Ten trends that are poised to shape next year’s electrical construction market. Read more on pg. 24
The Economic Cost of Power Quality Problems pg. 8 Tips for Tool Tethering pg. 12 The Lagging Transition to LEDs in Schools pg. 18
Busway Installation and Troubleshooting Tips pg. 46 Three Phases of a Successful First Site Visit pg. 52
be
Here are some key factors to consider as well as best practices to employ when taking on
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:
SAFETY QUIZ: WHAT’S YOUR ELECTRICAL SAFETY IQ?
Quiz It’s time to test your knowledge on electrical safety concepts. See if you can answer them all! ecmweb.com/55241518
THE BEST OF THE WORST: 2024’S MOST INTERESTING WHAT’S WRONG HERE PHOTOS — PART 1
Gallery A look at the most bizarre “what’s wrong here” photos we ran this year. ecmweb.com/55247067
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE 2023 REVISION COSTS DRAW DEBATE
National Electrical Code Housing affordability concerns doom effort in Nebraska’s largest city to keep expanded NEC protections state removed. ecmweb.com/55248325
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By Ellen Parson, Editor-in-Chief
Every December, we sift through all of the construction forecast reports and predictions we can get our hands on to give you a big picture look at what to expect next year. Taking the lead on this project is our own resident data expert Jim Lucy, editor-in-chief of EC&M’s sister publications, Electrical Wholesaling and Electrical Marketing newsletter. Not only has Jim covered the electrical industry for 40 years, but he also has written hundreds of articles on market trends as well as given presentations to C-suite executives, industry groups, and investment analysts on the state of the industry and construction forecast data. What’s in store for the electrical construction market in 2025? Based on his analysis, Jim expects the U.S. electrical construction market to see low single-digit growth, given the fact that there are still several unknowns in play. Many construction economists were slow to offer economic forecasts for 2025 until after November 5 — waiting to see how the presidential election might influence market trends going forward. Right after the results were in, revealing that Donald Trump will be the 47th president of the United States, the EC&M editorial team put together a quick 10-question survey to gauge the electrical industry’s initial reaction and provide a “vibe check” after the vote. This quick analysis from more than 280 respondents offers a snapshot of how the electrical market is feeling in the wake of the presidential election. Scroll through the survey results at ecmweb.com/55245228 to explore potential correlations between sentiment toward the election results and anticipated changes in business behavior and market conditions. This survey also gives us a glimpse into some of the “unknowns” factors with responses to the following questions:
• What areas of business could be most affected by the election outcome?
• How will the new Administration handle key economic issues like inflation, unemployment, and business regulation?
• Will the outcome of the election put the CHIPS and Science Act or the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in danger of being repealed, affecting projects already in the works or planned for the next few years?
• Will a Trump presidency have a significant impact on capital spending in the electrical industry? If so, how?
• Will a Trump presidency lead to favorable policies for electrical workers, such as enhanced safety regulations?
• If implemented in 2025, how will Trump’s proposed plan and intention to increase tariffs on foreign goods entering the United States affect material prices in the electrical market?
Overall, electrical professionals have much to look forward to in 2025 if demand for new construction projects and renovation work picks up as expected. According to Jim Lucy in the cover story, the big “if” is whether or not interest rates will decline enough next year to have an impact on still-pricey construction loans and mortgages for new homes. In addition to interest rates, uncertainty also exists around the extent to which the Trump Administration will affect policy change on major issues like deregulation, tariffs, labor shortages, and infrastructure investment. For example, a reduction in regulatory burdens (such as environmental, permitting, and labor rules) as well as investments in domestic manufacturing and large-scale infrastructure projects could prove to be positive for the electrical industry. However, tighter immigration policies and increased tariffs on foreign goods could lead to increased material costs and exacerbate existing worker shortages, putting an even bigger strain on an already overextended construction labor market.
As noted in our survey results, electrical professionals will definitely be waiting and watching to see how the new Administration’s policies ultimately impact the U.S. construction industry. Until we see what transpires, don’t miss this months’ cover story, outlining the 10 most important market drivers EC&M and Electrical Wholesaling magazines expect to shape the 2025 construction market.
