Vol. 2 No. 11

September 2007

- EB Launches Heritage Photo Contest
- NETCO Program & Registration Package is READY!
- The Bluebook Time is Here!
- Help Update our Model National Energy Code for Buildings
- BCEA Electrix 2007 – Victoria
- Personalized Customer Experience Online at GE
- WAGO adds Second Innovation Tour Vehicle
- Lenze-AC Tech Launches Customer-Centric Website
- Check Out these Products

- Hubbell Lighting HQ Grand Opening
- Coming Events



EB LAUNCHES HERITAGE PHOTO CONTEST!

Electrical Business, in association with the Electrical Heritage Society of British Columbia—along with generous industry partners—is excited to present the “Heritage What Am I?” Photo Contest, in which readers guess the nature of an electrical artifact from the society’s collection. Launched in the August 2007 edition, readers can win exciting prizes if they guess correctly, and are among the randomly drawn names of lucky winners.

If you′re not sure what this is all about, CLICK HERE to download a PDF of the August 2007 issue. And if you have the issue in front of you, but haven′t yet played, what are you waiting for? CLICK HERE to enter your answer.



NETCO PROGRAM & REGISTRATION PACKAGE IS READY!

As NETCO’s exclusive media partner, Electrical Business is pleased to announce that the Preliminary Program & Registration Package for the 2007 National Training Symposium to be held in Barrie, Ont. (November 2-4) is ready for download!

NETCO’s (National Electrical Trade Council’s) mandate is to promote apprenticeship, continuous learning for journeypersons and national standards for the electrical industry in Canada. The national training symposium is just a part of its activities, and will feature keynote speakers, professional development activities and networking opportunities.

CLICK Prelim_Program_NETCO_Symposium.pdf to download the package.


THE BLUEBOOK TIME IS HERE!

It’s time once again for you to be a part of the Canadian electrical industry’s preeminent source guide—THE BLUEBOOK—which is bigger, better and more user-friendly than ever!

By now you should have received via e-mail your login and password to access and update your FREE PROFILE in THE BLUEBOOK. If you haven’t, or you wish to start your own FREE PROFILE, please contact Judy Antoniadis at jantoniadis@canadalawbook.ca or call her at (905) 727-0077. You can also fax your information or query to (905) 841-6786.

Remember, your listing is FREE! Make sure you’re a part of THE BLUEBOOK: Canada’s definitive source guide for the electrical industry.


HELP UPDATE OUR MODEL NATIONAL ENERGY CODE FOR BUILDINGS

Gary Lunn, minister for Natural Resources Canada, announced back in June that his department would be contributing resources and expertise to the National Research Council (NRC) of Canada to update the 1997 Model National Energy Code for Buildings (MNECB). NRC and NRCan will work with the provinces and territories to support MNECB’s updating, under the leadership of the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes (CCBFC).

The next edition of the MNECB is scheduled for release in 2011, shortly after the publication of the next edition of the National Building Code of Canada in November 2010. For the first time, the MNECB will be published in an objective-based format, which will offer new information to facilitate the evaluation of innovative products and systems.

Interested in helping update Canada’s Model National Energy Code for Buildings?

A new standing committee is being created by CCBFC to carry out the work needed to update the technical provisions of the 1997 MNECB. Members of the standing committee will be selected from the applications received this summer and will start their work this fall.

BUT... there is always a need for technical expertise to assist the standing committee, particularly when special task groups are formed. If you are interested in participating in this important national code development work, please send an expression of interest, along with a recent curriculum vitae, to the Secretary of CCBFC’s Nomination Committee at:

Secretary to the CCBFC Nomination Committee
Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes
Canadian Codes Centre,
Building M-23A
National Research Council Canada
1200 Montreal Road,
Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6
Fax: (613) 952-4040
E-mail: nomination-irc@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

If you are not available but know of someone who, in your judgment, would make a good contributor, please invite that person to submit an expression of interest. NRC-IRC will reimburse travel and accommodation expenses for the committee and task group members.

CLICK HERE for more information on CCBFC′s standing committees.


BCEA ELECTRIX 2007 – VICTORIA

Electrical Business is proud to once again be a part of BCEA’s Electrix this fall in Victoria. Be sure to stop by Booth 88 by the Registration Desk and say hello.

BCEA tells us this show will absolutely knock your socks off. It’s already sold out at 97 booths. And what’s great about BCEA’s shows is they’re small enough to enjoy in a day, but large enough to keep you busy all day long with excellent exhibitors showing the coolest in products and services.

