EC&M Magazine

Learn how SIF frameworks prioritize high-energy hazards and how proactive planning can significantly reduce the likelihood of life-threatening events on construction sites. Key Takeaways SIF focuses on high-energy hazards such as electrical, gravitational, mechanical, pressure, thermal, and kinetic energies that can cause life-ending injuries. Pre-task planning, job hazard analyses, and verifying critical controls are essential steps in preventing SIFs before work begins.

Article 100 has two definitions. One of them applies to wiring methods. An exposed wiring method is one that is on (or attached to) the surface or is behind panels designed to allow access. In an office, for example, you might have surface raceway. While perfectly safe — and often aesthetically pleasing — it’s considered exposed. That is as opposed to concealed, which might, in that same office, mean the wiring method is run between the studs behind the drywall.

The VALVETRAB Safe Protection Plus (VAP-SPP) surge protective devices are designed to protect both the installers and end equipment. These SPDs feature miswiring and touch protection along with a reduced tightening torque of 3 Newton-meters (Nm). The family includes the NEMA-rated and NFPA 79-compliant VAL-US-SPP designed for common power supply systems in North America. The SPP line features modular, plug-in remote signaling to simplify installation and reduce maintenance time and effort.

Based on the 2026 NEC. Question: What is required when rigid metal conduit enters an enclosure through an opening that is not threaded? See answer below. Answer: A locknut or fitting must be installed on the inside and outside of the enclosure. Reference: Section 344.29 Explanation: Section 344.29 was added to explicitly require the conduit to be secured on both sides of the enclosure by locknuts or a fitting and a locknut. This ensures compliance with Sections 300.12 and 300.14.

Two Illinois electrical contractors are squaring off in federal court, one alleging theft by another of confidential, legally protected bidding and pricing information it subsequently used to undercut it and win business at its expense. Attorneys for Block Electric Company, Inc., Niles, Ill., brought the civil action against Chicago-based Midwest Interstate Electrical Construction Co., and a subsidiary, March 16 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

As data center development accelerates, building officials and project teams are navigating inconsistent approaches to classification, design and code application, often leading to uncertainty and delays in design, permitting and construction. The G12 guideline, under development now, is intended to provide near-term guidance by synthesizing existing standards and identifying practical pathways for safe, efficient and predictable project delivery.

Industrial environments push equipment to its limits. High temperatures, airborne contaminants, vibration, and corrosive exposure are common realities inside many facilities. While these conditions are typically considered when specifying heavy machinery or process equipment, lighting is often overlooked. Yet lighting systems operate continuously within these same demanding environments.

In part two of this EC&M On Air podcast, host Ellen Parson, Editor-in-Chief of EC&M, presents powerful insights from industry experts at Henderson Engineers, CannonDesign, and Augmenta on the state of AI in the electrical industry today. The conversation centers on the importance of understanding a company’s own workflows, data, and business goals before layering in AI tools — with guests emphasizing there is no one-size-fits-all playbook.

Two Illinois electrical contractors are squaring off in federal court, one alleging theft by another of confidential, legally protected bidding and pricing information it subsequently used to undercut it and win business at its expense. Attorneys for Block Electric Company, Inc., Niles, Ill., brought the civil action against Chicago-based Midwest Interstate Electrical Construction Co., and a subsidiary, March 16 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

In large exhibit spaces, lighting systems are expected to operate in the background, supporting visibility without drawing attention. That changes quickly when a system fails. In the Tulsa Air & Space Museum’s 18,000-sq-ft, hangar-style building, an unexpected power disturbance knocked out multiple systems, including over 70% of the high-bay LED lighting. The outage created an immediate problem. Fixtures are mounted roughly 50 ft above the floor, making access difficult and time-consuming.