February 11, 2019 – Channellock has designed a new line of insulated pliers, rated up to 1,000 V AC, for electricians and other professionals who need to comply with occupational health and safety (OHS) rules on the job.

February 8, 2019 – Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) Systems has launched six large-format inspection windows to enable wider viewing angles for electrical contractors working in challenging industrial settings.

February 7, 2019 – Southwire has upgraded its Surge Guard line of fully cUL-approved power protection products for recreational vehicles (RVs) with new features, including wireless communications, elevated ground protection and load-side open neutral protection.

February 5, 2019 – LoadMaster, a subsidiary of LTA Manufacturing, has expanded its product line with two new in-bed cargo management systems for work trucks, including full-extension (FE) and dual-slide (DS) models.

February 1, 2019 – Ronk Electrical Industries has relaunched the Vigilant automatic transfer switch (ATS), originally developed and marketed by Dynagen Technologies in Halifax and later sold to Milbank Manufacturing.

January 28, 2019 – Arlington’s non-conductive box extenders with larger, perforated flanges can extend set-back electrical boxes by up to 1.5 in.

January 28, 2019 - Ranger Design’s new Max Step attaches to a cargo van’s frame in the back, so as to facilitate access for electrical contractors and other tradespeople to the cargo space or roof rack.

January 23, 2019 – Advanced Motion Controls’ (AMC’s) new AB25A100 panel-mount servo drive is designed for use with brushless and brushed DC motors at high switching frequencies.

January 17, 2019 – Wire and cable producer Southwire has introduced the Maxis XD1 circuit puller for contractors.

January 15, 2019 - Burndy’s Wiley ACC-F490 wire management clip is designed to accommodate up to four photovoltaic (PV) cables for solar panel installations, keeping them free from ground faults.

January 9, 2019 – Platinum Tools has launched new Exo termination kits for installers of Cat 5e, 6 and 6a Ethernet cables.

February 13, 2019 - Not long ago, artificial intelligence (AI) was far too technically unconventional for most of us to foresee how it could influence the world in practical and pragmatic ways. Now, however, the future of AI has truly arrived.

February 13, 2019 - ‘Continuous improvement’ is a way of life for many businesses today, accepted as a standard approach for enhancing quality, productivity and processes. At the core of continuous improvement are such steps as defining root causes of issues or hazards, planning and executing preventative actions to eliminate them and deploying new technologies and practices to minimize their impact. This approach can be extended to electrical safety—where it is sorely needed.



February 5, 2019 – At its fifth annual operations and maintenance (O&M) summit last week in Mississauga, Ont., which more than 260 professionals attended, the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) highlighted its new guide, Best Practices in Wind Power Facility Electrical Safety.

January 10, 2019 – CSA Group reports Stanley Black & Decker Canada recently recalled certain models of its hammer drills and drill/drivers, following a report of injury in the U.S.

January 2, 2019 – The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and its standards association (IEEE-SA) have published a new technical guide for performing arc-flash hazard calculations to help reduce burn injuries suffered by electricians due to equipment failure.

December 18, 2018 – The 27th edition of the Ontario Electrical Safety Code (OESC) has been finalized with updates, is now available for purchase and will come into regulatory effect on May 16, 2019.

December 11, 2018 - Photovoltaic (PV) solar panel systems have become increasingly popular in residential and commercial sites for providing a primary or backup source of electricity. With the proper hazard assessments and safe work practices, they present a safer option for power generation in comparison to traditional sources of electricity.

November 21, 2018 – Leviton has achieved an Underwriters Laboratories (UL) listing for its 250-V tamper-resistant power receptacles, which are designed to meet Canadian and U.S. safety requirements.

September 25, 2018 — The 2019 Electrical Safety Workshop (ESW) will be held in Jacksonville, Fla., from Mar. 4 to 8, 2019, at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverside. Mark your calendar now to save those dates, talk to your manager and get this item into your 2019 budget proposals.

September 19, 2018 - CBS ArcSafe has introduced its latest remote switch actuator (RSA) for Eaton's Series G - LG frame moulded case circuit breakers (MCCBs). Dubbed RSA-230B, the portable device allows technicians to remotely close or trip the circuit breaker from up to 300 feet away, while stationed safely outside the arc-flash boundary.

