Electrical Industry News Week
Published by Kerrwil Publications Limited with the support of Electro-Federation Canada (EFC)
Eaton

Message From The Editor

To end the year in an inspiring way

During the holiday break, we take time to update our laptops and phones, sort photos, and do all those other things we don't otherwise have time for. Here is an opportunity to update yourself on articles that attracted great interest in 2017 and that you may have missed or would like to reread. We wish you an excellent end of the year and don't miss next week's issue, where you'll read about inspiring people and projects. Happy year end, and good reading!

Line Goyette
Managing Editor
linegoyette@kerrwil.com  

Did You Know?

Southwire

Changing Scene

ABB ABB to Supply Power Transformers for BC Hydropower Plant
The Mica hydroelectric plant is one of the largest earth-fill dams in the world, with a generating capacity of 2,805 megawatts (MW). It accounts for about 22% of BC Hydro's generating capacity…
Bullfrog Wind Farms Coming to Alberta
Three of four wind farm projects announced by the provincial government this month will rise in the south, near Pincher Creek or Bow Island. The fourth will be built northeast of Hanna…
Canada Canada Announces New Funding for Energy Efficiency and Climate Action in Six Provinces
The federal government will provide over $1 billion in the next five years to British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia…

MANAGING CHANGE

Overcoming Resistance

By Keith Sones
Sones When I graduated as an occupational safety and health technologist, I was out to save the world. With my newfound knowledge I recognized the flaws in the industrial complex and was bound and determined to change everything. Day 1 on the job. One of my first assignments was to deliver a technically demanding training program on confined space entry. I managed to lull an entire audience to sleep. I came up with a better solution, and expected a line-up of trainers eager to implement it. Didn't happen, at least right away. Read More

CODES & STANDARDS

2018 Canadian Electrical Code, Part I: Top 15 Changes

CSA Group Now in its 24th edition, the 2018 Canadian Electrical Code, Part I includes a number of significant updates and changes to better help electrical workers in the safe maintenance of electrical equipment and create safer electrical installations. This edition features important revisions to many sections. For example, Section 26 now mandates the use of tamper-resistant receptacles in additional areas where children may be present. Section 62 now requires ground fault circuit interrupter protection for heating devices and controls in proximity to tubs, sinks, and shower stalls. Section 10 has been updated, reorganized, and significantly reduced in length. Requirements for Power over Ethernet systems have been added to Section 16, and requirements for marinas, wharves, and similar facilities have been substantially updated and reorganized in Section 78. Read More

LIGHTING

Lighting Control Networking 101

By Steve Mesh
Lighting Control Networking 101 Networked lighting control systems are all the rage these days. Rightfully so, given their enormous capability to control luminaires, energy use — and potentially much more. But what are the major elements that define a networked lighting control system? Understanding this will help the specifier to decide which system to use on a project. The biggest buzz word in the controls industry today is probably "wireless." This means that the lighting control system wirelessly connects components in its network (via radios embedded into each component). Other systems are "wired", in which case physical wires connect the control system components. Read More

HUMAN RESOURCES

Transformation of the Grid — and Preparing the Next Generation

By Michelle Branigan
Michelle The energy industry is now in the midst of transformative change. Many Canadian electrical assets are approaching the end of life, and there is a need to refurbish or replace much of the system. Countries around the world, including Canada, are looking to decarbonize existing energy systems. Smart homes, smart cities, renewable generation, the integration of electrical vehicles, energy efficiency, energy storage — these will all have an impact on the industry and how we deliver electricity within a changing environment. As electric and hybrid cars and fuel-cell power become more common, private and public transit will rely increasingly on electricity as a greener mover of people than fossil fuels. Investment in a sustainable future also means that existing facilities will be retrofitted to make them more efficient and create fewer emissions. Cities are changing to LED lightbulbs in public spaces, reducing costs substantially, while their root in electronics makes them compatible with digital smart systems for homes and for public areas. Read More