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Accurately determining the financial impact of PQ issues is key to addressing these problems head on and preventing future ones.
By Noah D. Keebler, PBE Engineers, LLC
Facing power quality (PQ) problems head-on requires facility engineers and managers (FEMs) first to find out if a PQ problem exists, and — if it does — then how it is affecting the plant’s operations. The key question that must be answered is, “What is the financial impact on the company?” This question must be answered with a reasonable amount of accuracy.
Understanding how to determine the financial impact and identify the factors creating the problem is critical when it comes time to invest in
understanding, identifying, solving, and preventing (UISP) PQ problems. Since PQ problems can affect the entire plant operation, it is understandably difficult for plant managers to determine, document, and appropriately absorb their financial impact and the factors that make it up.
The financial impact and varying factors that make up the true cost of PQ problems are referred to as “PQ economics.” Here are examples of the financial effects associated with PQ issues:
• Fines for delivering products and/
or services to plant customers late may significantly impact plant profits and performance.
• Products and/or services for the plant’s customers may be delayed.
• Products may be defective or damaged during production.
• Production and/or plant support equipment may have malfunctioned rendering it unavailable or may have been damaged or experienced failure,
• Costs to repair, rent, or replace a piece of equipment may not be known before PQ problems occur.
www.electricalmarketing.com is loaded with electrical market sales forecasts and related industry data for the 2025 market planning season.
In addition to keeping electrical executives current on the latest electrical market news, Electrical Marketing newsletter now offers a unique package of Electrical Sales Potential estimates at the national, state and local area, as well as state and national sales estimates for 17 key electrical products. This package of data and industry news is not available anywhere else in the electrical market. You can get it today as part of a special $99 annual subscription to Electrical Marketing
As part of your $99 annual subscription, you get both online access to this data and 24 issues of Electrical Marketing newsletter, available either in print or online in a convenient downloadable PDF format. Included in Electrical Marketing’s new package of industry data:
State & Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) data
Updated quarterly
Electrical Marketing’s estimates for total electrical sales, as well as estimates for the electrical contractor and industrial market – the two core electrical market that account for more than 75% of all electrical sales through full-line distributors.
County-Level Sales Data
Updated twice-a-year
Drill down to the core electrical sales potential in the electrical contractor and industrial markets in more than 900 counties.
State-Level Electrical Product Sales Potential in 17 product groups
Updated annually
Electrical Marketing’s estimates for state-level electrical sales potential are based on product mix data from more than 100 Top 200 electrical distributors.
Local Electrical Market Indicators
Updated quarterly
Local Construction Projects
Updated quarterly
A database of the largest construction projects in local markets across the U.S., with links to additional project information in news reports.
Electrical Market Indicators
Regular posts on the key electrical market indicators shaping this industry.
Having a tough time keeping up with all of the price increases for electrical products The Electrical Price Index offers a monthly update on pricing trends for more than 20 key electrical product groups.
Keep tabs on building permits, gross metropolitan product, population growth and employment trends in core market segments. www.electricalmarketing.com/membership/signup/member
To subscribe: 847-382-9187 I www.electricalmarketing.com/membership/signup/member
For subscription questions, contact ElectricalMarketing@omeda.com
For questions on Electrical Marketing’s new market data, contact Jim Lucy, Electrical Marketing’s Editor-in-Chief, at jlucy@endeavorb2b.com.
Cost Factor Group (CFG)
Number of Cost Factors (CFs) in each CFG
Number of Plant Stoppages per Year 1
Plant Labor Information 3
Per Electrical
PQ Event Data 5
Plant Per Year Data 2
Description of All Cost Factors (CFs) in a Cost Factor Group (CFG)
The ‘Number of Plant Work Stoppages’ that occur per year. A stoppage may be associated with a specific piece of equipment used to support the whole (or part) of the plant, part of all of a production line, or the whole plant. Count each stoppage independently even if more than one occurs per day.
Three CFs relate to the labor in the plant per day, week, and year. Employees work a different number of hours per day, week, and year. Not all plants operate only five days per week, some work six and seven. Not all plants work 52 weeks per year. The calculator determines the total number of hours worked per year when ‘Hours Worked per Day’, ‘Days Worked per Year’ and ‘Weeks Worked per Year’ are entered.
