EC&M - July 2024

A New Way to Build Better! Environmental

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These young electrical professionals invest in training and development, tune in to technology, and are committed to learning and growing to advance in their careers.

A growing number of brand-new and century-old colleges are offering training in electrical and other skilled trades. Here’s why and how they’re combining liberal arts, theology, and construction.

ECMWEB.COM

With its exclusive online content, ecmweb.com is a valuable source of industry insight for electrical professionals. Here’s a sample of what you can find on our site right now:

MOVING VIOLATIONS VIDEO NO. 314: CLOSET CHAOS

Video Russ LeBlanc looks at a panelboard installed in a closet with a variety of NEC violations. ecmweb.com/55093426

Editorial

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UNDERSTANDING OSHA’S HEAT INJURY AND ILLNESS PREVENTION

Safety Experienced safety professional Kevin Kolhonen shares tips for identifying and preventing heat-related issues on the job site. ecmweb.com/55091723

APPRENTICE’S GUIDE TO CALCULATIONS

E-book From the EC&M e-books library: Learn the basics and test your knowledge with Trainer Harold De Loach. ecmweb.com/55055993

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New Generation Recognizes Potential in Skilled Trades

By Ellen Parson, Editor-in-Chief

It’s no secret the electrical industry (along with many other industries) has been dealing with a skilled labor shortage for decades with no real end in sight. Although exact numbers vary, depending on which source you’re looking at, the U.S. construction industry is short nearly 500,000 workers this year and will need more than 454,000 new workers to meet demand in 2025, according to the latest data from Associated Builders and Contractors. What’s interesting is the skilled trades aren’t the only ones hurting. Apparently, higher education enrollment has been decreasing for a decade as well. Just like the doom and gloom we’ve been hearing about for years regarding the labor crisis, there’s also an “enrollment cliff” expected for the 2024-25 academic year that will drastically affect higher education institutions. You can really get into the weeds if you dive into specific numbers (and the reasons behind this prediction), but I found this article (https://shorturl.at/um0vo) on collegetransitions.com really insightful. According to this piece, undergraduate college enrollment has dropped from 18.1 million to 15.8 million over the last 13 years, due in large part to declining birth rates in the United States. If you look beyond the stats, I think there also may be an attitudinal shift at work here in the eyes of the younger generation when it comes to career choices. Whether it be a distaste for sky-high student loan debt, the appeal of shorter completion time/faster entry into the workforce, on-the-job training, or long-term job security, stability, and career advancement (the new generation seems to be hyper aware of the impact AI could have on certain professions that have historically been attractive to younger people), potential employees from the Gen Z and Gen Alpha pool could (and should) be looking at the skilled trades in a new light.

In a recent article (https://rb.gy/ridluy), “Don’t Forget the Trades! Why the Skilled Trades Are a Good Fit for the Next Generation,” Interplay Learning suggests Gen Z is “increasingly interested in the trades.” In fact, “recent research shows 75% of high school and college-age people would be interested in vocational schools that offered paid, on-the-job training.” It goes on to say that “83% of tradespeople report being either somewhat or extremely satisfied with their choice of work. Not only that, but 94% of those in the industry say they would encourage their own family members or kids to pursue similar occupations.”

That was the underlying message that came through in Freelance Writer Tim Kridel’s feature, “The Old College Try,” starting on page 52. In this article, he digs into why a growing number of colleges are starting to offer training in the electrical field and other skilled trades. When it comes to career development conversations, let’s not forget about EC&M’s seventh annual 30 Under 30 Electrical All Stars on page 20. When we started this program in 2018 with the hope of showcasing talented young electrical professionals who were going above and beyond the call of duty, especially demonstrating innovation, efficiency, and creativity while incorporating technology into their jobs, I had no idea how successful and popular this program would become. It’s truly a testament to the great work these innovative young individuals are doing and how committed they are to the advancement of the electrical profession.

Shattering last year’s record for total number of nominations, the quantity and quality of this year’s submissions were truly remarkable. I’m proud to present the honorees for this special recognition program, representing individuals from electrical design firms, electrical contracting companies, and facility/plant maintenance roles across the country. Congratulations, and don’t forget to spread the word. As more young people recognize the potential that lies in the skilled trades, a cultural shift in mindset could lead the way to solidifying the next generation of electrical workers.

CHAMPION DUCT® ELBOWS

Understanding Bid Bonds and Performance Bonds

How electrical estimators should addresses these two bonds

By Don Kiper, Estimating 101

There are two types of bonds that an estimator must understand. First, there is a bid bond also called a bid security or bid guaranty. Second, there is a performance bond. Let’s take a look at the difference between these two bonds and how they should be addressed in an estimate.

DEFINING THE BID BOND

The surety company of the contractor issues a bid bond. Sometimes a bid bond is issued in the form of a check made payable to the project owner. It may also be issued as a bond by the surety company in the amount or percentage stated in the instructions to bidders of the project specifications.

If the contractor is the certified low bidder and fails to enter into a contract to perform the project, the owner has the right to hold the bid bond. For example,

if a contractor submits a bid of $100,000 — and the bid bond is issued in the amount of 10% of the bid price — the owner would be entitled to $10,000 in compensation from the surety company due to the low bidder’s failure to sign a contract with the owner.

The reason owners use bid bonds is because it will usually guarantee them quality bids submitted by qualified contractors. This process will typically eliminate contractors with poor performance records and poor reputations.

Here is an excerpt from a specification of a public works project in New York. Bid guaranty or bid security

• Where applicably indicated, each Proposal must be accompanied by a bid guaranty which shall not be less than ten percent (10%) of the total base bid amount. When specified in The Notice to Contractors, the guaranty may be a

certified check, bank draft, or standard form Irrevocable Letter of Credit. If the specified form of bid guaranty is a Bid Bond, such Bond shall be secured by a guaranty or surety company authorized to do business in the State of New York as a surety. Proposals received without the specified guaranty may be deemed nonresponsive. Certified check or bank draft must be payable to the order of “Chautauqua County Director of Finance.” Cash deposits will not be accepted. The bid guaranty shall insure the execution of the Agreement and the furnishing of the surety bond or bonds and insurance by the successful Contractor, all as required by the Contract Documents.

• Bid guaranties in the form of certified check, bank draft or letter of credit will be returned to bidders other than the successful Contractor within ten (10) days after the contract is awarded.

Photo

The bid guaranty of the successful Contractor will be returned upon execution of the Contract and submission of required bonds and insurance.

The estimator does not need to include any costs in the estimate for a bid guaranty. The costs for this service from the contractor’s bonding company are included in their annual costs.

THE PERFORMANCE BOND

Performance bonds are provided by the contractor before a project begins and offer a guarantee to the project owner that the contract obligations will be fulfilled. The contractor secures performance bonds through their insurance company or surety company. The costs for this bond must be included in the estimate.

Here is the typical wording from a selected project specification.

Performance bond: Bidder agrees, if awarded contract, to furnish and deliver to Owner, through Architect, at time as stipulated in “Instructions to Bidders,” satisfactory performance bond and labor & material payment bond in amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of contract sum. Approval by Owner and/or Owner’s legal counsel shall be obtained as a condition prior to issuance of bonds. Cost of bonds shall be borne by undersigned. Furnish to Architect a copy of “release” request normally sent to Owner by surety upon acceptance of job by Owner.

The purpose of the performance bond is to assure the owner that the project will be completed at the contract price. This bond protects the owner’s project in the event the contractor files for bankruptcy. When this happens, the owner has the performance bond to guarantee that the project will be completed for the contracted amount. When bankruptcy occurs, the bonding company will locate a contractor that is willing to complete the project according to the contract. Typically, when this happens, the costs to complete the project increase substantially. However, these costs are borne by the bonding company, not the owner.

The performance bond costs are based on the contract amount, and these costs must be included in the proposal. These bond costs are typically based on

progressive ranges of the contract value. For example, a contractor’s bonding rates might be something like this: The first $400,000 at 2%, from $400,000 to $1,000,000 at 1.50%, and $1,000,000 to $5,000,000 at 1.00%.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Bid bond or bid security

• The bid bond is submitted with the bid proposal.

• No costs are added to the proposal.

• The costs for bid bonds are included in the contractor’s annual premiums with their security company.

• If the contractor is not the low bidder, the bid bond is void.

• It eliminates contractors with a poor performance record or those without the capital to complete the project.

• It gives the owner some assurance that he or she will receive quality bids from quality contractors.

• Bid bonds are a percentage of the contractor’s bid amount.

• If the contractor is the low bidder and does not enter into a contract with the owner, the contractor’s bonding company will pay the owner the value of the bid security.

Performance bond or material and labor bond

• The performance bond is provided to the owner upon signing a contract.

• Costs for this bond must be included in the contractor’s bid proposal.

• This bond guarantees the owner that their project will be completed at the contract price if the contractor files for bankruptcy and can’t complete the work.

• The bonding or surety company will hire another contractor to complete the project when the original contractor can’t meet their contractual obligations.

• Rates for this bond will depend on the contractor’s financial wellness and capital assets.

• Performance bonds provide 100% insurance for both labor and materials to complete the project according to the contract documents.

Don Kiper is an independent electrical estimating trainer and consultant based in Niagara Falls, N.Y. He can be reached at don@electricalestimating101.com.

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ELECTRICAL TESTING EDUCATION

The Importance of Grounding Renewable Systems

Best practices for maintaining the electrical systems of solar and wind assets

By Jeffrey R. Jowett, Megger

The rapidly developing industry of renewable power generation can be compared to an hourglass. Inexhaustible supplies of free resources — sun and wind — are converted into a corresponding outflow of electrical energy at a notable return on investment. But the process includes the neck of the hourglass through which the resources must pass. This is the solar array or wind tower. These two assets must be diligently kept functioning at maximum efficiency and safety for the process to yield its anticipated return.

WIND SYSTEMS

Wind towers are particularly at risk because of their great height: 280 ft and getting taller. It is estimated that a tower extending more than 50 ft

above surrounding structures becomes a prime lightning target. Lightning interruptions cause up to 50% of typical downtime, depending on the locale — and the damage isn’t limited to the structure. It can extend down to sensitive control systems, further limiting profitability (Photo 1).

The National Lightning Safety Institute recommends that protection begin as early as site selection and proceed through system design. Yet the Institute estimates that maximum lightning protection can be achieved at only 1% of the total cost of a new project. Useful sources of standardization are available in IEC 61024 and IEC 61400-24.

SOLAR SYSTEMS

Solar panels are at similar lightning risk as wind towers, as they are installed on

roofs or vast open fields where they may be the highest structure in the area.

The NEC specifies: “Exposed noncurrent-carrying metal parts of module frames, equipment, and conductor enclosures shall be grounded.”

Components like inverters, combiner boxes, and disconnects are connected by an equipment grounding conductor (EGC). Every module must be connected to an EGC. These converge commonly at the ground busbar inside the main distribution panel. From here, the grounding electrode conductor (GEC) completes the connection to the ground electrode. When removing panels, care must be taken not to disrupt the bonding. For roof mounts, this is often rebar in the foundation, but it should be supplemented by a ground rod to prevent damage to the concrete during fault clearance. Full requirements are described in NFPA 780, NEC Art. 250, NEC Art. 690, and UL 96A.

GROUNDING SYSTEM

The tower and array should be designed, constructed, installed, and maintained according to the highest industry standards. An indispensable part of this is the grounding. It is easy to become focused on the dynamics of this process, such as the turning of blades or the humming of transformers, and overlook the indispensable contribution made by the grounding system. Buried out of sight and not visibly operating, these critical components can be largely out of mind until an event occurs, such as a wind tower crashing to the ground after a lightning strike.

Don’t wait for such an event to happen. Ensure the system is designed

Photo 1. Storms with lightning are a major cause of interruptions on electrical systems.

Courtesy of NETA

and installed following industry standards and local conditions first — and then periodically checked and maintained regularly.

It is commonly thought that burying a rod and connecting the electrical system means it is grounded, but that is not necessarily the case. The grounding system must be treated with the same attention and care as any other electrical component.

GROUNDING CONDUCTOR

The other main element of this protection system is the grounding conductor. No matter how good the grounding electrode (rod, grid, or other structure) is, it will be rendered useless without a continuous, low-impedance path to conduct lightning and fault current around equipment/personnel safely into the soil. This is the job of the grounding conductor. In general applications, it connects the dead frame of equipment to the ground bus at the entrance panel.

But in wind generation systems, its structure is unique: It spans from the

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.

tips of the blades to connect with the ground grid at the base of the tower. The frequency of lightning strikes increases with height, and studies have suggested that rotating blade tips are additionally attractive.

For adequate protection, the grounding conductor must be regularly tested (Photo 2). Turbine manufacturers typically specify 15 mΩ to 30 mΩ for a safe path to ground. A low-resistance ohmmeter is the designated tester for this purpose. Traditionally, these testers use a 10A test current to reliably assure a sufficiently low-impedance path. These can be bulky, given the physical demands of this testing environment.

Recent improvements in meter technology, however, have made the job easier by introducing handheld 1A testers with sufficient accuracy and resolution. The most sensitive part of the ground path is through the blade because the stress of motion can cause the grounding conductor to crack. If the two fragments remain in contact, a simple continuity test will still pass. A more robust test current and measurement resolution will unerringly reveal such a break.

