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Message From The Editor
Safety and the Code
The third issue of the month once again features Terry Becker who encourages employers to be proactive rather than reactive when it comes to arc flash safety procedures. We also have the first article in a series on changes to the 2021 edition of the CEC by Steve Douglas in a series being hosted by QPS and Electro-Federation Canada. We also continue to look at new lighting control products in this issue, which also features the interesting story of Bryan Smith's career path. While Sense co-founder, Chris Micali explains how increased visibility into energy usage can impact efficiency and smart home control.
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Arc Flash & Shock Hazzard
Stop Reacting to Arc Flash
By Terry Becker
The arc flash hazard has overwhelmed employers in all industries across Canada and in the United States. In most cases unfortunately, employers have been purely reactive! I call it “bottom up hierarchy of risk controls.” The employer sends worker’s on “Arc Flash Awareness” or “Arc Flash Training,” buys arc flash PPE kits and pays for an engineering arc flash hazard analysis study without issuing a technical specification or controlling the format of the arc flash & shock equipment labels. Qualified Persons that receive the arc flash training will not apply the training if there is no documented policies, practices and procedural requirements.
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Code Series
Changes to the 2021 Canadian Electrical Code Part 1: Section 8
By Steve Douglas
This is the first of a series of articles detailing significant changes for the 2021 Canadian Electrical Code Part I (CE Code) that may impact electrical equipment manufacturers. A full copy of the CE Code is available HERE. In Section 8 of the CE Code Rule 8-304 Maximum number of outlets per circuit is one of the more significant code changes that may result in changing current wiring practices in Canada.
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Connected Home
Sense: Looking at how Energy Management and Visibility is the Next Step in Evolution Smart Homes
By Blake Marchand
Sense was founded by three partners, Chris Micali, Ryan Houlette and Michael Phillips, with backgrounds in speech recognition. Their product (Sense and Sense Solar) is an energy monitoring device that is installed at the electrical panel to provide visibility into a house’s energy consumption. Similar to speech recognition, Sense’s software collects data from electrical current up to a million times per second to develop a signature for each device and appliance consuming electricity. Using single processing machine learning, Sense shows what is on and off in real time and how much energy is being used by each device/appliance, which can be viewed through its app.
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Profile: Lighting Control
SMS Engineering's Bryan Smith on his Career and How Work Ethic Leads to Opportunity
By Blake Marchand
Bryan Smith started his now 20-year career at the ground floor, so to speak, as a draftsperson and worked his way to a senior position at SMS Engineering, one of the largest independently owned consulting engineering firms between Calgary and Toronto. “When I first started in the industry at the age of 20, it was a job to make ends meet. However, it did not take long for me to realize that I could make a career out of this. As a draftsperson I was exposed to a lot of different types of projects. Noticing patterns and how the devices had been laid out on previous projects helped me be more efficient and allowed me to help our designers with populating the floor plans with basic layouts as a draftsperson.”
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Changing Scene
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Electric Mobility Canada and Electro-Federation Canada Join Forces to Fight Climate Change and Grow the Cleantech Economy
Electric Mobility Canada (EMC) and Electro-Federation Canada (EFC) have announced a new partnership to support Canada’s climate plan. Working together to fight climate change and grow the cleantech economy will be valuable in promoting the adoption of e-mobility and its required infrastructure in Canada. Through this partnership, EFC and EMC commit to the following…
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IDEAL June Stay Wired to Win is Live Now
This month, IDEAL is challenging competitors to draw an Electrical Power One-Line Diagram following the specifications outlined in the scope document. The Top 5 students/apprentices and the Top 5 professional electricians will each receive…
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EngWorks Inc and the Alberta Electrical Alliance Form Strategic Partnership
EngWorks Inc. and the Alberta Electrical Alliance have announced a strategic partnership as of May 27, 2021. The partnership centers on exclusive discounts and revenue sharing for AEA sales of EngWorks Inc’s specialized hazardous locations online course. “Our members get an exclusive discount not offered through any other association in Alberta,” says Tara Ternes, CEO of the Alberta Electrical Alliance.
