Obama promotes 'Smart-Grid' projects
The New York Times
President Obama stood in the middle of the nation’s largest solar power generating facility in Arcadia, Fla., on Tuesday and announced a government investment of $3.4 billion to modernize the power grid through a series of projects across the country. “At this moment, there’s something big happening in America, when it comes to creating a clean-energy economy,” Mr. Obama said. “But getting there will take a few more days like this one, and more projects like this one.” More

Own an electrical business? Put a retirement plan in place
IAEI Magazine
If you own a business in the electrical industry, you have a lot to think about -- sales, expenses, marketing, cash flow, competition -- the list goes on and on. However, by spending so much time on the issues of today, you may overlook the concerns of tomorrow. That’s why, if you haven’t already done so, you need to choose a retirement plan for your business. More

NEMA publishes DC 3-2008 Residential Controls--Electrical Wall-Mounted Room Thermostats
NEMA
The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has published DC 3-2008 Residential Controls—Electrical Wall-Mounted Room Thermostats, developed by NEMA’s Residential Controls Section. The revised standard, last published in 2003, covers self-contained, electrical and electronic, wall-mounted room thermostats for heating and/or cooling. It also provides specifications on rating and classification, construction requirements, and testing and performance requirements, including the equipment necessary to test thermostat operation and performance. More

Analysis of Changes, NEC-2011--Part II
IAEI
In the previous edition of the IAEI News, we took a look at some of the more significant changes that have been proposed for the upcoming NEC-2011 in Chapters 1–3. Let’s continue that process by taking a look at proposed changes to Chapters 4–8. Keep in mind that these proposed changes are just that--proposed. These changes could still be altered or removed by a public comment during the upcoming Comments stage of the code-making process.More

Learning the limitations of metal-clad enclosures
EC&M
There's a common misconception among many professionals in the electrical industry that can be prove to be deadly under certain circumstances — some technicians, as well as engineers, believe that flame-resistant (FR) clothing is not necessary when working on equipment enclosed inside a metal cabinet. In-house research conducted by Praxis Corp., Granbury, Texas, has revealed there are no regulatory or manufacturing requirements mandating that the doors of metal-clad enclosures be of equal strength to the sides of the cabinets. This means that relying on closed and latched doors on enclosures to protect workers from arc blast hazards is sometimes inadequate; therefore, wearing FR clothing (even when working on locked enclosures) is often a reasonable work practice. More

Wiring America up to green power
Business Week
The wind howling over the Great Plains and the unrelenting Southwestern sun pack enough energy to power the entire U.S. with clean, renewable electricity. Trouble is, there's no way to get that power from the Dakotas or Nevada to America's big cities, many on the East Coast. As much as 300,000 megawatts worth of green power, enough to replace more than 300 coal-fired power plants, is being held on the shelf, as it were, because of the lack of transmission lines. This has sparked a movement to create "green power superhighways," as supporters call them. More

Michigan electrical inspector creates Halloween attraction
Record Eagle
Finding each pumpkin's face, giving it a personality, is Ed Moody's vocation. The Frankfort, Mich., resident is a master electrician better known each fall as "Pumpkin Ed," seasonal carver of oversized squash. With Halloween looming large, his front yard boasts nearly two dozen oversized creations -- an attraction that causes traffic jams in the small, tourist town as tens of thousands stream past. Gigs on the road also keep the electrical inspector for Grand Traverse County busy as he demonstrates his unusual craft at festivals and events. More