But there’s still a unique problem: the distance of the blade tips from the ground. As with handheld testers, technological advances were in order

and have been realized. Test leads with lengths of 100 m have become available. The long leads create an additional problem: resistance. A compensation factor allows for power loss in some instruments when using leads of a normal length. Compensation for extra-long leads is accomplished via this formula:

P = I2R

Where:

P = output power of the instrument

I = output current of the instrument

R = (resistance of load) + (resistance of test leads)

Standard compensation in the average meter can fall short of delivering enough power against such a daunting lead resistance as would exist in 100-m leads. Adequate compensation is achieved by reducing test current. Some instruments have a selector switch to reduce current; others do so automatically. Either way, a 1A test current has proven sufficient to yield accurate, reliable test results. The ohmmeter is thereby enabled to test with milli-ohm resolution without lead resistance entering the measurement.

REMOTE EARTH

The termination of the protection system is the electrode buried in the earth. This must not be taken for granted. The mere fact of its existence is not enough,

Photo 2. Performing regular grounding conductor testing is a must in maintaining a safe system.

Courtesy of NETA

ELECTRICAL TESTING EDUCATION

although it is often thought of in that manner. It must be tested, like any other electrical component. Surge arresters alone are inadequate without a good ground. The goal is low resistance to what is referred to as “remote earth” — that is, the maximum resistance a fault current or lightning stroke will encounter before being safely dissipated. There is no universal standard, but electrode resistance should be held to values like 1 Ω to 5 Ω.

TESTING AND MAINTENANCE

Testing is particularly difficult with renewables because a single electrode is not grounding a single network, as in a building. Rather, potentially enormous numbers of wind towers and solar panels are daisy-chained together, and the chain is often growing. The biggest problem is that ground testing requires long leads strung to test probes far out in the soil, with the distances based on multiples of the maximum dimension of the grid or array. This can quickly become prohibitive. Unfortunately, there’s no simple answer. But one of the worst things to do is to wait until the job is done before testing. By that time, the composite electrode could be virtually too big to test.

Plan ahead and test the sections as they are installed. This applies to both solar and wind systems, as the issue is the same (Photo 3). Every time a new

section is paralleled, resistance will drop significantly. So collectively, by the time the job is done, an adequate ground will be provided. Periodic maintenance also needs to be performed, as we’ve seen, and this can be a bigger challenge.

The most widely respected ground electrode test, fall of potential, is likely to require too much space. Be familiar with methods that have been specifically designed to deal with this problem. The most prevalent is the slope method. Another is intersecting curves. Instructions for these methods are commonly available in the literature, such as “Getting Down to Earth: A Practical Guide to Earth Resistance Testing.” Additionally, lightning protection and power grounding have different criteria, so make sure certain requisite conditions are met for both. Power grounds may be shallowburied, and this may not afford sufficient protection from lightning.

The grounding system must be tested upon installation for initial conformance to specs and standards, and then periodically thereafter. The familiar “out of sight, out of mind” can be deadly here. Clearance of lightning strikes and electrical faults will often work as intended, leaving the tower structure and function unharmed. However, in the process of clearance, the grounding electrode can be seriously compromised — and it is dangerously out of sight.

Regular testing, as well as after known strikes, is necessary. Changes in soil composition, especially moisture and subsurface corrosion, can have the same effect over a longer time scale.

Copper theft — a problem throughout the electrical industry — can be particularly acute on wind farms because of their size and remote location. In addition, grounding is often buried at much shallower depths than cabling, making theft that much easier. The clamp-on ground tester can be a useful tool here as a quick means of determining whether continuity exists or has been corrupted by theft.

Studious and thorough record-keeping is particularly in order, as comparing results can be especially informative in recognizing problems and issues. It’s also a good idea to note exactly where test probes are placed. Subsequent testing can then be done for comparison to stored records. The data is useful for maintenance to note changes, even if the size of the grid precludes objective accuracy to remote earth. Provided testing is precisely repeated, changes in results can be indicative of issues that need to be addressed.

IN SUMMARY

Effective grounding is indispensable to the safe and efficient operation of renewable energy sources, wind towers, and solar arrays. The two are identical in requiring a continuous, low-impedance path to ground and a low-impedance connection to the surrounding earth. The test equipment is the same for both, and procedures are only slightly — but critically — adjusted to the site.

The ANSI/NETA Standard for Maintenance Testing Specifications for Electrical Equipment and Systems, Sections 7.13 – 14, provides recommended visual and mechanical inspections and electrical tests for grounding systems and ground-fault protection systems. It can be found online at https://www. netaworld.org/standards/ansi-neta-mts.

Jeffrey R. Jowett is a senior applications engineer for Megger in Valley Forge, Pa., serving the manufacturing lines of Biddle, Megger, and Multi-Amp for electrical test and measurement instrumentation.

Photo 3. A well-maintained solar field can be a reliable source of power.

Alyssa B.

Daniel C. SupplyHouse Team Member

JOB-SITE INTELLIGENCE

Project Management Tools for Efficient Job-Site Practices

Using data and information to transform knowledge from tacit to explicit

By Phil Nimmo, MCA, Inc.

All our jobs are taken with the expectation that we create an accurate estimate and a good plan of attack to complete the work in a timely, efficient, and profitable manner. Our best-run jobs follow that planning with an execution that ensures these results are delivered. For most jobs, the estimate and planning can be completed with just a few people working closely together. Still, the installation phase generally requires a lot of people working simultaneously and not necessarily close together, making verbal information sharing difficult.

Preconstruction can often be effectively accomplished with a few people who understand the work and customer’s needs and have some individual experience/knowledge (also known as tacit knowledge) that they can lean on to make a good plan. However, successfully sharing that experience and knowledge to help the entire installation team perform with the same continuity of preconstruction requires that tacit knowledge be transferred into explicit knowledge.

FROM TACIT KNOWLEDGE TO EXPLICIT KNOWLEDGE

No aspect of our interaction supports the transfer of tacit to explicit knowledge more strongly than our communication. Everything from face-to-face meetings to phone calls to emails to text messages set up these communications. How and what we communicate dictate the effectiveness of this process. Most job-site interactions are built on tacit exchange, such as progress meetings, laydown area discussions, and informal meetings “in the trailers.” All provide an avenue for exchanging firsthand experience and

knowledge related to the job. This is very effective to ensure that everyone has the same current understanding of status, but it has its shortfalls. Tacit exchanges like these provide the content for setting up the transfer to explicit knowledge, but that action doesn’t happen naturally. Simple tools like notebooks and cameras capture observations but do not easily support sharing in a manner easily retrieved and searched by others. Operationally focused tools such as Short Interval Scheduling (SIS®) and Job Productivity Assurance and Control (JPAC®) are designed specifically to digitize workplace observations into a format that can be easily shared and searchable. Even time sheets provide better communication than a notebook full of sketches or a free-flow discussion at the coffee pot.

AVOIDING PROJECT RISK THROUGH EXPLICIT KNOWLEDGE

Project risk comes from not seeing issues that could be seen or not seeing issues soon enough to prevent them. The effective transfer of the information to explicit happens when we can take that common information and knowledge among all stakeholders. The most immediate results come from taking project information from the job site and translating that into impacts that will alter our completion time, cost, and quality. These impacts form the basis of project meetings and project reviews for early detection and correction of the impacts.

Examples of effective transfer of tacit knowledge on the job site to explicit knowledge within the business system

Project 1

Weekly BIM coordination

Mondays/ weekly All trades on site GC

Project 1

Project 1

Project 1

Project 1

Project scope review — job-site trailer

Company BIM team coordination

Touchplan 3-week schedule update

Weekly BIM/ prefab/field meeting

Tuesdays/ weekly

PMs, general foreman, project coordinators, executives PM

Addresses questions on any clashes between the trades and any RFIs that haven’t been addressed

Information on the project to identify areas of risk or items that need follow up. Changes, submittals, billings, updates to the overall schedule.

Tuesdays/ weekly Company internal BIM team BIM Leader Identifies and addresses any impacts and slippage

Thursdays/ weekly All trades F/GF on site GC 3-week look-ahead confirmation from all trades

Fridays/ weekly BIM/field/prefab General foreman

Discussion on sign-off dates/current 1-week look-ahead matches jobsite reality — GF gives an update on the job site

Information is updated in the BIM coordination schedule

Meeting notes from project coordinator

BIM/sign-offs schedule

Touchplan 3-week look-ahead report

Weekly look-ahead schedule

Table 1. This chart shows the specific meeting names along with their frequency, attendees, leader, and topics discussed during job sample No. 1. Several meetings were conducted that did not feature all necessary participants/stakeholders.

JOB-SITE INTELLIGENCE

Fig. 1. Despite several meetings corresponding with job sample No. 1, this project faced a steady decline that remains unresolved throughout its life cycle.

Discussion on sign-off dates/current 1-week look ahead matches jobsite reality — GF gives an update on the job site

Table 2. Job sample No. 2 featured two project meetings but did not include all of the necessary stakeholders.

Fig. 2. There were less meetings in job sample No. 2 compared to No. 1, but it still resulted in a rapid decline in productivity during the last one-third of the project.

can be seen easily using properly built project models and schedules, such as:

• Daily installation nuisances can be translated into schedule impacts.

• Change-orders can be translated into productivity impacts.

• Material delays can be seen as missed deadlines, labor stacking, and even liquidated damages.

In the following examples, the use of simple tools designed to capture tacit knowledge and support the transfer to

explicit analysis in the project model can be seen clearly. In the three cases shown, the first two use more meetings but fail to involve all the people who need to know. The third example is a job with fewer meetings but involves

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JOB-SITE INTELLIGENCE

Project 3

Project 3

OAC meeting (owner, architect, contractor)

Schedule review and 3-week look-head feedback meeting

Tuesdays/ biweekly All trades on-site to include the GC with owner, architects GC

Tuesdays/ biweekly PM and WEM, LLC WEM, LLC

Schedule updates outlining current % Completes per floor, area, and building Updated GC schedule

Project schedule summary, project support summary, 3-week look-ahead report

Updates to the schedule regarding impacts to the 3-week look ahead

Table 3. Job sample No. 3 had few meetings, but they involved all major stakeholders — not only on-site installers and direct supervisors.

Productivity 20.1% greater than planned

Fig. 3. Due to more effective transfer of information throughout job sample No. 3, productivity significantly improved throughout the project’s life cycle.

all the stakeholders and players that impact each other’s productivity, timing, and profitability.

JOB SAMPLE NO. 1

This job has the most meetings of our samples, but they are limited in attendance to those people who already know the material discussed (Table 1 on page 15). There is no transfer of tacit to explicit, and the job productivity suffers steadily as the job progresses (Fig. 1 on page 16).

JOB SAMPLE NO. 2

Similar to sample No. 1, the wrong people attend, and the meetings aren’t maintained (Table 2 on page 16). So as the project progresses, the lack of knowledge transfer results in declining productivity at an increasingly poor trend (Fig. 2 on page 16).

JOB SAMPLE NO. 3

Sample No. 3 has few meetings, but they involve all of the stakeholders — not just the installers on site and their direct supervisors (Table 3). This model is more effective for the transfer of information from tacit to explicit, and productivity improves significantly throughout the life of the project (Fig. 3).

CONCLUSION

Realizing the expected benefit and profitability of each project that we manage is the goal of project management and every project manager. Many project managers are managing many jobs or single large jobs to the result that they rarely see what the installers encounter each day. Good and bad events and impacts need to be shared and communicated promptly so that the collective wisdom of the entire project

team — and the entire business — can be used to ensure that the project meets its expectations.

The transfer of tacit to explicit knowledge remains a challenge for managers. Using effective tools to identify/measure the data and converting it to information only takes us part of the way. Getting the effective transfer requires effective collaboration that encourages and supports the transfer of knowledge. The meetings, their leaders, and their attendees — along with their diligence in using the gathered data — are the only effective way to transfer tacit to explicit knowledge and allow your business to benefit from the learning.

Phil Nimmo is vice president of business development at MCA, Inc. He can be reached at pnimmo@mca.net.

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These young electrical professionals invest in training and development, tune in to technology, and commit to learning and growing to advance in their careers.

By Amy Fischbach, Freelance Writer

At a time when the world needs power and innovation, EC&M’s 30 Under 30 are prepared to solve problems, discover new technologies, and lead teams.

For example, Yamil Camacho, a project manager for Henderson Engineers in Lenexa, Kan., advises other up-and-coming electrical professionals to never let anyone put a ceiling above their head that they didn’t put there themselves.

“The world, including the electrical industry, is too big to settle,” says 29-year-old Camacho, who earned the MVP award from his company last year. “Get out, explore, and learn. You only get one life, so you might as well enjoy it to the fullest. Know that there will be some bumps in the road, but every hiccup is a learning opportunity, so it’s up to us to use those lessons as motivation to get to where we want to go.”

Ryan Helsdingen, a 29-year-old electrical engineer for Syska Hennessy Group in Denver, says early on, he was taught to be a sponge — and this has stuck with him throughout his career. Today, he dedicates time to staying updated on industry advancements, new code changes, growing impacts of today’s sustainability efforts, and emerging technologies through industry events, workshops, and online courses.

will require patience, persistence, determination, adaptability, and a little grit. It’s about staying focused, sticking to my values, pushing through challenges, and celebrating the little milestones along the way.”

One way that young electrical professionals can help their companies succeed is by learning about the latest tools and technology. For example, Maria Howell, a 27-year-old staff electrical engineer for Burns & McDonnell in Kansas City, Mo., says technology is changing faster than it ever has before — and right now, the electrical industry is still reeling from the material shortages caused by world events.

2O24’s 30 Under 3O EC&M ELECTRICAL ALL STARS EC&M AL L STARS

“The construction and the economic needs are still there, so engineers are having to get creative in their solutions to keep things moving,” Howell says.

