EB_Newsletter

- EB Careers Now FREE!
- Electrical Contractors, Occupancy Sensors and Callbacks
- Laughter is the Best Medicine
- Square D Files Suit Against Breakers Unlimited
- TCP Develops National CFL Recycling Program
- NAED’S EDGE Updated, Available Online
- A Rose by any other Name...
- MEL Kicks Off Golf Season
- Ontario Offers Cash for Conservation
- Call for Academic Information
- Coming Events

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS, OCCUPANCY SENSORS AND CALLBACKS

Electrical contractors routinely calibrate motion sensitivity and time-delay settings in occupancy sensor installations; recommend occupancy sensors in a majority of lighting retrofit projects; select time-delay settings that (on average) support optimal energy savings and lamp life; and are satisfied with occupancy sensor performance, ease of installation and commissioning, and customer/occupant acceptance.

However, according to a study conducted by ZING Communications Inc. (co-sponsored by the Lighting Controls Association and Watt Stopper/Legrand), contractors nonetheless report a high rate of callbacks as compared to previous research concerning other lighting technologies.

The typical solution is to return to the job to adjust the time-delay and sensitivity settings, according to the results. Respondents who report setting the time-delay of the installed sensors to 10 minutes or less also report a much higher rate of callbacks than those respondents setting a time-delay of 15 minutes or longer. This situation suggests a strong potential for self-calibrating occupancy sensors. The ability of self-calibrating sensors to reduce callbacks has not been studied, however, creating a demand for further research. CLICK HERE to learn more about the study.

LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE

Everyone like a good laugh, and when the joke is specifically tailored for the construction industry, then all the better. We’ve recently been turned onto a new site that promises “the freshest new wit and wisdom dedicated to the design and construction industry”. Their latest joke goes:

“Our firm can be described as a loose group of professionals held together by a common heating and air-conditioning system, and common complaints about the parking and the boss.” CLICK HERE to check out everything New Wit & Wisdom has to offer.

SQUARE D FILES SUIT AGAINST BREAKERS UNLIMITED

In its continuing effort to stamp out counterfeit product—and those who deal in counterfeits—Square D has filed suit against Breakers Unlimited Inc. (Noblesville, Ind.), asserting that Breakers—a nationwide wholesale distributor of electrical equipment—has knowingly sold counterfeit Square D circuit breakers and infringed upon Square D’s trademarks.

“Square D has every intention of pursuing counterfeiters up and down the distribution chain,” said Bill Snyder, vice-president channel development for Schneider Electric North American Operating Division. Square D seeks to enjoin Breakers Unlimited’s continued distribution of counterfeit products, and recover profits made by Breakers on its sales of counterfeit products, along with treble damages, attorney fees and costs.

“Distributors need to be aware that there are hidden and potentially deadly hazards associated with counterfeit circuit breakers being distributed on the market today,” said Jim Pauley, vice-president of industry and government relations for Schneider Electric North American Operating Division. “By identifying counterfeit products and reporting counterfeiters, distributors can save lives.”

To prevent the potential purchase of counterfeit products, customers should continue to purchase their Square D products from authorized Square D distributors. CLICK HERE to learn more about Schneider’s anti-counterfeiting efforts.

TCP DEVELOPS NATIONAL CFL RECYCLING PROGRAM

Lighting manufacturer TCP Inc. is offering what it calls an “unprecedented CFL recycling program” to retailers, municipalities and schools that will make it easier for consumers to dispose of them.

“All CFLs must contain small amounts of mercury in order to glow and give light. Even with the trace amounts of mercury—which is roughly equivalent to the tip of a ballpoint pen—they should be recycled,” said Ellis Yan, TCP’s president and CEO. “The recycling program we have developed makes it easy for consumers to drop off a CFL at a retailer, city hall, or even their children’s school...”

Consumers who want to recycle a CFL will be directed to a Recyclepak return box at a designated drop-off location. The consumer will take an individual collection bag from the recycle display, put the CFL in the bag, and seal it. The bag will then be placed in the Recyclepak return box and shipped to an environmental services company that recycles CFLs.

We’re still looking into whether this service is available in Canada. Meantime, CLICK HERE to visit TCP online.

NAED’S EDGE UPDATED, AVAILABLE ONLINE

The National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED) has updated/revised its EDGE (Electrical Distributor Guided Education) course, which is available online. The course is designed to provide all employees of electrical distributors with a basic understanding of electricity and electrical products so they can better serve customers.

The revised online EDGE course includes:
• Updated content
• Interactive and engaging presentation, including audio and animations
• Job aids that can be viewed and printed
• Practice quizzes and a final exam for each module
• Trackable results

The Web-based format also allows users to work through the content independently at any time or place with an Internet connection. Students can bookmark their progress within a module and return later to finish that section of the course. The online version of EDGE can either be accessed through the NAED Learning Center or licensed to an NAED member company with an existing learning management system.

