Electrical Industry Articles and Stories

Copper wire can seem like a commodity – after all, it’s fabricated from one of the world’s most heavily traded commodities and is sold in bulk quantities all over the globe. And, like a lot of commodities, it can be difficult to know how the copper products you’re buying is actually produced.

A decade ago, LED lighting was still fighting for acceptance among designers, contractors and consumers. Early product generations suffered from quality control problems, flickering and light that was too far into the blue end of the visual spectrum.

Wired Ethernet and wireless connections represent the two primary methods for connecting devices to a network in modern computing. Each has distinct features, advantages, and disadvantages.

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.

Wire and cable pulling can be strenuous work, especially when distances stretch several floors or more. Lubricants are an important part of this process – they help reduce friction between cables and conduit, which, in turn, reduces the risk of damage, wear and tear on cable insulators.

Some facilities are changing their requirements for motor and appliance installations. This could be due to OSHA Lock-out and Tag-out requirements or NFPA 70E. The change is toward using pin and sleeve devices instead of having a hard-wired installation.

Safety requirements often have the maintenance person checking for the absence of voltage before touching. The rules are quite specific and are enforced by OSHA.