“We need to be curious, and we need to ask why in order to continue to innovate and grow.”

2024 U N DER30

The following profiles explore how this year’s EC&M 30 Under 30 All Stars are making their mark on the electrical industry and inspiring the next generation to follow in their footsteps. To learn more tips and techniques on how to reach the top in the electrical industry, check out the top 15 pieces of wisdom from the 2024 All Stars online at ecmweb.com/55091352.

“I think of it like an Ironman race with one foot in front of the other toward the finish,” Helsdingen says. “These goals

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

Jose Alvarez is helping his company to be at the forefront by learning about new technology, which relates to how electricians communicate, schedule, and invoice.

JOSE ALVAREZ

Job Title: Electrical Apprentice

Company: Unity Power Services

Location: Upperville, Va.

Age: 21; Years on the Job: 2

Interests: Fishing, racing, beekeeping, enjoying the outdoors, working on cars, and participating in the 24 Hours of Lemons Race

When Jose Alvarez was in high school, he and his friends decided to take an electrical class, which changed the course of his career.

YAMIL CAMACHO

Job Title: Retail Sector Project Manager

Company: Henderson Engineers

Location: Lenexa, Kan.

Age: 29; Years on the Job: 7

“We took the class because we knew it was something good to learn, but I never thought it would be something that I found so interesting,” he says. “That’s where the spark started, and I began to fall in love with the trade.”

Born in Jalisco, Mexico, and raised in Marshall, Va., he started off with two semesters of electrical classes in high school, earned his OSHA 10, took more courses at Laurel Ridge Community College, and got certified in lift operation through an online program.

As service tech Level 2, his day starts off by arriving at the shop, pulling material, traveling to jobs, and then returning to the shop. He says his responsibilities have changed since he started.

“I used to just clean, carry ladders, and bring the lead guy material, but now I have to make sure wires are terminated properly and tighten down to a specific torque, or verify if voltage is tested,” Alvarez says.

He and his team work in many different environments, ranging from a steel factory to a homeowner’s kitchen to a government facility. For one of his recent projects, he ran feeders to a subpanel feeding a baseball and soccer field lighting system.

“I just love how no matter what the situation is, I’m able to adjust and get the job done,” he says.

Down the road, he hopes to earn his journeyman’s and master’s license. He also wants to manage projects and solve mysteries others can’t solve.

“I plan on reaching these goals by working hard and preparing for these exams,” he says. “I’m learning more every day and keep pushing myself to become better and better. The learning never stops.”

EC&M ALL STARS

Interests: Taking his dog for walks or to the park, checking out restaurants and bars in the Kansas City area, hosting cookouts, and bowling

During his childhood, Yamil Camacho loved tinkering around the house and developed an interest in engineering from an early age. “I used to always check the panelboards and look at sockets because I was curious about what was on the other end,” says Camacho, who became the first engineer in his family.

He had his sights set on becoming a mechanical engineer after graduating from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, but when interviewing for his first full-time engineering job in 2016, Henderson Engineers had a greater need for electrical designers.

Once he started his career as an electrical designer, he completed an intense, in-depth training program at his company. Along with attending weekly courses on engineering fundamentals, he continued to ask questions and take on projects that challenged his skillset.

“I’m more of a ‘let me get my hands dirty’ type of learner,” he says. “Whether it’s a multi-story retail project in Los Angeles or a small, simple storefront, every project has unique aspects that provide an opportunity to learn.”

He says it’s an honor and a great feeling to be part of the 2024 EC&M 30 Under 30.

Now that he’s transitioned from a design role to project management, he’s still eager to take on harder projects to sharpen his skills. As a retail sector project manager, his responsibilities involve overseeing and coordinating brick-and-mortar retail store projects across the country.

In the next decade, he sees himself in a leadership position. “I’ll continue to challenge myself and take every opportunity to learn so I can gain the knowledge and experience needed to take that on,” he says.

Yamil Camacho is working on the first-ever large-format flagship store for Wayfair in Chicago along with new stores and remodels across the country for Target.

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SIERRA ENGLISH

Job Title: Instructor

Company: Phoenix Electrical JATC

Location: Phoenix

Age: 29; Years on the Job: 9

Interests: Spending time with her family and two children and participating in women’s committee activities to encourage women to join the electrical industry

When Sierra English was 19 years old, she was at a crossroads in her life.

“I was a full-time student in a chemical engineering program feeling like I was going nowhere,” English says. “I had learned about the electrical trade and decided to apply for an apprenticeship, and, once I started, I realized I loved the trade.”

Since that time, she’s been learning everything she can in the electrical industry. She has also been prioritizing participating in committees and roles to encourage women to join the electrical trade.

Born and raised around Milwaukie, Ore., she completed a four-year apprenticeship for electrical construction and maintenance, infrared certification for the inspection of electrical systems, and training on various types of electrical testing equipment used for troubleshooting and maintenance.

“My training and certifications set me up to be an industry leader and instructor to the next generation of electricians,” she says.

As a journeyman wireman and instructor for the Phoenix Electrical Joint Apprenticeship, her normal day is calling a class of about 20

NICHOLAS GIORDANO

Job Title: Electrician and Instructor

Company: Wayne J. Griffin Electric, Inc.

Location: Billerica, Mass.

Age: 26; Years on the Job: 8 Interests: Skiing, golfing, and riding/working on his motorcycle

Napprentices to order at 5 a.m., and instructing them until 3:30 p.m. Throughout the day, she teaches topics such as conduit bending, electrical theory, and how to navigate the NEC.

“When I began this role, it was solely instructing; however, after building relationships with these students throughout the semester, I have become a mentor and advisor,” she says. “It gives me joy to see these apprentices interested in the curriculum and inquisitive about where this industry could possibly take them.”

EC&M ALL STARS

icholas Giordano’s family is filled with tradespeople split almost 50/50 between electricians and plumbers. He learned about the electrical trade in high school and began his apprenticeship through the electrical shop.

In five or 10 years, Sierra English sees herself as being a leader in the industry, hopefully educating and evolving the industry.

She loves the challenge of designing activities and curriculum to deliver the subject she covers and find new ways to explain the information. The Phoenix Electrical Joint Apprenticeship is currently expanding the size of its facilities and implementing programs such as craft certification to improve the training of future electricians.

Born and raised in Massachusetts, he obtained additional in-house training at Wayne J. Griffin Electric, continued his own self study by reading textbooks, is pursuing an associate’s degree at Wentworth Institute of Technology, and is prepping for the Project Management Institute’s Construction Professional certification.

As an electrician and an instructor, his day begins at 6 a.m., when he reviews the goals for the day and the weekly safety topic. The work varies widely from job to job but often includes new multi-residential, commercial, and industrial. The day ends when everyone meets up safely to clock out and go home.

“My responsibilities from when I started have exponentially increased,” he says. “It used to just be grabbing stock out of a truck to operating small crews, doing as-builds, and coordinating with other trades.”

One of the best parts of his job is being able to teach the apprentices and show them extra resources to study and improve their craft. It’s also one of the most challenging parts due to the current labor shortage. “It can be difficult at times finding the balance to get the job done well and on time, but also to train everyone enough to become an asset to the industry,” he says.

His company takes on dozens of jobs at a time, and he and the other electricians are moved around based on the needs of the jobs or their skills. For example, recently he has been working on lighting control and fire alarm systems.

He says the use of technology (like AI) in the trade is becoming increasingly important to reduce workload and run lean with smaller crews on jobs.

Nicholas Giordano, who completed OSHA 10 and 30 for both construction and general industry, says he hopes to one day transition to the project management team.

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Jorge Gonzalez provides the electrical bids to homebuilders, ensures they accommodate their requested install dates, and follows up until the completion of the project.

JORGE GONZALEZ, JR.

Job Title: New Construction Manager

Company: LaFlamme Electric, Inc.

Location: Alpharetta, Ga.

Age: 28; Years on the Job: 10

Interests: Going to the gym, mountain biking, ATV offroading, lawn care, and working on his cars

Jorge Gonzalez grew up around the electrical trade. From the time he was 10 years old, he accompanied his father on job sites and watched him work.

KHALID HACHIL

Job Title: Electrical Engineer, PE, MSEE, LEED AP BD+C

Company: Stantec

Location: Brentwood, N.Y.

Age: 30; Years on the Job: 8

“Although I wasn’t of much help at that age, I found it very interesting how my father installed the electrical wiring in new homes, and, on a separate trip, he installed all the devices and fixtures,” he says. “I kept on going until I graduated from high school, at which point I started working full-time with my father as a subcontractor. I did that for three years before becoming a service technician for LaFlamme Electric.”

Born in Mexico and raised in Georgia, Gonzalez completed training on the job site after graduating from high school.

“Being on job sites full time for the same company for over 10 years has allowed me to learn how things are expected to be done and how the company operates,” he says. “I’ve been in every position that the company has to offer to any electrician: subcontractor, service technician, project manager, and now, new construction manager/estimator.”

As the new construction manager, his workday starts at 7 a.m. and ends at about 4 p.m. or 5 p.m., but he often stays late to complete his tasks. He works primarily in the office with homebuilders’ purchasing departments.

“I started as a technician, and now I am responsible for the major operation of the company,” he says. “My favorite part is providing bids to our customers in a way that they can use it as a shopping cart so they’re able to build their homes efficiently and within budget.”

EC&M ALL STARS

Interests: Training for martial arts and practicing Jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai, Taekwondo, and boxing. He is also an instructor for PPI2Pass - Kaplan and an instructor for the FE Electrical and Computer Engineering course.

Inspired by the movie, “Swades,” Khalid Hachil understood that the best way to help people is through engineering.

“The more I looked into career options, the clearer it was that any advancement or innovation in the world stood on the shoulders of engineering,” Hachil says. “Although I didn't have anyone in the field, I knew that I would be a first-generation college graduate and the first engineer in my family.”

A lifelong New Yorker, Hachil graduated with his bachelor’s degree from SUNY Farmingdale and his master’s degree with a controls specialization from New York Institute of Technology in 2019. He earned his professional engineering license in the State of New York and is a LEED Accredited Professional in Building Design and Construction. Throughout his education and licensure, he learned two important life lessons: to be a problem solver and put in extreme hard work.

Hachil started his career in engineering through multiple internships prior to graduation. Now as an electrical engineer at Stantec, he has worked on a wide variety of projects rang-

During his career, he has worked with national, regional, and local homebuilders. He says technology plays a critical role in his work. For example, he provides all the estimates via spreadsheets and customer portals, and he schedules the jobs to go out via an app. “At LaFlamme, we are practically paper-free,” he says. “Everything we do is digital.”

ing from commercial and high-rise buildings to schools, distribution centers, hospitals, and solar projects. Within a short period of time, he has designed more than 3 million sq ft to meet client deadlines and design expectations. His level of responsibility and involvement in each project grew over time. After 10 years in the field, it’s all about progressive goals and step-by-step growth, he says.

“The fact that engineers can wake up every day with a new challenge is what drives them,” he says. “It is a reminder that the engineering mind is geared toward problem solving, not memorizing.”

Khalid Hachil is currently part of the team renovating Grand Central Terminal, which is supporting the design of what will be the largest skyscraper in New York City’s Midtown East.

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RYAN HELSDINGEN

Job Title: Electrical Engineer, PE, LEED AP

Company: Syska Hennessy Group

Location: Denver

Age: 29; Years on the Job: 7

Interests: Enjoys the active Denver lifestyle and training for triathlons. He’s training with the Rocky Mountain Tri Club for the Ironman Boulder 70.3 and a 118-mile, ~11k feet climb bike ride called the Triple Bypass.

During his senior year of high school, Ryan Helsdingen took a digital electronics course, which inspired him to pursue a career in the field of electrical engineering.

“I took a stab at pursuing my electrical engineering degree not knowing how broad the field could be,” he says. “I assumed my career would be a direct pathway to becoming a lab rat debugging circuit boards.”

In the summer between his freshman and sophomore year of college, he was introduced to the power industry by his uncle, who, at that time, was serving as the lead building engineer for one of the most challenging high-rise buildings in downtown Chicago. Helsdingen then landed an internship with Syska Hennessy Group, which was providing the MEP services for his uncle’s project.

“The MEP space opened me up to consulting engineering, targeting power-specific classes in my later years of college, and a so-far gratifying career,” says Helsdingen, who was born and raised in the Chicago suburbs and now works in Denver.

Once he started working full-time for Syska Hennessy Group, he completed a two-year

SANDY HILL

Job Title: Project Engineer

Company: Cannon & Wendt Electric

Location: Phoenix

Age: 25; Years on the Job: 1

Ryan Helsdingen says three things set him apart in today’s in dustry: his elevated attention to detail, social engineering ability, and willingness to grow younger engineers.

entry-level training program specific to the MEP consulting industry. This program quickly brought him up to speed with weekly internal presentations and a year-end project. “Dur ing that time, I rode the train to and from work an hour each way,” he says. “I took advantage of the down time to study for my LEED accreditation, the EIT (engineer-in-training), and eventually my PE (professional engineer) license.”

EC&M ALL STARS

Interests: Enjoying the outdoors with her husband, hiking, playing pickleball, and making renovations in their first home

As someone who is interested in innovation, Sandy Hill quickly realized the electrical industry is growing as the world strives for new energy solutions.

Sandy Hill is currently involved with a pre-construction tower renovation project, which consists of renovating five floors into a series of patient rooms, NICU rooms, OR rooms, and more.

