Results from the 2018 Canadian Truck King Challenge. P.12
INSIDE
+ Top 7 Tips for fire alarm system installations
+ Wiring practices, solar, surges and more at AEA Expo
+ Low-voltage runs for LV installations
Your livelihood is in danger
That’s right, the work you do is at risk. Not at risk of disappearing altogether, but in danger of being changed to the point where it’s no longer needed, or to the point where someone non-electrical will do it in your place.
As an electrical contractor, you face more obstacles on more fronts than ever: licensing and certification regimens, finding and retaining talent, union negotiations, health & safety requirements and legislation, an electrical code that changes every three years, permit fees, additional standards like CSA Z463 and Z462 for electrical maintenance and safety, government policy, business education and mentorship (hopefully!), taxes, payroll and benefits...
All this before you pick up a single tool!
And then there are the shifts in technologies and systems that will change the skilled trade landscape. Where once an electrician was called in to move a light switch, homeowners can wire an RF unit into an existing wallbox and put a light switch wherever they please. Commercial lighting is moving toward a completely low-voltage backbone. Will an electrician be needed for relamping a facility?
So how do you keep all the work to yourself? Is it even possible?
Some will argue that we just need to ban all electrical products from all consumer outlets and, through legislation, mandate that only licensed electricians be allowed to purchase and install electrical equipment.
This is unrealistic. If you think the underground economy is bad now, just imagine what would happen were legislation like that to pass. And when you start getting into low voltages, how solid would those same arguments be?
Electrical, as a trade, is changing, and you’ll be in trouble if you don’t take the time to stand back and assess where things are going.
You need to be savvy. Start with lessons in better business management. Watch our recorded videos at EBMag.com/webinars on how to start doing that.
When your business is running well without you, you will have time to read up on what’s happening in the trade; time to become an active member of an industry association; to attend industry conferences and tradeshows. All of these offer a way to learn about new—possibly game-changing—technologies and business opportunities.
Some of your traditional work may very well disappear before you retire. What will you replace it with?
JUNE 2018 || VOLUME 54 || ISSUE 6
8 12 16 18
Top 7 Tips for a successful fire alarm system installation
Here are some basic things that will make your life a little easier when it comes to fire alarm systems.
Real-world testing for your next pickup
This year’s Canadian Truck King Challenge consisted of 10 mid-size, full-size and heavy-duty entries vying for top spot.
Time to consider low-voltage runs for LV installations
While LED lighting upended the way many think about lighting and controls, the installation of these low-voltage systems still eerily mirrors their line-voltage predecessors. It’s time to consider low-voltage runs for LV installations.
Wiring practices, solar, surges and more at AEA Expo
Alberta Electrical League pulled off a great Learning Expo earlier this year, with education tracks tackling topics ranging from good wiring practices and transients to 2018 code changes and solar.
With AD Rewards, customers are rewarded for purchasing participating suppliers’ products from an AD Canada Distributor. You earn one point for every dollar spent(1) at any AD Rewards Distributor(2) across Canada. You may already have points from purchases and not even know it. It’s the best rewards program in the industry. Isn’t it time you started rewarding yourself today? (1)
