EC&M - July 2025

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Editorial

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Building Tomorrow’s Electrical Workforce Today

By Ellen Parson, Editor-in-Chief

When we surveyed leading electrical firms across the country for our annual Top 40 Electrical Design Firms project in March and our Top 50 Electrical Contractors in June, there was certainly a consensus on one key point: the ongoing skilled labor shortage. When asked “which factor is having the most negative impact on the growth of your business,” 62% of electrical design firm respondents cited “difficulty finding and retaining quality employees” as their No. 1 concern followed closely by 57% of their electrical contractor counterparts. Also on par with last year’s results, the number of Top 40 respondents who said they were experiencing “staffing issues” remained high at 89%. For the fifth year in a row, “project engineer” earned the title of “most difficult job title to fill” followed by “supervising engineer” and “design engineer.” Down from 86% last year, the vast majority (74%) of Top 50 electrical contractors indicated they continue to experience worker shortages. “Electrician” bumped “electrical foreman,” moving into the top spot for most challenging title to fill. It’s no secret that, like many other markets, the electrical industry continues to face a critical skilled labor shortage that is only poised to intensify over the next decade. According to a 2023 report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG), one in three engineering roles in the nation currently goes unfilled — with “electrical engineering” identified as one of the leading fields contributing to this gap. The report estimates the nation will need about 400,000 new engineers annually through 2030 to meet demand, yet the pipeline of workers with next-generation skills, such as AI integration, automation, and digital system design, remains insufficient. The situation seems to be even more daunting among electricians. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an 11% growth in employment for electricians from 2023 to 2033 (in order to fill approximately 802,000 positions), also outpacing the average for all jobs. This translates to about 80,200 new job openings per year.

Despite these very real hiring challenges, electrical design firms and contractors are making intentional investments in recruiting and retaining top-tier talent — efforts clearly reflected in the record-breaking volume and quality of nominations received for EC&M’s 30 Under 30 program. By recognizing and empowering young professionals who are driving innovation through technology, these companies are not only filling critical roles but also cultivating the next generation of leaders and redefining the future of the electrical industry. Now in its eighth year, our 30 Under 30 Electrical All Stars recognition program has become one of our brand’s most popular and impactful initiatives. Since its launch in 2018, this special report spotlights exceptional individuals under the age of 30 who consistently go above and beyond the call of duty, all while demonstrating leadership, creativity, and a forward-thinking approach to their work. One of the characteristics that sets this generation apart is how seamlessly they’re embracing cutting-edge technologies, using tools like AI, automation, and advanced software to optimize job-site efficiency, improve safety, and solve complex challenges in real time.

This year’s program broke previous records for both volume and caliber of nominations, showcasing a remarkable pool of candidates from across the industry, representing electrical contracting companies, electrical design firms, and facility/plant maintenance teams. By sharing the following personal profiles (starting on page 30), we not only celebrate the individual achievements and companies developing this top talent, but also hope to inspire the next generation of electrical professionals. Take the time to read these 30 outstanding young people’s stories and experience the electrical industry through their fresh eyes. They aren’t just keeping pace with industry changes — they’re driving them.

ELECTRICAL TESTING EDUCATION

Proper Testing Techniques When Using a Time Domain Reflectometer

Best practices for measuring reflections along cables with a TDR

By Thomas Sandri, Vector Power

Atime domain reflectometer (TDR) measures reflections along a cable. It is similar in principle to radar. To measure those reflections, the TDR transmits an incident signal into the cable and watches for its reflections (Fig. 1 on page 12). If the cable has a uniform impedance and is properly terminated, there will be no reflections — and the remaining incident signal will be absorbed by the termination at the far end. However, if impedance variations exist, some of the incident signals will be reflected to the source.

BASIC PRINCIPLES

Two side-by-side conductors separated by an insulator (as in a cable) will show characteristic impedance between them. If the distance between the conductors does not change, the impedance does not change. If the distance between them increases, the impedance goes up.

This technician is using a time domain reflectometer (TDR) to measure reflections on power cables that serve a building.

If the distance between them decreases, the impedance goes down. Time domain reflectometers (TDRs) use simple

Electrical Testing Education articles are provided by the InterNational Electrical Testing Association (NETA), www.NETAworld.org. NETA was formed in 1972 to establish uniform testing procedures for electrical equipment and systems. Today the association accredits electrical testing companies; certifies electrical testing technicians; publishes the ANSI/NETA Standards for Acceptance Testing, Maintenance Testing, Commissioning, and the Certification of Electrical Test Technicians; and provides training through its annual conferences (PowerTest and EPIC — Electrical Power Innovations Conference) and its expansive library of educational resources.

transmission-line theory and pulsereflection principles to detect these impedance changes along a cable. The TDR transmits high-frequency electrical pulses that travel through the cable until a change in characteristic impedance is encountered (Fig. 2 on page 12). Depending on the nature of the impedance change, all or part of the transmitted pulse will reflect to the TDR.

A change in a cable’s characteristic impedance will cause one of two types of reflections: positive or negative.

• Positive reflections are caused by increases in impedance (Fig. 3 on page 14). This will occur if the longitudinal resistance were to increase or if the

Photo courtesy of NETA

ELECTRICAL TESTING EDUCATION

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R = Longitudinal resistance

L = Inductance

G = Conductivity

C = Capacitance

conductors go farther apart, causing an inductive change.

• Negative reflections are caused by decreases in impedance (Fig. 4 on page 14). This will occur if the conductance and/or capacitance change as the conductors get closer together, causing a capacitive change.

A TDR translates reflections into traces that can be interpreted to indicate events, such as open circuits, short circuits, and splices in the cable circuit. All traces follow the two basic rules of impedance changes.

Let’s review the TDR pattern for a common cable splice (Fig. 5 on page 14). As the TDR pulse enters the splice and the conductor and metallic shield are separated, an inductive change in the characteristic impedance is seen. This results in a small positive reflection. As

the TDR pulse exits the splice, the conductor and metallic shield come back to their natural separation, resulting in a capacitive change. This transition results in a small negative reflection.

Reading a TDR signature is like reading a map. Before reading a map, however, you must learn what the symbols mean. Before reading a TDR trace, you must first understand the reflection patterns.

MAKING MEASUREMENTS

Understanding the basics is beneficial, but to be helpful, you also need to know the location of these changes in the cable. A TDR sends pulses along the cable that are reflected when they encounter a change in impedance. The TDR notes how long it takes for the transmitted pulse to travel along the

A

Fig. 2. Impedance refers to the combination of resistance and reactance in a circuit.

ELECTRICAL TESTING EDUCATION

cable and for the reflections to return to the unit. If the TDR knows how long the pulse has been gone and how long it has been traveling, it can determine the distance.

TDRs are like an arithmetic word problem that asks: “If you leave Dallas and travel for two and a half hours at 50 miles per hour, how far have you gone?” Because the TDR knows how long the pulse has been gone, if we can tell it how fast these pulses and their reflections travel along the cable, it will be able to calculate the distance from the TDR to the impedance change. We can do this. But to complicate the situation, the TDR’s pulse travels at different speeds in different types of cables.

The transmitted pulses travel at different velocities on different cables — much like a ball travels at different velocities through liquids with different viscosities. The velocity of propagation changes according to these factors:

• Impedance

• Dielectric materials (e.g., XLPE, PVC, PILC, EPR)

• Age of the cable

• Temperature

• Moisture content (i.e., water inside the cable)

• Wire position inside the cable (e.g., communication type cables)

• Cable manufacturer (composition of insulation material and additives)

Fortunately, we can tell the TDR how fast the pulses and their reflections travel in various cables. This speed is usually stated as a ratio of the speed of the pulse in the cable divided by the speed of light in a vacuum. This ratio is called the velocity of propagation (VoP). If the VoP is 0.50, the speed of the pulse is 50% of the speed of light in a vacuum or 0.5 x 186,000 miles per second. Examples of VoPs by cable type are shown in the Table below.

Typical velocity factors for various types of power and communications cables.

Fig. 3. A positive reflection indicates an increased impedance level.

Fig. 4. A negative reflection indicates a decreased impedance level.

Splice

Fig. 5. Here’s a common waveform signature for a cable splice.

ELECTRICAL TESTING EDUCATION

If velocity is not known, the velocity of a cable can easily be determined by connecting it to a sample cable of known length. If we can see the length markings or measure it, we can work backward with a TDR and calculate the VoP.

The TDR now has enough information to calculate the location of the event. Like our trip from Dallas, it knows how long the pulse and its reflection traveled, and it knows how fast that pulse was going. The TDR must merely do the arithmetic.

If neither the velocity nor the length of the cable is known, an accurate location can be accomplished by measuring the distance to the fault from both ends of the cable. If an error exists in the velocity setting, the TDR will over-measure or undermeasure from both ends of the cable. The fault will be between the two measurements.

THEORY INTO PRACTICE

• A TDR will not work on a single conductor. The TDR relies on the impedance model of two conductors in parallel.

• TDR pulses do not travel down the conductor and return on the neutral. TDR pulses travel down the conductors and reflect in those conductors.

Think of the TDR pulse as a train and the cable as train tracks. The train requires two tracks (rails) to function; the TDR pulse requires two conductors. If one rail is missing, the train must stop; if one conductor becomes open, the TDR pulse cannot travel any farther. If a rail is missing, the train may need to return to the station and will take the same path, but travel backward; if a conductor is open, the TDR pulse cannot continue and will reflect to the source.

APPLICATIONS

Communication cable

For telephone and CATV applications, water can seep through the insulation of a twisted-pair cable at multiple points. In these situations, testing the cable from both ends and recording the distance to a fault provides the tester with an accurate assessment of the severity of the water issue (Fig. 6) or confirms that

the anomaly that was initially spotted is correct.

Electrical cable

Illegal electrical service taps are a major problem for many electric companies throughout the world. An illegal tap occurs when an individual connects to the power cable before it reaches the meter. If you bypass a meter, you’re stealing electricity from the utility. Millions of dollars are lost due to theft of service. A TDR can be useful in identifying the location of illegal taps (Fig. 7) and removing them from the system.

Low-voltage electrical cable

The best methods for locating a fault on

a low-voltage electrical circuit involve a good vs. bad comparison (Fig. 8 on page 18). A healthy TDR trace produced by a complex network shows many reflections caused by the service connection taps and the ends of these cables. Even a gross fault down the network will be masked by other features of the network. In many cases, comparison and differential techniques are the only option.

MEDIUM-VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL CABLE

The arc reflection method of pre-locating a fault on medium-voltage electrical cables combines the use of a TDR and a surge generator (i.e., “thumper”). By using an arc reflection filter, a low-voltage

Fig. 6. This TDR waveform identifies the location of water seepage along a cable run.

Fig. 7. Identifying the location of illegal electrical taps can help electric utilities prevent theft of service.

ELECTRICAL TESTING EDUCATION

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Before HV Surge

After HV Surge

9. This arc reflection test reveals the cable termination point and fault location detected during an HV surge (red).

TDR and a high-voltage surge generator connected to the faulted cable, the TDR can look down the cable while surging (i.e., thumping). The filter protects the TDR from the surge generator’s highvoltage pulses and routes the low-voltage pulses down the cable. When an arc is created at the fault location, its resistance is reduced to a very low value (less than 200 ohms), which will reflect TDR pulses. The arc location will appear as a downward reflection — a short circuit — on the TDR cable trace (Fig. 9).

SUMMARY

The TDR is a versatile, low-voltage device that can be used on almost any cable structure, provided two

conductors are traveling in parallel. The TDR creates a map of the cable displaying impedance changes or events that occur along the transmission path. Distances to events can be determined by knowing the travel time between the launch of the incident pulse and any reflected pulses, and the speed or velocity at which the pulses are traveling. Pulse width settings determine how far pulses can travel and reflect along a cable. They also identify a dead zone or closely spaced events.

Thomas Sandri is the Director of Workforce Development at Vector Power, where his responsibilities include designing and developing learning courses.

Fig. 8. TDR trace comparison of a “good” cable (blue) to a “faulted” cable (red).

Fig.

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The Top 50 Electrical Distributors of 2025

The largest electrical distributors in Electrical Wholesaling annual ranking continue to invest in their businesses in a big way despite an uncertain economic outlook for 2025.

By Jim Lucy, Electrical Wholesaling

Notes: In most cases, if revenue data is marked “NA,” it means the company elected to provide 2024 sales data confidentially and for placement only. EW’s editors estimate electrical sales for placement of some companies if updated data is unavailable.

Electrical Wholesaling (EW) has been ranking the electrical wholesaling industry’s largest distributors for more than 40 years, but its editors can’t remember a time when distributors’ revenue forecasts, year-over-year (YOY) revenue growth, and expectations for the health of the overall U.S. economy showed such a wide disparity.

For example, of the 37 distributors that provided a revenue forecast, an impressive 40.5% of respondents expect growth of 10% or better — but the same percentage of distributors see growth in a rather pedestrian range of 1% to 5%. Roughly 14% of distributor respondents are gunning for 2025 revenue growth in the 6% to 9% range, which is fairly close to the electrical wholesaling industry’s historical growth range of 4% to 8%. And when asked about the chances of a U.S. recession in the next 12 months, 69% of the 42 Top 100 distributor execs who answered the question said recession chances are 50/50, and another 11.9% said chances were very likely.

This same disparity surfaced in answers to the Top 100 survey’s question about 2024 sales change from 2023. An impressive 40.5% saw revenues grow 10% or better — but 48.6% of

respondents saw growth either flat or topping out at 5% YOY growth.

You will find a listing of Electrical Wholesaling’s Top 50 Distributors in the Table on page 24. A complete listing of all 100 distributors in the ranking is available at www.ewweb.com.

ECONOMIC EXPECTATIONS ALL OVER THE PLACE

It’s tough to pinpoint exactly why the largest electrical distributors are all over the map with their economic expectations, especially when outside of the uncertainty over tariffs and concern over the size of the national debt, the overall U.S. economy is still growing at a steady if unspectacular rate. Unemployment is currently not growing at a dangerous rate, inflation has not hit the

danger zone, and while the expected real GDP growth rate of less than 2% for Q2 2025 will elicit plenty of yawns, it’s still expected to land on the positive side of the ledger for this quarter.

EW’s editors think the most likely reasons for the widespread differences of opinion over 2025’s economic prospects may be linked to two market drivers.

NO. 1. EXECUTIVES ARE WAITING FOR THE OTHER SHOE TO DROP WITH TARIFFINDUCED PRICE INCREASES IN CORE ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS.

Tariffs and rising product pricing are very much on the minds of the biggest distributors, and, when asked about which economic, technological, or demographic factors will have the most impact on their

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Electrical Wholesaling’s 2025 Top 50 Distributors

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businesses, tariffs and rising product pricing were ranked No. 1 and No. 2 as having the most impact — with 25.8% of the 63 respondents expecting tariffs to have the most impact on their businesses and 21.3% worried about product pricing.

Evidence of rising electrical product prices surfaced in the April 2025 data in Electrical Marketing’s monthly Electrical Price Index, the first since tariffs were announced in early April. The April data was up 1.5% over March 2025 and +4% over April 2024. These increases were up significantly over the EPI’s historical averages of 0.21% monthly increases and 2.6% YOY increases.

NO. 2. BIG-TIME GROWTH IN THE “RIGHT” GEOGRAPHIC MARKETS, PROJECT TYPES, OR END-USE MARKETS, AND SLUGGISH TO NO GROWTH IN OTHERS.