As an engineer IV with associate title, he works on multiple data centers for a mix of hyperscale and colocation clients and has more than 200MW critical IT load in active design or construction. He focuses on power calculations, load sizing, and distribution management. “Rather than a major production role, I lead and oversee electrical production teams,” he says.

“Working in this field really opens up a diverse opportunity for careers, ranging from power generation and distribution to telecommu nication and automation, which I think is something really cool to be a part of,” she says.

Born in Cambodia, she grew up in Sydney, Australia, where she completed her diploma in computer science at The Canberra College. She then earned an athletic scholarship to Grand Canyon University, where she earned her undergradu ate degree in marketing and went on to complete her MBA in project management, which launched her career in the construction industry.

“I strongly believe that my experience as an athlete con tinues to positively influence my career journey,” she says.

“Competitive athletics instill valuable qualities like discipline, perseverance, and teamwork, all of which are incredibly beneficial in the construction industry.”

As a pre-construction project engineer, she is responsible for assisting the project manager with tasks such as analyzing construction documents and drawings, estimating the hours and materials needed to complete the job, and forecasting any possible field problems. She also must recognize discrepancies between construction documents and field conditions, review and submit submittals, write RFIs, and participate in job meetings.

“I have a passion for creativity and problem solving, which is why I really enjoy interpreting drawings and devising innovative solutions,” she says. “More often than not, I’m working with experienced colleagues who bring unique perspectives and ideas to visualize the job at hand.”

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MARIA HOWELL

Job Title: Electrical Engineer

Company: Burns & McDonnell

Location: Kansas City, Mo.

Age: 27; Years on the Job: 5

Interests: Spending time outdoors, rollerblading, hiking, and traveling. She is also in a book club, plays sand volleyball and slow pitch softball, and likes to find new coffee shops/visit new places. When she’s home, she enjoys spending time with her cat, Raymond.

Maria Howell didn’t always dream of designing industrial power systems, and her path to the electrical industry was

CHRIS JOHNSON

Job Title: Project Superintendent

Company: Montgomery Electric, Inc.

Location: Dacano, Colo.

Age: 27; Years on the Job: 7

forged through experiences and interests realized over time.

“It started in high school with my physics teacher who just made the material so much fun that I wanted to learn more,” she says.

She double-majored in physics and electrical engineering and minored in business and nuclear engineering at the University of Missouri-Columbia, which cemented her desire to go into the power construction and design industry.

Born and raised in a suburb of Chicago, she interned at Burns & McDonnell, where she landed a spot in the Global Facilities group.

“I loved the people and the energy and decided to accept an offer to stay with the team after graduation,” she says.

Upon joining the company, she volunteered to spend a year on a site in Kansas to be able to see firsthand how designs go from paper to lights on. During this time, she was able to see and experience a lot of practical training moments firsthand.

“There’s no better training than seeing everything unfold in front of you and being able to ask application questions of the techs and electricians who work with the materials you specify daily,” she says. “From wire pulls to breaker settings to temporary power conditions to vendor requests and requirements, I was able to soak in a vast amount of knowledge from my time out there.”

EC&M ALL STARS

Interests: Watching hockey, football, basketball, and baseball and supporting the Colorado and Detroit sports teams

With no family or friends who worked in the trades, Chris Johnson wasn’t sure what he wanted to do after high school. His friend’s dad, who worked as a mason, suggested the possibility of he and his friend becoming electricians.

“I liked this idea, and I love to work with my hands, so I thought I’d give it a try,” he says. “Seven years after that discussion, and I’m now a licensed journeyman still with the company that gave me a starting chance.”

Johnson, who has lived in both Michigan and Colorado, began Independent Electrical Contractors Rocky Mountain’s four-year apprenticeship program in 2018. During the training program, he learned about the basics, theories, equations, applications, and codes. But when he started working on the job, he experienced hands-on training.

“I was constantly asking questions and just being a sponge to knowledge around me,” says Johnson, who maintains his work ethic sets him apart from others in the trade. For example, he’s often the first one at work and the last one to leave.

“I want to make sure everything is up to code and looks spectacular,” he says. “I like my jobs to be neat and clean, and I

Now, as a licensed electrical engineer for the Food & Beverage team, she creates drawings, meets with equipment vendors and clients, reviews site conditions, and performs design calculations. When she’s in the field, she visits the various project sites, leads outages to execute fastpaced projects, and also walks with potential subcontractors on the job site.

like to work smarter, not harder.”

As a project superintendent, he is responsible for assigning tasks to the crews, and, when possible, working out in the field.

“I’ll try to do a little bit of work myself, but most of the time, I’m being pulled in 20 different directions,” he says. “Doing layout, answering questions, and helping people out is what I do every day. I’ve gone from showing up to work being told what to do to being that guy that tells people what to do.”

In the future, he plans on working as an electrician at the same company.

Chris Johnson is currently working on a new addition to a town hall and installing new electrical, transformers, and panels.

“I’m pretty happy doing what I’m doing,” he says. “My favorite part of my job is being on a project from start to finish, watching something being built, and being able to say I was a part of it.”

Maria Howell plans to continue to grow and learn in her role as an electrical engineer and support new young professionals as they enter the industry.

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KYRA KOTHAWALA

Job Title: Mechanical Engineer—Power Generation

Company: Commonwealth Associates

Location: Jackson, Mich.

Age: 25; Years on the Job: 2.5

Interests: Reading, writing, crocheting, playing guitar, electric bass, and piano, and participating in sand volleyball, pickleball, basketball, and boxing. She also enjoys spending time with friends and traveling.

Kyra Kothawala developed a passion for engineering and design in high school as a member of a FIRST robotics team. “I was surrounded by mechanical, electrical, and computer science engineers, so I was able to observe and participate in all disciplines,” Kothawala says.

Born and raised in Michigan, she earned her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan, where she participated in the Society of Women Engineers. She also interned at a water solution company/pump manufacturer as well as Commonwealth Associates, where she accepted a full-time offer after graduation. “The people were incredible, the projects were interesting, and I felt challenged,” she says. “This was the start of my electrical industry journey.”

In her current role, she has continued to learn from her team in the power generation department. “Since the beginning, they’ve provided a safe and inclusive environment where I’m always encouraged to ask questions, dive into projects, and discuss with senior level engineers,” she says.

As a mechanical engineer II, she works remotely and says every day is different depending on what project she’s working on and what stage

LIBBY LORENZ

Job Title: Project Manager

Company: Rosendin

Location: Dallas

Age: 26; Years on the Job: 3

Kyra Kothawala, who is currently working on a combined heat and power project, would like to thank her family and friends for their support; her supervisor, Kenya McKinnon; and her Power Generation and Energy team at Commonwealth Associates.

the project is in. She works on various types of systems like condensate, boiler feedwater, steam safety vents, ammonia, main steam, instrument air, and water services. Her favorite part of her current role is the ability to always be working on new materials. “Being in consulting, every project is different for every client,” she says. “Occasionally, there may be some overlap, but a lot of the time I’m learning about new systems or design conditions and how everything works together for each project.”

EC&M ALL STARS

Interests: Spending free time with her friends/family and getting outside for walks and hikes with her dog

Libby Lorenz became interested in the electrical industry after learning about Rosendin’s work in data centers and renewable energy and how its work in the electrical industry supports the trends and needs of the market.

During her career, she has worked on a variety of different projects, including combined heat and power plants, battery energy storage systems, plant upgrades/retrofits/modifications, etc.

Born and raised in Houston, she attended Texas A&M and earned a bachelor’s degree in business management. Her college courses (specifically within management) and her work experience prepared her well for her role as a project manager.

Before joining Rosendin, she also worked as a homebuilder, which helped her to learn about the construction industry quickly due to the fast pace of the projects. She started working in construction right after graduating from college in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The pandemic’s strain on the supply chain made construction more difficult, but it also taught me a lot because I was presented with more challenges to work through than I would have otherwise,” she says.

As a project manager for Rosendin, every day in her role is different, which is one of the things she enjoys most about it. On a typical day, she coordinates with the internal teams to ensure the processes her team has set up work to meet the project goals.

“I really enjoy seeing all of the work the team puts into the project come to fruition when the building is complete and to also see how the team has grown,” she says.

She said she is grateful to be considered and recognized as one of the electrical professionals featured in the 2024 EC&M 30 Under 30.

“In 10 years, I hope to be in a position where I have gained a diverse set of work experiences that I have learned from,” she says. “I can share them with other people who are in my current position.”

Libby Lorenz is currently working on a hyper-scale data center in the DFW area as a project manager.

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Brian Mangene believes a combination of hard work, commitment, and a willingness to learn distinguishes him in the electrical industry and that mentorship and on-the-job experience have been invaluable in his growth.

BRIAN MANGENE

Job Title: Electrical Engineer

Company: CannonDesign

Location: Buffalo, N.Y.

Age: 27; Years on the Job: 5

Interests: Staying active with personal fitness and spending quality time with his fiancé, whether it’s traveling, hiking, skiing, or playing golf. He also enjoys volunteering and community engagement.

Brian Mangene hailed from a family of electrical workers, which inspired him to pursue a career in electrical engineering

NATHAN MARCHIONE

Job Title: 4th Year Electrical Apprentice

Company: Eagle Electric Engineering

Enterprise

Location: Ashaway, R.I.

Age: 24; Years on the Job: 4

and his brother to work as an electrician. “Both my parents were electricians with IBEW Local 86 in Rochester, N.Y.,” he says. “Growing up, I was immersed in discussions about the construction side of the industry.”

Born and raised in Hilton, N.Y., he initially majored in mechanical engineering at SUNY Binghamton University but then shifted his focus to electrical engineering with the encouragement of his parents. After completing his bachelor’s degree in 2018, he pursued his master’s in electrical engineering at the University of Buffalo. This additional year of education allowed him to establish connections in the Buffalo, N.Y., area, where he began his career as an electrical engineer at CannonDesign in June 2019.

His internship experiences during his undergraduate years introduced him to the industry and key software tools. At CannonDesign, he’s further developed these skills and deepened his understanding of the National Electric Code and other industry standards. He’s also taken on mentoring roles, helping to guide and empower younger engineers while continually expanding his own knowledge base.

As a Level 03 electrical engineer at CannonDesign, he delegates tasks, mentors younger engineers, leads his own projects, and represents engineering during design and construction stages. Over time, his role has evolved to include more leadership and project management responsibilities.

“My favorite aspect of my role is seeing projects come to fruition and knowing they will positively impact others for years to come,” he says.

EC&M ALL STARS

Interests: Restoring cars, woodworking, and playing skeet on the weekends

Nathan Marchione started his training after high school in an industrial setting, which he says sets him apart from other young electrical professionals. Born in Ashaway, R.I., he graduated from Chariho High School and has been training to be an electrician for four years.

“The training that I received throughout the years has helped me better understand my trade and why we do things the way we do,” he says.

Marchione, a fourth-year apprentice, recently took his journeyman’s test for the state of Rhode Island. He says a day in the life at his company consists of many different tasks, and he starts his workday at 6 a.m. and ends it at 2:30 p.m.

“Some days I might be changing a light while other days I’m installing new machines and running the feed for said machine,” he says. “Over the years, I have slowly been trusted with more and more tasks based on my skill level and experience. Due to that, I have been given more responsibilities and expected to be able to do more than when I first started.”

Currently, he is wiring new machines that work with sheet metal, so he has been running all the feeds and in-

He serves as an electrical engineering design leader assisting in all power, lighting and controls, and fire alarm systems for projects.

stalling separate disconnects for everything with the machines.

“Working on the project has helped me understand the tap rules and the differences that come with each,” he says.

He says the new technology is a huge help for today’s electricians. “All the innovation with power tools has made our lives as electricians much easier — not to mention how far light technology has come,” he says. “Most of the old lights are big and bulky, but everything I install today is very light, small, and puts out a ton of light.”

He sees himself in the future being licensed in multiple states and having his master’s electrician license in his home state.

Nathan Marchione was lift certified very early in his career and feels comfortable operating them today as an electrical apprentice.

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2023 Category Winner

KELSEY MUCKELBAUER

Job Title: Control Engineer 3

Company: M.C. Dean

Location: Tysons, Va.

Age: 26; Years on the Job: 4

Interests: Playing tennis, exploring Washington D.C., trying new restaurants, reading, discussing books with her friends, and taking Pilates classes

Inspired by the hands-on and creative nature of an electronics class in college, Kelsey Muckelbauer embarked on a path to become a control engineer. After earning her undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Maryland, she received a post-baccalaureate certificate in computer science theory and practice at Drexel University.

Her undergraduate degree provided a solid foundation, but the unique challenges she faces in her job frequently deepen her understanding of electrical systems and designs.

“Almost every project I’ve undertaken as a control engineer has been an entirely new experience,” she says. “It’s rewarding to watch the controllers I programmed, tested, and installed help keep a mission-critical facility operational.”

Four years ago, she joined M.C. Dean as an engineer 1 and was responsible for programming controllers for a large federal building. She worked at her company’s modular manufacturing facility and went on site to install, test, and configure the controllers.

Now, as a control engineer 3, she is responsible for the design and implementation of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems for electrical power systems. She’s currently

WES NEWTON

Job Title: Service Technician

Company: Hill Electric Co.

Location: Anderson, S.C.

Age: 21; Years on the Job: 2

Interests: Getting outside and woodworking

WKelsey Muckelbauer has learned a lot since starting in the electrical engineering field, and she says it feels wonderful that her hard work is appreciated and recognized.

assigned as the primary engineer on multiple federal projects in the Washington, D.C. area. Her day-to-day activities vary from supporting design, programming, bid write-ups, and submittals to configuring, installing, and commissioning SCADA systems for multiple customers.

