Electrical and Instrumentation Systems Modifications in Kansas
The City of Manhattan, Kan., is requesting bids for existing electrical system modifications and existing instrumentation system modifications at its water treatment plant. A mandatory pre-bid conference will be held at 9 a.m. CST on March 15. Bids are due before 3 p.m. CST on April 7. For more information, visit the city's Web site.

Web Exclusives
Business Brief
Alpha Energy recently relocated its corporate headquarters to Phoenix. The new office will serve as the primary Alpha point of contact for renewable energy customers throughout the Americas.

For more Business Briefs, visit the EC&M Web site.

Average Annual Pay Increases at A/E/P Firms Continue to Rise
Despite the economic challenges that many architecture, engineering, planning (A/E/P) and environmental consulting firms have faced in recent years, a majority of firms continue to include pay increases for their staff in their annual budgets, according to the report "2010 Policies, Procedures, and Benefits Survey of Architecture, Engineering, Planning & Environmental Consulting Firms" recently released by ZweigWhite, a Wayland, Mass.-based business management firm. Moreover, according to report, the average pay increase that A/E/P firms project they will provide in 2010 has increased from 2009.

To read more about annual pay raises, visit the EC&M Web site.

"Cautious Optimism" Describes the 2010 Building Automation Market
According to BCS/2010, the latest market analysis from BCS Partners, cautious optimism prevails for the near future with regard to the building automation market. The market took a serious hit in 2009, but modest growth is expected in 2010-2011. This marketplace, however, isn’t forecast to regain its pre-crisis level until 2012.

To read more about the building automation market's expected growth, visit the EC&M Web site.

Solid Gain in Motors Shipments to Close Out 2009
The National Electrical Manufacturers Association's (NEMA) Motors Shipments Index (MSI) increased 6.1% during the fourth quarter of 2009, marking the second consecutive gain for the index. Nevertheless, demand for motors remains weak compared to recent years, with the MSI still 5.7% below the level posted in Q4 of 2008. Inflation- and seasonally adjusted shipments of fractional horsepower motors rose for the third consecutive quarter, while integral horsepower motors saw only their second increase in the past seven quarters.

To read more about the gain in motor shipments in 2009, visit the EC&M Web site.

Eye on Safety
New Hampshire High School Student Receives Shock in Electrical Trades Class
On March 11, a junior at Dover High School, Dover, N.H., was shocked during an exercise to construct and deconstruct electrical circuits at their workstations, according to Aaron Sanborn of Foster's Daily Democrat. The student was reportedly using alligator clips when the incident occurred. Unconscious, the student was transported by helicopter to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston that afternoon.

To read the full story, visit the Foster's Daily Democrat's online news source Fosters.com.

Call for Papers
PowerTest 2011
The InterNational Eletrical Testing Association (NETA), Portage, Mich., will present PowerTest 2011, the electrical maintenance and safety conference, from Feb. 21-24, 2011 in Arlington, Va. The organization is currently seeking presentations for the event, including topics such as review of basics, specific industry skills, reliability issues, and insights into new methods and testing procedures. Abstracts are due April 9. For more information, visit the PowerTest Web site.

Shows & Events





Electric West 2010
The Electric West Show, to be held March 16-18, 2009 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, is the perfect place to brush up on the latest NEC topics — and earn continuing education credits in the process. Geared toward electrical contractors, consulting & specifying engineers, electricians, and plant facility personnel, the conference program will offer the following NEC seminars, presented by industry experts such as Mike Holt, Keith Lofland, and Edward Gorginian.

• Analysis of 2011 NEC Changes
• Understanding Important NEC Requirements
• Dwelling Calculations
• Advanced NEC Calculations
• Grounding vs. Bonding
• Swimming Pools and Similar Installations

Electrical Safety and Reliability Conference & Exhibition
The Professional Electrical Apparatus Recyclers League (PEARL), Aurora, Colo., will present its 13th Electrical Safety and Reliability Conference & Exhibition from April 24-26 in Denver. Conference topics include safety, electrical failure diagnosis, reconditioning, inspection, and testing standards and techniques. For more information, visit the PEARL Web site.