Right place/right time and right products/right service package for the right project. The Top 50 distributors are working on an impressive array of large construction projects with data centers, semiconductor plants, hospitals, airports, and public works projects being the most common in this year’s survey results. But if a company doesn’t have some of these large projects underway or in the pipeline in their geographic market, it may be hard to enjoy a stellar growth year.

For some distributor specialists, their product and service expertise is matching the need of some very large construction projects. For instance, C.N. Robinson Lighting, Baltimore, Md., is expecting double-digit growth this year, based in part on servicing three larger projects Maryland — the expansion of the Fort Meade East Campus Building in Fort Meade, Md.; the renovation of the Pimilco Racetrack in Baltimore; and a project at the Johns Hopkins medical center in Baltimore.

Shikha Gupta, marketing manager, Nassau National Cable, Great Neck, N.Y., says the company is supplying wire and cable products to a diverse array of large construction projects, including power cable for a utility-scale offshore wind farm in Virginia; cabling products for a Meta data center in Wisconsin; and the Greenlink West Transmission Line (a large utility project in Nevada) with “huge demand” for aluminum and copper building wire.

For other distributors, growth is linked to tremendous opportunities in servicing mega-projects in their own backyard. For example, Jackson Electric Supply Co., Jacksonville, Fla., enjoyed 34% YOY growth in 2024 and expects 2025 growth of 15%. While Larry Swink, company president, said some of his company’s 2024 growth could be attributed to gaining additional market share

from customers and the easing of leadtime issues with switchgear and some other products, he said the Jacksonville market is also enjoying “unprecedented growth driven by transformative devel opments across downtown revitalization, health care, infrastructure, defense, and public utilities.”

These construction projects include a $1.4-billion renovation of the NFL’s Jack sonville Jaguars’ EverBank Stadium that will include a translucent roof, expanded concourses, and upgraded amenities. The project will also include a development by team owner Shad Khan’s Iguana Invest ments featuring a Four Seasons Hotel & Residences; condominiums; and a new six-story Jaguars HQ adjacent to the stadium. Other big projects in the Jack sonville market include more than $600 million in renovations to the U.S. Navy’s Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base; two wastewater reclamation projects topping $100 million; a $190-million expansion of the Baptist Medical Center; and several large interstate construction projects.

“Jackson Electric Supply is actively involved in many of these high-impact initiatives, and their scale and momen tum are already shaping our future,” Swink wrote in his Top 100 response. “These projects are expected to signifi cantly accelerate our progress toward surpassing key revenue milestones within our five-year plan, potentially reaching those goals two-to-three years ahead of schedule.”

Other mega-projects the largest distributors worked on include the Indiana University Hospital, India napolis; Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston; Northeastern University and Boston University student housing, also in Boston; JFK Airport, Queens, N.Y.; a $15-billion Micron facility expansion in Boise, Idaho; and the Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison office tower renovation in New York.

ACQUISITIONS RESHAPE THE TOP 100

Over the past 18 months, more than a dozen distributors that were previously ranked on EW’s annual listing of the largest distributors were acquired. Sonepar North America, Charleston, S.C., was once again the most active acquirer, with seven large acquisitions in the

Jason Seger, Border States president & CEO, at the groundbreaking of the company’s 300,000,000-sq-ft Upper Midwest distribution center in Fargo, N.D. The facility will serve electrical contractors and other customers across six states and nearly 30 locations.

Courtesy of Border States

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MARKET WATCH

United States or Canada, but the other national distributors (WESCO, Graybar, Rexel, and Consolidated Electrical Distributors) were active as well, and all acquired major distributors previously ranked in EW’s listings.

Companies that were acquired include Blazer Electric Supply, Colorado Springs, Colo.; Desert Electric Supply, Palm Springs, Calif.; Dominion Electric Supply, Arlington, Va.; Electric Supply Center (ESC), Burlington, Mass.; Electrical Supplies Inc., Miami; Kovalsky-Carr Electric Co., Rochester, N.Y.; Madison Electric Co., Warren, Mich.; Parrish-Hare Electrical Supply, Irving, Texas; Standard Electric Co., Saginaw, Mich.; and Summit Electric Supply, Albuquerque, N.M.. So far in 2025, three Top 100 electrical distributors have been acquired — Schwing Electrical Supply Corp., Farmingdale, N.Y.; and Swift Electric Supply, Teterboro, N.J.; and Warshauer Electric Supply, Tinton Falls, N.J.

INVESTING IN CHANGE

While it wasn’t uncommon for the largest electrical distributors to invest in new branches or regional distribution centers, manage an executive succession plan, refine their ERP computer operating system, or make acquisitions, Border States, Fargo, N.D., has been involved with all of these initiatives in 2024 and 2025.

In addition to acquiring Dominion Electric Supply, Arlington, Va., and adding more than 300 employee-owners in 10 locations to service government, commercial, residential and data centers in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., the company embarked on several major initiatives, including the appointment of Jason Seger as president and CEO, following the retirement of David White in March 2024.

The company is building several new distribution centers and is working on a new corporate operating model, Thomas Nelson, the company’s communications director, said in his survey response, “Border States introduced a new operating model, which places greater emphasis on providing a customer-centric, streamlined experience at branches across the country, and aligns with the company’s commitment to

supporting their customers’ unstoppable businesses,” he wrote. “The new model focuses on two key areas of Border States’ business — growing and fulfilling customer relationships. With this shift, leadership at Border States also realigned to best support the needs of customers, vendors, and employee-owners.

“A key strategy to support the new operating model is the implementation of distribution centers to enhance Border States’ network of 131 locations. Branches and distribution centers will work together to scale for optimization, while still allowing for customization and delivering cost-effective and unique experiences for customers.”

The 2025 Top 100 distributors do a combined total of $108.5 billion in revenues — 73% of estimated 2024 industry sales of $148 billion.

NEW BRANCH EXPANSION

Despite the mix of 2025 revenue growth forecasts from the largest distributors — and the fact that their customers are buying more products online than ever from their websites and other sources, they also enjoy the convenience of shopping at local branches, judging from the number of new branches electrical supply houses opened up over the past year. Distributors on Electrical Wholesaling’s list now operate at least 8,000 local branches. They have recently opened up dozens of new branches. For example, City Electric Supply, Dallas, opened up more than 30 new locations in 2024 and plans to open more this year. Elliott Electric Supply, Nacogdoches, Texas, has relied on new branches to fuel growth for many years, but the past 18 months have been particularly busy for the company on this front, with new locations

in Doraville, Ga.; Yukon, Okla.; Laredo, Texas; Fort Collins, Colo.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Charlotte, N.C.; Kansas City, Mo.; Durant, Okla.; El Paso, Texas; Cookeville, Tenn.; Prescott Valley, Ariz.; Jonesboro, Ark.; Centennial, Colo.; and Colorado Springs, Colo. Elliott Electric Supply’s new branches in Jacksonville and Charlotte are its first locations in those states. In addition to building new RDCs in the Charlotte, N.C., and Fargo, N.D., markets. Border States opened a new branch in Tampa, Fla., to service the utility market. Other companies opening new branches over the past year include Atlantic Coast Electric Supply, Summerville, S.C.; Coburn Supply Co., Beaumont, Texas; D&S Electrical Supply Co., Pocatello, Idaho; Dakota Supply Group, Fargo, N.D.; Dulles Electric Supply Corp., Sterling, Va.; Facility Solutions Group, Austin, Texas; Inline Electric Supply Co., Huntsville, Ala.; K/E Electric Supply Co., Mt. Clemens, Mich.; Lonestar Electric Supply, Houston; Main Electric Supply Co., Santa Ana, Calif.; Rural Electric Supply Cooperative (RESCO), Middleton, and CEEUS, West Columbia, S.C. (Glenn Allen, Va.).

BY THE NUMBERS

The 2025 Top 100 distributors do a combined total of $108.5 billion in revenues — 73% of estimated 2024 industry sales of $148 billion. The 10 largest distributors on this year’s list do an estimated $77.6 billion in sales for a 52% share of total industry sales. At least 19 distributors on this list do at least $1 billion in annual revenues — and, in total, companies on this year’s list employ at least 151,887 workers (counting Grainger and Fastenal), or at least 102,180 employees if you just count full-line distributors and electrical product specialists.

Although the largest distributors in Electrical Wholesaling’s annual ranking have some differences of opinion on the short-term business prospects in the electrical construction industry, the scale of the investment in their businesses shows proof they are bullish on longer-term growth potential of this market and will continue to be the primary electrical supply option for electrical contractors, facility maintenance personnel, and other electrical professionals for years to come.

2O25’s 3O Under 3O EC&M

This year’s honorees are lighting a path to a brighter future for the electrical industry.

By Amy Fischbach, Freelance Writer

Today’s young electrical professionals are igniting a spark in the industry with their passion, persistence, and burning desire to make a difference.

To honor those who rise above and beyond their peers, EC&M shines the spotlight on a select few — the 30 Under 30 Electrical All Stars.

Over the last eight years, EC&M has accepted nominations for this special recognition from electrical contractors, electrical engineering firms, and plants/facilities for electrical professionals 30 years old or younger. To make the cut, they must demonstrate innovation, efficiency, and creativity, while incorporating technology into their jobs.

Carlie Cook, site manager for Rosendin, said she is honored and grateful to be selected for the 30 Under 30 honor.

“Growing up, I never imagined myself in the electrical construction industry, let alone thriving as a young woman in the field,” Cook said. “I’m so thankful to have found this career path and hope it inspires other young professionals to pursue opportunities in this industry as well.”

This year, a record number of nominations flooded in for the 2025 EC&M 30 Under 30. Our select group of Electrical All Stars, who are shining brightly at their companies, are helping to shape the electrical industry.

For example, Sophia Pike, electrical engineer III for Syska Hennessy Group, enjoys walking around Boston, knowing that she helped to change and develop the city’s iconic skyline.

“It’s really cool to see something tangible when I spend so much time looking at floor plans on a computer screen,” she said.

Like others in our 30 Under 30, she also enjoys serving as a mentor to the younger engineers. Nicholas Burge, superintendent for Eldeco, agreed, saying his favorite part of his role is being able to watch people excel in their careers.

“There is nothing more rewarding than giving someone encouragement and watching them take off running,” he said.

To make their mark, many of the engineers, electricians, project managers, and business owners in this year’s group are embracing the latest tools and technologies and going above and beyond to improve productivity and safety for their workforce.

Nada Abdelfattah, electrical engineer III at Mott MacDonald, said technology is critical for today’s electrical firms and drives efficiency, innovation, and competitive advantage in an increasingly complex industry landscape.

“Advanced design software, building information modeling, and analytical tools not only streamline workflows but also enable the development of more sophisticated, sustainable, and optimized electrical systems,” Abdelfattah said.

Katie Green, assistant project manager for Encore Electric, said staying up to date with technology is very important, especially with projects getting more complex and fast-paced.

“Tools like BIM, digital collaboration platforms, and field-tracking software help us stay organized, work more efficiently, and keep everything moving smoothly,” Green said.

EC&MALL STARS 2025 UNDER30 ELECTRICAL ALL STARS

While the 30 Under 30 have diverse educational backgrounds, training experiences, and work responsibilities, one common theme that emerged is that the electrical industry is fast-paced and moving quickly into the future. Eric Laub, the great-grandson of the founder of Cache Valley Electric, said opportunities in the electrical industry are abundant right now.

“Anyone who has a great attitude and work ethic has a tremendous opportunity to succeed,” Laub said.

The following profiles explore the educational and training backgrounds of these 30 young electrical professionals and reveal how they are continuing to make a lasting impact on their companies and communities.

Amy Fischbach (amyfischbach@gmail.com) is a freelance writer and editor based in Overland Park, Kan.

NADA ABDELFATTAH

Job Title: Electrical Engineer III

Company: Mott MacDonald

Location: Iselin, N.J.

Age: 27; Years on the Job: 4

Interests: Community service and volunteer work for the Women2Women America International Leadership Program, the ISEF Science and Engineering Fair, and MSU Breakaway in San Francisco

As she was taking final exams at a STEM boarding school in Egypt, a city-wide power outage sparked a transformative ex perience for Nada Abdelfattah. This pivotal moment shaped her vision for transforming power infrastructure globally, revealing how system vulnerabilities shape communities.

“Rather than being influenced by family connections in the trade, my passion grew from witnessing firsthand the critical importance of reliable electrical systems,” she said. “My formative years in Egypt shaped my perspective on infrastructure challenges in developing regions, giving me unique insights that continue to influence my professional approach.”

energy efficiency while ensuring compliance with stringent industry standards in her role at Mott MacDonald.

also earned a lean six sigma green belt certification and participated in specialized training programs at Mott MacDonald.

After participating in the Women2Women leadership conference in Boston, she pursued a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering with a minor in mathematics at Montana State University through the USAID Scholarships program. This marked the beginning of her journey.

Following the completion of her master’s degree in electrical engineering, she obtained her professional engineering license in electrical and computer power, Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), and LEED AP BD+C certification. She

“These ongoing learning opportunities ensure I stay at the forefront of industry developments while building the business acumen needed for my leadership aspirations,” she said.

As an electrical engineer III, she develops comprehensive lighting and low-voltage designs for complex transportation infrastructure projects across North America. In her role, she enjoys developing sustainable energy solutions, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, and giving back by mentoring early career professionals through her leadership positions.

KYLE ACDAL

Job Title: Project Manager

Company: Weifield Group Contracting

Location: Centennial, Colo.

Age: 25; Years on the Job: 6

Interests: Motor sports like motocross and golfing with friends

A family friend brought Kyle Acdal into Weifield Group Contracting as a shipping and receiving manager in 2019. From here, his interest grew, and he wanted to learn more about the business and how the industry operated.

After graduating from the IEC Rocky Mountain Electrical Apprenticeship, he was nominated for IEC’s Emerging

Leader program, which helped him to develop his people and leadership skills.

“I continue to learn from my peers at work and am not afraid to take on new challenges that can help me improve and learn,” he said.

As a project manager, he coordinates with the field team to ensure they have the correct equipment and materials at hand to successfully complete the scheduled milestones. He’s also responsible for maintaining documentation, reviewing the budget, and handling financial reporting.

“Monitoring progress and tracking efficiencies are a huge help to the field team so you can maintain transparency throughout the process,” he said.

His favorite parts of his job are learning the ins and outs of how a company operates and the different strategies to maximize growth. A challenging part of his position, however, is having crucial conversations and understanding the effectiveness of planning.

Currently, his company is working on a wide range of projects across many industry verticals. For example, he is managing risks and developing plans and schedules for a project to develop new workspaces and facilities for the United States Air Force.

As a project manager, he believes technology will play a pivotal role in how companies develop processes and become more intelligent on how they manage the performance of work. When looking into the future, he hopes to be part of the senior management team.

“I want to be part of the leadership team and help to develop the next generation of colleagues,” he said.

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DYLAN BUI

Job Title: Electrical Engineer and Associate Vice President

Company: Salas O’Brien

Location: Tustin, Calif.

Age: 29; Years on the Job: 7

Interests: Reading science fiction, keeping up with space technology development, and tweaking his smart home deployment

As the son of an electrical engineer, Dylan Bui was inspired to follow in his father’s footsteps. Talented in math and physics, he knew he was destined to study engineering or programming. Once he got to college, he discovered the engineering classes were both interesting and fulfilling, making the decision an easy one.

“It is truly gratifying to design systems that people can count on every single day,” he said.