“The variability of supporting a project from cradle to grave keeps work exciting,” she says.

In the next five to 10 years, she envisions herself continuing to grow within the electrical industry.

EC&M ALL STARS

es Newton’s professor made electrical work fun and intriguing, which inspired him to pursue a career in the electrical trade. He enrolled in the mechatronics technology program at Anderson 1 & 2 Career and Technology Center and earned his associate’s degree before joining Hill Electric, which trains on the job.

Wes Newton says his favorite role at his company is maintaining a good relationship between his company and its customers.

“I hope to become an engineering leader within my group,” she says. “I also have my sights on returning to school and receiving my master’s in computer science.”

“The benefit to that is you get to see real-life situations where you and the people you are working under make important decisions in a timely manner with real-life consequences,” says Newton, who was born and raised in Donalds, S.C.

With the industry advancing at such a quick pace, he says it’s the job of electricians to inform customers about different products and ways of doing things. “Technology is paramount for today's electrical firms,” he says. “If you are not openminded and on the forefront of new products, then you are falling behind.”

He says to succeed in the electrical industry, it also takes work ethic and a care about your work. “If you show up with a good attitude and you care about your work, people will teach you what you need to know,” he says.

As an electrician, his day usually starts in the office acquiring material, and he then goes out to work on the jobs for the day. When he first started, his responsibilities were to take care of whatever tasks were assigned to him, but now, he also focuses on communicating with customers.

Currently, he is working on a lot of interior additions, such as bonus rooms and garages as well as exterior jobs, where people are getting their flood/entry lighting upgraded or repaired for the summer. “I am providing manpower and an open mind to these projects,” he says.

Ten years from now, he sees himself still working in the field but also picking up more and more management responsibilities. He says he is excited to be part of the 2024 EC&M 30 Under 30.

“It is an honor and an incredible opportunity,” he says.

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Tanner

strives to show up every day ready to learn, improve, and stay up to date with revisions or additions to the National Electrical Code.

TANNER NICKS

Job Title: Journeyman Electrician

Company: Pavletich Electric & Communications, Inc.

Location: Bakersfield, Calif.

Age: 25; Years on the Job: 6.5

Interests: Spending time with his wife and son and going fishing on a river

Following high school graduation, Tanner Nicks worked for his dad, a general contractor. “Through working for him, I found myself becoming interested in the electrical trade as well as the how and why electricity operates,” he says. “My oldest brother is a journeyman electrician who works for the same company I do.”

JOSE OBUSAN

Job Title: Electrical Engineer Company: P2S, Inc.

Location: Long Beach, Calif.

Age: 29; Years on the Job: 5

Born in Bakersfield, Calif., Nicks completed his five-year apprenticeship program through the Western Electrical Contractors Association (WECA). “The training I have received has given me the confidence and knowledge to be responsible for being in charge of jobs as well as the safety of others when working on the job site that I am in charge of,” he says.

As a journeyman electrician and lead for his company, his day begins with obtaining material for the daily work. He also sets aside work for employees depending on their knowledge and experience. He enjoys teaching the people who work for him faster ways to do certain tasks and answering questions about electrical installations or operation of electrical equipment.

“Teaching is a very rewarding process that my role includes,” he says.

He is currently working on a project involving the remodel of apartment homes for low-income residents. It includes new installations of devices as well as bringing the home up to current electrical code standards. He is also working on solar structure installations for fast-food chains.

Ten years from now, he hopes to be in a management position. To reach that goal, he plans to do additional schooling or training.

“I enjoy the work I do; however, we as tradesmen sacrifice physical labor to earn a living and that is not something I want to do until I am ready to retire,” he says. “In the long run, I hope to enjoy seeing my son grow and being able to keep up with him.”

EC&M ALL STARS

He is thankful to all the journeymen/leads and his family/ friends for their support and giving him the opportunity to become who he is today.

“Without them none of this would’ve been possible,” he says.

ects, and coordinating with other disciplines and vendors.

Interests: Loves music, making mixes, and practicing on his decks for his two biggest fans (his fiancée and their dog, Snax). During the winter, he tries to snowboard at least every other week.

Jose Obusan is the only electrical engineer in his family, but he grew up in a family of civil engineers with his uncle, brother, and cousin all trained in this discipline.

Born in the Philippines, he moved to San Jose, Calif., when he was eight years old. In 2018, he earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering with a power emphasis from California State University, Long Beach. He spent a few years working before obtaining his EIT certification. In 2022, he passed both the FE and PE exams, and, most recently, he earned his PE license. He’s now in the process of earning his master’s degree in electrical engineering.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to have worked in the MEP industry since 2019,” he says. “I have five-plus years of experience between three companies.”

Before coming to P2S, he completed single-family residential, multi-family residential, health care, and commercial projects. At his company, his role as an electrical engineer is mainly to support the lighting design studio. He is responsible for conducting field surveys, designing electrical proj-

“My responsibilities have changed since I first started tremendously,” he says. “Here at P2S, I take ownership of my own projects, and really do feel like an engineer who solves problems daily.”

He is currently working on a project to provide sports lighting for the Oxnard Community College athletic field. He was involved in surveying the campus’s electrical distribution system to identify a power source for the load. In his role, he says technology is an important tool in the industry.

“The better you are at utilizing technology, the more successful and efficient you will be at the job,” he says.

to being a

and he has access to many training opportunities at his company, including twice-a-week half-hour huddles on electrical engineering or BIM.

Nicks

Jose Obusan is committed

lifelong learner,

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JOSHUA ORTIZ

Job Title: Apprentice Electrician Company: Edgewood Electric

Location: Cincinnati

Age: 27; Years on the Job: 5

Interests: Spending time with his dogs, going on hikes, and working out

While working in the construction industry and specializing in concrete, Joshua Ortiz observed electricians at work on the job site. The electrical work seemed more interesting to him, which set him on a path to become an electrician.

Born in Puerto Rico, he was raised in the Dominican Republic until he moved to Illinois at the age of 10 years old. At the age of 18 years old, he moved to Cincinnati, where he attended college classes. He is currently enrolled to earn his journeyman’s license, and says in order to succeed in the trade, it takes determination. “I show up to work every day with the desire to learn and be better than the day before,” he says. “That’s key in growing your skillset.”

Like his fellow electricians, he works eight to 10 hours a day five to six days a week. He says a lot of the job is just showing up. Beyond that, he is relentless when it comes to improving himself.

“A lot of people spend time blaming other people for how things are going for them when they could be investing that time into flipping negatives into positives,” he says. “Perspective is very important.”

EVAN OWEN

Job Title: Project Engineer, Electrical Company: Core States Group

Location: Bentonville, Ark.

Age: 27; Years on the Job: 5

As a Level 3 apprentice, his daily responsibilities involve starting a new project or continuing one from the day before. He strives to arrive at work 20 minutes prior to start time. Once he is in the field, he focuses on roughing in offices and running conduit.

EC&M ALL STARS

“I love how it challenges me every day, and it’s making me better at my job,” he says. “Experience is necessary to be great at something. I plan to keep working and getting better and being open to learning new things.”

2024 U N DER30

Interests: Cooking, reading, fitness, spending time with his friends and family, and spending time at church

Electrical engineering classes were interesting and engaging for Evan Owen, whose grandfather was a master electrician.

“I’ve always had an interest in construction as well, so this particular industry is a great fit,” he says.

Born in Bentonville, Ark., Owen earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Arkansas, where he graduated in 2019. Upon graduation, he joined Core States Group. His main focus is on power systems engineering, but he has worked on several different teams over the years to gain experience.

“Finding a balance between continuing to gain that variety of experience while deepening my understanding of specific topics is important to improving the quality and efficiency of the work we put out,” he says.

As a project engineer, his day is spent working on power systems study projects.

“We take an existing electrical system, model it in software, run analyses, and produce a report on the overall health of the system and what recommendations we have based on the goals of the client,” he says. “As my experience has grown, the variety of tasks and amount of time spent helping newer employees has grown along with it.”

The power systems studies group at Core States Group is currently working with a large retailer to help it upgrade electrical distribution systems for its stores and fulfillment centers. The team is helping to prepare the retailer for its goals over the next few years.

“It’s exciting to see what the latest plans are for this major company,” he says.

In the energy industry, he says the use of technology is incredibly important, as it will help make them more efficient and accurate with work.

“We are consistently enhancing our existing tools to minimize time wasted and actively exploring new tools to streamline our project operations,” he says.

Joshua Ortiz transitioned from working with concrete to an aspiring electrician for Edgewood Electric.

Evan Owen plans to continue to grow his power systems engineering and management experience through new roles and more varied projects.

FAN/FIXTURE PAN BOX

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HAZEN RING

Job Title: Account Service Manager

Company: Vanguard Electrical

Location: Fort Worth, Texas

Age: 29; Years on the Job: 11

Interests: Caring for his one-year-old son, relaxing with his wife, and playing video games together

After attending a wood/metal shop class in middle school, Hazen Ring signed up for a construction technology class in high school, which taught the basics of almost every trade.

“After I learned more about the electrical trade, I really took a liking to it,” he says. “It was a lot of problem solving and outof-the-box thinking.”

The program was integrated with SkillsUSA, which became a major part of his high school experience. He achieved second place at the state level in the electrical division, and it’s been his career and passion ever since. Hazen spent two years at the IEC trade school in Fort Worth, Texas. He says that on-the-job training helped him to deal with critical situations, which is very important in the service management field.

As a service manager at Vanguard, his key responsibilities include managing the scheduling and financials on service projects and devising quick solutions to in-field issues. His day consists of scheduling service technicians, checking on job progression in the field and keeping up with customer relations/sales for new projects.

He says his work ethic sets him apart from others in the electrical trade. Case in point: He’s worked many 24-hour straight shifts as well as

KAROLINE SANDVIG

Job Title: Junior Project Manager

Company: Facility Solutions Group

Location: Manalapan, N.J.

Age: 28; Years on the Job: 3

127-hour work weeks to get the job done.

“When emergencies or deadlines happen in the electrical field, you have to be able to step up and do whatever it takes to solve the situation at hand,” he says. “Focus on being the solution.”

When it comes to technology, he says VR systems have transformed the electrical trade. Currently when applicable, he makes 3D renderings of installations or even complete electrical room layouts to give crews a good visual to go off of in the field.

Although Hazen Ring now works in the office, he still strives to show a strong presence in the field to better understand situations/projects and assist the crews.

“The addition of VR systems capable of showing a customer or trade a real-life rendering of a job site is mind blowing to me,” he says. “That sort of technology will greatly increase efficiencies and solve the many questions that arise during the building process.”

Down the road, he’d like to see himself as a service director, managing the ins and outs of all things related to electrical service with an ever-growing team.

EC&M ALL STARS

Interests: Spending time with her dog, Zuko, a German Shepherd-Husky mix; gardening and growing different plants, or herbs/vegetables; cooking and baking

Karoline Sandvig got interested in working in the electrical industry because of her dad, who works as an electrician.

Even though she grew up around the trade, she says she’s still fairly new in this field.

“Any chance that I have to ask questions or learn something new, I take it,” says Sandvig, who was born in New York City but moved to New Jersey when she was 10 years old. “I believe that being curious and willing to learn is key to success in any role.”

She earned her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a minor in sociology from Rider University and her master’s degree in homeland security, but, upon graduation, she took a different career path.“I decided to give being a project manager in electrical construction a try and have loved it ever since,” she says. “I find my job exciting because I learn something new every day.”

As a junior project manager, she manages material for the construction department and submits applications for midstream/prescriptive rebate programs through multiple utility companies. She also works with other project managers on her team and assists them with managing their projects. This work

“I plan on learning everything I can within my position and working hard to rise to the top,” he says.

entails creating/submitting lighting submittal packages, ordering/tracking material for the project, and creating close-outs. She enjoys the variety that comes with being a project manager because each day is different. “I never wanted a job where things felt repetitive,” she says. “Working in electrical construction has been a perfect fit because it constantly challenges me to improve.”

Her construction department is currently working on the fit out for SHI, and she is assisting the project manager with managing the lighting and controls for the entire project and helping to facilitate the submittal process from submissions, revisions, and approvals. “This is one of the more challenging projects that we have where there are so many moving parts and phases,” she says.

In five to 10 years, she sees herself as an experienced project manager in electrical construction.

Karoline Sandvig says it’s rewarding to overcome challenges on a project, and seeing a project finished is truly fulfilling.

FAN FIXTURE BOX

Arlington’s heavy-duty, plated steel fan/ fixture box has an adjustable bracket that mounts securely between joists spaced 16" to 24" o.c.

Flush ceiling installations

FBRS415 is designed for ceilings up to 1-1/4" thick. For 1/2" ceilings, use the pre-bent positioning tab. For other ceiling thicknesses, bend along the appropriate score line.

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IN/OUT™ fan/fixture boxes adjust up to 1-1/2" to accommodate varying ceiling thicknesses, like single or double FBA426 is Listed for fans up to 70 lbs; fixtures up to 100 lbs. Pre-set for 1/2" ceiling – depth adjustment screw positions the box flush with the ceiling after it’s in place Complies with 2020 NEC, 314.20 for set back boxes • (4) screws attach box securely to joist in new work

2-Hour Fire Rating

NATHAN SHAFER

Job Title: Project Manager

Company: Henkels & McCoy, Inc.

Location: Washington, D.C.

Age: 29; Years on the Job: 4

Interests: Trap shooting and playing golf

Nathan Shafer has always been interested in the construction industry and the various trades, but it was his brother, a proud member of the IBEW Local 70, who introduced him to the electrical industry.

