the Alberta Electrical Association, to raise funds for local scholarships and bursaries…
Tools For The Trade

Personal Development

Learning from Your Mistakes — and Not Flying by the Seat of Your Pants

By Michelle Branigan
Michelle Branigan In an age when communication rules, and a company's reputation can be elevated or decimated in the time it takes a tweet to circle the world, the last thing a company wants is to see itself caught up in a public relations disaster. By now everyone has likely seen the images and video of the United Airlines passenger suffering serious injuries while being dragged off the plane by police after refusing to give up his seat to a United crew member. The general public was shocked and outraged, and United's initial handling of the situation only made matters worse. Who knows what it will cost to rebuild the company's reputation. Read More

Marketing

5 Simple Reasons Why You Need to Attend More (Home Reno) Trade Shows

Marketing An industry trade show is a gathering of some of the best and brightest minds that the industry has to offer. It is also a great opportunity to network and grow your business or brand. Here are five simple reasons why you need to attend more trade shows. Read More

Safety

Having the Right Arc Flash PPE

By Jim Pollard
Safety Within the electrical industry the most intimate of all products is a worker's arc flash and shock personal protective equipment (PPE). Every day workers are required to wear these products for protection from electrical hazards of shock, arc flash and arc blast. However, when workers are provided with outdated PPE they are more likely to make mistakes that can cause an arc flash. This article helps explain why PPE is used and how to select the right products to minimize human error and improve a worker's performance. Read More

LED Technology

Value of Building Permits Declines 5.8% in March

Stats Canada The value of building permits issued by Canadian municipalities fell 5.8% to $7.0 billion in March, marking a second consecutive monthly decrease. Nationally, the decline was mainly the result of lower construction intentions for multi-family dwellings, particularly in British Columbia and Ontario. All provinces and territories, except Ontario and Quebec, registered decreases in the total value of building permits. Despite the decline, Q1 2017 is up 7.3% over Q1 2016. Read More

Survey Says

SurveySays

Contractors' Average Salaries by Certification

From 2015 to 2016, journeyman electricians overtook the lead from project management professionals. See how well contractors in 6 other categories did.

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Survey Says From Recent Issues

New Products and Solutions

Balluff

Balluff's Distributed Modular I/O for the Food Processing and Beverage Industry

Balluff has introduced a machine mount, IP69K protection rated, ECOLAB certified distributed I/O modules powered by EtherNet/IP, Profitnet, and IO-Link. End users and machine builders of automation in the food, meat, dairy and beverage industries that need to follow stringent food safety requirements can now utilize the full benefits of distributed modular I/O architecture for all the required I/O and sensor connectivity. Read More
Hubbel Airo

Hubbell Airo LED Pole Combo

The Airo LED pole combo provides all outdoor lighting needs, and are ideal for parking lots or street lights. Also, features customized colours to meet various client needs. The Airo luminaire can replace up to 400w HID luminaires in an 8, 16, or 24 LED configurations with high performance lenses that optimize photometric performance. Read More
Lumentalk

Lumenpulse Lumentalk Control Features

Lumentalk is a patented power line communication technology that uses existing AC mains as a bidirectional carrier for data, resulting in lower construction costs and shorter shutdown times. Lumentalk provides a reliable, secure and cost-effective lighting network. With Lumentalk, electrical wiring becomes a stable digital communications link, enabling LED fixtures to be individually controlled and dimmed. Read More
Light Tape

Light Tape Selective Billboard Lighting

Light Tape is a versatile backlighting system. The printing process utilizes black out to create texture and form shapes. Light Tape systems are delivered ready to install, and are cut to whatever custom dimensions customers require. The system weighs less than 1/4lbs per square foot and is mounted using pre-applied velcro. Read More
RAB Lighting

RAB Design AWL Series

The RAB AWL adjustable wall lights are ideal for perimeter lighting, commercial properties, residential buildings, townhouses and condos, schools and warehouses. The Awall lights are high on lumens and low on watts, with savings of over 70% when compared to traditional wall lights. There are 5 models available. Read More
RAB Lighting

Moxa SDS-3008 Smart Switches

The Moxa SDS-3008 smart switch is a new product line within Moxa's industrial Ethernet switch family. The smart switches offer an intuitive one-page dashboard, which allows users to activate per-configured IA protocols in one click, simplifying HMI/SCADA integration. It delivers a compact size and flexible mounting design. Read More

From Our Last Issue

From Our Last Issue
  • Guide to the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I — Instalment 24
    In this article: Section 44 — Theatre Installations. The CE Code is a comprehensive document. Sometimes it can seem quite daunting to quickly find the information you need. This series of articles provides a guide to help users find their way through this critical document. This is not intended to replace the notes in Appendix B or the explanations of individual requirements contained in the CEC Handbook, but will hopefully provide some help in navigating the code.

EIN's Training & Events Calendar

Calendar

Training, networking and professional development opportunities for members of Canada's electrical industry.

Electrical Joint Training Committee Open House for Women
May 27, 2017
Port Coquitlam, BC

Emerging Energy Trends Conference
May 29, 2017
Toronto, ON

EV/VÉ Conference and Trade Show
May 29-June 1, 2017
Markham, ON

2017 EFC Conference: Bridge the Opportunities
May 30-June 1, 2017
San Diego, CA

View all Events

Current Copper Prices

Monitor daily and 6-month $US prices for copper — the preferred electrical conductor for most categories of electrical wiring.

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The Electrical Stock Market

Track the stock market performance of 25 publicly traded electrical equipment suppliers and electrical wholesalers. Updated weekly.

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Electrical Industry News Week is published by Kerrwil Publications Limited with support from the EFC
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