LIGHTING DESIGN

Creating the World's Most Connected Bridge

JC Bridge An iconic architectural feature of the Montreal skyline by day, the Jacques Cartier Bridge now shines with an innovative lighting signature that celebrates the unique engineering of its historic structure. Thanks to intelligent programming connected in real time to big data and social media networks, this bridge is by most measures the most connected bridge in the world. It comes alive every night and changes constantly, in synch with Montreal's seasons, weather, traffic and social media activity. A flagship project for the city's 375th and Canada's 150th anniversaries, the illumination of this steel colossus was a major challenge. This project unites the bridge with the city and its citizens, by combining expertise in civil engineering and large-scale project management with the creative talent of Moment Factory and six world-class local design firms. Read More

RESEARCH

Power Shifts: Emerging Low-Voltage Trends, Impacts and Opportunities, Part 1

Research EFC This first article in a 5-part series exploring specific aspects of the report and their implications for electrical contractors and other industry stakeholders. The electrical industry is undergoing massive transformation as it enters a new era of technological change. The ways in which electrical products and systems operate are vastly changing as new advancements in technology arise. Concepts such as smart cities and net zero homes and buildings are driving new social responsibility behaviours among end users in the market. In turn, these behaviours are creating opportunities for new integrated power and control systems, and applications that are readily available, flexible, efficient, and more cost-effective than before. Read More

GOING GREEN

The Canada That Prospers in the Decades Ahead Will Be Electric, Connected — and Clean

By Merran Smith
Clean It's early morning, 2067. You tap your phone to silence the buzzing alarm, which activates your home's automated "wake up" setting. A soft glow fills your room as a network of LEDs reaches just the right level of brightness. You roll out of bed, stepping onto floors warmed by a system that draws in heat from the outside air. As you shower in water heated by the solar panels on your roof, your coffee maker kicks into action, running on clean electricity stored in a battery in the garage. After breakfast, you'll head to work in your electric SUV, realizing as you pass a deserted gas station that you can't remember the last time you stopped to fill up. In the decades ahead, our homes and workplaces will master the art of energy efficiency. Buildings will maximize comfort and use as little power as possible, automatically drawing the blinds as the days warm up, turning on fans to keep air circulating and switching on lights as darkness falls. Read More

ENCLOSURES

The Practical Benefits of Modular Industrial Enclosures, Part 1

By Nathan Xavier
Enclosures Modular freestanding enclosures offer a number of key advantages when compared to traditional unibody enclosures. Many times these attributes are overlooked either out of a false perception of increased enclosure costs, reluctance to change, or a simple lack of awareness of the possible benefits of modular solutions. This 2-part article seeks to provide a more clear understanding, for designers, integrators and end users alike, of the benefits offered by modular enclosures. Examples will demonstrate the savings that can be realized over the lifespan of an enclosure after factoring in common use and operating costs such as maintenance, modifications and expansions associated with typical industrial applications. Here in Part 1: a comparison of modular and unibody enclosures, and common misperceptions. In Part 2: a comparison of costs. Read More

SAFETY

Safety Checklist: 10 Dumb Things Smart People Do When Testing Electricity, Part 1

Safety Fluke People who make their living by working with electricity quickly develop a healthy respect for anything with even a remote chance of being "live." Yet the pressures of the getting a job done on time or getting a mission-critical piece of equipment back on line can result in carelessness and uncharacteristic mistakes by even the most seasoned electrician. Here in Part 1 are the first five of 10 quick reminders of what not to do when taking electrical measurements. Read More

MARKETING

5 Social Media "Facts" You Should Ignore

Marketing Trying to learn how to manage your business' social media can be a difficult task. The web is filled with outdated social media facts. In some cases, information and advice are outright incorrect. With non-stop changes to Facebook (and other platforms') algorithms, it is hard to know what social media advice is good and what you should avoid. Here are five social media "facts" I regularly see, but you should ignore. Read More

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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Published by Kerrwil Publications Limited with the support of Electro-Federation Canada (EFC)
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