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Around the Circuit
NLB Explains
New
Tax Benefits
The National Lighting Bureau (NLB), Silver Spring, Md.,
is currently offering a free brochure that provides information on the
Energy Policy Act of 2005 tax benefits available to those who upgrade
their existing lighting systems or specify high-efficiency lighting for
new commercial buildings. According to the brochure, owners can earn an
accelerated depreciation benefit equal to the cost of the lighting
system -- or $0.60 per square foot -- whichever is less. Lighting
systems that do not meet the efficiency required to earn the maximum
deduction may be eligible for a smaller deduction. The smaller
deduction
benefit applies to discrete systems within a building. The brochure is
available for viewing or download at the NLB Web site.
ADVERTISEMENT
 Free PowerPad Brochure
Wouldn't it be nice if you could look inside your electrical system and
see what's going on? Troubleshooting would be so much easier if you
could see the volts, amps, and harmonic content in real time and take
pictures to document and analyze. Now you can do just that and more
with
AEMC's PowerPad Model 3945. Record trends and capture transients,
events, and screen shots all at the same time. Review it on screen or
download a complete database for thorough analysis on your PC with the
DataView software provided. Call (800) 343-1391 or e-mail sales@aemc.com for your free PowerPad
brochure. AEMC's brochure is also available online at www.aemc.com.
FEMP Adopts
NEMA Motors Standard for Federal Facilities Purchases
On Feb. 14, the Federal Energy Management Program
(FEMP)
issued federal notice of a new standard to all federal agencies on the
procurement of premium efficiency motors. The new FEMP specifications
are based on the efficiency criteria set by the Premium Efficiency
Motors Program from the National Electrical Manufacturers Association
(NEMA), Rosslyn, Va. FEMP has now extended the designation of
premium-efficient motors to include medium-voltage electric motors --
up to 5kV -- with rated capacities up to 500 hp. The Energy Policy
Act
of 2005 requires that federal agencies procure only Energy
Star-qualified or FEMP-designated products. For more information on the
new standard, visit NEMA's Web
site.
Federal Government
Issues MOU on Sustainable Buildings
In a recent memorandum of understanding (MOU), the
federal government chose to remain neutral with regard to rating
systems
for the design, construction, and operation of high-performance,
sustainable buildings. According to an official at the Green Building
Initiative, the MOU avoids mandating the use of any particular system,
opting instead to focus on the end result. Development of the MOU was
led by the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive. A copy of the
MOU will soon be available on the Fedcenter Web site.
IES Files for
Chapter
11
On Feb. 14, Houston-based Integrated Electrical
Services
(IES) finalized its proposal and filed Chapter 11 with the U.S.
Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas. The company
submitted its petition along with a prearranged reorganization plan
that
would result in the elimination of about $173 million in debt. The
petition also announced an $80 million commitment on a revolving
debtor-in-possession financing loan with Bank of America Corp.
According
to the court documents, the loan would be used to pay vendors and
continue business operations.
ADVERTISEMENT
SureTest Circuit Tracers Take Readings to
a New Level
New SureTest Circuit Tracers are extremely powerful for tracing and
provide unparalleled levels of precision and performance. The unique
display rotates in 90-degree increments to remain upright so you get
the
most easy-to-read measurement possible. SureTest Circuit Tracers also
feature audio and visual indicators, and four modes of sensitivity to
give you the confidence to know you read it right the first time. For
more information on our circuit tracer kits, visit www.idealindustries.com.
Project Watch
Atlanta Firm Seeks
Subcontractor
Parsons Infrastructure & Technology Group Inc.,
Atlanta,
seeks a subcontractor to establish a medium intensity approach lighting
system with sequential flashers and glide slope. Work includes
excavation/backfill of trenches, underground cabling, concrete
foundations, and installation of threshold lights. Deadline for bids is
March 15 at 2 p.m. EST. For more information, contact Dianne
Wiltz-Hunley at dianne.ctr.wilz-Hunley@faa.gov.
South Carolina County Requests
Bids for Outdoor Lighting
The Greenville County Recreation District, Taylors,
S.C., is accepting sealed bids for outdoor sports lighting
replacements.
The scope of work includes replacing the athletic field lighting at
Slate-White, Northside, and Lakeside parks and lights at the tennis
courts at Butler Spring Park. Bids will be accepted until 2 p.m. on
March 6. For a bid package, contact Chrystel Jones at (864) 288-6470
ext. 113 or download one from the Recreation Department's Web site.
ADVERTISEMENT
 Contractors Earn Free Merchandise From
B-Line
Introducing the Great Gear program, a way to acquire free gifts by
collecting and redeeming B-Line Bucks found on B-Line's fastener
product
boxes. Simply remove your B-Line Bucks from the box label and use them
to select from a wide assortment of gear in B-Line's Great Gear
catalog.