Born and raised in Orange County, Calif., he graduated from the University of California-San Diego with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering with a focus on power engineering. He also took classes in renewable energy and microgrid technology, which became important for his work.

The registered professional electrical engineer was recently promoted to associate vice president. In this role, he is responsible for managing multiple projects, handling BIM support, and developing the DC platform. His company designs medical office buildings and hospitals with DC lighting instead of running

Engineered for Impact®

Emerging professionals like Dylan Bui are key to shaping the future of our team and the vital work we do for clients in the healthcare, life sciences, and mission-critical sectors.

Congratulations, Dylan, on being named to this year’s EC&M 30 Under 30 All Stars!

conduit, which has led to cost savings in the millions of dollars for clients. He also meets with his team to ensure the projects are running smoothly, and he answers any questions.

“My favorite part is being able to work side-by-side every day with my team, figuring out answers to complex questions and providing input to help grow and learn,” he said.

He says technology has helped his company to improve efficiency tremendously. For example, he is working with a coworker on developing a custom software add-in that can increase collaboration between disciplines.

“What once took us weeks now only takes us a day or two at most — with even less manpower required,” he said. “AI is here to stay, and companies that do not adapt or integrate some form of automation or assistive intelligence will fall behind very quickly.”

Down the road, he sees himself as a vice president or a managing principal in charge of hundreds of employees. “To keep up with the high demand, I would ensure that I am leading the company in innovation and technology, keeping us at the cutting edge of development,” he said.

Dylan Bui PE AVP, ELECTRICAL ENGINEER

Dylan Bui is the electrical engineer of record for a 615,000-sq-ft medical center in Portland, Ore.

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MASON BRUNELLE

Job Title: Project Superintendent

Company: Interstate Electrical Services Corporation

Location: North Billerica, Mass.

Age: 28; Years on the Job: 10

Interests: Spending time outdoors hiking with his dog, fishing, and his favorite hobby — going on motorcycle rides with his wife

As a child, Mason Brunelle admired all the moving parts and advanced knowledge that went into the projects his dad was working on. When he grew older, he knew he wanted to work in the field.

His dream became a reality when he got the opportunity to work for Interstate Electrical Services immediately following his high school graduation. He completed his four-year ap prenticeship through Greater Lawrence Technical School at night while also working full-time in the field gaining valuable hands-on experience. After topping out as a journeyman and working for three years, he advanced his skill set at Interstate as a project superintendent.

“This position has allowed me to continue growing not only as an electrician, but also to gain vast knowledge about the other moving parts within the construction industry,” he said. “I’ve learned how all of the trades need to work cooperatively to complete a common goal.”

In addition, Brunelle is required to complete continuing education hours, code updates, OSHA certifications, and other licensures/certifications as required by the state of Massachusetts, the job site, or Interstate.

Interests:

their cat and dogs; cooking smoked chicken wings; playing video games; and hunting, fishing, hiking, or going to an outdoor range

While he was growing up, nearly all of Nicholas Burge’s male family members worked in the construction trade as iron

the experience I have to inspire future generations and projects,” he said. “It is a privilege to be able to continue to work in such a growing trade.”

workers, carpenters, bridge builders, and jacks of all trades. When he was looking for a job fresh out of college, his father, who worked as an iron worker turned millwright, told him: “Well, I know every project manager and superintendent on site. Pick a trade, and I’ll put you in it.”

Burge always had an interest in the electrical field, and he had a small amount of knowledge from working on residential projects with his family.

“On my first day as a green helper, I remember thinking to myself, ‘you know nothing,’” he said. “I grew obsessed with learning everything I could as fast as possible, and I haven’t stopped learning since.”

He attended trade programs related to construction while in high school, but the majority of his education is through field experience. “The training and experience I gained coming up through the field has helped me immensely in my role as a superintendent,” he said. “On all the projects I’ve had a part in, I always had ideas of how I would do things. Now, I get to implement them.”

Today, some of his key responsibilities are creating a schedule for the weeks ahead, ordering material for the scheduled tasks, reviewing time entries, and putting the right people in the right places.

In the future, he would like to move into a role that requires less travel and be more involved in the development and evolution of the company. “I have never seen myself as the ‘office’ type until I realized the experience I gained by coming up through the field is just as valuable as guys with degrees,” he said. “I don’t want to be on the road forever, but I am sure that I want to be an influential part of this industry.”

Nick Burge is the lead superintendent of the secondary media portion of the BMW project, which involves the installation of branch feeds for process equipment.

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J.D. CHENOWETH

Job Title: Senior Project Manager

Company: Sturgeon Electric Company, Inc.

Location: Henderson, Colo.

Age: 28; Years on the Job: 6

Interests: Spending time outdoors with his 16-month-old son and his fiancée, building custom epoxy tables and entertainment centers, and doing other woodworking projects

J.D. Chenoweth embarked on a non-traditional path into the world of electrical construction. After earning his bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in energy management on a full-ride scholarship from Western State Colorado University, he was unable to land a job in the oil and gas industry due to market conditions.

A position opened, however, as an assistant project manager for PAR Electrical Contractors, a transmission and distribution company in Nevada, and he jumped at the opportunity. During his time with the company, he gained vast amounts of experience regarding estimating, running several jobs, time management, scheduling, resources management, and the transmission and distribution industry.

In 2020, he transitioned to the commercial and industrial market when he took the position with Sturgeon Electric. Through working on projects, he has learned about document control and the importance of being organized, managing several scopes of work, and handling billing and estimating.

Born and raised in a small farming and ranching community in southeastern Colorado, J.D. had various hands-on opportunities to learn and grow relating to construction before he even graduated from high school. “I always had an interest in electrical construction as I grew up on a farm and ranch, and I assisted with electrical installs growing up,” he said.

He recently stepped into a new role as a senior project manager, where he is currently overseeing three large projects, all of which are at different phases — the NWC Livestock Center, Adams County Midway, and a large data center. He said what sets himself apart in the electrical trade is his passion for electrical construction. “I am willing to put the work in — not only for the paycheck, but ultimately, because I am fascinated with the industry, and I am eager to continuously improve.”

shows that you don’t need a family background or deep prior knowledge to find success here — you just need curiosity, drive, and the willingness to learn.”

A proud native of Tulsa, Okla., she attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where she played Division I soccer and earned her degree in civil engineering. After graduation, she pursued her MBA at the University of Louisville while working full-time. Once she completed her MBA, she accepted a position with Rosendin in Arizona, which launched her career in the electrical construction industry.

“My engineering degree taught me how to problem-solve, ask the right questions, and think innovatively,” she said. “My MBA strengthened my skills in presenting and understanding financial information.”

She’s currently a site manager on a large data center project. In this role, she is responsible for the site’s overall performance, including budget, schedule, team management, and client relationships. Since starting as an assistant project manager six years ago, her role has grown significantly. She now oversees a much larger scope and leads an entire team, which has been a big but rewarding shift over the years.

She is currently managing a large mission-critical project and is on-site daily to ensure its success. She also supports efforts to win new work and help position her team for future projects. In the future, she’d like to continue to grow with Rosendin and take on greater leadership responsibilities while also focusing on building a family and maintaining a strong work-life balance. “I plan to reach these goals by staying committed to learning, taking on new challenges, and mentoring others as I grow,” she said.

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BRETT DAYWALT

Job Title: Electrical Safety Advisor

Company: The Happy Outlet

Location: Carson City, Nev.

Age: 24; Years on the Job: 6

Interests: Fishing, coaching soccer, and hunting

When Brett Daywalt asked his father, the trades operations manager at USC College, about a career in the trades, he rec ommended HVAC or electrical. He decided to go the electrical route, and, after two years of an IEC program in Carson City, Nev., he is now working for the Happy Outlet. Twice a week, he receives one hour of skills and customer service training.

“My schooling and training helped me to troubleshoot any problem that comes my way if it’s an electrical issue or customer challenge,” said Daywalt, who was born in San Diego but lived in Los Angeles and South Carolina before moving to Nevada.

He said while he is a good electrician, his people skills help him to have a competitive edge.

“Anyone can work on an electrical system with a couple years of training,” he said. “The hard part is dealing with cus tomers and making them feel comfortable. Time management and attention to details are both very important aspects to this role, and I love helping people.”

He started out as an apprentice, moved to an installer, and then to a lead installer, electrical safety advisor, and now a lead electrical safety advisor. He takes about three

especially in the Adirondacks

panels and researching energy systems.

Throughout college, he interned at CHA Consulting and at GlobalFoundries. After completing his master’s degree, he began working at CDM Smith.“I was trained on the job and quickly pulled into a variety of projects all over the country,” said DeGennaro, who recently passed the PE electrical

His company is designing microgrid systems, piloting utility thermal energy networks, leading fleet vehicle and building electrification initiatives, and designing municipal water/ wastewater upgrades nationwide. While most of his projects are in the Northeast, he’s had opportunities to work on projects across the country and even internationally.“I am excited to be involved in so many projects that are reshaping communities through improved water and energy infrastructure,” he said.

“The variety keeps my day-to-day exciting and pushes me to constantly learn and sharpen my skill set as an engineer.”

With a mom as a teacher and a dad as a structural engineer, Danny DeGennaro was encouraged from a young age to ask technical questions and seek out explanations for how things work. When he was in high school, his dad introduced

As an electrical engineer in the infrastructure services group at CDM Smith, he conducts site visits, oversees the design process, reviews submittals, and responds to RFIs. In the future, he’d like to lead innovative power systems projects and continue to navigate the rapidly changing world of energy technologies.

“I aspire to one day be a team leader who is actively involved in hands-on design, while also mentoring others and driving strategic initiatives,” he said.

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TANNER EHLERS

Job Title: General Foreman

Company: Trinity Electric

Location: North Sioux City, S.D.

Age: 28; Years on the Job: 8

Interests: Fishing, spending time with friends and family, and playing competitive card games

Tanner Ehlers spent his whole life around the construction industry. Whenever he had time, he helped his father, who ran a construction company.

“Growing up around it, I was always interested in how the electricians made all the things I use on a daily basis like lights and outlets work,” he said. “That’s what sparked my interest in the electrical field.”

Born and raised in Sioux City, S.D., he attended the Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee from 2017 through 2022 for electrical construction and maintenance. Since then, he has attended various leadership training programs such as Dale Carnegie’s Leadership Course.

Through the apprenticeship program, he had five years of schooling along with five years of on-the-job hands-on experience.

“This gave me an opportunity to apply what I learned in class directly to the job site,” he said. “It also gave me the chance to work under individuals who have extensive experience in the trade and learn everything I could from them.”

As the general foreman in charge of 16 employees, his day starts at 6:30 a.m. with a morning safety meeting followed by a meeting with the customer.

Company: TC Electric

Location: Great Neck, N.Y.

Age: 28; Years on the Job: 5

Interests: Playing guitar, serving as a volunteer firefighter, and going to his lake house in Pennsylvania to go fishing and ride his new dirt bike

Following high school graduation, Paul Giovanni trained to become an electrician so he could work with his hands.

ent trades because I had a curiosity about electricity and how it works, and I thought it would be more interesting and fulfilling.”

As the first electrician in his family, he was born and raised in Hillsdale, N.J., and he still lives in this town, which is close to his work location. He learned most of his skills from on-the-job training, and he considers it the best way to learn any trade.

After attending night school technical education courses, he joined the apprenticeship program for USWU Local 363, where he was able to learn on the job while also attending classes twice a week.

“My training helped prepare me for my current position by learning how to complete a job from start to finish,” he said. “I am always learning new skills every day by doing things I have never done before. This is a great way to keep growing as a professional electrician.”

As a fifth-year apprentice for TC Electric, a typical day consists of pipe running/bending and terminating/installing electrical wire and cables. Following a safety briefing, a foreman assigns daily tasks, and, over time, he has gotten more responsibilities.

He enjoys working on projects for New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), particularly those involving work on subway tracks.

“These jobs require extra concentration and attention paid to safety,” he said.

One day, he hopes to become a foreman or even run his own company.

“I plan to reach these goals by coming to work with a positive attitude and learning new things every day,” he said.

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KATIE GREEN

Job Title: Assistant Project Manager

Company: Encore Electric

Location: Belgrade, Mont.

Age: 28; Years on the Job: 2.5

Interests: Spending time with her dog and paddleboarding on a quiet lake, hiking through scenic trails, or spending a weekend camping under the stars in Montana

Katie Green didn’t originally plan to work in the electrical industry, and she doesn’t have any family members in the trade. While searching for a project engineer position, a role in the electrical field happened to be available. What started as a practical next step quickly turned into something she enjoys.

“I’ve come to really value the complexity of the work and the collaboration it requires,” she said. “It’s also incredibly satisfying to see the work I’ve managed come to life. It’s been rewarding to grow into a career I hadn’t expected, but now truly appreciate.”

Born and raised in Auburn, Wash., she earned her bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Montana State University. After working for a few years in the industry, she realized that the aspects of her work she enjoyed most — problem solving, coordinating, and seeing projects through concept to completion — aligned more closely with project engineering.

“With the guidance of some incredible mentors, I made a successful transition into this new path,” she said. “Their support has been instrumental in helping me grow and succeed in this field.”

Her engineering background gave her a strong foundation in problem solving, technical communication, and atten-

tion to detail, all of which have been essential in managing construction projects with many moving parts, she said.

As an assistant project manager, she manages project schedules, coordinates with other trades, processes change orders, and makes sure everything stays on time and within budget.

“I really enjoy the fast-paced, team-oriented environment and the sense of accomplishment that comes with seeing a project evolve from just drawings to a fully functional system,” she said.

When she becomes a project manager one day, she’d like to lead larger projects and take on more responsibility in both the planning and execution phases.

wired a shed with his stepbrother, and this experience

inspired him to apply to a trade school for the electrical trades — C-TEC of Licking County.

After being hired full-time by Claypool Electric, he enrolled in the company’s apprenticeship program at the main headquarters. Upon graduating, he completed NCCER’s Instructor Certification Training Program, which allowed him to assist with new hire classes. He later took over teaching the company’s second-year apprenticeship class.

“Throughout my time in the field, I consistently took on additional responsibilities to expand my knowledge and skills,” he said.

He then embraced opportunities to work as a service tech, safety manager, and an apprenticeship coordinator, following in the footsteps of Jesse Mitchell, who was also part of the EC&M 30 Under 30 in 2023.

He is now responsible for visiting local trade schools, creating and maintaining the schedule for the apprenticeship program, and supporting the team of instructors. He also recruits and organizes new hire training sessions, coordinates and develops advanced training courses for journeymen and foremen, and monitors and tracks the progress of apprentices enrolled in the program.

“I enjoy the dynamic nature of the role and the opportunity it gives me to contribute directly to the future of our workforce,” he said.

Currently, his company is completing a significant number of water and wastewater treatment plant projects. To support these efforts, he coordinates vendor-led training sessions and ensures new hires can correctly and efficiently bend conduit. He hopes to continue growing and strengthening the apprenticeship program by showing up every day with a positive attitude, a commitment to learning, and a drive to keep improving.

PRIME HEIN

Job Title: Street Lighting Engineering Associate

Company: Bureau of Street Lighting, City of Los Angeles

Location: Los Angeles

Age: 29; Years on the Job: 5

Interests: Advocating STEM subjects, making home improvements, investing in collectibles, and going to the movies

Prime Hein’s interest in engineering began at a very young age, but when he got shocked during a high school project, he discovered he wanted to pursue electrical engineering.