August 28, 2018 — Cementex recently released the updated UltraLite series of arc flash PPE task wear, available in 11- and 12-cal/cm2 and 40 cal/cm2. The UltraLite features a standard colour gray, which reflects sunlight for heat reduction in outdoor applications and allows for easier identification of contamination, as well as any dirt or debris that may compromise the garments’ safety.

July 17, 2018 — CBRE Ltd. has been fined a total of $80,000, reports Ontario’s Ministry of Labour, after a worker was shocked by electricity while changing a 347V fluorescent lighting ballast.

February 13, 2019 - Tackle the Code Conundrum if you dare!

February 13, 2019 -  Section 4 in the CE Code discusses the selection of conductors and their ampacities. In 2018, the scope of this section’s Rule 4-000 was revised to clarify its intent. At the same time, since Section 12 covers conductor installation, some rules were relocated from Section 4 to Section 12 and vice-versa, for the sake of consistency and to support the revised scope of Section 4.

December 11, 2018 - Tackle December's Code Conundrum ... if you dare! 

December 11, 2018 - The 2015 CE Code saw a number of changes to Section 68: Pools, Tubs, Spas. The 2018 CE Code also added a few more changes, but you might just wonder, what is really new with pools from the past few years?

November 27, 2018 - This is my third and final column about the 2018 CE Code’s Section 10 rewrite (the first two were posted online in June and August). This time, I am focusing on rules related to the grounding of separately derived systems, such as generators and transformers.

November 26, 2018 - Tackle October's Code Conundrum ... if you dare!

September 27, 2018 — With the rewrite of CE Code Section 10, a number of questions spring to mind. In my opinion, the most important are what is the intent of Rule 10-210 and what is it really saying?

September 27, 2018 — Tackle September's Code Conundrum...if you dare!

August 22, 2018 — In my last article about CE Code 2018’s Section 10 rewrite (EBMag May 2018), I explained some of the new structures and definitions, and touched upon the requirements and changes regarding grounding a consumer’s services at a meter-mounting device.

August 22, 2018 — Tackle July/August's Code Conundrum...if you dare!

August 15, 2018 — The Zhaga Consortium has published Edition 1 of a new specification that helps bring the Internet of Things (IoT) to outdoor LED lighting fixtures.

August 2, 2018 — Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) and AVIXA, the Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association, have released the new standard, Recommended Practice for Lighting Performance for Small to Medium Sized Videoconferencing Rooms (ANSI/IES/AVIXA RP-38-17).

December 12, 2018 - On Oct. 31, National Energy Board (NEB) chair and CEO Peter Watson introduced a new outlook report with a speech to the Toronto Region Board of Trade. Discussing the report’s projections for future energy supply and demand at a national level (through 2040), he explained Canada’s ‘electricity mix’ is becoming greener, as renewable sources experience significant rates of growth and play an increasingly important role.

October 3, 2018 – The government of Alberta has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for large-scale solar energy provision to meet more than half of its ‘green power’ needs.

August 23, 2018  — According to the “Global Advanced Energy Storage Systems Market 2018-2022,” report from ResearchAndMarkets.com, the global advanced energy storage systems market is forecasted to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.48 per cent from 2018-2022.

July 30, 2018 — ABB and Ballard Power Systems have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on developing the next-generation fuel cell power system for sustainable marine e-mobility.

July 20, 2018 — SaskPower is launching the deployment phase of its second pilot for commercial and industrial smart meters.

July 19, 2018 — The Government of Ontario has decided to cancel and wind down 758 renewable energy contracts.

July 12, 2018 — The New Brunswick government has committed $10 million to help establish the province as a leader in the field of research and development of small modular reactor (SMR) technology.

July 12, 2018 — The Nova Scotia government recently announced the new SolarHomes Program, which will help Nova Scotians save money on their electricity bills by installing solar panels.

July 4, 2018 — SaskPower recently announced that Saturn Power is the successful proponent for Saskatchewan’s first utility-scale solar power project.

June 26, 2018 — Hammond Power Solutions (HPS) launched a new line of low- and and medium-voltage distribution and drive isolation transformers meeting NRCan regulation SOR/2016-311 Amendment 14, which aligns minimum energy efficiency levels of dry-type transformers sold in Canada with those of the U.S.

May 18, 2018 — Nexans has completed a six-year project to design, manufacture, supply and install approximately 100km of subsea HVDC cable and accessories for Nalcor Energy’s Strait of Belle Isle Marine Cable Crossing in Newfoundland and Labrador.