The show also boasts two educational sessions. Craig Spafford, president of PMMI International and Bryan Johnson, DSE Western Canada–Cooper Bussmann, will speak on the arc flash/blast awareness/protection of electrical workers, whereas Thomas & Betts’ national marketing manager, Pierre Gauthier, will present a session on emergency lighting and regulations.

And in case you haven’t heard, there’s a golf game for Exhibitors at Olympic View Golf Club on October 24, the day before Electrix. BCEA has organized 80 spots for exhibitors who would like to get in a round of golf before set up. This event is a golf game only—not a tournament. Olympic View has given BCEA a great rate, so book your spot or a foursome today (cost includes golf cart).

CLICK HERE to visit BCEA online.


PERSONALIZED CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE ONLINE AT GE

Contractors, OEMs, facility operators, consulting engineers and distributors may feel pampered, boasts GE, when visiting the freshly redesigned website of GE Consumer & Industrial’s Electrical Distribution business. It offers individualized community areas, improved search mechanisms, expanded new product content and GE Smart Catalog (which automatically updates GE’s electronic catalogues on a customer’s computer).

Besides a customized user experience and the smart catalogues, the redesigned site features: a specifier’s guide; design resources; useful tools for calculating things like energy/cost savings, harmonic distortion, load current and more; improved search functionality; and 24/7 access to a self-serve Internet site that allows customers to place/follow orders, and track payables. CLICK HERE to check it out.


WAGO ADDS SECOND INNOVATION TOUR VEHICLE

WAGO Corp. has added a second vehicle to its Innovation in Automation Tour (IIAT) mobile marketing program, which was launched to educate, and interact with, customers across North America. Marketing manager, Dean Norton, realizes that sending employees to tradeshows has become an expensive proposition for customers, which is why “WAGO has two tradeshows going directly to them”.

The identical vehicles are customized showcases featuring the same interactive features as WAGO’s tradeshow booths such as: “pick-up and play” product panels, electronic kiosks, free samples, literature and software. The mobile showrooms are staffed by WAGO product experts and allow visitors to experience the full breadth of the company’s Automation and Electrical Interconnect product lines.

So far, Vehicle 1 has travelled 39,000 miles to visit about 3200 people across Canada and the lower 48 states. WAGO expects Vehicle 2 to address requests for additional stops and return visits, and be present for customer events/gatherings. Vehicle 1 was recently in Ontario, and Vehicle 2 recently visited Calgary. CLICK HERE for additional information on the IIAT vehicles, including a virtual 360-degree tour and a complete schedule for both.


LENZE-AC TECH LAUNCHES CUSTOMER-CENTRIC WEBSITE

Lenze-AC Tech proudly announced the launch of its product- and application-focused website. The company develops, manufactures, supports and markets a range of motion control solutions, including AC VFDs, servo drives and motors, electro-mechanical drives and gearmotors, clutches and brakes, and machine automation.

The site boasts straightforward top-level navigation, clear design and quick access to product information. Other key features include a content-rich support and library section—with technical and sales literature—and a range of application stories and an overview of the Lenze-AC Tech training schedule.

The Contact section has also been revamped so that visitors can quickly find a sales rep for their location, or be connected with the most appropriate resource by e-mail. CLICK HERE to check it out.


CHECK OUT SOME OF THESE PRODUCTS

Vibration energy-harvesting technology

Perpetuum’s PMG17 energy-harvesting microgenerator can be used to power additional sensing points for existing-condition monitoring systems. In essence, it converts the vibration of equipment running on mains frequency (50 Hz or 60 Hz) into electrical energy, and can generate enough energy to power a wireless transmitter sending up to 6 Kb of data every few minutes, or smaller amounts of data several times a second. This eliminates the need for batteries and wiring.
PERPETUUM LTD.

Parallel splices

Panduit’s new Pan-Lug copper compression parallel splices deliver installation flexibility and reduced costs with numerous UL-listed and CSA-certified conductor combinations: 10 parts provide safe and reliable terminations of 278 conductor combinations to increase productivity and minimize inventory requirements. The splices feature industry-recognized colour coding and large, easy-to-read part numbering for visual verification in low-light conditions.
PANDUIT