Born and raised in Yangon, Myanmar, he came to the United States at the age of 15, and he struggled to adapt to the culture and contend with the language barrier. Fast forward to 2018, and he graduated from California State University-Los Angeles with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering. He then completed the Engineer-in-Training exam while in school and then became a professional engineer.

“Education provides you with knowledge, and training impacts you with life-long lessons,” he said. “I’m blessed to receive both as I embark along my journey.”

As part of the Metro Transit Division, a typical work day consists of prioritizing tasks, meeting with the project team to provide updates, and reviewing technical drawings to prepare comments. He also attends meetings to look at the schedule/budget and creates spreadsheets, and reports for management.

“Every day is different and interesting,” he said. “As a supervisor overseeing engineering and drafting staff, I become responsible not just for delivering results with quality but also improving the team as a whole.”

With strong technical expertise, leadership, and dedication to improving the city, he aims to make a significant impact on the lives of Angelenos and visitors to the City of Angels. For example, the Metro Transit Division at the Bureau of Street Lighting is working with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to deliver 28 projects by the 2028 Olympics, which involves street lighting improvements near and at the bus and rail stations.

“I supervise at least half, which are multi-million-dollar projects from conceptual to construction phase,” he said.

When he was in high school, Adrian Hernandez went to work for a commercial contracting company. This experience sparked his interest in the electrical trade.

“Being able to see the drawings, the wire pulling, and the installation of conduit all just clicked to me,” said Hernandez, who is the first one in his family to work as an electrician.

Born and raised in Texas, he was involved in a welding competition, which involved electrical work, during his junior and senior year of high school.

“I was mainly in charge of the electrical side of the project, which got me to learn and understand more of how electrical works,” he said.

After he graduated from high school, he is currently taking college classes for his NCCER for electrical, and he’s also employed as an electrical apprentice full-time. As an electrician, he works with wiring, runs conduit, and troubleshoots mistakes that have been made in the field. He arrives on the job site 15 minutes early to set up the fabrication area. He then completes the daily tasks, makes sure everyone has the necessary tools, and then cleans up the job site at the end of the day.

Currently, his company is handling multiple jobs, but he is working at the Dow work site in Clute, Texas. Moving forward, he said he wants to take on every challenge he can and is proud to be part of the 2025 EC&M 30 Under 30.

“I am truly grateful to be recognized, especially at this stage in my career and at my age. It’s an honor that motivates me to continue growing and striving for excellence,” he said.

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SHREENITHI LAKSHMI NARASIMHAN

Job Title: Founder and Renewable Energy Leader

Company: Global Climate Collective

Location: New York City

Age: 28; Years on the Job: 6

Interests: Mentoring young professionals through IEEE and Student Energy, writing for climate publications, and taking long walks while listening to global affairs podcasts. She is also passionate about cultural storytelling and youth engagement.

Shreenithi Lakshmi Narasimhan’s interest in the electrical industry began during her teenage years in rural India, where she spent most of her summer vacations. In the semi-rural regions nearby her hometown of Chennai, India, energy access challenges became very personal to her.

“Experiencing frequent power outages shaped my fascination for resilient energy systems and inspired me to explore sustainable solutions,” she said. “Although no one in my family worked in the trade, these early experiences motivated me to pursue electrical and energy engineering, and eventually specialize in renewable energy and grid resilience.”

She earned her bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and her master’s degree in energy engineering from the University of Illinois-Chicago. She’s also received certifications in solar PV layout design, sustainable energy engineering, and energy policy.

“My academic and professional training helped build a strong foundation in system design, energy modeling, and decarbonization strategy,” she said.

She brings a cross-disciplinary approach to solving energy challenges, merging technical expertise with systems

continuously stays updated through industry conferences, IEEE memberships, mentorship, and policy advisory engagements with international entities like the United Nations, International Renewable Energy Agency, and

“Success in this industry today requires not just technical skills, but a bold vision, adaptability, and collaboration across Technology is fundamental for advancing today’s electrical

tion to grid-edge AI, I help bring cutting-edge tools into practice,

aspect of the work. For the last three years, he has been enrolled in Edgewood Electric’s apprenticeship program — Edgewood University — while working full-time as an electrician in his hometown. “The program has helped prepare me for the rigors of the electrical industry and keeps me aware of the hazards that are associated with the trade,” he said.

As a fourth-year apprentice electrician, his day starts at 7 a.m. with the daily safety huddle and equipment check, and then he moves on to the daily tasks assigned by his project superintendent. For example, he is responsible for material inventory and handling, equipment operating, and site organization. He enjoys getting to work on all aspects of projects — from underground installations to overhead conduit and installing light fixtures.

“The responsibilities that I am given daily have helped me mature in the trade and understand the way a project is built from the ground up,” he said.

He is currently assisting with underground conduit and infrastructure for a CarMax dealership in Florence, Ky. In addition, his company has projects underway for Wayfair, Kroger, and Fifth Third Bank. He said staying up on the latest technologies is imperative to contractors in the electrical industry.

“Edgewood Electric does an awesome job of making sure we have the best equipment and tooling to help us successfully and safely complete our projects,” he said.

His goal is to become a foreman or superintendent within the next five years, and, after that, he would like to move into project management. “In order to reach my goals, I need to demonstrate that I understand the electrical trade and also how to pass my knowledge on to the apprentices coming up

Shreenithi Lakshmi Narasimhan

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ERIC LAUB

Job Title: Co-CEO

Company: Cache Valley Electric Company

Location: Logan, Utah

Age: 27; Years on the Job: 9

Interests: Golfing, CrossFit, and spending time with family

Eric Laub was literally born to work in the electrical industry. His great-grandfather, Henry F. Laub, worked as a lineman, bringing power lines to the West and eventually founded Cache Valley Electric. Then his grandfather, Jack Laub, gradu ated from USC in electrical engineering and ran the company. Now his dad, Jim Laub, is Co-CEO and has been with the company for more than 50 years. The company has grown from 20 employees to nearly 3,000 during his tenure.

Eric was born and raised in Logan, Utah, the same town where his greatgrandfather founded Cache Valley Electric 110 years ago.

“I have always known I wanted to go into the family business,” Laub said. “It’s an honor to be a part of the fourth generation of leadership within Cache Valley Electric.”

In the summers of high school and college, Laub worked in the field as a laborer across multiple divisions of the company. He then graduated magna cum

laude from the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University.

“My time in the field was critical to not only developing my knowledge of the industry but also gaining the respect of our employees,” he said. “That experience really gave me an appreciation for the challenges that our employees in the field face every day.”

He said his dad has also been a great mentor to him.

“He has exposed me to all aspects of the business from a very early age,” he said. “I have learned so much about how to lead and how to treat people from him.”

As the Co-CEO of Cache Valley Electric, he is responsible for providing overall vision and direction for the company while supporting the 10 different operating units. He splits time between the offices in Logan and Salt Lake City, Utah, and he frequently visits job sites and regional offices across the country. His company just finished the new Salt Lake Bee’s baseball stadium in South Jordan, Utah.

“Each day brings exciting new challenges and opportunities,” he said. “No two days are ever the same.”

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KYLE LARJ

Job Title: Electrical Engineer 3

Company: Commonwealth Associates, Inc.

Location: Medina, Ohio

Age: 27; Years on the Job: 4

Interests: Playing golf, spending time with his wife and dog, playing video games, working around the house, trying new restaurants, and traveling to new places

Many of Kyle Larj’s family members are engineers or have back grounds in math and science, and growing up in this environment naturally encouraged his curiosity and problem-solving mindset.

“What specifically drew me to electrical engineering was my curiosity for how electricity worked,” he said. “At a younger age, it almost seemed like magic. I was fascinated by how an invisible force could power objects and buildings. This curiosity led me to explore the field further.”

As he continued his education in electrical engineering and gained exposure to the power system industry, his interest quickly turned into a passion.

“Seeing how critical and impactful this work is only confirmed that I had chosen the right path, and it continues to motivate me in my career today,” he said.

Born and raised in Wadsworth, Ohio, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in electrical and computer engineering from The Ohio State University, specializing in power systems. Since then, he has earned his Professional Engineer (PE) license and Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

As an Engineer 3, his role has evolved significantly since he first started. He began as a designer, and then he transitioned into a project lead role. He now acts as an owner’s representative

improve efficiency and streamline internal processes.

and project engineer for clients by overseeing and coordinating various aspects of project management, engineering, design, quality assurance, operations and maintenance, and construction for utility/energy projects. He frequently visits project sites, and one of his favorite parts of his job is being present when a substation gets energized.

“It is incredibly fulfilling to see all the time, planning, and hard work come to fruition in that moment,” he said. “It brings a strong sense of accomplishment and pride in the work we do.”

He also enjoys mentoring junior engineers.

“Sharing the knowledge and experience I have gained over the years and seeing others grow in their roles is very rewarding and helps strengthen the team as a whole,” he said.

LUIS LLAMAS, JR.

Job Title: Owner and master electrician

Company: Salvador Electric, LLC

Location: Mechanicville, Md.

Age: 29; Years on the Job: 11

Interests: Spending time with his wife, Amber, hanging out with friends and family, and serving in God’s Kingdom

Throughout his childhood, Luis Llamas, Jr. watched his father work many jobs, but he was the most interested in his career

as an electrician. His father wanted him to have an office job, but he said working with his hands interested him from a

After graduating from the electrical trade program at North Point High School, he joined the electrician’s union, completed the five-year apprenticeship program, and became a journeyman electrician. He then became certified as a full-time electrical contractor and licensed master electrician.

“I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for the training and guidance I received from other electricians. It helped me to be persistent and see that there is a solution

As a master electrician and electrical business owner, he ensures the projects are on schedule, meets with potential new clients, and, when required, works out in the field. His company is currently working with local small business establishments like restaurants, cafes, hair salons, barbershops, and grocery stores.

To get to the point where he is today, he would like to thank everyone who has helped him to become a better electrician and person.

“I’d like to thank the Lord Jesus Christ; my mother, Maria, for supporting me throughout my ventures; and my late father, Luis Llamas, Sr., who instilled a hard work ethic in me and encouraged to me to apply to the electrical program,” he said.

“I’d also like to thank Keith Gascon, my high school electrical teacher/mentor, and my beautiful wife, Amber. I wouldn’t be where I am at, if it wasn’t for her being with me, encouraging me, and loving me.”

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RUBIN

LOGAN

Job Title: Electrical Apprentice

Company: University of Houston

Location: Houston

Age: 29; Years on the Job: 3

Interests: Bowling, playing or watching sports, eating out or cooking, playing video games, going to the gym, and spending time with family

Rubin Logan lived on a farm in Mississippi with his greatgrandparents over the summers, and he liked working with his hands, which made him a good fit for the electrical trade. He also was strong in math and problem solving. After attending Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville to study chemistry, he decided to pursue a career in the trades.

His uncle, Eddie Williams, a general contractor for Dunamis & Associates in Chicago, helped him to get into the electrical trade by giving him the opportunity to work alongside his electricians. He first learned about the electrical field doing residential work (such as a complete remodel), new construc tion, and existing properties. He then moved to Houston, where he learned more about the commercial and industrial side of the electrical field.

He is currently working alongside a master electrician, Lonnie McWilliams, and is also attending a four-year electrical school through IEC to prepare for the journey exam as well as master’s exam.

Logan is an apprentice at the University of Hous ton. During his workday, which usually spans from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., he replaces, tests, and installs receptacles; troubleshoots heavy equipment like boilers, chillers, and water towers; operates lifts; and troubleshoots lighting controls or relays. When required, he works some weekends, and he said

Company: Allfab Group, LLC

Location: LaVista, Neb.

Age: 28; Years on the Job: 12

Interests: Being with his wife and daughter, reloading ammunition, and anything hunting or gun-related

said. “Key projects are always happening on campus, and I get to be a part of them by being alongside my journeymen in the electric shop and learning from them by asking questions and assisting in any way that I can.”

A native of Omaha, Neb., he went straight into an electrical apprenticeship with on-the-job training immediately following high-school graduation.

“The training helped me to be able to teach others about the trade and work,” he said. “Every day it seems like I learn something new.”

In his role as a foreman, his day starts by reviewing expectations of work to be done for the day or for the week with his crew. He also answers questions, orders material for the week ahead, or plans out prefab. He’s responsible for material and fixture ordering, job-site meetings, trade coordination, and management — and his favorite part of his job are the challenges.

“I like a challenge to overcome or a hard project, because after it’s finished, it’s nice to say, ‘I did that,’” he said. “The most challenging parts would be organization or flow of work. Just when you think you are all set and organized with a plan, something usually goes not as planned. This is where the problem solving comes in.”

He is currently managing a crew on a school remodel and addition and is also assisting a foreman on his four-story apartment complex. While working in the field, he said technology can help to improve efficiency.

“Some people use paper plans, but I prefer to use my iPad and have all the plans on that for marking up and saving,” he said. “I help with new software additions and try to simplify certain things.”

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•

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EMILY NEUMANN

Job Title: Lead Electrical Engineer

Company: Black & Veatch

Location: Bloomington, Minn.

Age: 29; Years on the Job: 7

Interests: Playing pickleball and quilting

The electrical industry runs in the family for Emily Neumann, who grew up in Ramsey, Minn. Her dad and sister are both electrical engineers, which inspired her to pursue engineering.

“I was especially drawn to circuits, but it wasn’t until my first internship that I realized I wanted to follow their path and work in the power industry too,” she said. “That hands-on experience really solidified my interest and showed me how dynamic and impactful this field can be.”

She earned her electrical engineering degree from the Uni versity of Minnesota. While in school, she interned year-round at Xcel Energy for two years, which gave her early exposure to large-scale power systems and operations. After graduating, she joined Black & Veatch, where she’s been working the last seven years.

“During that time, I’ve worked on a wide range of substa tion design projects for multiple different clients, which has given me a broad set of skills and a strong foundation to tackle complex engineering challenges,” she said.

leads of her company’s local internship program, serves on the office engagement team, and regularly participates in outreach efforts, such as speaking at student groups at local colleges.

As a lead electrical engineer and supervisor, her core responsibilities include reviewing and signing off on substation design packages, supporting equipment procurement and vendor coordination, mentoring newer engineers, and meeting with direct reports to discuss talent development.

“These experiences have allowed me to support the growth of others while continuing to develop my own leadership skills,” she said. “I’m passionate about mentoring and team building, so I see myself in a role where I can influence both the technical direction and the growth of the people around me.”

SOPHIA PIKE

Job Title: Electrical Engineer III

Company: Syska Hennessy Group

Location: Boston

Age: 27; Years on the Job: 4

Interests: Spending time outside, playing soccer, going to her weekly hot yoga class, reading, and volunteering on the 7x24 New England Chapter as a member of the executive board

Growing up, Sophia Pike always dreamed of being a doctor, but her mom suggested she try engineering. After considering several engineering disciplines, she went to college to become

an electrical engineer, and taking a power systems elective changed the trajectory of her career.

Born and raised in southern Maine, she earned her bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Wentworth Institute of Technology and her master’s degree in electrical engineering with a power systems concentration from Northeastern University in Boston.

While in college, she completed a co-op as a systems engineering intern in the data center group at Schneider Electric.“This opened my eyes to the data center industry very early,” she said. “It felt impressive to work on such large buildings where the engineering was the main event, not the architecture.”

