Scientists Study Energy Usage
U.S. government scientists at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tenn., recently launched a program aimed at adapting homes and buildings to use electricity and other energy sources more efficiently. Led by researcher Jeff Muhs, the team is examining power systems from buildings or homes to the original transmission source to determine better efficiencies. The project focuses on automation, robotics, sensors, and other tools to reduce energy consumption, accounting for a number of variables such as a building's construction, its ability to regulate temperature, and how outside conditions impact the inside environment. The research is funded by the U.S. Dept. of Energy.

To read this story on the Web, visit EC&M's Web site.

N.Y. Solar Energy Research Center Receives $5 Million to Start Up
A proposed $35-million solar energy research center, Solar Energy Consortium, in New York recently received $5 million in start-up money. The state's economic development agency has agreed to provide $1.5 million to attract solar companies to the Solar Energy Consortium's planned site at a former IBM Corp. plant in Kingston, N.Y. The money supplements the $3.5 million secured by U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) for the private-public consortium in August.

To continue reading this story, visit the EC&M Web site.

DOE Commits to Energy Efficiency in U.S. Data Centers
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Alexander Karsner recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with The Green Grid to increase energy efficiency in the growing information technology sector. The Green Grid is a consortium of information technology companies seeking to lower the overall consumption of power in data centers around the globe. "The agreement signed today with The Green Grid builds on the department's continued effort to improve energy efficiency in the private sector," says Karsner. "Data centers represent an important part of the information economy, and joining forces with The Green Grid puts us on a path to identify and build the necessary tools for thousands of data centers to more easily capture energy savings."

To continue reading this story, visit the EC&M Web site.

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New Flip Clip from Cooper B-Line
The fastest, most inexpensive way to securely hang and level wire basket tray, saving installers time and money. The Flip Clip^™ can be used with 1/4-inch and 3/8-inch threaded rods, eliminating the need for multiple hanger sizes. The Flip Clip requires only one nut and one tool for installation. www.cooperbline.com/flipclip

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Access Control Project in North Dakota
The Adjutant General of the State of North Dakota is receiving sealed bids for access control improvements at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Bismarck, N.D., until 2 p.m. on Dec. 12. Bidders may submit separate bids for electrical construction work, mechanical construction work, and/or general construction work. For more information, visit the North Dakota Newspaper Association's Web site.

Residential Electrical Construction in North Dakota
The Community Action Partnership, Williston, N.D., is accepting bids for electrical construction of a 7,610-square-foot. four-plex apartment building. Bids will be received until 3 p.m. CDT on Dec. 18. For more information, visit the North Dakota Newspaper Association's Web site.

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New Megger MIT400 Series 1kV Insulation Testers
The perfect high-performance tester for commercial and plant electricians. It features a CAT IV, 600V rating, digital and analog arc display, adjustable insulation test voltages, and exceptional measurement range from 20 G-ohms to 200 G-ohms. Six models to choose from with a three year warranty. www.megger.com

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Web Exclusives
Business Brief
Novato, Calif.-based W. Bradley Electric, Inc,. has been awarded a $2.9-million contract for the final expansion of the San Rafael Corporate Center. The last phase is a design-build core and shell build-out of three four-story multi-tenant buildings totaling 240,000 square feet and two four-level parking structures. The full electrical design is in process with construction to begin in January and completion by May 2009.

For more business briefs, visit EC&M's Web site.

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You rely on a lot of things to get the job done. And now, you can add NES Rentals to that list. From scissor lifts to articulated booms, we've got the reliable aerial equipment you need. Call 800-NES-RENT or visit our site to learn more. www.NESRentals.com

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Eye on Safety
Customs Officers Seize $6 Million in Counterfeit Goods in November
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers located at Los Angeles and Long Beach ports have seized more than $6 million worth of counterfeit goods arriving from China this month. This reflects a 24% increase from last November. Some of the items seized this month included electrical light fixtures that bore counterfeit Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL) labels. Often, counterfeiters affix fake U.L. labels to untested electrical equipment, deceiving consumers and potentially causing unsafe products to find their way into U.S. markets.

"U.S. CBP officers continue to work diligently to prevent terrorists and weapons of mass destruction from entering the country as well as preventing the entry of counterfeit items which adversely affect our economy," says Kevin W. Weeks, CBP director of field operations in Los Angeles. "We cannot underestimate the threat of counterfeit merchandise that could pose health and safety risks to consumers."

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ILSCO Pigtail Adaptors - Popular Again
With the recent increased use of aluminum conductors, ILSCO's ACM, ACO-90, CPM, and CPML pigtail adaptors are in high demand. The pigtails give contractors the flexibility of using less-expensive aluminum conductor and then converting the conductor so that it can be installed into a copper connector. Pigtails also reduce the size of the conductor to allow installation of the conductor into smaller panel board connectors that may have been supplied. Go to www.ilsco.com and click on "Compression Products" to learn more.

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Shows and Events
Electric West
Year after year, electrical contractors, consultants, engineers, plant managers, and other electrical professionals make it their business to stay on top of the latest industry developments by attending the Electric West Conference program, scheduled this year for Las Vegas from Feb. 27-29. It provides the tools you need to become more efficient, work faster, more profitably and stay ahead of the competition. Categories include:

• Code Changes & Standards


• Safety


• Lighting


• Residential Applications


• Industrial Applications


• Business Practices


• Home Automation

For 2008, the Power Quality segment will be expanded into its own separate conference. For more information and to register, visit the Electric West Web site.


EC&M Code Change Conferences
Where do you turn when you need accurate information on changes to the National Electrical Code? Acknowledged as the leaders in providing information on the NEC, EC&M magazine and EC&M Seminars have been the preferred sources of this information for more than 60 years. Seven Code change conferences have been scheduled in the fall of 2007. Host cities include: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Orlando, Philadelphia, St. Louis, and Seattle.

As an approved provider with the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES), through its Registered Continuing Education Provider Program (RCEPP), our 2008 Code change conferences will provide professional engineers Professional Development Hours (PDHs), a requirement for re-licensing in many states. The conferences are also approved by every state that has a continuing education requirement for contractors and electricians.

For additional information on the dates and locations of these events, download a pdf of the schedule from the EC&M Web site.