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Volume 1 • Issue 45
MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR
The future is limited only by our imagination
We have many moments in our daily lives where we just act without having to think. We flick on a light, turn up the heating, start the coffee maker, charge our phones. Electricity is everywhere, it's convenient, and it allows us to lead very comfortable lives. All of these electrical devices would have been unimaginable in the 19th century, when the first incandescent lamp was introduced. But as energy-efficient as they may be, more are introduced every day. Since our energy supply has limits, how do we manage? In this issue read Daniel Péloquin, member of our advisory editorial board, who talks about introducing demand response into our everyday lives. Maybe it will free up our imaginations the same way that the first lightbulb did. Good reading!
Line Goyette
Managing Editor, Electrical Industry Newsweek
linegoyette@kerrwil.com
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Powerbus™ Busway by Schneider Electric
Scalable, efficient, and flexible power distribution with zero footprint
Schneider Electric is pleased to announce the release of the highest tap off unit density low amperage Busway on the market.
The Powerbus busway delivers flexible and efficient overhead power distribution and offers scalability by featuring the highest tap-off unit density on the market with up to 20 openings every 10 feet. This modular solution minimizes unintended downtime and improves safety while optimizing energy efficiency. Powerbus busway construction consists of a light-weight electrical grade all-aluminum housing with up to five (5) silver-plated copper conductor bars for maximum electrical efficiency. Modular design and full catalogue of tap-off units, drop cords with connectors, power feed units, fittings and accessories are available to fit your power and application needs.
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Smart Grid
The Case for Demand Response
By Daniel Peloquin
To energy industry veterans, the concept of demand response might be old news, but to the consumer it's a whole new world. To date, most real-world examples of demand response systems have been in large commercial applications — not in residential or small commercial, but it's time we start building the foundation to bring this powerful tool to new markets.
The challenges facing today's energy industry are well known. In mature economies, like Canada's, the growth in electricity demand is minimal, but utilities face ever-increasing pressures from regulators to become more efficient, reduce their costs and avoid passing rate increases to consumers. It's a situation tailor-made for demand response.
Although there is immense pressure being placed on utilities, the increased acceptance of smart home technologies in the consumer market makes it the perfect time to begin moving towards a system of wide-scale residential and commercial demand response adoption. In other words, it's time to take demand response to the next level.
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Happy Birthday Brady Corporation!
Today marks the 100th anniversary of Brady’s incorporation on November 11, 1914. Electrical Industry Newsweek celebrates the anniversary with a profile of Brady in the November 18 issue. Watch for it.
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Safety
Keeping Electrical Workers Out of Harm's Way: Non-Contact Tools, Part II
Safe work practices, including the use of non-contact test tools that do not require electrical workers to place themselves in harm's way, are the first line of defence when it comes to electrical safety. The last line: personal protective equipment (PPE). Read on to learn more about non-contact test tools that limit the exposure of workers to the electrical hazards of shock and arc flash.
Widening the safety window
Using an infrared (IR) window in conjunction with a thermal imager widens the safety envelope even further. Relatively small, circular IR windows can be permanently installed on enclosures that are part of the plant's thermal imaging program, or can be mounted on equipment enclosures that may produce a dangerous arc flash should an accident occur while the door is open. By scanning through an IR window that is rated to withstand an arc flash and blast, it is not even necessary to open an enclosure door to scan.
As a result there is virtually no technician exposure to shock or arc flashes. It would be hard for routine maintenance and troubleshooting to get any safer!
Keeping your distance
One tool that is often overlooked when it comes to safety is the laser distance meter. Generally considered only a convenience item, this non-contact distance measurement tool also increases safety when doing such jobs as conducting an arc flash study. This engineering analysis requires measuring the lengths of conductor runs between equipment.
Rather than using steel measuring tapes and stepladders with two people finding themselves in precarious positions near and over cable trays and switchgear, the laser distance meter allows many distance measurements to be taken safely from the floor by just one person. Press the Measure Button once and the laser is activated. Then, point the laser to where the distance is to be measured and press the Measure Button again to read an accurate distance of up to 200 feet (61 meters) or more on the display.
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Lighting
The Future of Light: Getting Connected, Says Philips
Having lighting as part of the "Internet of Things" is allowing light to be integrated into our lives in totally new ways, says Mike Simpson, Technical and Design Director, Philips UK and Ireland. According to Simpson, the future is limited only by our imaginations.
The digital age of lighting and the magic of the Internet have combined to create a whole new world of possibilities. LEDs have created an era of controllability that goes much further than just dimming, changing colour temperatures or the use of colour. Lighting can now alter how people view their surroundings in completely new ways and in some situations even act as a communication tool.
With greater connectivity, programmability and accessibility, we're entering an exciting time - where people are using light to connect with each other and share experiences. With Cisco predicting that some 25 billion devices will be connected by 2015, and 50 billion by 2020, the future holds a new level of interactivity that will become a natural part of our everyday lives.
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Survey Says
The Work They Do - Consulting EngineeringAmong 5 categories, the commercial sector ranks #1.
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Product Focus
Eaton Telescoping Light Pole System: Safer Installation and Maintenance Alternative
Eaton's new V-SpringTM Telescoping Light Pole increases safety and reduces labour costs associated with installing and maintaining lights at industrial facilities.
The controlled lowering pole features spring assistance to easily move the fixture up and down vertically. The V-Spring system may prevent the need for worker's to work at heights when they need to clean or repair the light.
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