EDGE has four modules, each of which takes about 2.5 hours to complete: Fundamentals of Electricity; Electrical Systems Products; Apparatus Products; and Lamps and Lighting Products. EDGE online is suitable for new employees as an introductory tool to the basic, core electrical products sold in electrical distribution, and lays the foundation for more advanced training, such as the Electrical Products Education Course (EPEC).

EDGE is a product of the NAED Education & Research Foundation. CLICK HERE to visit NAED’s learning centre.

A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME...

Effective April of this year, the professional body heretofore known as the Institute of Chartered Engineers of Canada has become the Institute of Chartered Technical Practitioners of Canada (ICTPC). This organization recognizes the contribution of qualified, experienced technical practitioners in all disciplines of applied sciences and engineering related to design, manufacturing and tertiary service industries within a specific field of knowledge, expertise and practice.

The institute has issued an invitation to all qualified, experienced technical professionals, trades, technical specialists and designers, as well as graduates from accredited engineering or technology programs, to apply for membership. CLICK HERE to learn more about ICTPC.

MEL KICKS OFF GOLF SEASON

Dave Foreman, GM of the Manitoba Electrical League (MEL), tells us they kicked off this year’s golf season with a successful Spring Fling Tournament, held June 14th at Bridges Golf Course in Starbuck. The event attracted 152 golfers and was sponsored by many distributors, contractors and suppliers.

The Winning team comprised Casey Koniuk, Mark Rosen, Barry Norman and Jack McKay. Meantime, $3500 was raised for charity, while the Putting Contest raised almost $800 for KidSport Manitoba. CLICK HERE to visit MEL and check out photos from the event. Thanks for the news, Dave!

ONTARIO OFFERS CASH FOR CONSERVATION

The Province of Ontario is pitching in $150 million dollars to help Ontarians save energy at home and buy green power. Chris Winter, executive director of the Conservation Council of Ontario, is calling on community groups across the province to pick up the challenge and help promote the conservation incentives and support programs.

The government’s incentives include:
• matching the federal EcoENERGY subsidies for home energy retrofits;
• point-of-sale rebates on Energy Star appliances;
• subsidies for passive and photovoltaic solar panels; and
• subsidizing the added cost of converting to 100% green power.

The Council has also released its own five-year Conservation Challenge. Among its challenge targets (which exceed provincial targets) are to raise 70% of existing Ontario homes to an Energuide 70 rating by 2012 (up from the current average of 54), and reduce residential electricity to an average of 750 kWh/month (down from the current level of 1000 kWh).

The Conservation Council of Ontario is a provincial association of organizations and conservation leaders working to facilitate the transition to a conserver society and a conserver economy in Ontario. CLICK HERE to check them out.

CALL FOR ACADEMIC INFORMATION

Electrical Business will soon be publishing its September issue, which traditionally lists electrical trade training opportunities available at Canada’s academic institutions. Now is your chance to get in touch with us should you wish to make any changes/updates to your school’s listing. Send your information to the editor, Anthony Capkun, at acapkun@clbmedia.ca.

(Not sure what was listed with your school, or whether you even made the list? CLICK HERE to download last year’s September edition and verify the information. Note, link opens a PDF document.)

COMING EVENTS

Stroke Play Golf Tournament
Manitoba Electrical League (MEL)
August 8
Winnipeg, Man.
CLICK HERE for details

Annual Golf Tournament
Ontario Electrical League (OEL)
August 15
Nobleton, Ont.
CLICK HERE for details

Atlantic Golf Tournament
Electro-Federation Canada (EFC)
August 16
Moncton, N.B.
CLICK HERE for details

Federation Cup Annual Charity Golf Tournament
Electro-Federation Canada (EFC)
August 28
Bond Head, Ont.
CLICK HERE for details

Fall Golf Tournament
Calgary Electric Club
August 30
Okotoks, A.B.
FOR DETAILS call 514-3085

Annual Conference & Convention
National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA)
October 5-8
San Francisco, Calif.
CLICK HERE for details

Electrix 2007
British Columbia Electrical Association (BCEA)
October 25
Victoria, B.C.
CLICK HERE for details

National Training Symposium
National Electrical Trade Council (NETCO)
November 2-4
Barrie, Ont.
Details to come. Stay tuned.

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

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

Think someone else would enjoy receiving E-Line? Send them to EBmag.com where they can sign up right on the Home Page.