Low-voltage motor management system

Designed for low-voltage motors, the compact MM300 delivers protection, control automation, metering, communications and diagnostics in a rugged, compact design that fits into common NEMA and IEC motor control centres. With its integrated, multiple communications protocols, advanced health diagnostics, and customizable automation and control logic, the MM300 minimizes the number of auxiliary devices and maximizes process availability. It can simultaneously communicate using Modbus (Serial or Ethernet) and either DeviceNet or Profibus DP protocols. This allows for easy and direct integration into new and existing HMI, DCS and SCADA systems, eliminating the need for additional devices such as protocol converters or gateways. The MM300 is ready to use right out of the box, with predefined control logic and automatic I/O assignment for the most common motor starter types.
GE MULTILIN

Three-outlet extension cord

Coleman’s Cord Runner extension cord features three evenly spaced outlets rather than just one at the end. It has a heavy-duty 14-gauge STW outdoor-rated cord that is durable, reliable and flexible, even in cold weather, and each outlet has an indicator light to let you know when the power is on. The extension cord is available in 6-ft and 25-ft lengths, in green or yellow jacketing.
COLEMAN CABLE INC.

Designer-inspired thermostat

Nuheat has launched a distinctive designer-inspired thermostat that’s available exclusively with Nuheat floor warming systems. The Harmony’s design allows it to be flush-mounted behind any double-gang, decorator-style faceplate, letting you choose a faceplate best matching a room’s décor. It boasts an Energy Star rating, backlit display and buttons and built-in GFCI, and is suitable for use with both tile and laminate/engineered wood floors. Harmony also features variable temperature settings for each day of the week and easy programming, and is able to ‘figure out’ the most efficient use of power.
NUHEAT

1600A service entrance switchboard

Schneider’s Square D MS16 multi-section 1600A, 600V service entrance switchboard is just 16-in. deep to minimize footprint. The freestanding switchboard is suitable for use in small to medium industrial and commercial facilities. It can accept a fuse or circuit breaker for the main device, and features four types of distribution sections: 1) I-Line (breaker); 2) QMQB (fusible); 3) MQS (fusible metering); and 4) QMB/QMJ (fusible). Standard features include copper bussing and main breakers fitted with MicroLogic trip units. Options include: Powerlogic PM800 power meters; Powerlogic CM3000 and CM4000 circuit monitors; TVSS units available as branch-mounted devices; and ground fault indicating lights. Featuring a CSA general purpose (Type 1) enclosure, the switchboard is approved for service entrance and meets all applicable Canadian codes, standards and hydro requirements. Meantime, specials are available to meet a variety of customer needs.
SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC

Non-metallic connectors and ‘detectable’ cable ties

The Iberville CI4006-FP3 3/4-in. plastic connector is fully adjustable and reusable, providing flexibility during installation. Simply insert the connector into the opening, then feed and clamp the wire, or install and clamp the connector onto the wire, then insert into the opening. In cases where there is limited access to the exterior of the enclosure, the connector can be installed from the inside. Designed and manufactured in Canada, it can be used on 6/3 and 8/3 cables. Meantime, the Ty-Rap detectable cable tie is an efficient alternative to standard nylon cable ties and costly stainless steel fasteners. Ideal in the pharmaceutical, food and beverage industries, the cable tie incorporates a unique compound detectable by metal detectors and X-ray equipment. It is also available in a buoyant polypropylene version for use in liquid processing areas.
THOMAS & BETTS


HUBBELL LIGHTING HQ GRAND OPENING

Back in July, Electrical Business was honoured to be the only Canadian electrical publication invited to attend the grand opening of Hubbell Lighting’s new headquarters in Greenville, N.C. This is an amazing outfit, and we’ll tell you all about it in our upcoming October issue. Meantime, we've already uploaded photos from the event to EBMag.com. CLICK HERE to check out the gallery.



COMING EVENTS

IIDEX/NeoCon ''The Lighting Show''
September 27-28
Toronto, Ont.
CLICK HERE for details


Suppliers Conference
IED (Independent Electrical Distributors)
October 1-3
Mississauga, Ont.
CLICK HERE for details

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

Enlighten 2007 - The Passion of Light
International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD)
October 11-13
Montreal, Que.
CLICK HERE for details

Workplace Electrical Safety Conference
Presented by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) in partnership with the Industrial Accident Prevention Association (IAPA)
October 17-18
Calgary, Alta.
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.
CLICK Prelim_Program_NETCO_Symposium.pdf to download Preliminary Program & Registration Package (opens PDF document).

Electrical Exposition 2007
OEL Essex Chapter
November 21
Windsor, Ont.
CLICK HERE for details

Construct Canada
November 28-30
Toronto, Ont.
CLICK HERE for details


CLICK HERE to check out A TON 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.

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