CONNOR SMATHERS

Job Title: Project Manager I

Company: Stansell Electric

Location: Nashville, Tenn.

Age: 24; Years on the Job: 1

“Without him, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” he says.

Born in Hagerstown, Md., but raised in Waynesboro, Pa., he graduated from Waynesboro Area High School and later went onto college at John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Ark. He earned his bachelor’s degree in construction management, and he says the program stands out for its hands-on approach.

“I had the opportunity to learn directly from experienced professors who have been in the field, gaining valuable insights and practical skills that are important for success in the industry,” he says. “I have been able to apply my knowledge in real-world scenarios and develop a deep understanding of the complexities of construction projects.”

As a project manager, he kicks off each workday with the general foreman and crew foreman to align everyone on the day’s tasks and goals. He oversees various project tasks, coordinates different teams, monitors the overall project performance, and makes any necessary adjustments to keep it on track.

Currently, within the Pepco region, he is overseeing several distribution and transmission projects underway. These projects range from $1 million to in excess of $30 million and involve upgrading/modernizing the existing infrastructure to ensure reliable and efficient power delivery.

“These rebuild projects aim to enhance the overall reliability of the electrical grid by replacing aging equipment and improving power lines within the Pepco region,” he says.

In 10 years, he hopes to see himself at a senior level with Henkels & McCoy, Inc. To keep growing in his field, he plans on completing the PMP certification in the upcoming year.

EC&M ALL STARS

Interests: Watching sports, especially college football and basketball, and exploring new restaurants and bars around the city

Connor Smathers’ most influential experiences came from working in engineering labs at Central Magnet School.

“This school not only offered me the opportunity to study engineering, but it also shaped me into a well-rounded student and learner before continuing my education at the University of Alabama,” he says. “During my time at the university, I was introduced to power systems, which ultimately led me to explore a career in the electrical trade.”

During college, he interned at a local manufacturing company, where he was able to gain hands-on experience outside of the classroom both in the field and office settings. His training from the classroom and previous work experiences helped him to become the diligent problem-solver he is today, he says.

“Having to navigate through various obstacles that can arise throughout the day taught me to be versatile, flexible, and disciplined in my approach,” he says. “This has, so far, translated well into my career as a project manager for Stansell Electric Company.”

Currently, he is an entry-level project manager in the industrial and commercial division with Stansell Electric Company.

“H&M has been a great company with even better employees,” he says. “I’m excited to see what the future holds.”

He directly contributes to the delivery of a project whether it is documentation, communication with other trades, or communication within Stansell. Some of his key responsibilities include material procurement, schedule tracking, delivery of submittals and RFIs, as well as coordinating between internal and external parties.

Since he began working at the company, he has been working on a commercial high-rise and has learned the day-to-day schedule and tasks required to run a job smoothly from the project management side. He sees himself attaining future certifications, such as Lean Six Sigma or PMP.

Nathan Shafer says one of the most rewarding aspects of his current role is the opportunity to work closely with dedicated individuals in the field.

Connor Smathers says he is fortunate to have a supportive team around him that pushes him to excel in his career.

Plastic & Steel 8X10

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CLAYTON STAUFFER

Job Title: Lead Installer

Company: Capital City Solar Electric

Location: Roseville, Calif.

Age: 24; Years on the Job: 3

Interests: Traveling with his wife, spending time with family, and hanging out with friends. He also enjoys building different things for his house, watching movies, trap shooting, hunting, and camping.

Clayton Stauffer has always been interested in working in the trades. While working for a general contractor, he discovered his passion for electrical work. His father-inlaw is also an IBEW electrician, and he often asked him about his job.“He told me I would make a great electrician,” he says.

Stauffer, who was born in Ohio but moved to California when he was two years old, and has taken many different training sessions from vendors along with classes at WECA for the last three years while working full-time.

“All the training has prepared me for different jobs and installs we do at the company, and how to install them properly and safely,” he says. “With the constant evolution of batteries and solar panels, it feels like a never-ending cycle of training to keep up on.”

As a crew lead/foreman, his day starts at 6:30 a.m. in the shop, where he reviews the job folder and prints. He shows up 30 minutes before the crew to get a jumpstart on the day. During that time, he makes a list of tasks that need to get done and then delegates them to the crew as they arrive. After heading to the day’s job, his day typically ends at 3:30 p.m.

JONAH STEVENS

Job Title: Project Manager

Company: Eldeco, Inc.

Location: Pelham, Ala.

Age: 27; Years on the Job: 6

Clayton Stauffer’s favorite part of his job is getting to meet all sorts of different people — from different homeowners to people from different trades at a construction site.

His key responsibilities are keeping the crews busy and the shop organized, keeping updated on the material order list, and making sure photos are uploaded from jobs.

“My responsibilities have changed a lot from when I was first hired as an installer,” he says. “I was just someone to help and do what was asked of me, and now I have all sorts of different responsibilities.”

EC&M ALL STARS

His company is currently working on a lot of large photovoltaic system removal and repairs. He is serving as the lead on these projects and making sure information is getting relayed to the office about materials needed, progress updates, and finding solutions to issues that arise throughout the process. In five years, he sees himself with his journeyman card.

the work suited his personality and skillset.

“I really enjoyed getting into details, working with people, and watching the building progression,” he says.

Interests: Spending time with his son and daughter, playing golf, watching sports with friends, and going to watch baseball and football games at Mississippi State

As a senior in high school, Jonah Stevens noticed the demand and need for electrical professionals and thought the field would afford him plenty of opportunities. After interning for an electrical contractor, he discovered

While he doesn’t have any family members in the electrical trade, his uncle is a retired electrical engineer, and his dad and two brothers work in the construction industry.

Born and raised in Madison, Miss., he earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Mississippi State University. While in school, he was able to work three summer internships where he was exposed to estimating, project management, and field management.

“The pinnacle of my internships was being entrusted with a crew for the final six weeks to rough-in walls and ceilings in the common areas of a luxury hotel — my first real job,” he says.

“After graduating, I was working under a very talented project manager, and he trained me in a hands-on way. Of course, I have learned a ton since then, and I still do every day.”

Within the first year of his employment, he began to manage projects and lead others, which formed the basis of his training.

“It gave me a foundation to build on, and it has helped me with the learning curve and my confidence,” he says. “Being exposed to so much — and seeing how things actually unfold — gives me more realistic expectations.”

As a project manager, he is responsible for material procurement, submittals, change-order pricing, billing, project projections, field communication, and site visits. His favorite part is watching the job get built, but the challenging part is trying to meet the needs of the client and manage their expectations.

Jonah Stevens worked three summer internships before graduating from Mississippi State University and joining Eldeco, Inc.

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to a wood or metal stud, and position the cables. Next bend the strap at the foldline (centerline). Fold the strap over the cables and insert the locking tab in the opening as shown to hold

JACOB VOORHEES

Job Title: Associate Director, Commissioning — Technical Development

Company: DLB Associates Consulting Engineers PC

Location: Point Pleasant, N.J.

Age: 29; Years on the Job: 7

Interests: Going out to dinner with his wife and trying restaurants all around the Jersey Shore, spending time with their dog, and going kayaking and hiking

Jacob Voorhees first learned about the theory of electricity in a physics class at Stockton University. Fascinated by the topic, he switched his major from mathematics to physics and enrolled in a dual-degree, five-year program with three years of study at Stockton and two years at Rutgers University.

After graduating with honors with a bachelor’s degree in applied physics and electrical engineering, he landed a job at DLB as an electrical engineer, eager to learn.

“I have taken every opportunity to perform the best I possibly could at any type of work and project that I was presented with,” says Voorhees, who was born and raised in New Jersey at the Jersey Shore.

As the associate director, commissioning – technical development, he spends time in both the office and the field. For the past year, he has primarily performed work in the field in a training capacity to build the team’s technical knowledge and understanding on the many projects nationwide. He’s spent the last five years in the field leading projects and training others on data centers and developing internal standards and processes. He says his favorite part of his job is the constant learning experience.

SAHARAT VORACHITTI

Job Title: Electrical Engineer

Company: CDM Smith, Inc.

Location: Irvine, Calif.

Age: 28; Years on the Job: 5.5

“Every new project that I work on or new client that I work with, I get to see the inner workings of the largest tech companies in the world, how they operate, and what they value,” he says. “More importantly, I get to see how their data centers are designed and then use all this information to be innovative in how I approach problems.”

Jacob Voorhees is working on further developing and standardizing his company’s internal training and qualification process.

In his role, he is constantly doing research and looking at tools that can enhance the way his company operates and then discovering the best method for implementation. Case in point: One of the tools he developed in-house has saved the company hundreds of hours over the past year.

“Seeing the major success of what I developed makes me excited about how we can use technology and AI tools to enhance our operational efficiency” he says.

EC&M ALL STARS

Interests: Staying active, spending time with friends and family, traveling out of the country and to new states, practicing Muay Thai, learning new recipes through cooking and baking, and practicing breakdancing

Saharat Vorachitti has always been fascinated by the inner workings of everything from cars to streetlights and has had a lifelong interest in being an engineer. Born and raised in Phoenix, he earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Arizona State University. He interned at a local electrical engineering consultant firm his senior year, which provided him with experience and exposure.

“My training has helped me prepare for my current position by exposing me to real-world engineering challenges in which I have never been able to see in college,” he says. “It also helped me develop problem-solving skills and practical expertise.”

To continue learning and growing his skillset, he is engaging with his mentors often.“Learning from them has provided me valuable insights and guidance for many projects,” he says. “In addition, when I have time, I seek out opportunities to help expand my skillset by attending online courses or learning events.”

As an electrical engineer, his typical day includes meeting with project teams and senior electrical engineers, working on design review, calculations or coordinating with

As he considers his future career path, he says one of his big long-term goals is to give people working within his department an accelerated path to success with lots of opportunities.

other engineering disciplines, and providing technical guidance to junior engineers. Over time, he has shifted from primarily working on technical tasks to more leadership and project management responsibilities.

“One of my favorite parts of my role as an electrical engineer is the opportunity to work on diverse projects and solve complex problems,” he says. “Each project is different, so designing innovative solutions that meet client needs while maintaining budget and time constraints are the most challenging.”

Currently, he is working side-by-side with a senior electrical engineer on large-scale projects to complete them on time. In the future, he sees himself as a professional engineer with enough experience to start leading large-scale projects. To reach this goal, he plans to continue to expand his skills and expertise through learning and professional development opportunities.

Saharat Vorachitti continuously strives to expand his technical expertise and communication skills and improve himself in the electrical trade.

Arlington’s steel SliderBar™ offers the easy, NEAT way to mount single or two-gang boxes between wood or metal studs with non-standard stud cavities.

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Conner Willert thinks using new technology is pivotal to finding success in this industry. As such, he has been a beta tester of new software programs, tracking tools, and training classes at his company.

CONNER WILLERT

Job Title: Project Manager

Company: ArchKey Solutions

Location: Minneapolis

Age: 28; Years on the Job: 7

Interests: Backpack hunting, spending time with his girlfriend and family at their cabin, snowmobiling, golfing, and doing DIY projects around the house

Conner Willert’s interest in construction began in high school in Rosemount, Minn. He was inspired by his father, who works

JOSH WILSON

Job Title: Foreman

Company: Power Design, Inc.

Location: Charlotte, N.C.

Age: 24; Years on the Job: 6

as a project manager and system designer for a local electric utility co-op.“I enjoyed working with my hands and building things with my dad,” he says. “He helped guide me to a degree in construction management as he saw significant opportunities for young people entering the industry.”

He earned his bachelor’s of science degree in construction management with a minor in business management from North Dakota State University. During college, he learned about coordinating construction trades and managing contracts and accounting processes involved with tracking financial information on a project.

He also completed OSHA 30 training and earned a yellow belt in LEAN Principles, which helped him to break down a project and identify and improve inefficiencies in scheduling and installation. He continues to attend project management training sessions at ArchKey, NEC classes, and electrical theory training classes.

As a project manager, he starts his day between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. before the field staff arrive on the job. A typical day consists of communicating with field leadership, coordinating with trade partners, reviewing new drawing issuances, and pricing change-orders or potential new work opportunities.

“My No. 1 responsibility is making sure our field team has all the tools, materials, and information they need to be successful,” he says.

EC&M ALL STARS

Interests: Spending time with family and friends, fishing, kayaking, and just being in nature

Josh Wilson’s dad, grandfather, and great grandfather all worked in the electrical trade. His great grandfather worked as a line worker for Duke Energy, his grandfather performed industrial electrical installation in steel mills in Pittsburgh, and his father worked for Duke Energy in substation control wiring, residential, and commercial electrical.

“That really interested me to start my career in electrical,” Wilson says. “Also, I found how electrical systems actually worked to be fascinating.”

Born and raised in Charlotte, N.C., he went to trade school at ABC Carolina for four years of education and graduated with the eligibility of a journeyman’s license while working in the field daily.

During his career in the electrical trade, he has learned all the different types of systems his company offers, such as distribution, electrical rough-in, deck/slab electrical work and underground, fire alarm, low voltage, and controls. This education has shaped him to be prepared and knowledgeable for the position he’s in now.“To keep learning, I always inquire about things I may not know and to continue gaining knowledge from different people,” he says. “Many superintendents I have

In his job, he enjoys the challenge of being able to understand the role of and work with every department in his company. For example, he works closely with accounting, marketing, tools, purchasing, prefabrication and VDC departments on a weekly basis. He also enjoys seeing projects evolve from start to completion.

worked for over the years were very knowledgeable and helped me learn and progress to where I am today.”