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AD Member Spotlight
Claudia Bissonnette, Tradelco
Tradelco is a distributor of quality electrical and industrial automation products with an extensive network, efficient, flexible delivery service, and professional staff. The company also stands out for its long-term vision and commitment to its team and community. Not to mention the scale of its membership in Canada's largest independent distributor group, AD (Affiliated Distributors). The 3rd generation family business founded in Granby in May 1961 is proud of its thriving history of growth, expansion, and collaboration in its quest for quality and excellence. With 39 employees who ensure outstanding service and their AD membership that gives it strong purchasing power, Tradelco is well positioned to offer a level of quality that lives up to its customers' expectations and at a competitive price.
Read More:
BC,
AB,
ON,
ATL,
QC
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Video Feature
Retrofit it Your Way with Visioneering’s LRK-TRH
Since no two retrofit applications are identical, the LRK-TRH provides the flexibility to tailor a solution for your challenge. From unique sizes, custom lumen packages, a wide range of controls and the latest in LED technology, the TRH provides un-matched customization. Not only will you benefit with enhanced light quality, but now you can improve occupant comfort, productivity, and space utilization with options like Intellect™ Solo and Wireless, BIOS Circadian Lighting, Tunable White and IoT Ready. It also features multiple lens options and 80+ and 90+ CRI.
Go HERE to watch the video.
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Training Opportunities
- Virtual Tech Talk: Asbestos Awareness, Safe Work Practices – June 23
Exposure to asbestos can cause serious long-term health issues and is recognized as a major cause of workers’ illness and disability. People who work in proximity to asbestos-containing materials may face a risk of exposure when their activities disturb materials such as drywall, flooring, ceilings, block walls containing vermiculite, or insulation materials. This session will provide information on how to understand and address some of the health and safety issues related to asbestos exposure.
- ECABC Webinar with Dan Leduc: Managing the Risk of Price Volatility and Supply Chain – June 17
Register for a complimentary legal webinar with Dan Leduc of Norton Rose Fulbright LLP and learn his insight on how you can try to contractually manage the risks of price volatility and supply chain issues.
- ECAA Virtual 2021 CE Code Update Seminar: July 6
This seminar will review the changes to the 2021 – 25th edition of the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC) and Code for Electrical Installations and is approved for SCO’s, Master Electricians and PEC’s. The course includes all course materials that will be mailed out prior to date…
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Changing Scene
- Ontario Passes Building Opportunities in the Skilled Trades Act
The Building Opportunities in the Skilled Trades Act, 2021 is the Ontario government’s new measures to help tradespeople receive certification through Skilled Trades Ontario. Announced in early May 2021 by the Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development, Monte McNaughton, the recently-passed legislation intends to streamline and simplify the apprenticeship system through the establishment of a new Crown agency, with the Ministry overseeing regulatory decisions and financial supports, among other responsibilities.
- Federal Government Announces Details for Canada Recovery Hiring Program and Extension of Business Support Programs
The proposed Canada Recovery Hiring Program would help hard-hit businesses hire the workers they need to recover and grow as local economies reopen. The program would provide a subsidy of up to 50 per cent of eligible salary or wages. It would be available to eligible employers who have experienced qualifying revenue declines so they can hire more workers, increase workers’ hours, or increase wages.
- OPG Building Better Ways to Charge the Province’s Transit
Ontario Power Generation (OPG) is leveraging its clean electricity production and electrification expertise to help reduce transportation sector emissions. The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) board recently approved a framework with OPG and Toronto Hydro for the three parties to work together to electrify TTC’s bus fleet, North America’s largest transit electrification project to date.
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Questions from the Canadian Electrical Contractor Discussion Group
- Best Advertising Bang for your Buck
What are you using for effective advertising methods? I'm curious. My business is busy, but looking to expand.
- Fair Rates for Service Calls
In Alberta: what is the usual going rate for a small business electrical contractor to charge out for service calls? I’m not quite sure if I’m charging too much or too little. I dont want to take the client through the ringer but at the same time i dont want to cut myself short either.
- Supply Chain Challenges
Has your business been impacted by material shortages? What best practices have you developed to manage/mitigate the associated challenges?
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Did You Know
Test Your Knowledge of the Canadian Electrical Code - Part 1 — The Answers: Fire Alarm Systems
In the last installment, you had the opportunity to answer our questions about the Code and best practices. Here are the answers to those questions.
Q: What rule specifies the requirements for insulated conductors and cables in fire alarm systems and what are the requirements?
