Electrical Industry Articles and Stories

I'm working on upgrading the electrical outlets around the outside of our house. In addition to adding more receptacles around the perimeter, I'm finally getting around to "electrifying" the shed and lean-to in the backyard.

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.

Rooftop support systems are an integral part of conduit, piping, and mechanical installations that often go underappreciated. These unsung heroes of the rooftop world provide a stable and secure foundation for equipment, ensuring that everything from HVAC units to solar panels stays in place, regardless of weather conditions or external forces.

The beauty of recessed can downlights is their seeming sleekness. They barely interrupt the ceiling plane, which can be an especially big bonus in homes with lower ceiling heights and in clean-lined contemporary room plans.

During the Industrial Revolution, which started in the 18th century, the origins of automation emerged, leading to significant technological change. This era introduced the use of mechanized equipment, such as the steam engine and the spinning jenny, revolutionizing the manufacturing process by reducing the reliance on manual labor. These advancements laid the foundation for what we now know as automation.

Recently, my wife and I had the “pleasure” of visiting a relatively new hospital complex. For almost a year, I watched the 5-story edifice being built as I traveled up and down Highway 49 in Northwest Arkansas.