		Vol. 2 No. 9
July 2007 - EB Careers Now FREE! - Electrical Contractors, Occupancy Sensors and Callbacks - Laughter is the Best Medicine - Square D Files Suit Against Breakers Unlimited - TCP Develops National CFL Recycling Program - NAED’S EDGE Updated, Available Online - A Rose by any other Name... - MEL Kicks Off Golf Season - Ontario Offers Cash for Conservation - Call for Academic Information - Coming Events EB CAREERS NOW FREE! That’s right... EB Careers Online is now FREE! Industry professionals—be they contractors, suppliers, distributors, or what have you—are always looking for quality talent, but they may not always have the resources to advertise their job openings. So to help the situation and advance human resource management in the industry, Electrical Business is making its online careers page free of charge. And it couldn’t be simpler. Simply send us the following information and we’ll upload it to EB Careers Online: • Company name and logo • Job Title and description • Geographic location of job • Contact information • Expiration date (if any) Send your information to EB’s editor, Anthony Capkun, at acapkun@clbmedia.ca. Help us help you! Send us your career opportunities today. ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS, OCCUPANCY SENSORS AND CALLBACKS Electrical contractors routinely calibrate motion sensitivity and time-delay settings in occupancy sensor installations; recommend occupancy sensors in a majority of lighting retrofit projects; select time-delay settings that (on average) support optimal energy savings and lamp life; and are satisfied with occupancy sensor performance, ease of installation and commissioning, and customer/occupant acceptance. However, according to a study conducted by ZING Communications Inc. (co-sponsored by the Lighting Controls Association and Watt Stopper/Legrand), contractors nonetheless report a high rate of callbacks as compared to previous research concerning other lighting technologies. The typical solution is to return to the job to adjust the time-delay and sensitivity settings, according to the results. Respondents who report setting the time-delay of the installed sensors to 10 minutes or less also report a much higher rate of callbacks than those respondents setting a time-delay of 15 minutes or longer. This situation suggests a strong potential for self-calibrating occupancy sensors. The ability of self-calibrating sensors to reduce callbacks has not been studied, however, creating a demand for further research. CLICK HERE to learn more about the study. LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE Everyone like a good laugh, and when the joke is specifically tailored for the construction industry, then all the better. We’ve recently been turned onto a new site that promises “the freshest new wit and wisdom dedicated to the design and construction industry”. Their latest joke goes: “Our firm can be described as a loose group of professionals held together by a common heating and air-conditioning system, and common complaints about the parking and the boss.” CLICK HERE to check out everything New Wit & Wisdom has to offer. SQUARE D FILES SUIT AGAINST BREAKERS UNLIMITED In its continuing effort to stamp out counterfeit product—and those who deal in counterfeits—Square D has filed suit against Breakers Unlimited Inc. (Noblesville, Ind.), asserting that Breakers—a nationwide wholesale distributor of electrical equipment—has knowingly sold counterfeit Square D circuit breakers and infringed upon Square D’s trademarks. “Square D has every intention of pursuing counterfeiters up and down the distribution chain,” said Bill Snyder, vice-president channel development for Schneider Electric North American Operating Division. Square D seeks to enjoin Breakers Unlimited’s continued distribution of counterfeit products, and recover profits made by Breakers on its sales of counterfeit products, along with treble damages, attorney fees and costs. “Distributors need to be aware that there are hidden and potentially deadly hazards associated with counterfeit circuit breakers being distributed on the market today,” said Jim Pauley, vice-president of industry and government relations for Schneider Electric North American Operating Division. “By identifying counterfeit products and reporting counterfeiters, distributors can save lives.” To prevent the potential purchase of counterfeit products, customers should continue to purchase their Square D products from authorized Square D distributors. CLICK HERE to learn more about Schneider’s anti-counterfeiting efforts. TCP DEVELOPS NATIONAL CFL RECYCLING PROGRAM Lighting manufacturer TCP Inc. is offering what it calls an “unprecedented CFL recycling program” to retailers, municipalities and schools that will make it easier for consumers to dispose of them. “All CFLs must contain small amounts of mercury in order to glow and give light. Even with the trace amounts of mercury—which is roughly equivalent to the tip of a ballpoint pen—they should be recycled,” said Ellis Yan, TCP’s president and CEO. “The recycling program we have developed makes it easy for consumers to drop off a CFL at a retailer, city hall, or even their children’s school...” Consumers who want to recycle a CFL will be directed to a Recyclepak return box at a designated drop-off location. The consumer will take an individual collection bag from the recycle display, put the CFL in the bag, and seal it. The bag will then be placed in the Recyclepak return box and shipped to an environmental services company that recycles CFLs. We’re still looking into whether this service is available in Canada. Meantime, CLICK HERE to visit TCP online. NAED’S EDGE UPDATED, AVAILABLE ONLINE The National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED) has updated/revised its EDGE (Electrical Distributor Guided Education) course, which is