To obtain a catalog and order forms, see your local B-Line distributor
or visit our Web site at www.b-line.com
Web Exclusives
Business Brief
On Feb. 22, Madison, Wis.-based JT Packard announced
that, through its preferred supplier relationship with Jones Lang
LaSalle, it has signed Eli Lilly and Co. to a sizable multi-year
agreement for uninterruptible power supply services. Under the
agreement, the pharmaceutical company will receive full-service
emergency coverage and preventive maintenance for critical power
equipment at its corporate headquarters in Indianapolis, which houses
13,498 employees.
For more Business Briefs, visit EC&M's
Web
site.
Buildometer
In December, the value of construction put in place
reached $1.16 trillion, up 1.1% from November. Residential construction
was up 1.0% in December, with both single- and multi-family
construction
showing increased rates despite bad weather in some regions and
predictions that housing would finally begin to turn down. Finally,
nonresidential construction jumped 1.9% from November.
ADVERTISEMENT
 E-Mon D-Mon Submeters Contractor
Certification Program
Hunt Power is now offering electrical contractors the opportunity to
become certified installers of E-Mon D-Mon products. One-day seminars
focus on identifying the correct meter for the job, proper installation
for both walk-up-and-read meters and advanced meters that tie into
RightEnergy meter-reading software, and verification that meter
installations were successful and systems are functioning properly.
Annual benefits include a Web listing with Hunt Power, certification
seal for use on business cards, and promotional material and access to
dedicated product and technical support for E-Mon D-Mon meters. Sign up
to learn more about this exciting new program at www.huntpower.com/ecm24.asp
or call (866) 944-4868.
Eye on Safety
NFPA Issues
Call for Papers
Officials at the National Fire Protection Association
are soliciting papers for its inaugural Fire Protection Research
Foundation Symposium on Fire Safety in Aged Electrical Systems to be
held from Oct. 18-19 in Chicago. The deadline for submission of
one-page
abstracts is March 31. For more information, contact Eric Peterson,
symposium coordinator, by phone at (617) 984-7281 or e-mail at epeterson@nfpa.org.
ADVERTISEMENT
.jpg) NIMBUS insulated connectors from ILSCO
feature single- or dual-sided multi-tap configurations in addition to
in-line or offset splicer-reducer connectors. A new mountable version
for use in troughs, wire ways, or panels has recently been introduced.
Dual-rated for copper or aluminum conductor, the offering is UL listed
and features removable plugs for entry port closure. Visit our Web site
at www.ilsco.com for additional
product information.
Shows and Events
PowerTest
Electrical Maintenance and Safety Conference
PowerTest, an InterNational Electrical Testing
Association (NETA) event, is scheduled to be held from March 20-23 at
the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, Tenn. Representatives from organizations
such as OSHA, Shermco Industries, and Electrical Reliability Services
will offer presentations targeted toward personnel who work on or for
electric utilities, industrial facilities, commercial buildings, and
governmental facilities. For more information or to register, visit the
NETA Web
site.
Electronic House Expo
The Electronic House Expo (EHX) is scheduled to take
place from March 28 to April 1 at the Orange County Convention Center
in
Orlando, Fla. This year's event offers boot camps geared specifically
for electrical contractors, such as audio fundamentals, multi-room
audio, and room acoustics. For more information or to register for the
expo and conference, visit EHX's Web
site.
CSI Show & Convention
The 50th Annual Construction Specifications Institute
(CSI) Show & Convention and pre-convention events will take place from
March 28 to April 1 in the Las Vegas Convention Center. Architect Frank
Gehry and his colleague Dennis Shelden will discuss Building
Information
Models (BIMS) during the opening general session. In addition, there
will be more than 120 educational sessions on topics as diverse as
implementing LEED, advances in security technology, and specifications
that stand up in court. For more information or to register, visit the
CSI Web
site.
EGSA Seeks Papers
The Electrical Generating Systems Association (EGSA)
recently issued a call for papers to be presented at its 2006 Fall
Technical & Marketing Conference to be held in Palm Springs, Calif.
from
Sept. 17-19. For complete details on presenting a paper or suggesting a
session topic, download a PDF of the submission form on the EGSA Web
site.
FTTH Solicits
Papers
Oregon-based Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) Council has
issued
a call for papers to be presented at its fifth annual conference to be
held from Oct. 2-5 in Las Vegas. Organizers expect the subjects of this
year's theme, "Innovations in Fiber to the Home: What's Next?" to
reflect the latest trends and innovations unfolding in the industry.
Abstracts should be a maximum of 500 words and be commercial free. The
deadline to submit abstracts to the association's Web site is March 15 at 5
p.m.
PST.
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