Electrical Industry Articles and Stories

After writing an article about residential wiring devices, I'm finally back to more familiar turf... commercial and industrial environments. But even though I've been around this stuff for a long time, the improvements and innovations continue to keep me interested.

Some device considerations
When choosing the right wiring device for a particular operation or use, you must consider various factors.

Lutron Electronics, long known for indoor lighting controls (its founder invented the first dimmer switch, after all) has now entered the exterior lighting space, with a software offering called “Limelight by Lutron” aimed at parking lots, shopping mall parking ramps, factories, stadiums and fields with exterior lighting requirements.

Electric utility rebates have been a big driver in the rapid growth of LED lamps and fixtures, especially in nonresidential applications – but not all LED products are eligible for these incentives. Utilities depend on evaluations by a group called the DesignLights Consortium (DLC) to determine which products deserve a rebate, and a DLC listing helps ensure products will meet certain efficiency and lifespan targets.

While LED fixtures are becoming the top choice, versus fluorescent models, in new construction and major renovation efforts, millions of existing fluorescent troffers are still operating in schools and offices across the United States. The newest of these likely feature energy-efficient T5 or T5HO lamps, and owners might not yet be ready to think about complete replacement of these fixtures. However, new LED tube lamps offer plug-and-play compatibility with fluorescent units, so owners can gain the energy savings and maintenance-cost reductions LED lamps can provide.

Arlington Industries is offering a new series of floor box kits, covers and accessories aimed at making floor box installation easier and faster for contractors. Among the new features are kit pieces interchangeable with a variety of other manufacturers’ floor boxes.

The company’s kit for new concrete pours, for instance, includes a heavy-duty plastic FL BC 40502 floor box with six conduit hubs and four plugs, more than it and most other manufacturers previously offered.

Suncrest bank branches are welcoming places, founded to serve the local community. They specialize in small business banking, and their customers can often grab a cup of coffee while they take care of business. The atmosphere and the aesthetics at each branch are important aspects of how they serve the community.