Before joining Syska, she had a co-op at Vanderweil Engineers, where she also worked full-time on the electrical designs for data centers. She also completed courses from the Gordon Institute of Engineering Leadership and served as an intern at AHA Consulting Engineers.

When she joined Syska in 2022, she completed her technical courses and gained a deeper understanding of power distribution. As an electrical engineer III, she marks up drawings, runs client electrical workgroups, attends design team project calls, and works to create the electrical distribution for buildings. Currently, she is the lead electrical engineer on a 40MW tenant fit out of a data center in Northern Virginia.

One day, she would like to lead an electrical department. In addition, she is trying to encourage more women to join the industry. “I want to inspire people and create change in a male-dominated industry,” she said. “I want to be a voice for young women in MEP.”

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ANITA RAMIREZ

Job Title:

Company:

Location:

Age: Interests: hiking with her girlfriend and their dog, Bean

After earning her bachelor’s degree in social work from Cali fornia State University-Humbolt and working in the non-profit sector, Anita Ramirez challenged herself to find a different career. By working with a colleague from a non-profit con necting homeless youth with trade careers, she discovered a pathway to a career at her IBEW Local 569.

“I have family both in the electrical industry and as gen eral contractors who have graciously mentored me into this field,” she said.

When she switched tracks and joined her local IBEW, she was able to complete a General Skilled Trades Pre-Apprentice ship Certification and is now beginning her second semester as an apprentice at the Electrical Training Institute. In this role, she assists her journeyman every day by beginning a new solar residential project or completing a project that has already been started.

“We complete solar panel and battery storage jobs, meaning I’m either on a roof installing solar panels or on the ground installing battery storage equipment,” she said.

Her favorite part of her role is seeing a job through from start to finish. She has assisted on installs of solar and battery storage systems, varying from backing up critical load panels of 50A to full-house backups.

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JONATHAN REESE

Job Title: Electrical Foreman

Company: Hill Electric Co. Inc.

Location: Anderson, S.C.

Age: 22; Years on the Job: 3.5

Interests: Working on cars like his dad’s 1953 F-100 truck

tification and becoming a journeyman. In the next decade, she plans on becoming a project manager or foreman.

“I plan to achieve these goals by always going the extra mile, staying focused, and remembering why I began this journey,” she said.

Jonathan Reese’s dad worked on utility power lines, and he wanted to do something similar —but not work on high lines.

His decision to go into electrical was fueled by two experiences: working on the family farm and helping his dad to install the electrical wiring in their new home. To learn how to work with his hands and tools, he attended Belton Honea-Path High School, the local career technical center for construction and auto collision. Following his high school graduation, he landed a job with Hill Electric, where he now works as a foreman. He’s now responsible for working with his tools and leading others.

“I’ll get my task laid out by my superior and then challenge myself and the others with me to do that task to the best of our ability,” he said.

For the past year, he has been working on a project to consolidate two textile plants into one. This project has included medium-voltage distribution, disassembling and reassembling existing machinery, installing new machinery, and working for OEM on machinery control installations.

“It’s been a great project that has exposed me to all aspects of what Hill provides,” he said.

He hopes to still be progressing and be challenged in the electrical field in the future, and he’s proud to have followed in the footsteps of his mentor Ricky Smith, who was previously selected for the EC&M 30 Under 30 in 2021.

“I’m really loving what I do and the people I get to work with,” he said. “In 10 years, I’ll still be working hard and trying to learn as much as possible. So far, it’s worked for me and provided rapid advancement.”

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KAITLYN SHANDS

Job Title: Estimator

Company: Amteck

Location: Dyersburg, Tenn.

Age: 25; Years on the Job:

Interests: Reading, sketching, traveling, going to concerts, going to the gym, spending time with her family, working on personal vehicle projects, and being outdoors hiking, fishing, and riding in side-by-sides

Kaitlyn Shands’ dad, who worked on the civil side of construc tion, molded her work ethic and her passion for challenging herself and doing creative problem solving.

“I love working with my hands, and I’m constantly search ing for ways to expand my knowledge and skills,” said Shands, who was born and raised in west Tennessee.

Dyersburg State’s Engineering Systems Technology program set the foundation for her role as an estimator, and building transformers ignited her passion for the electrical industry. Through the program, she learned to easily identify parts and pieces of different systems and how they fit and work together.

Shands came into the industry with little electrical knowledge, and it pushed her out of her comfort zone.

“I was a young mom going to school full-time and working full-time in a male-dominated industry,” she said. “In two years, I have become independent in my estimating and finished my degree while earning eight certifications.”

Because the electrical service industry is so fast paced, her days as an estimator often vary, and she spends time in the office and the field. For example, she completes take-offs, analyzes

out to potential customers. Her favorite part of the industry is seeing a project through from design to finish.

“As an estimator, you power every project from the start,” she said. “Seeing the projects all the way through provides a sense of pride knowing you had a part in that.”

Currently, she is working on projects for a large food producer and an automotive supplier.

“Estimating powers each of these projects by finding the customers the most efficient solutions through accurate material and labor calculations,” Shands said.

be a great project manager, and how to have fun while doing it.”

Born in St. James, Mo., she attended Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, where she received an associate’s degree in the pre-engineering track. She then transferred to Texas A&M, where she was part of the horse judging team and earned her bachelor’s degree in industrial distribution.

“I was incredibly blessed to have outstanding instructors at Texas A&M who were industry professionals,” she said. “My classes prepared me for the industry by providing leadership skills, technical background, and schedule building.”

As a project engineer, she updates her quantity tracking documents, requests updates on material orders, and ensures the field crew has what they need to complete the planned work for the day. She also provides installation drawings, submits and tracks RFIs and submittals, compiles change orders, and meets with the field crew.

“I am responsible for relieving impacts to work in the field from discrepancies in the drawings or advice on means and methods from the contract documents,” she said.

Her favorite and the most challenging part of her position is learning and understanding the work put in place.

“The electrical construction industry is very technical, and there is always something new to learn,” she said. “The challenge of overcoming any hurdle is the most rewarding.”

One day, she would like to become a project director, lead a team, and support people in being successful with their own

“I plan to reach these goals by asking questions, continuing to learn the electrical industry, and supporting my team members to the best of my ability,” she said.

JUSTIN SHERMAN

Job Title: Design Engineer 1

Company: Toth & Associates, Inc.

Location: Springfield, Mo.

Age: 23; Years on the Job: 3

Interests: Playing music, learning more about homesteading, and working out

Justin Sherman’s father, a civil engineer, owned his own en gineering consulting firm (Sherman Eneering Services). He inspired him to go into engineering, and they discovered electrical engineering was his passion.

Born in Springfield, Mo., he was raised on a horse ranch (River Bluff Ranch) that his family has owned and operated to this day. He was homeschooled on the farm, and he graduated early from high school and college. He then went on to com plete a master’s degree in project management while working at Toth & Associates (TOTH).

“I have grown a lot since starting at TOTH, and I am very appreciative of the guidance,” he said.

As a design engineer I, he is designing transmission lines to best fit their clients’ needs and aid contractors in constructing lines. He works on the preliminary design, ordering materials, and working directly with the construction crew.

ing an eye on new developments in LiDAR and other useful survey equipment has been a major benefit to the current-day engineering firm.”

“I am responsible for taking projects through the entire lifecycle from start to finish,” he said. “Since I started, I have done my best in helping to develop standards and train new hires on how to do the job and have grown to love that side of things as well.”

He said technology is very important, and using modern devices has simplified the engineering process.“Looking through

He also enjoys the quality assurance and quality control process.“There is something so satisfying about going into another engineer’s project and finding anything that could cause issues when going to construct,” he said. “I think it’s because I get to point out all the problems without worrying about solving them.”

ticeship programs and the career opportunities that came with them. He became the only person in his family to work in the trades.

Born in Anchorage, Alaska, he moved to Arizona in 2018, where he spent four years at the Arizona Builders Alliance apprenticeship in Phoenix. To grow his skill set over the years, he tries to gain knowledge from each project and then pass it on to the newer apprentices to help their careers grow as well.

“I’ve always had a knack for small details and retaining information,” he said. “Those things, as well as good planning, are what I consider to be the most important skills in the trade, and I always encourage my coworkers to ask questions and follow through with their plans when working on a project.”

As a foreman, he is currently running the American Express project in Phoenix, which will be completed this October. His day starts with discussing the plan for the day, and it ends with reviewing what was completed and how to improve going forward.

“I am responsible for making sure that the project is not only done on time, but is also neat and presentable for the customer,” he said. “I take organization and safety very seriously, so it’s very important that everyone on our crew is on the same page.”

He said integrating technology into projects will always make the jobs easier.

“Being able to look up and view drawings on your phone has made such a huge difference to production over the last few years,” he said. “I am excited to see what the future of construction technology brings.”

The Future of Artificial Intelligence in the Construction Industry

How AI and other job-site intelligence amplifiers are rapidly creating a more efficient and effective construction industry

Dr. Perry Daneshgari, MCA, Inc., with contributions from Cyrus Sanders, MCA, Inc. and Alexander Jackson, MCA, Inc.

When it comes to building efficiency within any system, the deciding factor lies not in the tools themselves but in how we leverage them to do more with less. The automation of routine or monotonous tasks frees us to focus on work that truly demands human creativity, problem-solving, and skill. This principle is already playing out in construction — where forward-thinking companies are embracing prefabrication by offloading low-skill tasks to inexperienced laborers so that professionals can concentrate on higher demanding responsibilities. Consider how Steve Jobs once described the relationship between humans and technology. Inspired by a study that showed that a human on a bicycle is the most mechanically efficient species, Jobs famously said, “For me, a computer has always been a bicycle of the mind.” Computers were once feared as job killers, just as artificial intelligence (AI) is today. Jobs envisioned them as tools to amplify human potential. The use of

Automating certain tasks and incorporating AI is a way to improve job-site efficiency by allowing skilled workers to concentrate on higher-demanding responsibilities.

Agile Intelligence® offers a more accurate term for AI in this context and represents the next iteration of that vision. Like the bicycle, it doesn’t move forward without human effort, but when used properly, it helps us move faster, farther, and smarter.

THE PAST STATE OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Historically, the construction industry has been high in tacit knowledge — that is, information rooted in personal experience, intuition, and informal training. While valuable, this form of knowledge is difficult to document, teach, or scale. Learning traditionally happens through one-on-one training, where seasoned professionals pass down their insights in ad hoc and inconsistent ways. This approach slows progress and limits efficiency, especially when skilled workers retire or change jobs without transferring their knowledge.

Moreover, several critical inefficiencies have long plagued the industry:

• Trade interference: Overlapping tasks cause delays and rework.

• Labor mismanagement: Understaffed or overstaffed crews.

• Material handling and procurement delays: Key materials are missing or improperly managed.

• Labor loading errors: Productivity gaps emerge when manpower is not aligned with the project demands. At the root of these problems lies low codification. A lack of consistent documentation and data systems that can transform human insight into repeatable processes.

THE CURRENT STATE: SHIFTING TOWARD CODIFICATION

Fortunately, the construction industry is beginning to evolve. Knowledge is becoming more explicitly captured in documents, platforms, and tools that allow it to be shared more broadly. Prefabrication has already made significant strides in optimized material handling and procurement processes, proving that once taboo methods can deliver real value.

Prefab is no longer a buzzword; it’s a proven strategy. The challenge now lies in extending similar efficiencies into other areas still lagging, such as labor loading,

Labor Productivity (1964-2023)

planning, time management, and knowledge transfer. These are areas where experience-based decision-making has traditionally reigned and where systems are only now beginning to mature.

Labor productivity in construction has stayed stagnant over the last several decades, as seen in Fig. 1, while other industries have adapted their use of data and processes to improve productivity. With the correct use of data and proper codification, as seen in Fig. 2 , the construction industry has the same potential to see increased productivity similar to industries like farming and manufacturing.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

The term artificial means that the data is being used to make predictions or recognize a pattern. So just like how humans make decisions based on historical data and patterns, AI uses the collected data to predict the outcome and the projected patterns. So, for example, take the tacit knowledge that an estimator has gathered over the years. How would you gather and protect that knowledge to ensure better estimates and winning capabilities for the companies using the tacit knowledge?

This is where AI comes in. If you can capture the results of the estimates the

Fig. 1. Comparing labor productivity in non-farm vs. the construction industry.

©MCA, Inc.

Industrialization Trajectory

Dr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore, 2020

©MCA, Inc.

Fig. 2. The construction industry’s trajectory within the five steps of industrialization.

Safety Matters

This twice-a-month e-newsletter delivers the latest trends and information on electrical safety, reports on specific accidents in the field, and provides tutorials and evergreen safety content that can be used for reference and training.

Topics covered include:

• Best practices for safely working on electrical equipment

• Accidents and investigations

• Arc flash

• PPE

• Shock and electrocution

• Fire and security

• Safety audits

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See all of our EC&M e-newsletters at www.ecmweb.com

AI is a tool to improve effectiveness of the work from people to process to procedures and then AI.

estimator has done over the years and feed it to the AI agent, it can predict and use the data to improve estimating accuracy and outcome. It isn’t about replacing workers or automating them out of a job. Instead, it’s about using data and computations to make people more effective by augmenting their decision making and extending their reach, as illustrated in Fig. 3

Jobs’ bicycle analogy applies perfectly here: AI is a tool, not a rider. It doesn’t move on its own. It needs purpose, direction, and input, all of which come from humans. When used wisely, it dramatically improves the terrain on which we travel.

Unlike a buzzword, AI is built on quantified data and real numbers drawn from real world processes. However, AI is only as good as the data it’s given. If biased or incomplete data is fed into the system, its recommendations will reflect those flaws. That’s why human oversight remains essential. We choose the inputs, shape the models, and determine what outcomes we value.

HOW IT WORKS: FROM DATA TO DECISIONS

Good data leads to actionable insights. AI draws from multiple sources to form a reliable picture of what’s happening and what should happen next. These data sources include:

• Field observations (job-site conditions, productivity metrics).

• Accounting records (actual cost vs. budgeted cost).

• Estimations (projected material, labor, and time needs).

Platforms that can give the contractor the data needed to feed an AI agent (e.g., accounting, estimating, or productivity systems) offer insight into the progress of the job, labor productivity, and performance. The accounting data provides a financial lens, tying productivity and cost together. Integration between project managers and field personnel ensures that data flows both ways.

By triangulating this data, AI helps project teams identify problems early and propose targeted solutions. It might flag a labor shortage on a specific job, recommend crew reallocations, or suggest that a phase of work is falling behind due to trade stacking. Over time, the system learns what success looks like and helps you replicate it.

DIGITIZING THE INDUSTRY

One of the clearest paths to digitizing construction is through systematically capturing the tacit knowledge in the form of digitalized data. AI leverages these systems to identify persistent inefficiencies and generate forecasts, such as when labor demand will outpace

Evolution of an Organization

Organizational Strengths ©Dr. Perry Daneshgari, MCA, Inc.

supply or when procurement delays will impact scheduling. With proper implementation, companies can digitize

construction, proving to be just as impactful as the implementation of computers decades ago.

AI is not a far-off concept. The potential in transforming industries like finance, logistics, and customer service is very real and just over the horizon.

everything from scheduling to bidding, labor loading, and profitability forecasting. This makes the business more agile, responsive, and capable of managing complexity in ways that traditional methods simply cannot match.