December 17, 2018 - Scientists are getting closer to designing thermoelectric materials that could efficiently harvest heat from the surrounding environment and convert it into electricity to power devices and appliances, according to a review of the latest research in the journal Science and Technology of Advanced Materials (STAM).

December 4, 2018 - Earlier this year, Technical Safety BC worked with Baker Engineering and Risk Consultants (BakerRisk) to conduct an electric shock fault tree workshop, so as to evaluate potential causes of electric shocks and make recommendations to address the key causal factors behind those risks.

The Canadian Truck King Challenge (CTKC) recently celebrated its 12th anniversary by crowning the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali its new champion.

April 27, 2018 - A lot of things have changed since I first began attending and covering The MEET Show for Electrical Business Magazine over a decade ago. Back then, the lighting market was dominated by HIDs, PARs and fluorescents, crummy CFLs were making inroads and LEDs as lighting... well, they were a cute little novelty.

April 25, 2018 - This Saturday, April 28—the national Day of Mourning—we remember and honour workers who have died, been injured or suffered illness in the workplace.

January 29, 2018 - While Ottawa continues to fumble and stumble, bringing us ever closer to the brink of falling off the world stage altogether, a coalition of Canadian manufacturers is trying to do what it can to keep that from happening.

June 1, 2017 - After a few years of missing Lightfair due to scheduling conflicts, I was finally able to attend the 2017 edition and, boy, the exhibitors were putting their best feet forward. I haven’t seen so many large, colourful and distinctive booths since... well, maybe never.

November 16, 2017 - You can’t blame business owners for feeling like they’re being bombarded by government.

September 30, 2017 - The largest industry conference for the IEEE Petroleum & Chemical Industry Committee (IEEE-PCIC) has wrapped up in Calgary and, despite the recent weather-related disasters in the States, the event still attracted some 1435 delegates and 378 guests.

August 18, 2017 - You’ve seen the full-page ads in Electrical Business Magazine and the wallpapers here at EBMag.com. You’ve had most of the spring, and all of summer, but now is the time to hunker down and take 10 to 15 minutes to fill in your nomination for the 2017 Canadian Electrical Awards, which recognize noteworthy Canadian electrical installations and electrical safety champions.

August 17, 2017 - CSA Group’s annual Committee Week is a great venue for networking with CE Code-Part I Technical Committee (TC) members. That they have an excellent understanding of electrical practices is a given, but they also bring their own regional perspectives to the discussions that, eventually, lead to a new CE Code.

November 30, 2018 – Storage Battery Systems (SBS) has opened Battery Academy, a new training program and facility for professionals in the utility and telecommunications industries.

September 14, 2018 — Okanagan College says its new Trades Training Centre will prepare more skilled-trades students throughout British Columbia.

September 13, 2018 - The Alberta Electrical Association (AEA) has announced the winners of its 2018 scholarships.

August 3, 2018 — The Solar Energy Society of Alberta and Energy Efficiency Alberta, in partnership with the Electrical Inspectors Association of Alberta, have announced six upcoming workshops on the Canadian Electrical Code updates for solar photovoltaics.

May 28, 2018 — The Skills Ontario Competition, which took place earlier this month, featured nearly 70 skilled trades and technologies contests, and 2,300 competitors from elementary schools, high schools and colleges across Ontario.

May 10, 2018 - The Safety Codes Council encourages you to sign up now for the Alberta Electrical Inspectors Solar Workshop.

May 8, 2018 - Omron Automation Americas recently gifted Georgian College engineering technology students “with workforce-relevant technology”, and the college recognized its  partner of over 20 years by naming one of its technology labs in honour of Omron.

April 6, 2018 — As a result of an arrangement between Mohawk College and Alectra Utilities, a new Energy and Power Utilities Lab for the college has officially opened in a decommissioned substation in downtown Hamilton, Ont.

March 12, 2018 — B.C. Premier John Horgan recently announced a number of programs to support women working or entering a career in the building trades through improved workplace supports, services and practices.

March 12, 2018 — The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has published a new white paper that provides an overview of electrical and electronic equipment surge susceptibility: NEMA VSP 1-2017 “Susceptibility of Electrical and Electronic Components to Surge Damage.”

February 23, 2018 — Schneider Electric has launched its eighth year of “Go Green in the City,” an annual global contest that invites business and engineering students to find solutions for more energy-efficient cities.