Vol. 2 No. 4

February 2007

- Electrical Business Announces Several Initiatives
- Free Samples of T&B Marrette Luminaire Disconnect!
- Windsor the Place to be in April
- Still Looking for a Few Good Men
- Square D Helps You Find the Time
- New Date for Grande Prairie Learning Expo
- EFC Awards Nomination Time!
- Latest Call for Clean Technology Funding Applications
- Leviton and Knaack Boast New Online Presence
- Coming Events
- Your March 2007 Electrical Business

ELECTRICAL BUSINESS ANNOUNCES SEVERAL INITIATIVES

To further its mission of being Canada′s electrical authority—from Atlantic to Pacific and all points in between—Electrical Business has launched The Quebec Report and L′industrie électrique.

Similar to Western Update and Atlantic Focus, The Quebec Report is a presentation (in English) of Quebec′s electrical news and events. It will appear in the pages of the magazine every other month, starting with the February 2007 issue. L′industrie électrique, on the other hand, is a supplement that will speak directly to EB′s Quebecker readership. Presented entirely in French, it will be stapled separately into every other issue of Electrical Business that′s mailed into Quebec, starting with February 2007.

Promotional material advertising last year′s scholarship opportunities.

EB is also very pleased to announce it is continuing its promotion of the next generation of electrical contractor professionals through its corporate sponsorship of $2500 in the EFC Foundation Scholarship Program.

We are once again awarding The Electrical Business Future Contractor Scholarship of $500 to five apprentices who have completed the Basic Level at an approved college electrical apprentice program with a minimum 75% average. The winners will be selected from five regions across the country.

Last year’s winners were announced in the November/December 2006 issue of Electrical Business. They are: Alain Mercier, Barry James, Cody Storoz, Curtis Brown and Mark Bibby. The 2007 scholarship program is launching this spring, so spread the word!

Be sure to check out the Electrical Business online newsroom HERE to see what we′re up to!

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As of January 1, all new and existing fluorescent lighting fixtures and ballasts over 150V must be equipped with integrated electrical disconnects. The CSA-approved Marrette Luminaire Disconnect from Thomas & Betts meets this new requirement, and FREE samples are available (but only while quantities last). CLICK HERE to submit your request.

Electrical Business is anxiously awaiting the arrival of April, when the Ontario Electrical League (OEL) descends upon Windsor for its annual Electrical Industry Conference. Besides a fantastic companion program and great social activities, there′s a great educational line-up. Back by popular request is moderator Sid Ridgley of Simul Corp. Thursday′s speakers include:

• Terry Young, director of external relations and communications of the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), who will present ideas on how to make Ontario’s electricity market work for your business.

• Cole Cacciavillani, president and CEO of Genset Resource Management, and Raymond J. Tracey, president and CEO of Essex Power Corp., who will provide an overview on entering standby generation into the wholesale market.

• Shane Pospisil, president and CEO of the Ontario Energy Association (OEA), will discuss energy efficiencies.

• Dan Charron, manager of engineering at Chatham-Kent Hydro, will update attendees on smart metering.

Friday is Contractor Day, and it will focus on the issues and challenges affecting contractors and their businesses. OEL chair and government relations committee chair, Richard Cullis, and OEL president, Mary Ingram-Haigh, will update attendees on the committee′s latest lobbying initiatives. Friday′s invited guests include the Minister of Labour, Steve Peters, and MPP and leader of the Ontario PC Party, John Tory.

Friday also features the Product Expo/Lunch & Learn. The Expo runs between the hours of 11:30 AM and 3:00 PM. Electrical Business has its own Table Top at the expo, and encourages everyone to swing by and say "Hello" to the editor and publisher of Electrical Business, Anthony Capkun and Bill Begin. Afterward, drinks are on us, as Electrical Business proudly sponsors the Friday Afternoon Hospitality Suite, which precedes Friday evening′s South of the Border Dinner/Dance.

The event runs from April 18-21. For more information, visit OEL HERE.

Schneider Electric′s Square D brand has launched a website to help you update Square D Powerlink and Clipsal lighting control products for the impending change in Daylight Saving Time (DST). CLICK HERE to visit the DST Solutions site.

(In the United States, The Energy Policy Act of 2005 mandated that DST in 2007 start the second Sunday in March and end the first Sunday in November. Since 1986, DST started the first Sunday in April and ended the last Sunday in October.)

The Alberta Electrical League (AEL) excitedly announces a new date for its 13th annual Electrical Learning Expo taking place in Grande Prairie. Originally scheduled in October, it has been moved forward to May 3. (Luckily, there′s still plenty of time to modify your travel arrangements.) According to AEL, survey results, phone calls and the like indicated that a March event would be better for both attendees and exhibitors. For more information, visit the league HERE.

CEMRA and the S&D Council of Electro-Federation Canada (EFC) have opened nominations for the 2007 CEMRA Person of the Year Award. Nominate an individual who has demonstrated leadership, commitment and outstanding contributions to the representative business and CEMRA.

Nominees can be distributors, manufacturers or a CEMRA rep, and members can nominate more than one person for this award. The official confidential vote will take place March 7 during the CEMRA meeting at the NEMRA Conference in New Orleans, La., with the winner being recognized at the S&D Annual Conference Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony on Friday, June 1 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

The deadline for submissions is February 28, so act quickly. CLICK HERE for the nomination form, and feel free to contact Nathalie Lajoie at nlajoie@electrofed.com for more information.