AI is not a far-off concept. The potential in transforming industries like finance, logistics, and customer service is very real and just over the horizon. It is beginning to find its foothold in

The bicycle didn’t replace walking — it made it faster and more efficient. Similarly, AI won’t replace human judgment or creativity. It supercharges them. It helps professionals make faster, smarter decisions with a clearer view of the road ahead.

The benefits are already tangible and include:

• Smarter scheduling.

• More accurate bidding.

• Balanced labor loading.

• Increased profitability through better forecasting.

For the construction industry, the message is clear: This isn’t about replacing the worker. It’s about elevating them. We’re not building a future without people. Instead, we are building a future where people have better tools. So, the next time someone asks whether AI is coming for construction jobs, you can tell them, “No, but it’s definitely coming to make them better.” It’s time to stop fearing the bike and start riding it.

Dr. Perry Daneshgari is President and CEO of MCA, Inc., Grand Blanc, Mich. He can be reached at perry@mca.net. Cyrus Sanders is a Software Development Analyst at MCA, Inc. He can be reached at csanders@mca.net. Alexander Jackson is a Product Specialist at MCA, Inc. He can be reached at ajackson@mca.net.

DOCKING STATIONS

The enhanced design of our Docking Stations includes a patented solenoid interlock and French-style cabinet doors, which prevent access to cable connections while the unit is energized, allowing for circuit breaker access or maintenance.

- NEMA 3R Rated - 50% reduction in cable footprint - Double (2X) the space for accessories - 30o angle-mounted camlock connections reduce cable strain and provide easier access

PRODUCT NEWS

Mounting Brackets

Low-voltage mounting brackets are designed for fast and easy cut-in installation and mounting of Class 2 communications, such as computer and cable TV wiring/ connections. The single-gang and new two-gang LV2S plated steel cut-in mounting brackets (with an X-shaped bracket design) provide stability and ensure secure installation of low-voltage devices and cable in an existing wall without an electrical box. For existing construction, the new ZINC cut-in mounting brackets offer extra rigidity and have threaded holes for easy, fast device installation.

Arlington Industries

Conduit Adapter

The Ocal PVC-coated to PVC conduit one-piece adapter is designed to simplify installation and reduce labor costs for underground electrical connections. The product creates a seamless transition between PVC-coated rigid metallic conduit (RMC) and schedule 40 or 80 rigid PVC conduits. The company’s Ocal adapter helps ensure a robust connection for conduits transitioning power from underground to above ground. The product features a thick layer of flexible PVC that provides impact resistance for the joint, over-molded flexible PVC pressuresealing sleeve to protect the PVC-coated conduit at the connection, and is available in trade sizes from 3/4 in. to 4 in.

ABB

Cable Tester

The LinkIQ Duo Cable+WiFi+Network tester combines the company’s trusted cabling qualification with Wi-Fi 6E network testing and analysis into a single, simple-to-use solution. It makes it easier to understand Wi-Fi environments, eliminates the time-consuming effort for swapping and using multiple incomplete or complex tools, and includes all the features necessary for troubleshooting Wi-Fi connection and performance issues and identifying the location, availability, and configuration of access points. The tester also flags common configuration errors, such as use of an illegal channel for the detected region or non-recommended channel; access points that overlap with an adjacent access point unless one is low power; and weak security settings.

Fluke

Tool Tote

The company’s tool tote is an ideal storage solution for electricians. The tote features a water-resistant soft bottom with plastic feet and can handle up to 33 lb when loaded. The tote also features 25 internal and external pockets (accessible from all sides), chrome plated tape thong, tape measure clip, a padded, removable shoulder strap, D-ring, and several elastic loops.

KNIPEX Tools

Smart Dimmer

The Decora Smart Wi-Fi 0V-10V dimmer (D2710) expands the company’s Wi-Fi lighting and load control solutions that can be adjusted with the My Leviton app. The new 120V/277V device makes it easy to add 0V-10V dimming to smart platforms, such as Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings. It adds smart control to 0V-10V dimmable LED drivers and electronic fluorescent ballasts to set light levels in residential spaces (such as garages) or to adjust lighting in small business applications. The product also features an adjustable soft fade, and installers can select between 0V-10V linear or logarithmic dimming modes.

Leviton

EV Charger

Featuring a sleek, slim and compact design, the SolarEdge ONE EV charger is designed for both single-phase and 3-phase modes with automatic switching built-in and offers snap-on wall mounting and multiple cable entry points. It is also supported by “Olivia,” an AI phone support agent purpose-built for EV charging. The EV charging solution combines customer-specific EV charging schedules and solar generation patterns with real-time grid electricity prices to autonomously calculate the most economical energy source to charge a fleet of EVs — whether that’s with solar, battery or grid. Leveraging the company’s C&I inverters’ ability to provide up to 175% oversizing, excess solar can also be redirected to power EV fleets.

SolarEdge

Cable Puller

The GX10 Tugger offers a new dual-speed motor that allows for faster continuous pulls, increasing productivity and reducing the risk of injury and strain. According to the company, the product has 10,000-lb peak pulling force with a continuous pulling rating of 8,000-lb. It is equipped with a force indicator that displays tugger force in real-time to provide visual communication of pulling force and speed changes. Additionally the product has multi-purpose footswitch controls speed, start/stop operation, and sets up in less than 2 min. to be used in every pulling situation.

Greenlee

Mounting Bracket

The LV1S plated steel cut-in mounting bracket has an X-shaped bracket design that provides stability and secure installation of low-voltage devices and cable in an existing wall without an electrical box. The product is equipped with secure fourcorner support on ¼-in. to 1¼-in. walls. Finally, the bracket provides positive lowvoltage device support on formed thread for #6-32 screws.

Arlington Industries

Insulated Vest

Designed for flexibility and comfort, the FREEFLEX lightweight insulated vest provides unrestricted movement with shoulder and side body mobility panels. Engineered with wind- and water-resistant fabric, this three-season solution offers reliable protection against the elements. The relaxed fit with a drop-tail hem provides extra coverage while zippered hand pockets add secure storage. A brushed fleece-lined collar and pockets enhance warmth, making this vest job-site ready. It is available in both men’s and women’s sizes.

Milwaukee Tool

LED Wall Pack

The AMP SECURE low-profile wall pack offers a modern design that includes an integrated selectable lumen output switch (4,100 lm, 6,500 lm, 9,000 lm, or 11,500 lm) and color temperature switch (3,000K, 4,000K, or 5,000K) for convenient on-site adjustments. The luminaire is mountable from 10- to 30-ft and features an integrated photocell for automatic duskto-dawn operation and 0V-10V dimming as standard features as well as built-in 4kV surge protection and universal 120V-277V. The IP 66-rated die-cast aluminum housing with a corrosion-resistant, marine-grade finish ensures durability, while the UV and impact-resistant polycarbonate lens provides uniform light distribution, reducing glare and pixelation.

AMP Lighting

Double-Insulated Pry Bars

Double-insulated pry bars are engineered with insulation technology and offer superior leverage and protection for professionals working in energized environments. The double-insulated pry bars provide the appropriate leverage required to pry open whatever is being worked on while maintaining a barrier against electrical hazards. The signature orange-over-yellow insulation offers clear visual safety indication, allowing users to both quickly identify wear and maintain compliance with safety standards. The double-insulated pry bars are tested to 10,000V and rated for live use up to 1,000VAC/1,500VDC.

Cementex

Luminaires

The MedMaster and Millenium Saturn series offer robust durability with a sleek modern design aesthetic for behavioral health and high abuse settings. This product line offers optional synchronous or dual light engines, allowing control of the inner and outer light rings — independently or together. Featuring narrow spectrum static color with a variety of color changing options, both luminaires are capable of dynamically lighting the space based on user preference across a variety of applications. A unique feature of this new series is the motion sensor (MS) option. When selected with switchable perimeter and sensing occupancy, the center and perimeter are factory set to white mode.

Kenall

CODE BASICS

NEC General Requirements

Do you understand the specifics of the general requirements of electrical installations?

By Mike Holt, NEC Consultant

Article 110 contains general rules that apply to all installations. The rules cover examination, approval, installation, use, and access to spaces around electrical equipment.

APPROVAL

The authority having jurisdiction must approve all electrical conductors and equipment [Sec. 110.2]. Nine considerations for judging equipment are enumerated in Sec. 110.3(A)(1) through (9). For example, the equipment must be suitable for installation and use. Equipment that is listed, labeled, or identified must be installed per manufacturer’s instructions [Sec. 110.3(B)].

CONDUCTOR MATERIAL AND SIZES

Conductors must be copper, aluminum, or copper-clad aluminum unless otherwise provided in the Code. If the conductor material is not specified in a rule, the sizes in the NEC are based on a copper conductor [Sec. 110. 5]. Conductor sizes are expressed in American Wire Gauge (AWG) or circular mils (cmil) [Sec. 110.6].

The only wiring methods you can install are those recognized by the NEC [Sec. 110.8], as shown in Fig. 1.

INTERRUPTING AND SHORTCIRCUIT RATINGS

Circuit breakers and fuses must have an interrupting rating of at least the available fault current at the line terminals of the equipment [Sec. 110.9].

Electrical equipment must have a short-circuit current rating that permits the circuit protective device to clear a short circuit or ground fault without extensive damage to the equipment. Listed equipment applied

per its listing meets this requirement [Sec. 110.10].

Sections 110.9 and 110.10 use apparently similar terms. Be careful not to confuse “interrupting rating” with “short-circuit rating.”

Available fault current is the largest amount of short-circuit or groundfault current available at a given point in the electrical system. It is first determined at the secondary terminals of the serving electric utility transformer (by the utility’s engineer). After that, it is calculated at the terminals of the service disconnect. Then panelboards and other equipment as connections “move downstream” from the service. The available fault current decreases at each connection point as you progress away from the service. As the circuit impedance increases, the available fault current decreases.

Factors that affect the available fault current at the utility transformers are system voltage, transformer kVA rating, and impedance. Properties that affect circuit impedance include conductor material (copper versus aluminum), conductor size, conductor length, raceway type (metallic versus nonmetallic), ambient temperature, and motor loads.

MECHANICAL EXECUTION OF WORK

Electrical equipment must be installed in a professional and skillful manner [Sec. 110.12]. For information on accepted industry practices, see ANSI/NECA 1, Standard for Good Workmanship in Electrical Construction. This rule is one of the most subjective of the Code, but a few things are explicitly addressed in Art. 110, such as closing unused openings [Sec.

Fig. 1. Only use recognized NEC wiring methods when installing wires and cables in buildings.

110.12(A)] and securely mounting equipment [Sec. 110.13(A)].

TERMINATION AND SPLICING DEVICES

Conductor terminal and splicing devices must be identified for the conductor material, properly installed, and used per the manufacturer’s instructions [Sec. 110.14]. Many common practices, such as using more than one conductor per terminal, are actually Code violations (in this case, unless the terminal is marked for use with more than one conductor).

Take the time to understand the manufacturer’s instructions rather than assume you have been shown the correct way to use a particular terminal or splicing device. Be sure to understand and apply the Sec. 110.14 requirements. These include such things as temperature limitations and terminal connection torque (tighter isn’t necessarily better), which are both common areas for Code violations.

ARC-FLASH HAZARD WARNING LABEL

In other than dwelling units, a label must be on switchboards, switchgear, enclosed panelboards, industrial control panels, meter socket enclosures, and motor control centers to warn qualified persons of the danger associated with an arc flash resulting from a short circuit or ground fault [Sec. 110.16(A)]. The arc-flash hazard warning label must be permanently affixed, have sufficient durability to withstand the environment [Sec. 110.21(B)], and be clearly visible to qualified persons before they examine or service the equipment.

In other than dwelling units, service and feeder equipment rated 1,000A or more must have an arc-flash label with sufficient durability to withstand the environment (Fig. 2).

The arc-flash label is not required in dwelling units because the nominal voltage is single-phase, 120V line-to-ground (240V line-to-line), so the arc fault will self-extinguish with every zero crossing of the sinusoidal waveform. A 3-phase arc fault is sustainable per IEEE-1584.

MAINTENANCE

Equipment servicing and maintenance must comply with the requirements of

Fig. 2. In other than dwelling units, service and feeder equipment rated 1,000A or more must have an arc-flash label with sufficient durability to withstand the environment.

Sec. 110.17. For example, it must be performed by a qualified person.

MARKINGS

All markings must be of sufficient durability to withstand the environment. Where caution, warning, or danger hazard markings are required, they must meet the requirements of Sec. 110.21(A). For example, they cannot be handwritten.

Each disconnect must be legibly marked to indicate its purpose unless located and arranged so the purpose is evident [Sec. 110.22(A)]. In other than one- or two-family dwelling units, the disconnect marking must include the identification and location of the circuit source that supplies the disconnect unless located and arranged so the identification and location are evident.

In other than dwelling units, service disconnects must be field marked with the available fault current and the date the fault current calculation was performed [Sec. 110.24(A)]. The available fault current calculation must be documented and available to those who are authorized to design, install, inspect, maintain, or operate the system.

When modifications to the electrical installation affect the available fault current at the service disconnect, the available fault current must be recalculated to

ensure the short-circuit current ratings at the service disconnect are sufficient for the available fault current. The required field marking(s) in Sec. 110.24(A) must be adjusted to reflect the new level of available fault current [Sec. 110.24(B)].

SPACES AROUND ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT

This is a commonly misunderstood topic, especially by non-electrical people who make floor space utilization decisions. Since the OSHA tables and working space requirements in 10CFR 1926 Subpart K – Electrical (specifically 1926.403) are copied from Sec. 110.26, you have the force of federal law behind you when insisting these spaces be maintained.

These are minimum spaces, not “desired if you can get it.” Why might a space given in a table not be enough? OSHA and the Code say the space must be maintained “… to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of such equipment.” That phrase is the guiding principle, not the idea that you’re good if you’re “only an inch” shy of meeting the table value.

This space cannot be used for storage; it is working space [Sec. 110.26(B)].

Depth, width, and height all have requirements [Sec. 110.26(A)(1), (2), (3)]. Table 110.26(A)(1) provides the

CODE BASICS

CodeWatch

This e-newsletter, published four times per month, is dedicated to coverage of the National Electrical Code. The content items are developed by well-known Code experts.

CodeWatch promises to:

• Explain how to properly apply the Code

• Test your knowledge of the Code

• Provide information on upcoming Code-related seminars and shows

• Offer Code quizzes and real-world Code violations

Subscribe Today

See all of our EC&M e-newsletters at www.ecmweb.com

Fig. 3. According to the Code, the illumination required for working spaces about service equipment, switchboards, switchgear, enclosed panelboards, or motor control centers installed indoors cannot be controlled by automatic means.

minimum clear distance, depending upon the nominal voltage to ground and how much exposure there is to live parts.

Access and egress requirements must also be adhered to [Sec. 110.26(C)] with the effects of open equipment doors being considered [Sec. 110.26].

Other equipment, such as raceways, cables, wireways, transformers, or support structures, cannot extend more than 6 in. into the working space in front of the electrical equipment. There are three Exceptions to this rule (e.g., Ex 3: Meters can be installed in the required working space).

If equipment likely to require examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while energized is above a suspended ceiling or in a crawl space, all six conditions of Sec. 110.26(A)(4) apply. For example, the working space must permit equipment doors to open 90 degrees.

Having sufficient space doesn’t do much good if you can’t see what you are doing. Thus, illumination is required for working spaces about service equipment, switchboards, switchgear, enclosed panelboards, or motor control centers installed indoors [Sec. 110.26(D)]. It cannot be controlled by automatic means (Fig. 3).

