Survey Says: Which Channels Electrical Contractors Buy Through
Full line distributors lead six other channels by a wide margin. See how the others fare.
Effect of Next Generation 100 W Power over Ethernet on RJ45 Connectivity
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is currently writing the 802.3bt standard, which will double the amount of power delivered to end devices. The current 25.5 W will increase to approximately 71 W, which is an increase of a factor of approximately 3. This new type of Power over Ethernet (PoE) is commonly referred to as PoE++ or 4 Pair PoE (4PPoE), and allows devices such as next generation wireless access points, security cameras with pan, tilt, zoom, and heating elements, and larger displays to operate under the new PoE standard.
A Great Way to Filter Leads and Get Better Customers
I have been coaching my contractor clients to be smart about how they do business. I have been stressing that they should be selective about the customers they choose to work with, especially when business surges. If this makes sense to you and for your business, read on to find out how to do fewer sales calls but at the same time close higher margin deals.
November Investment in New Housing Construction up 4.1% YOY
Investment in new residential construction totalled $4.5 billion in November, up 4.1% from November 2015. For the second consecutive month, the increase at the national level reflected higher investment in all types of dwelling.
Firm Develops Electricity-Generating Flexible Glass
SolarWindow Technologies, Inc., a firm that develops transparent electricity-generating coatings for glass windows and flexible veneers, has announced plans to develop electricity-generating flexible glass.
Survey Says: Electrical Buyers’ Info Sources
Almost all buyers rely heavily on websites and industry publications, both digital and print. Social media, not so much. However, usage is growing steadily.
Echelon Outdoor Lighting Enhances Public Safety through IBM Watson Internet of Things
Echelon Corporation is collaborating with IBM Watson IoT to bring cognitive intelligence to its adaptive streetlight control platform, helping municipalities transform into smarter, safer and more sustainable cities. Echelon will infuse Watson IoT capabilities into its next-generation, adaptive LED lighting control solution to form a pervasive, more intelligent infrastructure that can easily integrate IoT applications to address municipal safety, environment and energy challenges.
Canadians React Positively to National Plan
Although some provincial premiers have expressed concerns about the economic impacts of taking action to cut carbon pollution, a recent poll shows a strong majority of Canadians do not share those concerns.
Canada’s First Utility-Scale Storage System “Islands” Remote BC Town
An innovative community microgrid solution from S&C Electric Canada Ltd. now brings reliable power to the remote town of Field, British Columbia. Since going live, the system has saved Field from power outages due to tree falls, car accidents, avalanches and fires for a combined 126 hours. The longest single duration was 22 hours. This system has the potential to be replicated and adapted to other remote communities that could benefit from this technology. Read on to find our more about the challenges and the solution.
Nyx Hemera Technologies: Intelligent Lighting for Dark Tunnels
New York City’s Queens-Midtown tunnel is the latest lighting project to be undertaken by Quebec City’s Nyx Hemera Technologies, which provides flexible and intelligent lighting control systems for roads tunnels. The company’s flagship solution is the Tunnel Lighting Addressable Control System (TLACS).
Q4 Non-residential Construction Investment Declines for 7th Time in 8 Quarters
Investment in non-residential building construction totalled $12.3 billion in the fourth quarter, down 0.7% from the previous quarter. This marks the seventh decrease in eight quarters. Nationally, the decline reflected lower spending on commercial and industrial building construction.
Taking on Risk and Uncertainty
In 1986, after spending a few years in university and working at various construction jobs, I received a phone call from a company that I’d applied to for employment. The human resources manager informed me that I’d been selected from a number of candidates for what was, at that time in my life, my dream job.
A Short History of Safety Norms For LEDs
What came first: the chicken or the egg? In technical files the answer is simple: first comes the product, then the standard. In 1993, when Nichia introduced the blue LED (based on GaN), the issue of photo biological safety was taken into consideration. The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) decided to include LEDs in the laser product category and related norms (IEC 60825). This decision was based on the use of infrared LED in the fibre communication system due to its very narrow band.
A New Year and a Fresh Look at Your Career
It’s that time of the year again where we recover from holiday indulgences and make resolutions that we know we won’t keep past February.
Regardless of your own personal promise (eat less, exercise more, stop betting on the horses), there is one thing that you should be looking to do in January and that is to spend time evaluating your career goals.
Could Technology Help Improve Electrical Compliance?
Research conducted on behalf of the BC Safety Authority (BCSA) could provide a technical solution to a key compliance barrier.
BCSA estimates that up to 50% of electrical work done by contractors in the province is performed without required installation permits. Unpermitted work is linked to higher risk to worker and public safety.
5 Mistakes Electrical Contractors Repeatedly Make on Social Media
Social media has become an integral part of our daily lives. It has also become a place for businesses to make connections, network and spread the word about anything they would like to share. Despite the unlimited potential social media marketing offers electrical contractors, only some of them use it. Even fewer use it properly.