A: Rule 32-100 specifies the requirements for insulated conductors and cables in fire alarm systems which include:
• copper material
• ampacity
• use of optical fiber cables
• use of stranded conductors
• insulation rated at 300 volts
• determining wire size for raceways or integral assemblies
• selection in accordance with rules 12-102(3) or 12-122(1)
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Product Focus: Lighting Control
Vive PowPak Phase Select Dimming Module
The Vive PowPak phase select dimming module is a radio frequency (RF) control that operates phase control fluorescent ballasts or LED drivers based on input from Pico remote controls and Radio Powr Savr sensors. The PowPak module is ideal for small areas (e.g., classrooms, conference rooms, private offices). Communication with RF input devices (e.g., Pico remote controls, Radio Powr Savr sensors) is accomplished by using Lutron Clear Connect – Type A RF Technology.
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GE Current, a Daintree Company ALBEO ABV
The ABV is a specification high bay that provides high performance and reliability. Available with integral Daintree® controls.
• Daintree® Wireless Controls options for code compliance and additional energy savings
• Up to 90,000 lumens for lighting applications with extremely high ceilings
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nLight AIR Autonomous Bridging Technology
nLight is a distributed, intelligent digital lighting controls platform to meet the demand for greater functionality while helping to reduce energy consumption and facilitate energy code compliance. nLight integrates time-based, daylight-based, sensor-based, and manual lighting controls through its connected, intelligent digital devices. Intelligent digital devices include: Occupancy Sensor, Photocell, Wall Switches/ Dimmers, Panels, Power/Relay Packs, Controllers, and Luminaires.
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Hubbell FX Room Controller
The NX Room Controller is the central component of the NX room control solution. Used individually or in combination with other NX Room Controllers, the NX Room Controller provides a complete standalone room control solution that can be networked for facility wide lighting control. The NX Room Controller uses SmartPORT technology to automatically configure occupancy sensors and manual control switches to provide an energy efficient room control solution without the need for any programming or commissioning.
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New Products
Hubbell Illuminated Plugs and Connectors
Hubbell’s illuminated plugs and connectors are the latest addition to the already broad line of wiring devices. Designed with safety in mind, ultra-bright LEDs let the user know that power is present and flowing to the device. Clear polycarbonate housing allows for visibility from any viewpoint. LEDs are highly visible from distances far beyond the length of the cord.
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Siemens 3VA Molded Case Circuit Breakers
Siemens new 3VA molded case circuit breakers offer safe, efficient and variable application options for low voltage power distribution whether in industrial applications, infrastructure or buildings. The 3VA range of molded case circuit breakers provide CSA frame sizes covering 125A to 800A with the 3VA5 (thermal-magnetic trip unit) models and 150A to 1000A with the 3VA6 (electronic trip unit) models, as well as IEC frame sizes covering 100A to 1000A with the 3VA1 and 3VA2 models.
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Klein Tools’ New Magnetic Wire Puller
Klein Tools introduces the new Magnetic Wire Puller, to help professionals quickly and easily fish wire and cable behind walls or enclosed spaces using rare earth magnets.
• Quickly and easily fish wire and cable behind finished walls and enclosed spaces
• High strength rare earth magnets provide strong hold for easy wire and cable pulling
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Bridgeport Fittings' New Patented Mighty-Align® Steel Slip EMT Couplings
Bridgeport Fittings’ patented Mighty-Align® Steel Slip EMT Couplings eliminate the need for additional components when installing Prefab EMT racks. The couplings can also be used to join two lengths of conduit in tight, limited space applications. Bridgeport Fittings’ center set screw feature provides the UL-required conduit stop while a convenient sight window allows for visual inspection of proper assembly. The steel slip couplings’ ability to back out the center screw allows the coupling to be temporarily placed on one conduit end while the other conduit is moved into position. The slip coupling can then be slid into place, joining both conduits.
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The Electrical Stock Market
Track the stock market performance of 25 publicly traded electrical equipment suppliers and electrical wholesalers. Updated weekly.
View Current
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Current Copper Prices
Monitor daily and 6-month $US prices for copper — the preferred electrical conductor for most categories of electrical wiring.
View Current
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In The Next Issue
A little more on Lighting Control |
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