Service equipment, switchboards, panelboards, and motor control centers must have dedicated electrical equipment space and be protected from damage that could result from condensation, leaks, breaks in the foreign systems, or vehicular traffic [Sec. 110.26(E)]. No piping, ducts, or other equipment foreign to the electrical system can be installed in this dedicated electrical equipment space.

Outdoor installations for service equipment, switchboards, panelboards, and motor control centers must comply with the requirements of Sec. 110.26(E)(2). For example, it must be protected from vehicular traffic.

GENERAL CONCLUSIONS

For electrical professionals wishing to become proficient in the Code, Art. 110 is the second best place to start because it applies to all installations. The first is Art. 100, so that you can understand the terms used in all of the other Articles that follow.

These materials are provided by Mike Holt Enterprises in Leesburg, Fla. To view Code training materials offered by this company, visit www.mikeholt.com/code.

CODE QUIZ OF THE MONTH

Test Your Code IQ

How much do you know about the National Electrical Code?

By Mike Holt, NEC Consultant

All questions and answers are based on the 2023 NEC.

Q1: Wiring for lighting located inside at carnivals, circuses, and fairs shall be securely installed and, where subject to physical damage, shall be provided with mechanical protection.

a) tents and concession areas

b) enclosed amusements

c) open-air amusements

d) all of these

Q2: Plug-in-type back-fed circuit breakers used to terminate field-installed ungrounded supply conductors shall be by an additional fastener that requires more than a pull to release.

a) grounded

b) secured in place

c) shunt tripped

d) current-limited

Q3: Except for the assembly occupancies explicitly covered by Sec. 520.1, Art. 518 covers all buildings or portions of buildings or structures designed or intended for the gathering together of or more persons.

a) 16

b) 50

c) 100

d) 125

Q4: For grounded systems, normally noncurrent-carrying conductive materials enclosing electrical conductors or equipment shall be connected to earth to limit on these materials.

a) the voltage to ground

b) current

c) arcing

d) resistance

Q5: Conductor overload protection shall not be required where the interruption of the would create a hazard, such as in a material-handling magnet circuit or fire pump circuit. However, short-circuit protection is required.

a) circuit c) phase

b) line d) system

Q6: If a branch circuit supplies a single nonmotor-operated appliance, the rating of overcurrent protection shall not exceed if the overcurrent protection rating is not marked and the appliance is rated 13.30A or less.

a) 15A c) 25A

b) 20A d) 30A

See the answers to these Code questions online at ecmweb.com/55298796.

CODE VIOLATIONS

Illustrated Catastrophes

By Russ LeBlanc, NEC Consultant

All references are based on the 2023 edition of the NEC.

MISMATCHED WIRING METHODS

The first violation I want to point out here is the missing cover on the larger of the two conduit bodies. Section 314.25 requires conduit body enclosures to be installed with a cover, lampholder, or device. The next violation is the liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit (LFNC) used with the smaller rigid PVC conduit body. The second sentence of Sec. 300.15 requires fittings and connectors to “be used only with the specific wiring methods for which they are designed and listed.” Rigid PVC conduit bodies are not listed for use with LFNC. These mismatched wiring methods are also a violation of Sec. 110.3(B) because they are not installed and used in accordance with their instructions.

I would like to point out that certain wiring methods can be used with fittings designed and listed for use with

other wiring methods. One example of this is using Electrical Nonmetallic Tubing (ENT) with rigid PVC conduit fittings. ENT and rigid PVC conduit are made of the same materials. Using rigid PVC conduit fittings with

ENT is generally permitted, provided installers use the correct type of ENT solvent cement (aka glue). ENT cement applicators are typically a brush while PVC cement applicators are typically a dauber type.

DANGER LURKING IN THE BRUSH

I spotted this dangerous situation in the far corner of a parking lot in a beachside community. I’m surmising this equipment was accidentally hit and damaged by a vehicle, since there are no protective bollards or guardrails installed to prevent this very type of damage. Where electrical equipment is installed in areas likely to be exposed to physical damage, Sec. 110.27(B) requires enclosures or guards to be “arranged and of such strength as to prevent such damage.” That Code requirement was apparently overlooked for this parking lot installation, and the photo shows the results of what can happen when Code rules are ignored. A 4,000-lb vehicle bumping into a panelboard enclosure or other electrical enclosure can easily cause catastrophic damage to the electrical equipment. With the cover missing off the smaller disconnect, the energized parts are now exposed, posing a severe shock hazard while creating a violation of Sec. 110.27.

The broken and damaged equipment is also a violation of Sec. 110.12(B), making it no longer safe to remain in operation. This broken equipment needs to be replaced, and protective guards, such as curbs, bollards, or guardrails, need to be installed to prevent a repeat of this situation.

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CODE VIOLATIONS

By Russ LeBlanc, NEC Consultant

How well do you know the Code? Think you can spot violations the original installer either ignored or couldn’t identify? Here’s your chance to moonlight as an electrical inspector and second-guess someone else’s work from the safety of your living room or office. Can you identify the specific Code violation(s) in this photo? Note: Submitted comments must include specific references from the 2023 NEC.

Hint: Parts missing in action

‘TELL THEM WHAT THEY’VE WON...’

Using the 2023 NEC, correctly identify the Code violation(s) in this month’s photo — in 200 words or less — and you could win a $25 Amazon gift card. E-mail your response, including your name and mailing address, to russ@russleblanc.net, and Russ will select one winner (excluding manufacturers and prior winners) at random from the correct submissions. Note that submissions without an address will not be eligible to win.

MAY WINNER

and unobstructed by pipes, tanks, support racks and other obstructions.

Section 110.26(A) requires working spaces to comply with the dimensions specified in Sec. 110.26(A)(1), (A)(2), (A)(3), and (A)(4). Table 110.26(A)(1) requires a minimum depth of 3 ft be kept clear in front of this electrical equipment. Section 110.26(A)(2) requires the width of the working space to be 30 in. minimum, or — in this case — as wide as the electrical equipment because it is wider than 30 in. Section 110.26(A)(3) requires the working space to provide a minimum height of 61/2 ft or the height of the electrical equipment, whichever is higher.

For this installation, I would say that Sec. 110.26(A)(4) is not applicable because the electrical equipment was installed here before the plumbing pipes and other plumbing equipment was added after the initial electrical installation. While these violations were most likely not the fault of the electrician who originally installed the electrical equipment, they are still violations and certainly make it more dangerous to work on this electrical equipment while it is energized.

Our winner this month was EC&M reader Andrew Smith. He knew that the working space in front of the electrical equipment in this photo needs to be kept clear

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Mitigating Electrical Hazards with Safer Electrical Practices

Design Approaches for Absence of Voltage Testing, High Resistance Grounding, and Arc Detection

Effective Workplace Electrical Safety comes down to two distinct factors – engaged leadership and technical understanding.

Business owners, operation managers and Health & Safety professionals, first priority in dealing with a potentially negative issue is to prevent the issue from occurring, and the second priority is to minimize the impact should the negative event occur.

This structured approach is consistent with the Hierarchy of Control which underlines the importance of elimination of hazards or substitution of hazards before administrative controls such as training, warning labels and PPE.

At this point, the need for engaged leadership is required. We need to be asking the fundamental question, “Have we as an organization taken steps to reduce the likelihood of exposure and/or reduce the magnitude of exposure or have we settled for protection and awareness only?”

Many industrial companies have taken the approach of conducting an arc flash study or some form of electrical risk-assessment, posted the resultant warning labels, and purchased PPE.

The result is warning labels informing of a dangerous situation but there are no proactive measures to reduce the likelihood of exposure or mitigation of the magnitude of the hazard. This is the classic protection ideology but not a preventative approach and indicates a lack of technical understanding as to the root causes of electrical issues and what design or technology choices are available that can make a difference.

Elimination is the physical removal of the hazard, which is the most effective hazard control. This is directly related to the NFPA 70E requirement to only work on equipment that is in an electrically safe work condition unless the task is infeasible in this condition. When a conductor is in an electrically safe work condition, there is no exposure to electrical energy. Therefore, the arc flash hazard has been eliminated. The second most effective risk control method (substitution) involves replacing something that produces a hazard with something that does not produce a hazard or produces a lesser hazard.

Engineering controls do not eliminate the hazard but rather isolate the qualified electrical worker from the hazard.Installing covers over otherwise exposed conductors inside an electrical enclosure to reduce the likelihood of initiating an arcing fault while the enclosure doors are open is an example of engineering controls.

PPE is the least effective method as it is limited to protection of personnel only after an electrical hazard such as arc flash has occurred. PPE does not reduce the likelihood or impact of a hazard and with respect to arc flash, PPE does not protect personnel from the impact of the arc blast or the pressure wave.

Engaged leadership can only be effective, however, if there is technical awareness within the organization to answer the question: “What can we do to lower our risk and lower the hazard level?”

Figure 1

Workplace Electrical Injuries and Fatalities

A recent report by the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) covering workplace accidents from 2011 to 2020 raises serious concerns with respect to workplace electrical safety.

Despite advancements in safety protocols, significant investment in safety awareness programs, and annual updates from organizations such as NFPA and ESFI, the findings in Figure 2 and Figure 3 reveal that there hasn’t been a significant decrease in fatalities and injuries related to electrical incidents over the years.

What we have been doing over the past 10 years has not reduced the number of fatal or nonfatal electrical injuries and the root cause could be lack of technical understanding of electrical hazards.

Additionally, it’s noteworthy that these accidents aren’t limited to inexperienced workers.

Data in Figure 4 from the Survey of Occupational Injury and Illness (SOII) on nonfatal work injuries caused by exposure to electricity by worker years of service indicates that a majority of nonfatal electrical injuries involve workers with over a year of experience with their employer.

NFPA70E (the Canadian equivalent is CSA Z462) is the Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace and offers guidance on several key aspects of an effective electrical safety program and approach.

NFPA70E Annex O places clear responsibility for the decision and need to consider risk in the hands of the facility manager, owner or employer and states:

The facility manager or owner of employer should choose design options that eliminate hazards or reduce risk and enhance the effectiveness of safety related work practices.

Selecting what design options will eliminate hazards or reduce risk and enhance the effectiveness of safety related work practices is where technical understanding is required.

Decision makers need to be able to understand, what design options or technology can be deployed to eliminate or reduce the risk associated with electrical shock or arc flash or other associated electrical hazards.

Figure 2 Number of Fatal Electrical Injuries per year

Figure 3 Number of Nonfatal Electrical Injuries per year

Figure 4 Nonfatal Work Injuries Caused by Exposure to Electrical Injuries by worker years of service.

The data, depicted in Figure 5, shows that 48% of reported fatalities occurred while working on or near energized wires or parts.

An additional 1% was as a result of arc flash, 3% as a result of PPE issues and 6% due the removal of LOTO safety devices.

What tasks are being undertaken that expose the worker to the electrical shock or arc flash hazards resulting from incidental contact with current carrying conductors and what design options are available to reduce this risk?

Task 1 - Absence of voltage testing - Is a vital step in the process of verifying and establishing a de-energized state of any electrical system and there are two accepted approaches to verifying the absence of voltage.

The common approach is to use an adequately rated portable test instrument (multimeter) to test each phase conductor or circuit part to verify it is de-energized. Conducting an absence of voltage test inside an electrical cabinet is not only time consuming but contains risk of shock and electrocution from inadvertent contact with electrical circuit paths inside the panel, incorrect application of test instruments or human error.

One of the most common OSHA violation is related to incorrect Lockout / Tagout procedures. From October 2023 to September 2024 there were 2,644 citations and over $20M in fines applied across a variety of industries as per the table below.

Table 1 OSHA Lockout/Tagout Violations by Industry (2023–2024)

To address the issue of risk, NFPA70E contains an Exception Note whereby the step requiring direct contact with previously energized conductors with an adequately rated test device can be replaced by using an adequately rated permanently mounted absence of voltage tester provided the product in question meets certain requirements:

• It is listed and labeled for the purpose of verifying the absence of voltage

• It tests each phase conductor or circuit path both phase-to-phase and phase-to-ground

• The test device is verified as operating satisfactorily on any known voltage source before and after verifying the absence of voltage.

Figure 5 Electrical Fatalities Causes

An Absence of Voltage Tester (AVT) is designed to confirm the absence of electrical voltage without the need for a trained person to open equipment doors, reducing the risk of exposure to electrical hazards. AVTs provide a reliable and standardized method for verifying de-energization, contributing to a safer work environment.

Using AVTs is simple - a person can press a button to initiate a test sequence that fulfills all the requirements for verifying the absence of voltage. The AVT ensures its satisfactory function via a supervisory circuit, conducting continuity checks to confirm secure and correct connections.

Only after these steps are satisfied, the AVT check for the absence of both AC and DC voltage, including phase-toground and phase-to-phase. If everything passes, the system repeats the steps a second time.

If the test is successful and there is less than 3 volts AC or DC in the circuit, three (3) green lights are provided by the AVT for five (5) seconds. Figure 6.

This indicates that the situation is safe, and the electrical panel door can be opened. In the case of an unsuccessful test, the amber lights stay illuminated, indicating a potential unsafe condition. If there is hazardous voltage detected the red lights stay illuminated.

An automated absence of voltage test saves time and removes personnel from a potentially risky electrical task, eliminating the risk of electrical shock or arc flash as we see on Figure 7.

While the standard operating range of an absence of voltage tester is 600VAC, the application of voltage dividers extends the functional range to 15kV AC and 3000VDC.

Difference in Manual and Automatic approach

Figure 6 LED Status Indicators for Absence of Voltage Tester (AVT)

Figure 7 Traditional vs. Automated Absence of Voltage Verification Process

Task 2 - Voltage Measurement and Troubleshooting - Another routine task that requires access to an electrical panel and potential risk of incidental contact resulting in shock or arc flash, is taking voltage measurements for the purpose of maintenance or troubleshooting

Voltagepresence indicationthrough RedundantLEDs

VoltageIndicator 20-100VAC/DC

TestPoint: 0-1000VAC

Touchsafehigh impendanceprotectedtestpoints tomeasurevoltage

Faultdetection functionality

Troubleshooting

• Nopowersupply

• Nophase

• Undervoltage

• Overvoltage

• Phasefailure

• Voltageunbalance

Measurement

• VoltageMeasurement -PhasetoPhase -PhasetoGround

• InsulationResistance

• Groundcontinuity test

• PhaseRotation

• HarmonicsAnalysis

• BondingResistance

Figure 8 Multifunction Capabilities of the Voltage Test Port

The design solution to eliminating this risk is the installation of a voltage test portal as outlined in NFPA70E, Annex 0.2.4.

NFPA 70E 2024 Annex O.2.4 included Voltage test port in Additional Safety-by-Design Methods and recommends voltage measurement through the door using the test port. This method has proven to be effective in reducing the risk associated with arc flash or electric shock hazards.

Voltage Test ports are designed and tested to UL61010 and are a permanently mounted indicating and test device that indicates the presence of voltage via LED style indicating lights. These lights illuminate when hazardous voltage is detected in each phase and ground connection and operate from 40V to 1000V.

The integrated high impedance test points, allow qualified personnel to use a multimeter to measure voltage and troubleshoot typical issues through the panel door.

While the test portal brings 480V or 600V to the panel door, the high impedance nature of the device ensures that the current at the door is in the milliamps range.

The application of a voltage divider extends the operating range of voltage test ports from 600V AC up to 15kV AC and up to 3000V DC.