available online. The course is designed to provide all employees of electrical distributors with a basic understanding of electricity and electrical products so they can better serve customers. The revised online EDGE course includes: • Updated content • Interactive and engaging presentation, including audio and animations • Job aids that can be viewed and printed • Practice quizzes and a final exam for each module • Trackable results The Web-based format also allows users to work through the content independently at any time or place with an Internet connection. Students can bookmark their progress within a module and return later to finish that section of the course. The online version of EDGE can either be accessed through the NAED Learning Center or licensed to an NAED member company with an existing learning management system. EDGE has four modules, each of which takes about 2.5 hours to complete: Fundamentals of Electricity; Electrical Systems Products; Apparatus Products; and Lamps and Lighting Products. EDGE online is suitable for new employees as an introductory tool to the basic, core electrical products sold in electrical distribution, and lays the foundation for more advanced training, such as the Electrical Products Education Course (EPEC). EDGE is a product of the NAED Education & Research Foundation. CLICK HERE to visit NAED’s learning centre. A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME... Effective April of this year, the professional body heretofore known as the Institute of Chartered Engineers of Canada has become the Institute of Chartered Technical Practitioners of Canada (ICTPC). This organization recognizes the contribution of qualified, experienced technical practitioners in all disciplines of applied sciences and engineering related to design, manufacturing and tertiary service industries within a specific field of knowledge, expertise and practice. The institute has issued an invitation to all qualified, experienced technical professionals, trades, technical specialists and designers, as well as graduates from accredited engineering or technology programs, to apply for membership. CLICK HERE to learn more about ICTPC. MEL KICKS OFF GOLF SEASON Dave Foreman, GM of the Manitoba Electrical League (MEL), tells us they kicked off this year’s golf season with a successful Spring Fling Tournament, held June 14th at Bridges Golf Course in Starbuck. The event attracted 152 golfers and was sponsored by many distributors, contractors and suppliers. The Winning team comprised Casey Koniuk, Mark Rosen, Barry Norman and Jack McKay. Meantime, $3500 was raised for charity, while the Putting Contest raised almost $800 for KidSport Manitoba. CLICK HERE to visit MEL and check out photos from the event. Thanks for the news, Dave! ONTARIO OFFERS CASH FOR CONSERVATION The Province of Ontario is pitching in $150 million dollars to help Ontarians save energy at home and buy green power. Chris Winter, executive director of the Conservation Council of Ontario, is calling on community groups across the province to pick up the challenge and help promote the conservation incentives and support programs. The government’s incentives include: • matching the federal EcoENERGY subsidies for home energy retrofits; • point-of-sale rebates on Energy Star appliances; • subsidies for passive and photovoltaic solar panels; and • subsidizing the added cost of converting to 100% green power. The Council has also released its own five-year Conservation Challenge. Among its challenge targets (which exceed provincial targets) are to raise 70% of existing Ontario homes to an Energuide 70 rating by 2012 (up from the current average of 54), and reduce residential electricity to an average of 750 kWh/month (down from the current level of 1000 kWh). The Conservation Council of Ontario is a provincial association of organizations and conservation leaders working to facilitate the transition to a conserver society and a conserver economy in Ontario. CLICK HERE to check them out. CALL FOR ACADEMIC INFORMATION Electrical Business will soon be publishing its September issue, which traditionally lists electrical trade training opportunities available at Canada’s academic institutions. Now is your chance to get in touch with us should you wish to make any changes/updates to your school’s listing. Send your information to the editor, Anthony Capkun, at acapkun@clbmedia.ca. (Not sure what was listed with your school, or whether you even made the list? CLICK HERE to download last year’s September edition and verify the information. Note, link opens a PDF document.) COMING EVENTS Stroke Play Golf Tournament Manitoba Electrical League (MEL) August 8 Winnipeg, Man. CLICK HERE for details Annual Golf Tournament Ontario Electrical League (OEL) August 15 Nobleton, Ont. CLICK HERE for details Atlantic Golf Tournament Electro-Federation Canada (EFC) August 16 Moncton, N.B. CLICK HERE for details Federation Cup Annual Charity Golf Tournament Electro-Federation Canada (EFC) August 28 Bond Head, Ont. CLICK HERE for details Fall Golf Tournament Calgary Electric Club August 30 Okotoks, A.B. FOR DETAILS call 514-3085 Annual Conference & Convention National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) October 5-8 San Francisco, Calif. CLICK HERE for details Electrix 2007 British Columbia Electrical Association (BCEA) October 25 Victoria, B.C. CLICK HERE for details National Training Symposium National Electrical Trade Council (NETCO) November 2-4 Barrie, Ont. Details to come. Stay tuned. CLICK HERE to check out more industry events at EBMag.com. Want more information, or have information to share? Contact the Editor at acapkun@clbmedia.ca or call (905) 713-4391. Think someone else would enjoy receiving E-Line? Send them to EBmag.com where they can sign up right on the Home Page.
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