As an electrical foreman, his day starts with devising a game plan and then communicating with his crew, ranging anywhere from five to 15 people at a time. Currently, he manages all the materials and is in charge of electrical rough-in of units, parking garages, and back-of-house. He also has a foreman meeting daily with all the other trades to review scheduling/coordinating work and identifying potential issues. At the end of the day, he ensures all the areas are cleaned and monitors the progress made.

Josh Wilson verifies electrical equipment and checks the blueprints.

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By Tim Kridel,

A growing number of brand-new and century-old colleges are offering training in electrical and other skilled trades. Here’s why and how they’re combining liberal arts, theology, and construction.

You know an industry is in big trouble when a dwindling number of teens and young adults see it as a career path. For decades, electrical and other trades have lamented that problem. Now higher education is, too. But that could turn out to be a good thing — and not just because misery loves company.

Since 2016, nearly 100 U.S. colleges have closed, merged, or announced plans to do so. Some were public, while most were private. However, the reasons were often the same: declining enrollment, which means declining tuition. The prospect of taking on five or six

figures of debt is a major, highly publicized turnoff for prospective students. But some observers say disenchantment is an equally important yet underappreciated factor.

“The last 10 years has seen a 10% drop in male enrollment in higher ed,” says David Michael Phelps, president of Harmel Academy of the Trades, based in Grand Rapids, Mich. “Some [colleges] are saying: ‘We’ve got to get our enrollment numbers up. We better think a little more about what we offer.’ But notice what’s happening there. They’re not saying, ‘Why did they leave?’”

Demographic trends also are stifling enrollment, which is why some

established liberal arts colleges are expanding into the trades. One example is Stephens College, founded in Columbia, Mo., in 1833. In April 2024, Stephens launched Women in Trades, a pre-apprenticeship program.

“We have a cliff that all academic institutions are headed for: a significant reduction in the number of people that are going to be 18 years old, just due to the birth rates,” says Scott Taylor, dean of workforce development and continuing education program chair. “It’s causing us to shift our focus from the traditional 18-year-old college student to looking for opportunities to serve that more nontraditional student base. This is something Stephens College has not really pursued much of in the past. We felt it was a good opportunity for us to really reevaluate what our programs are and more closely align [with] industry demands.”

And with what people are increasingly telling high schoolers: Eighty percent of Americans would recommend the skilled trades as a top career choice when advising younger generations, according to the 2024 3M State of

Freelance Writer

Courtesy of Stephens College

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Graduates of the six-year program at the College of St. Joseph the Worker leave with both a bachelor’s degree in Catholic Studies and at or near journeyman status in electrical, carpentry, plumbing, or HVAC.

Science Insights report. That’s ahead of STEM jobs (75%) and green jobs (70%).

THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

Harmel is among a growing number of new colleges offering training in electrical, carpentry, and other skilled trades alongside academics such as the liberal arts. Founded in 2020, Harmel also is part of a trend within this trend: Catholic schools specializing in the trades. Its namesake is Léon Harmel, a 19th-century French Catholic industrialist who championed the dignity of manual work, which inspired two Popes to enshrine that concept in Catholic doctrine.

In a sense, colleges such as Harmel are adapting a pedagogical model from high school vo-tech programs, where students spend part of the day in academics and another learning a trade. At the collegiate level, this hybrid model means teens and young adults no longer have to choose between literature and making a good living.

“My wife Helen and I taught The Great Books at Hillsdale College and Wyoming Catholic College, but I’ve always been interested in the trades and was concerned that they had been divorced from the liberal arts,” says John Freeh, co-founder and president of Kateri College of the Liberal & Practical

Arts in Gallup, N.M. “What was needed was a side-by-side education in the liberal arts for the sake of [students’] own humanity: for the sake of their ability to think and appreciate beauty and reason. This hybrid model helps people have a sense of pride in their manual work, but also in such a way that we don’t ignore their general education.”

GETTING THE WORD OUT

Set to open in 2025, Kateri is aiming for an inaugural class of 30 to 40 students, similar to its peers. Altogether, that’s admittedly a drop in the bucket compared to the roughly 300,000 open construction jobs. But if these schools fill to capacity over the next few years, their success could inspire others to follow suit and attract more funding from contractors and unions.

“We’re hoping to work something out whereby we can say, ‘Help us out maybe with equipment, with some scholarship money, and we could guarantee that in a couple of years, you would have a ready pool of qualified workers that you can hire,’” Freeh says.

Another key to long-term success is building awareness among prospective students, their parents, and high school guidance counselors. One way small, new colleges can do that is by leveraging

their faith, such as by working with dioceses to reach their region’s churches and Catholic high schools. It also turns out that simply offering an alternative gets attention.

“We haven’t done anything like a concerted marketing or recruiting campaign,” says Harmel’s Phelps. “The 21 guys we have right now come from 12 states, and that’s all word of mouth. I account for that in two ways. One is we tend to get a lot of students from nontraditional schooling paths. For example, homeschooling families tend to be willing to try new things because they aren’t necessarily going to pigeonhole the formation of their children into whatever’s expected. Also, Catholic schools and classical [education private] schools are willing to try new things. That’s a pretty tight-knit community, so word travels.”

FACULTY ON A MISSION

Another challenge is finding enough qualified faculty — especially for schools in smaller cities.

“That was one of my biggest hurdles,” says Stephens’ Taylor. “I was fortunate enough to find a retired journeyman carpenter who met the qualifications to teach the introduction courses. He’s already taught carpentry to high school vo-tech students, and he’s going through training to deliver the pre-apprenticeship content.”

As traditional trade schools learned long ago, academia can be a tough sell to journeymen and masters when they can make a lot more in the private sector. But some might be willing to make that pivot if they feel a calling to serve, whether it’s for religious or secular reasons.

“We want to be able to pay them, if not as much as they would make having their own business, then at least a living wage — a good wage,” says Kateri’s Freeh. “But they would have to see the value of this education almost as a kind of a calling or mission.”

In other cases, simply offering an alternative career path can be as attractive to veteran professionals as it is to prospective students.

“The faculty will be people who are skilled in the trades but at least have an appreciation for the liberal arts,” Freeh says. “That’s not always an easy combination to find. I’m talking with a gentleman later today whose background is in philosophy and literature, but he also grew

Courtesy of The College of St. Joseph the Worker

up in a family of construction [workers]. So he’s kind of the perfect guy for us.”

LADIES FIRST

Many of the new colleges are co-ed — good news for an underrepresented demographic.

“Nationally, 10% of the construction workforce is made up of women,” Taylor says. “I feel that’s a very optimistic number. Talking to the contractors in our state, 5% is probably more realistic. So [the industry] is basically neglecting 50% of the available workforce.”

But Stephens also wanted to know why women weren’t exploring construction careers.

“One of the big things we saw was their inability to walk away from a remedial job that they have right now — a complete loss of salary — to try to get the training credentials they need to get into one of those earn-and-learn, registered mentorship programs,” Taylor says. “So while they’re going through their training, we’re going to pay them $15.00 an hour. We’re also providing child care and, if necessary, transportation to and from our facility and any job site we utilize for training.”

Stephens also is working to make those job sites less daunting, which is another common barrier to women entering the trades.

“We’re hoping to partner with contractors that are willing to put these women to work in teams of at least two [so] they have a sense of camaraderie, and they’re not alone in a male-dominated workforce,” Taylor says. “A lot of our contractors have said: ‘We need people anyway. So if we can get two qualified individuals that are female, we’re more than happy to put them together on a team and put them under the same super or project manager.’”

Stephens is using content from the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), which could help make Women in Trades more attractive to potential students by fast-tracking their apprenticeships and careers.

“All the union training centers have evaluated the courses that I’m offering,” Taylor says. “They’re like, ‘This is going to be an opportunity for us to truncate some of the required training we’ll have for those who want to go the union pathway.’ They won’t have to take as

many courses in that first year as they normally would.”

THE MORE YOU LEARN

Considering that roughly 100 colleges have closed in recent years due to financial pressures, it might come as a surprise to learn that Stephens didn’t develop Women in Trades to create a new revenue stream.

“We’re not making any money on this,” Taylor says. “It’s actually costing us money because we’re funding this internally. We see it as an opportunity to open the door and hopefully develop a model that will then be attractive to sponsors and grant organizations.”

Another surprise is that the inaugural class includes a few college graduates who believe hands-on training will give them a leg up.

“Two graduating seniors with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a management emphasis are going into the program,” Taylor says. “[They want] to get an apprenticeship and then work their way up to project manager in a construction firm.”

Another type of interdisciplinary study is underway at The College of St. Joseph the Worker in Steubenville, Ohio, where students get exposure to multiple trades during their first year.

“So when students get into their specific trade and specialize, they will

have at least a fundamental knowledge of all the other trades,” says Mike Sullivan, president. “One of the things I’ve seen on the job in my career is that the different tradesmen don’t consider the effects that their work might have on others. We give them the full scope of a residential build from start to finish. It’s one of the innovations that we think will help an electrician be a better electrician and a plumber be a better plumber.”

This approach also benefits students who want to learn a trade but aren’t sure which one — like students who enroll in liberal arts colleges as undeclared majors.

“There’s a year of discernment before a student just jumps into something that their uncle or somebody recommended,” Sullivan says. “They actually get their hands on it and see what they’d like to do before committing. The first year, they’re not committed to a specific trade. They’ll do that at the beginning of their second year. I think it will help with retention, too, because then they’re making a decision based on actual experience rather than just what they think about something.”

Tim Kridel is an independent analyst and freelance writer with experience in covering technology, telecommunications, and more. He can be reached at tim@timkridel.com.

Some of the students in Stephens College’s Women in Trades program have a bachelor’s degree in business administration. They see the hands-on training and subsequent apprenticeship as a pathway to positions such as project managers.

Courtesy of Stephens College

PRODUCT NEWS

Wiring Protection

Liquatite polyurethane jacketing addresses stringent data center safety standards by being a halogen-free material, which reduces the risk of toxic smoke and fire spread. These conduits are a low-fire hazard solution, featuring self-extinguishing properties that enhance safety in enclosed spaces. Additionally, colored conduits are available to help identify critical wiring infrastructure, with common options like computer blue and red and the flexibility to blend colors to meet specific requests. Furthermore, Liquatite products are UL and CSA certified.

Electri-Flex Company

Switch and Dimmer

The company expanded its Decora Smart Z-Wave Plus portfolio with the introduction of the new 800-Series switch and dimmer. These devices are backward compatible with any Z-Wave network, are Z-Wave Plus v2 certified, and meet the Z-Wave specification for speed and performance as well as S2 Security, Over the Air firmware updates, and SmartStart QR code enrollment. The dimmer offers full-range dimming of LED, CFL, incandescent, halogen, and MLV lighting and is designed for LED compatibility. The switch controls a variety of load types, with on/off switching up to 15A and 3/4-hp for lights, ceiling fans, exhaust fans, motors, pumps, and more. Both the dimmer and switch are single-pole or 3-way capable.

Leviton

Ground Rods

The company has expanded its ground rod line to include new knurled copperbonded ground rods for use in electrical T&D applications. The knurled rods eliminate the need for additional tooling and the time required to use it, making the installation of the compression lug to the ground rod a one-step process, according to the company. The rods have a heavy, uniform coating of copper metallurgically bonded to a rigid steel core for longevity in most soils. They are listed to UL-467 with a 10-mil minimum copper plating.

Galvan Industries

Buffer Tape

The Buffer tube felt tape is available in black, blue, or 12 assorted colors to easily identify cable paths. The ultra-slim thickness, multiple colors for cable segregation, and pliability allows felt to protect fiber splices from slipping and abrasion. It is compatible with all low-voltage cable jackets and can be used as a buffer under zip ties and entry points. The product is ultra-thin and features adhesive backing for fast, easy installation.

LYNN

Specification Platform

SpecLive Collaborate is a platform designed to modernize and streamline product specification and content integration for professionals. It provides specifiers and engineers with a simple, streamlined experience for evaluating the company’s solutions. This platform keeps essential technical product data intact by providing real-time access to cloud-hosted specification content, reducing coordination gaps for the duration of the specification process. The platform is available as part of the company’s Specifier toolkit.

Schneider Electric

Construction Jack

TOUGHSERIES Construction Jack is a heavy-duty, hands-free lifting tool designed for a wide range of applications. According to the company, it features a lift capacity of up to 340 lb and a lift height of 83/4 in. The product features a step-to-lift function enabled by the reinforced-handle for hands-free lifting; the handle can also be squeezed by hand when preferable or operated with a precision-controlled lowering tab that assists with fine-tuned adjustments when leveling. In addition, a no-load quick release button instantly sets the tool under the area of application, and the slim, tapered base provides efficient under-application access while counter sunk holes offer additional flush mount support.

DEWALT

CODE BASICS

NEC Requirements for Solar — Part 2

The circuit requirements for PV systems have two major “add-ins” versus those of other circuits.

By Mike Holt, NEC Consultant

Fig. 1. Section 690.7(D) requires a permanent, readily visible label indicating this voltage to be installed at one of the listed locations.

Part II of Art. 690 provides the circuit requirements for PV systems. The first requirement it covers is the maximum PV system direct-current (DC) circuit voltage. This value is used when selecting conductors, cables, and equipment, determining working space, and other applications where circuit voltage ratings are used. The maximum PV system DC circuit voltage is the highest voltage between any two conductors of a circuit. It must comply with Sec. 690.7(1), (2), and (3). Essentially, this value is limited to 1,000V for multifamily, commercial, and industrial buildings, and limited to 600V for oneand two-family residential buildings.

