Electrical Industry Articles and Stories

Solar-powered exterior lighting has certainly gotten more popular over the last decade or so, given how inexpensive the fixtures are and how easy it is to install. But there remains a strong market for the hardwired variety in shady areas, where more powerful light is required and when you want to be sure the light works when you need it, even after a cloudy day.

Water and electricity don’t mix – that’s something we all learn at a pretty early age. But still, there are times when even the wettest locations require power. In applications from pool lighting to irrigation systems and outdoor outlets, contractors are often called on to make electrical connections that can remain watertight over years of use.

Not all wiring is created equal – after all, some of it has to be buried underground. While this cable might not see the varied weather exposure of unburied, outdoor lines, it faces its own unique challenges.

Electrical contracting is, by its nature, a bespoke profession – that is, every installation features its own unique design quirks requiring customization. At the same time, though, contractors also now are often dealing with the need to do more with fewer workers. As a result, prefabrication is becoming a bigger part of many companies’ operations.

Alternative energy sources— green, clean solar and wind power—certainly get a lot of “air time” of late. (Pun intended.)

Of course, water power has been around a long time. And still is for power generation on a large scale. But it’s not so convenient for single user electrical supply, or even most municipalities.