Task 3 - Insulation monitoring and insulation resistance testing - Measuring the insulation integrity of a motor or generator is a critical task and the standard approach is to use a portable megohmmeter that requires electrical technicians to manually disconnect equipment cables and connect test leads on potentially energized or damaged equipment to perform the manual test.

This exposes personnel to the risk of inadvertent contact with live conductors and the potential for electrical shock or arc flash.

The design consideration is a permanently mounted test relay that can conduct both insulation monitoring and insulation resistance testing.

Insulation monitoring requires a relay that has set-points and measures the insulation of the cable when the equipment is deenergized and provides an alarm is a set-point value is reached. Insulation resistance testing is more involved in that it calculates the polarization index and dielectric absorption values and provides long term trend analysis.

9

The measured resistance (of the insulation) will be determined by the voltage applied and the resultant current (R = E/I).

• Capacitance Charging Current - Current that starts out high and drops after the insulation has been charged to full voltage

• Absorption Current - Also an initially high current which then drops.

• Conduction or Leakage Current - A small essentially steady current both through and over the insulation.

Figure 10 Insulation Test Current Components Over Time and Their Diagnostic Significance

You can see further from the graph that the absorption current decreases at a relatively slow rate, depending upon the exact nature of the insulation.

With good insulation, the conduction or leakage current should build up to a steady value that is constant for the applied voltage. Any increase of leakage current with time is a warning of trouble.

Dielectric Absorption Ratio and Polarization Index

The ratio of two time-resistance readings (such as a 60-second reading divided by a 30-second reading) is called a dielectric absorption ratio. It is useful in recording information about insulation.

Figure

Insulation monitoring relay

RATIO (POLARIZATION INDEX)

- Less than 1

to 1.25

to 2

to 1.6 2 to 4

Table 2 Insulation Condition Criteria Based on Dielectric Absorption Ratio and Polarization Index

If the ratio is a 10-minute reading divided by a 1-minute reading, the value is called the polarization index.

NETA MTS-2019 STANDARD FOR MAINTENANCE TESTING SPECIFICATIONS FOR ELECTRICAL POWER EQUIPMENT & SYSTEMS refers to IEEE 43 and IEEE 95 this standard requires Absorption Dielectric Test or Polarization Index Test when conducting an insulation resistance test.

IEEE 43 IEEE Recommended Practice for Testing Insulation Resistance of Electric Machinery states:

Machines 200 horsepower (150 kilowatts) and less: Test duration shall be for one minute. Calculate the dielectric absorption ratio.

TABLE 100.1

Insulation Resistance Test Values

Electrical Apparatus and Systems Other Than Rotating Machinery

Nominal Raiting of Equipment (Volts) Minimun Test Voltage (DC) Recommended Minimum Insulation Resistance (Megohms)

Machines larger than 200 horsepower (150 kilowatts): Test duration shall be for ten minutes. Calculate polarization index.

IEEE43 also provides a guidance on the test voltages to be used which increases as the winding rated voltage increases.

This is DC voltage which does not adversely affect the insulation being tested.

5,000

Table 3 Recommended Insulation Resistance Test Values for Electrical Equipment (Non-Rotating Machinery)

Selecting design options such as permanently mounted absence of voltage testers, or permanently installed voltage test ports or permanently installed insulation resistance test relays, allow for common electrical tasks to be undertaken without the risk of inadvertent contact with current carrying conductors.

Facility managers and owners have a responsibility to make the decisions that facilitate an electrically safer work environment.

Electrical Shock Mitigation.

An electric shock occurs when current of sufficient magnitude flows inadvertently through the body. Typical causes are touching a live conductor or when an internal fault results in voltage on the housing of the electrical equipment and a shock hazards.

The severity of an electric shock depends on the level of current, the path it takes and how long the current is allowed to flow.

There are two design considerations to reduce the risk of electric shock due to internal faults. The first is frame voltage monitoring and the second is shock interrupting panels designed to meet the requirements of UL943C.

Frame touch voltage protection is a critical safety feature that prevents electrical shocks by ensuring the metal frames and enclosures of electrical equipment remain safe to touch, even during electrical faults

Why It’s Important:

• Reduces the risk of electric shock in highrisk environments.

• Protects personnel working near energized equipment.

• Enhances workplace safety by addressing potential fault conditions.

11 Frame Touch, Step, and Metal-to-Metal Voltage Hazards

How the GCHK-100 Relay Protects Against Frame Voltage

• Enhanced Safety - Detects voltage between frame and ground exceeding set thresholds.

• Fast Response - Responds within 100 ms for standard detection and 30 ms for voltages >100V AC.

• Comprehensive Monitoring - Identifies ground loop shorts, open conditions, and internal leakage.

• Operator Protection - Prevents electric shock risks from ground connection failures or equipment faults.

Shock Mitigation Panels

An electric shock occurs whenever a current of sufficient magnitude flows through the body. Causes include inadvertent contact with current carrying conductors or when an internal electrical fault results in an unintended path for the electrical current.

The severity of an electric shock depends mainly on the level of current, the path it takes through the body, and how long it continues. The level of current is affected by the voltage applied and the conductivity of the victim (wet or damp skin is more conductive than dry skin).

Currents lower than 0.5 mA are normally harmless and usually imperceptible, as shown in region AC-1 in the Figure 13 to the right.

Currents in region AC-2, depending on the duration, are often unpleasant but unlikely to do permanent harm.

Figure

Figure 12 GCHK-100 Relay

Figure 13 Effects of AC Body Current Over Time

Based on IEC 60479

As current levels increase through regions AC-3 and above, the risk increases and injuries worsen from paralysis and breathing cessation to cardiac arrest or ventricular fibrillation.

The duration of the current through the body has a great influence on the damage it may cause, which is the reason that interrupting the current quickly is vital.

The one device that can reduce the number of deaths or injuries from electric shock is the Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI), which detects small levels of electrical current and shuts off power. Touching a live conductor that is protected by a GFCI will still cause a shock, but the GFCI will open the circuit before it becomes lethal.

Since they were first required for household use in the 1970s, GFCIs have reduced residential electrocutions by more than 50% and have saved hundreds of lives.

Household GFCIs are listed as Class A by UL 943 and are not appropriate for industrial applications, both because they are limited to 240 V, which does not work at industrial voltages of 480 or 600 V, and because many industrial applications have normal leakage currents in excess of the 6 mA threshold that will trip a Class A GFCI and suffer nuisance tripping. In addition, Class A GFCIs do not monitor the load’s safety ground conductor.

The lack of industrial GFCIs has meant that many industrial facilities are unnecessarily hazardous especially for areas where water and electricity can co-exist such as wet outdoor applications, or submersible pumps or wash-down in food processing facilities or dairy farms or shipyards.

To address the lack of industrial GFCIs, UL brought out a revised draft of UL 943C in 2009 that covered special-purpose GFCIs for systems up to 600 V and allowed a leakage current of up to 20 mA.

In practice, special-purpose GFCIs will trip at a current between 15 and 20 mA, depending on operating conditions.

The UL 943 inverse-time curve allows momentary transient conditions to enable operations in real world installations.

The boundary between the green and the red zone defines the maximum trip time allowed by UL 943. Therefore, for any given fault current, the device must operate before that time is exceeded to prevent dangerous current from flowing through the body.

The UL943 “standard” requires that Class A devices limit the current to a low enough level to provide protection against let-go and ventricular fibrillation and sets the limit at 5mA.

Class C devices must protect against ventricular fibrillation and let-go is optional.

Figure 14 GFCI and EGF Protection Zones Based on Time and Current

The limit is set at 20mA but if the let-go option is included, the limit will need to 10mA. Class D devices must protect against ventricular fibrillation and the limit is set at 20mA.

Figure 15

To meet the needs and expectations of industrial facilities, shock mitigation panels are now available for a variety of applications as per the table.

Table 4 UL Classifications for Ground Fault Protection Devices by Trip Level, Voltage, and Ampacity

Design Decision that Impacts on Arc Flash, Reliability and Operating Costs.

Data from NFPA70E indicates the electric shock and arc flash burns are a common hazard and there needs to be an understanding of what design decisions can be made to mitigate the risk – there is a need for technical understanding.

The most important decision to mitigate arc flash in industrial facilities is with respect to what electrical grounding system to use.

When designing or selecting a grounding system for industrial applications at 5kV and below, the main options are ungrounded, solidly grounded, or high resistance grounded (HRG). Each impacts reliability, electrical risk, and operating cost, especially when a ground fault

Figure 16 Number of Nonfatal Electrical Injuries, Private Industry by Nature of Injury

Ungrounded Systems and Arc Flash Hazards

In normal operation ungrounded, solidly grounded, and high resistance grounded (HRG) systems generally perform reliably, present minimal electrical risk, and have similar operating costs. However, ground faults are inevitable in real-world electrical systems, making it critical to understand how grounding strategy impacts reliability, safety, and cost.

In ungrounded systems, a ground fault initiates an arcing event that charges system capacitance. When the arc extinguishes, the stored energy remains, and with each re-strike, additional charge accumulates. This cycle continues until insulation fails at its weakest point, often resulting in damage.

As noted in IEEE Std 242™-2001, Section 7.2.5, the safety risks of ungrounded systems are significant:

In practice, ungrounded systems have largely been phased out except in shipboard or legacy installations, due to their inherent disadvantages. Compared to HRG systems, they present higher risks of equipment failure, process disruption, and arc flash hazards. For these reasons, some insurers now recommend or require clients to upgrade from ungrounded to high resistance grounding for enhanced safety and loss prevention.

Solidly Grounded Systems: Flash Potential at Common Voltages

Under normal conditions, solidly grounded systems are generally safe and reliable. However, both safety and operational continuity are compromised when a ground fault occurs.

A fault of sufficient magnitude will trip overcurrent protection devices, halting processes and operations.

More critically, an arcing ground fault may initially produce current levels too low to trigger protective devices allowing the arc to intensify into a destructive and potentially lethal event.

These low level arcing faults damage equipment and, as the insulation integrity becomes increasingly compromised, an arcing fault is inevitable with the associated risk to personnel and extensive damage to equipment.

As outlined in IEEE Standard 141-1993, Section 7.2.4, the danger is particularly acute in low voltage systems:

Incident data collected over a 23-year period illustrates the severity of arc flash at 480V and 600V. Although underreporting is common, the figures below confirm a high rate of injuries and fatalities at these voltage levels:

Table 5

Reported

Electrical Injuries and Fatalities by Voltage Level

According to NFPA70E Annex O, most electrical faults are phase-to-ground. By inserting impedance into the ground return path, High Resistance Grounding (HRG) limits the fault current typically to 10A or less in systems up to 5 kV. This low current level results in insufficient energy to sustain an arc flash, significantly reducing hazard potential.

Further support comes from IEEE Std 141™-1993, Section 7.2.2, which clearly states:

High Resistance Grounding: A Strategic Choice for Arc Flash Risk Reduction

Implementing High Resistance Grounding (HRG) in an electrical distribution system offers a highly effective method for controlling phase-to-ground fault current—typically limiting it to 10 amperes or less.

This low and predictable fault level helps prevent the escalation into arc flash events, reducing the likelihood of arc flash incidents by up to 95%, particularly in low-voltage systems where such faults are most common.

Unlike solidly grounded systems, which may experience several hundred amps during a ground fault—often below trip thresholds but high enough to damage equipment—HRG minimizes both personnel risk and equipment wear.

By maintaining system uptime during a single line-to-ground fault, HRG also ensures process continuity, avoiding costly and unnecessary interruptions.

High Resistance grounding involves adding impedance between the transformer or generator neutral and ground. This limits the ground fault current to less than 10 amperes. By keeping the ground fault at this low level, there’s not enough energy for arcing to occur, providing a safer operational environment.

One major industrial operation converted their 3-phase, 4-wire solidly grounded system to a 3-phase, 3-wire HRG system specifically to reduce arc flash hazards.

Unexpectedly, they also experienced a substantial decrease in motor repair costs.

The reduction in fault current significantly limited motor damage, offering a return on investment in less than three years based on maintenance savings alone.

From a strategic standpoint, HRG clearly outperforms other grounding methods in terms of:

• Reliability – Continuity of operations under single ground fault conditions

• Electrical Risk – Up to 95% reduction in arc flash potential

• Operating Costs – Reduced equipment damage and lower long-term maintenance costs

Figure 17 Maintenance Cost Reduction Over Time Due to Fault Current Limitation

Advancing Safety and Power Continuity with SMART HRG

While conventional HRG offers major benefits, it has two notable limitations:

1. A second ground fault on a different phase or feeder will trip the system.

2. HRG alone does not lower arc flash incident energy during other types of faults (e.g., phase-to-phase or bolted faults). These challenges are addressed through the implementation of SMART HRG technology, an evolution of standard HRG systems that enhances both protection and operational flexibility.

18

SMART HRG includes second-fault protection, allowing users to assign priority levels to critical processes.

In the event of a second ground fault on a different feeder and phase, the system isolates the lower priority feeder, preserving uptime for essential operations. This approach maximizes process reliability without compromising safety.

Figure

Additionally, SMART HRG incorporates an arc detection module that uses light and/or pressure sensors to detect arc flash events and issue a trip signal within milliseconds.

This rapid response drastically reduces the time an arc is present on the system, directly lowering the incident energy and minimizing potential harm to personnel and equipment.

By combining advanced ground fault management with real-time arc flash mitigation, SMART HRG delivers the most comprehensive protection available.

It ensures continuity for critical operations, reduces both the likelihood and severity of arc flash events, and significantly lowers the long-term cost of equipment damage associated with electrical faults.

In NFPA70E, clause 0.2.3. lists several methods that have been proven to be effective in reducing incident energy levels including Zone Selecting Interlocking and Arc Flash Relays.

Zone Selective Interlocking(ZSI), offers an excellent solution to this problem. It improves arc flash safety upstream in the plant distribution system without affecting service continuity.

ZSI is applied both to phase overcurrent devices (on the short-time protection function), and to ground fault protective devices. It is available on electronic trip units and relays of circuit breakers.

With ZSI, a breaker that senses a fault will trip with no intentional time delay unless it receives a restraint signal from the breaker immediately downstream.

If so restrained, the breaker will wait to time out before tripping. The downstream breaker only sends a restraint signal upstream if it also senses the fault, i.e. only for faults located downstream of both breakers.

Figure 19 Zone-Selective Interlocking (ZSI) Coordination Scheme for Circuit Protection

For the fault at point Y, the Sub-Feeder breaker will restrain the Feeder breaker; and the Feeder breaker will restrain the Main breaker. Hence the Main and Feeder will wait to time out. In the meantime, the Sub-Feeder breaker will clear the fault.

Arc Flash Detection Relay reduces the time that an arcing fault remains active and reducing the time, directly lowers the incident energy levels and the impact of the hazard.

When an arc flash occurs, there is light, pressure, temperature increase and sound and by detecting and reacting to these phenomenon as early as possible, we can reduce the time the arc flash is active in the systems.

Specially calibrated optical sensors detect the light in an arc flash and the intelligence in the relay confirms that the flash is of sufficient intensity and duration to be of concern. The arc flash relay then sends a trip signal to the overcurrent device within 1ms of the light being detected. Alternatively, if the necessary logic is implemented, the relay waits for confirmation from either a pressure sensor or from an over-current signal before initiating the trip signal to avoid nuisance tripping due to switching transients.

Figure 20