The event data (5 CFs) relates to the negative effects that the electrical PQ disturbance(s) had on the plant resulting in the stoppage. PQ events cause downtime— number of hours a piece of equipment, a process, a production line or a whole plant was down and how long it takes to restore—(‘Time Hours to Resume’). Downtime affects employees (‘Number of People Affected’)—they may not be able to do their job when downtime occurs. Materials like workpieces and electrical / electronic equipment (E/EE) can be damaged causing a ‘Cost of Material’ loss. The hourly rate (‘Hourly Rate including Overhead’) paid to employees (including overhead) must be included. Some plant customers impose a penalty (‘Penalty Cost’) when products are not manufactured on time (i.e., when they are delivered to the customer late).
Two CFs make up the Plant Per Year Data. ‘Annual Electrical Maintenance’ is the total cost of maintenance performed on the plant electrical system (PES) per year. ‘Annual Sales’ ($M) is the total sales a plant receives in revenue per year.
This table shows the number of cost factors (CFs) per cost factor group along with a description of each CF.
• The costs to reprogram a piece of equipment may be unknown.
• Critical data lost from memory inside a piece of equipment may not be reproducible.
• Raw materials planned for use and/or products planned for shipping may be discarded as waste.
• Parts inventories required to produce final assemblies may be delayed and unavailable when needed.
• Permanent and/or contracted labor may not be able to fulfill their production duties if any of the above occurs.
• Additional labor needed to overcome production equipment problems is not anticipated.
• Costs to continue the operation of a partially functional plant to preserve and/or protect products may be unknown.
• Costs to hire and engage a crew to clean up part or all of a plant may be unknown.
• Costs to restart, reset, and/or recalibrate a piece of equipment or plant process may be unknown.
• No one person in the plant is formally trained on how to determine PQ economics.
• Understanding and identifying these costs require extra time on the part of multiple people in the plant.
Experts in PQ have been examining the cost of PQ problems for more than two decades. Many organizations, such as the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), and Centre for Energy Advancement through Technological Innovation (CEAtI), as well as solutions providers (including PQ monitor manufacturers and software companies that develop/sell PQ data analysis software) have been working to unravel PQ economics and PQ mitigation
equipment manufacturers. The work done by these organizations have paved the way for a better understanding of how PQ problems impact the financial performance of customer’s operations — both commercial and industrial.
This article seeks to help FEMs understand and identify the cost factors resulting in the total financial cost (TFC) of experiencing a PQ problem.
Before the TFC of experiencing PQ problems can be determined, FEMs must understand the cost factor groups (CFGs) containing the cost factors (CFs). These factors, arranged in groups, allow FEMs — with the help of PQ experts — to determine how the variability of their plant operations affects the overall TFC of PQ problems. Knowing how to calculate the EFTC is not a critical part of determining your PQ economics. Identifying and documenting the CF data requires more effort and is critical before the EFTC can be determined. Almost all of the CFs that are determined are real documented data — the exact TFC cannot be determined. Since nearly all of the CFs can be based on actual financial data, the estimated TFC (ETFC) is the end result that can, be used to determine the economic impact of PQ problems with confidence.
The Table above lists the four CFGs needed to determine the ETFC. The number of CFs per CFG and the description of each CF is defined.
A PQ event that impacts a plant may be caused by a grid-related event (GRE), a plant-related event (PRE) that was caused by something that happened inside the plant, or both. GREs and PREs are caused by electrical disturbances.
In many cases, a GRE will cause a PRE to occur. This sequence of events occurs because one or more wiring and/ or grounding problems (WGPs) exist inside the PES. WGPs can magnify disturbances causing E/EE equipment to malfunction, experience damage, or completely fail. WGPs can also cause overcurrent conditions within the PES that can cause overcurrent protection devices (OCPDs) to operate and/or PES components (e.g., electrical cables, drytype transformers, etc.) to fail.
