Electrical Industry Articles and Stories

In a recent survey conducted by Electrical Contractor magazine, respondents cited skilled labor shortages, product availability, and compressed timelines among their broad-based concerns. Contractors are looking for lighting control solutions that help alleviate these issues by reducing installation time, minimizing risk, and adding value to their jobs. Wireless lighting control solutions and quick estimating software can help.

Vive installs 70% faster than wired solutions. You can install a switch and as sensor in as little as 15 minutes—no new wiring required. And you can mount wireless devices to any surface without cutting holes or running wire.

About 28% of a building's electrical energy bill is literally consumed in lighting the premises. That's pretty consistent across both industrial and commercial buildings. Obviously, if you can lower that expense significantly, the impact on your overall operating budget reduces.

I know what you're thinking.

"He's going to start talking about LED lighting upgrades, isn't he?"

No, I'm not talking about traveling back into the past. I'm talking about moving onward to the future. And the "retro" is really retrofitting to LED lighting.

In another article, I talked more about using LED drop-ins to replace old fluorescent troffers. And I still like that option.

They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks …

But, I'm an old dog and I just learned of a brand new "trick" that literally made me sit up and beg for more. I thought I'd seen everything, but I was wrong … so very wrong.

My mind's been officially … blown.

If you think you’re seeing solar panels on more of your neighbors’ houses lately, there’s a good reason: solar power is getting cheaper. Even as federal tax credits are being reduced, installed costs continue to fall. This is thanks to both less expensive – and more efficient – panels and inverters, along with money- and time-saving improvements to all the ancillary hardware required to put systems in place.