Where it exceeds 1,000V, the system must be installed per Sec. 690.31(G).

You determine this voltage by one of three methods:

• Manufacturer’s Instructions. The PV system DC source circuit voltage equals the sum of the seriesconnected DC modules’ open-circuit voltage (Voc) in a PV string circuit as corrected for the lowest expected ambient temperature using the manufacturer’s voltage temperature coefficient correction [Sec. 690.7(A)(1)].

• Table of Crystalline and Multicrystalline Modules. The PV system DC source circuit voltage equals the sum of the series-connected DC modules’ rated open-circuit voltage (Voc) in

a PV string circuit as corrected for the lowest expected ambient temperature per Table 690.7(A).

• Engineered Industry Standard Method. For PV systems with an inverter generating capacity of 100kW or greater, the PV system DC circuit voltage can be determined by a licensed professional electrical engineer who provides a documented and stamped PV system design using an industry standard method for maximum DC voltage calculation.

You must also calculate the DC-toDC converter circuit voltage based on the manufacturer’s instructions [Sec. 690.7(B)(1) or (B)(2)]:

• For a single DC-to-DC converter, it’s equal to the rated output DC voltage of the converter (optimizer).

• For series-connected DC-to-DC converters, it’s equal to the sum of the rated output voltage of the converters.

CIRCUIT CURRENT AND CONDUCTOR SIZING

Install a permanent, readily visible label indicating this voltage at one of these locations [Sec. 690.7(D)], as shown in Fig. 1:

(1) PV system DC disconnect

(2) PV system electronic power converters

(3) Distribution equipment associated with the PV system

If the PV system is rated below 100kW, the maximum PV system circuit current is 125% of the sum of the short-circuit current ratings of the PV modules connected in parallel [Sec. 690.8(A)(1)(a)(1)].

If it’s rated 100kW or more, the requirements are considerably greater

CODE BASICS

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OCPDs for PV source (DC) circuits must be listed for PV systems per Sec. 690.9(B).

[Sec. 690.8(A)(1)(a)(2)]. Among other things, it must be based on the highest three-hour current average resulting from the simulated local irradiance on the array accounting for elevation and orientation. In no case is the PV source circuit DC current permitted to be less than 70% of the PV source circuit DC current as calculated in Sec. 690.8(A)(1)(a)(1).

Where a circuit is protected with an overcurrent protective device (OCPD) not exceeding the conductor ampacity, the maximum current is permitted to be the rated input current of the inverter to which it is connected [Sec. 690.8(A)(2)].

PV circuit conductors must have an ampacity of at least the largest of Sec. 690.8(B)(1) or (B)(2):

(1) Conductor Sizing. PV circuit conductors must have an ampacity of at least 125% of the current as determined by Sec. 690.8(A).

Exception: Where the assembly, including the OCPDs protecting the circuit(s), is listed for operation at 100% of its rating, the ampere rating of the OCPD can be sized to 100% of the continuous and noncontinuous loads

(2) Conductor Sizing, With Ampacity Correction and/or Adjustment. PV circuit conductors must have an ampacity of at least 100% of the current as determined by Sec. 690.8(A) after conductor

ampacity correction [Table 310.15(B)(1) (1)] and adjustment [Table 310.15(C)(1)].

Where overcurrent is provided for parallel-connected PV string circuits, the conductor ampacity must be at least [Sec. 690.8(D)]:

(1) The rating of the overcurrent device.

(2) The sum of the currents as calculated in Sec. 690.8(A)(1)(a) for the other parallel-connected PV string circuits protected by an overcurrent device.

OVERCURRENT PROTECTION

PV system DC circuit and inverter output conductors and equipment must be protected against overcurrent [Sec. 690.9(A)]. But OCPDs are not required where these two conditions are met [Sec. 690.9(A)(1)]:

(1) The PV system DC circuit conductors have an ampacity of at least the DC current per Sec. 690.8(B).

(2) Where the currents from all PV sources do not exceed the OCPD rating specified by the manufacturer for the PV module or electronic power converters (inverters and DC-to-DC converters).

OCPDs are required for PV system circuit conductors connected at one end to a current-limited supply and also connected to sources having an available circuit current greater than the ampacity of the conductor at the

point of connection to the higher current source [Sec. 690.9(A)(2)].

PV circuit conductors that do not comply with Sec. 690.9(A)(1) or (A)(2) must have overcurrent protection by one of the four methods described in Sec. 690.9(A)(3)(1) through (4). For example, PV circuit conductors that are not in a building and are not longer than 10 ft must have overcurrent protection at one end of the circuit.

OCPDs for PV source (DC) circuits must be listed for PV systems [Sec. 690.9(B)], as shown in Fig. 2 on page 58.

Electronic devices that are listed to prevent backfeed in PV DC circuits are permitted to prevent overcurrent of conductors on the PV array side of the electronic device.

OCPDs required by Sec. 690.9(A)(2) must comply with one of the following (the next higher standard size OCPD per Sec. 240.4(B) is permitted).

(1) OCPDs for PV circuits must have an ampere rating of at least 125% of the currents as calculated in Sec. 690.8(A).

(2) Where the assembly — together with its OCPD(s) — is listed for continuous operation at 100% of its rating, the OCPD can be sized at 100% of the currents as calculated in Sec. 690.8(A).

A single OCPD on one of the two circuit conductors can be used to protect PV modules and DC-to-DC converter circuit conductors [Sec. 690.9(C)]. Where a single OCPD is used, it must be placed in the same polarity for all circuits within the PV system.

PV system DC circuits, on or in a building, operating at 80VDC or greater must be protected by a listed PV arc-fault circuit interrupter or other component listed to provide equivalent protection [Sec. 690.11].

Arc fault protection is not required for PV system DC circuits in metal raceways, metal-clad cables, enclosed metal cable trays, or underground if they meet either exception condition in Sec. 690.11.

RAPID SHUTDOWN

The rapid shutdown function reduces the risk of electrical shock to firefighters. The AC output conductors from PV systems will be either de-energized after shutdown initiation or remain energized if supplied by other sources of power. To prevent PV systems with

AC output conductors from remaining energized, they must be controlled by the rapid shutdown function after shutdown initiation.

PV system circuits on or in a building must have a rapid shutdown function per Sec. 690.12(A) through (D), as shown in Fig. 3.

A rapid shutdown system will use three strategies: controlled conductors [Sec. 690.12(A)], controlled limits [Sec. 690.12(B)], and initiation device [Sec. 690.12(C)]. The requirements for these can be a bit complex. For example, if you have controlled limits, there is one requirement for outside the array boundary and another for inside the array boundary. If inside the array boundary, you can choose between two requirements [Sec. 690.12(B)(1) and (2)]. Here’s one of them: “The PV system provides shock hazard control for firefighters by using a PV hazard control system installed per the manufacturer’s instructions. Where a PV hazard control system requires initiation to transition to a controlled state, the rapid shutdown initiation device [Sec. 690.12(C)] must perform this initiation”

Two exceptions to the mandatory rapid shutdown function exist:

Exception No. 1: A rapid shutdown function is not required for

ground-mounted PV system conductors that enter buildings whose sole purpose is to house PV system equipment.

Exception No. 2: PV equipment and circuits installed on nonenclosed detached structures including, but not limited to, parking shade structures, carports, solar trellises, and similar structures, are not required to comply with the rapid shutdown requirements of Sec. 690.12.

A building with a rapid shutdown function must have a permanent label indicating the location of all rapid shutdown initiation devices. It must be near the service equipment or at an approved readily visible location [Sec. 690.12(D)] and meet the specifications of Sec. 690.12.

DON’T MISS THE DETAILS

You may be thinking the circuit requirements for PV systems are not all that different than the ones for other applications. You just have to determine the DC system voltage on the front end and add a rapid shutdown on the back end. That’s not a bad way to sum it up. Just don’t miss all of the details in those two add-on tasks.

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.

Fig. 3. PV system circuits on or in a building must have a rapid shutdown function per Sec. 690.12(A) through (D).

Test Your Code IQ

By Mike Holt, NEC Consultant

All questions and answers are based on the 2023 NEC.

Q1: The number of receptacle outlets for guest rooms in hotels and motels shall not be less than that required for a dwelling unit. These receptacles shall be located to be convenient for permanent furniture layout, but at least receptacle outlet(s) shall be readily accessible.

a) one c) three

b) two d) four

Q2: Dry-type transformers 1,000V nominal or less and not exceeding that are installed in hollow spaces of buildings and not permanently closed in by the structure shall not be required to be readily accessible.

a) 10kVA

b) 25kVA

c) 50kVA

d) 112.50kVA

Q3: Each multiconductor cable installed in conduit in a Class I, Division 1 location shall be considered as a single conductor if the cable is incapable of transmitting through the cable core.

a) gases or vapors

b) dust

c) flyings

d) any of these

Q4: The minimum service-entrance conductor size shall have an ampacity not less than the maximum load to be served after the application of any factors.

a) adjustment

b) correction

c) demand

d) adjustment or correction

Q5: If the grounding electrode conductor to a ground rod does not extend to other types of electrodes, the grounding electrode conductor shall not be required to be larger than copper wire.

a) 10 AWG c) 6 AWG

b) 8 AWG d) 4 AWG

Q6: For PV system rapid shutdown systems, controlled conductors located outside the array boundary — or more than 3 ft from the point of entry inside a building — shall be limited to not more than within 30 seconds of rapid shutdown initiation.

a) 80V c) 30V

b) 50V d) 15V

See the answers to these Code questions online at ecmweb.com/55091172.

CODE VIOLATIONS

Illustrated Catastrophes

By Russ LeBlanc, NEC Consultant

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

SO MANY QUESTIONS NEED ANSWERS

I’m not sure what caused the flexible metal conduit (FMC) to break open the way it did in this installation, but it leaves me questioning the integrity of the required bonding and grounding paths specified in Sec. 250.4(A) (1)-(5). Is there still an effective ground-fault current path? Does this broken metal raceway still provide the electrical continuity specified in Sec. 300.10?

This broken FMC also has me questioning the integrity of the conductor insulation. Has it been compromised because of a nick, gouge, or slice in the insulation? Was this damage intentional? Was this a mistake and abandoned in place? One conductor appears to be completely cut off. Is it energized? I did not have a voltage meter with me when I spotted this installation, and I could not verify whether it was energized or not.

Section 348.12(7) does not permit installing FMC where it is exposed to physical damage. It sure looks like this FMC has suffered some physical damage. Section 348.2 prohibits FMC from being reconditioned, so there is no fixing this FMC. It will need to be removed. Section 110.12(B) prohibits broken or damaged parts that adversely affect the safe operation or mechanical strength of equipment. Many answers are certainly needed here.

CRAZY CORD CONNECTION

SO MANY QUESTIONS NEED ANSWERS

I saw this arrangement right above a sink in the men’s bathroom of a restaurant. The power for that metal luminaire is being fed from a 2-wire flexible cord. There is no equipment grounding conductor connected to this fixture as required by Sec. 410.42. The flexible cord also appears to be pinched between the fixture canopy and the wall.

Section 400.17 requires flexible cords and flexible cables to be protected by a fitting or bushing where passing through holes in covers, boxes, or other enclosures. A damaged cord could result in the entire metal fixture becoming energized, creating a severe shock hazard. As specified in Sec. 400.12(1), flexible cords, flexible cables, power supply cords, and cord sets are not permitted to be used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure. Section 400.12(2) prohibits running flexible cords, flexible cables, power supply cords, and cord sets through holes in walls, floors, or ceilings. There is no outlet box installed for this fixture and its conductor splices. When using cable wiring methods, Sec. 300.15 requires a box or other enclosure to be installed at each outlet point — and where conductors are spliced or terminated.

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Arlington Industries, Inc. 53 800-233-4717 www.aifittings.com

Atkore IFC www.atkore.com

Champion Fiberglass, Inc. 7, BC www.championfiberglass.com

Mike Holt Enterprises IBC 888-632-2633 www.mikeholt.com

Orbit Industries, Inc. 15 213-451-6091 www.orbitelectric.com Progressive Insurance 1 www.ProgressiveCommercial.com

S-P Products, Inc. 5 800-233-8595 www.SPProducts.com

SupplyHouse.com 13 www.supplyhouse.com

Underground Devices, Inc. 3 847-205-9000 www.udevices.com

(Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of this index. However, the publisher cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions.)

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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: That’s some kooky EMT work.

‘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

For kitchens, family rooms, dining rooms, parlors, libraries, dens, sunrooms, bedrooms, recreation rooms, and similar areas in dwelling units, Sec. 210.52(A)(1) requires receptacle outlets to be spaced so that no point along the floor line of any wall space is greater than 6 ft from a receptacle outlet. The wall space between the bottom stair and the door for the under-stair storage space has no receptacle outlets. This wall space is greater than 2 ft wide and is included in the requirements for 125V, 15A or 20A receptacle outlets as specified in Sec. 210.52(A)(2).

In lieu of installing receptacle outlets in the walls, Sec. 210.52(A)(3) permits receptacle outlets to be installed in or on floors. But that did not happen here either, leaving the occupants running extension cords for any TVs, computers, or any other electrical equipment they may want at this wall space. One of the main ideas behind Sec. 210.52 receptacle outlet requirements is to reduce the need for running extension cords.

Our winner this month was Kevin Redman, an EC&M reader from Escondido, Calif. He knew there were receptacle outlets missing from this installation.

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