Meantime, EFC wants you to nominate an industry leader for its 2007 Industry Recognition Award, which honours industry champions, and strong industry supporters. The award is open to anyone who has influenced the Canadian electrical, electronics, appliances or telecommunications industry, either as a current or retired industry delegate, or as an industry supporter. Most importantly, the award is not restricted to EFC members.

The deadline for nomination submissions is Friday, March 9. CLICK HERE for more information.

Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC)—a Government of Canada foundation that finances and supports the development and demonstration of clean technologies—announced it is accepting Statements of Interest (SOI) for its 11th round of funding. The closing date for submissions is March 14, 2007.

SDTC encourages the submission of technology solutions designed to improve sustainability for all Canadian economic sectors, including energy exploration and production, power generation, energy utilization, transportation, agriculture, forestry and waste management. Specifically, the foundation seeks applications for technology innovations that deliver clean water, clean soil, clean air and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Technologies designed to deal with more than one of these environmental issues simultaneously are encouraged.

To date, SDTC has allocated $241 million to 109 clean technology projects. An additional $617 million has been leveraged from project consortia members, for a total portfolio value of $858 million. (In recent years, the venture capital market has increased its participation in this leveraged funding.)

Applications for funding may be made online HERE, but SDTC encourages you to first to read Applications Advice HERE. In case you miss out, the next call for SOIs will open August 22.

Leviton's new website consolidates the company's product and service offering under one roof, and promises visitors a presentation interface and navigation structure that lets them find the information they need quickly and easily. Visitors can create a shopping list that they can view, save, e-mail or print out, obtain electrical training through Leviton's Ez-learn classroom, and more. Check it out HERE.

Also in cyberspace, Knaack Manufacturing Co. recently redesigned its websites for its two brands, Knaack and Weather Guard. The Weather Guard site has a new feature called 'GearUp Truck Fit Guide', which allows truck owners to find suitable boxes for their specific truck model. (Weather Guard Vehicle Solutions [v2.0] 3D design software also is available here.) Customers can search for their local Knaack and Weather Guard distributor by simply submitting their postal code under 'Where to Buy', and can also can search for local upfitters. Visit Knaack HERE or Weather Guard HERE.

Canadian Electrical Code 2006 Essentials
Canadian Standards Association (CSA)
Ottawa, Ont., February 26-27
Sudbury, Ont., March 8-9
London, Ont., March 12-13
CLICK HERE for details

Electrical Safety Workshop (ESW)
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
February 27-March 2
Calgary, Alta.
CLICK HERE for details

Grounding & Bonding of Electrical Equipment
Canadian Standards Association (CSA)
Ottawa, Ont., February 28
Calgary, Alta., March 14
CLICK HERE for details

University of Industrial Distribution
Indiana University/Purdue University
March 4-7
Indianapolis, Ind.
CLICK HERE for details

Design, Installation & Certification of Electrical Equipment in Hazardous Locations
Canadian Standards Association (CSA)
Mississauga, Ont., March 5-6
Regina, Sask., March 29-30
CLICK HERE for details

The Work Truck Show & NTEA Convention
National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA)
March 7-9
Indianapolis, Ind.
CLICK HERE for details

Arc Flash: Measures for Prevention and Control
Schneider Electric (CSA)
March 8
Winnipeg, Man.
CLICK HERE for details

Static, Transient Voltages & Lighting Protection Systems
(Fundamentals/Evaluation/Control)
Canadian Standards Association (CSA)
March 13
Calgary, Alta.
CLICK HERE for details

Fundamentals & Lighting Basics for Distributors & Contractors
The Source/Cooper Lighting
March 14-16
Peachtree City, Ga.
CLICK HERE for details

NEC/CEC: A Comparison of Requirements
Canadian Standards Association (CSA)
Calgary, Alta., March 15-16
Sarnia, Ont., April 12-13
CLICK HERE for details

PowerTest Electrical Maintenance and Safety Conference
InterNational Electrical Testing Association (NETA)
March 19-22
Denver, Colo.
CLICK HERE for details

Industrial Ethernet and IEC 61131-3 Seminar
WAGO Corp.
March 26-28
Germantown, Wis.
For details, e-mail info.us@wago.com

Spring Technical Seminar
International Association of Electrical Inspectors (IAEI)
March 31
Toronto, Ont.
Call Cheryl at (416) 676-5954 or e-mail cheryl.carbis@electricalsafety.on.ca

CLICK HERE to check out more industry events at EBMag.com.

ELECTRICAL BUSINESS, MARCH 2007

In your March 2007 Electrical Business, we're excited to present a feature entitled ''Made in Canada'', where EB interviews manufacturers operating in the Canadian market to get their views and opinions on the trials and tribulations they've faced, as well as the successes they've enjoyed. Be sure to check out this story of the relationships manufacturers have with the Canadian market and its distributors and customers. How have they been affected by counterfeit product, or 9/11? What's their take on the environment? For the answers, be sure to read your March 2007 issue.

Want more information, or have information to share? Contact the Editor at acapkun@clbmedia.ca or call (905) 713-4391.

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