GREs may be the result of normal operations [e.g., a recloser operating because a tree limb came in contact with an overhead line (OHL)] on the electric utility transmission system and utility distribution system. Objects coming in contact with OHLs and underground lines (UGLs) are GREs that create faults (i.e., fault currents) to flow on the electric utility power system. Another example of a normal electric utility operation is lightning striking an insulator on a transmission tower that causes a substation breaker to operate.
Regardless if the event is a GRE, PRE, or both, a plant will experience one or more PQ problems that will likely impact the PES and the E/EE (loads). Because plant loads are always dynamically changing, the state of the PES is also constantly changing as well as the susceptibility (immunity) of the PES and its E/EE to disturbances. Thus, a GRE and/ or PRE that occurs at a specific date and time that causes a specific PQ problem (tripping of machine 1) to occur can cause a different PQ problem (tripping of machine 2) to occur, even if the second event is exactly the same as the first event. The cost of these two events (the tripping of machine 1 and the tripping of machine 2) can be different. One can see why it is critical to document the CFs when machine 1 trips as well as when machine 2 trips. The ETFCs of the two events will also likely be different.
The EFTC must be known before the cost to mitigate a PQ problem, and the
return on investment (ROI) can be determined. My next column will expand the discussion of the PQ economics calculator (example shown in Figure on page 8) and provide the CFs from some real-world cases of PQ problems in commercial facilities and industrial plants to determine the effects of the CFs on ROI.
Noah D. Keebler is the president of PBE Engineers, LLC, which provides power quality (PQ) products and services based on 33 years of experience serving PQ monitor manufacturers and utility, commercial, and industrial markets. He can be reached at pqexperts@pbeengineers.com.
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Falling tools can injure workers and damage equipment and materials. Learn how to tether your tools when working on elevated surfaces.
By Rick Pedley, PK Safety
Falling objects — including tools — are a hazard in the construction industry. They can strike workers or equipment on the way down if they aren’t secured, causing injury or death. Even a strong hard hat won’t be enough to prevent head injuries when a metal tool falls from a great height. Any type of falling object, including large power tools and small nuts/bolts, can be cause for concern. Gravity increases the force of the falling object to the point where it can penetrate a person’s safety equipment, almost like a speeding bullet.
Tool tethers are designed to prevent objects from falling. They are used to attach various tools to an anchor point much like a fall arrest system for workers on elevated surfaces. The tether catches the tool if it slips out of the worker’s hand and prevents it from reaching the ground or floor below.
All tool tethers must be securely attached to the tool using a carabiner and D-ring. If the tool comes with a D-ring, it is considered “tether-ready.” Other attachment points include quick spin and quick ring attachments, D-ring
cords, D-ring and quick-wrap tape, and tool cinch attachments. The tool should at least have a hole where the tether can attach; otherwise, it might not be safe to use when working at height.
The other end of the tether attaches to an anchor point, either on the worker’s body or the nearby structure. If the tool weighs over five pounds, it should be anchored off the body, such as the wall or railing. If the tool weighs five pounds or less, it can be attached to the worker’s tool belt, belt loops, holsters, or wristband. This helps the worker stay mobile in the field. If the tools need to be mounted off
the body, they should be kept in a central location where the work is performed.
There are two types of tool tethers: rigid (or fixed-length) tool tethers and elastic (or extendable) tethers. Rigid tool
unnecessary movement. Heavy power tools can sway like pendulums if they have enough velocity, which can be dangerous in certain situations. The sudden jolt of a fall can also put
When choosing a tool tether, all attachments, lanyards, and anchors must be rated for the maximum weight of the tool in question.
tethers have a set length, and there is no fall arrest system to prevent the tool from swaying back and forth. Elastic tethers use shock absorption to slow the tool’s fall, which helps it come to a complete stop.
Both options prevent the tools from falling, but elastic tethers are typically the best choice for working at height. They make it easier for workers to collect fallen tools by limiting
pressure on fixed lanyards, making them more likely to fray.
Voluntary Standard 121-2018 from the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) outlines the best practices for tethering tools when working on elevated surfaces.
When choosing a tool tether, all attachments, lanyards, and anchors must be rated for the maximum weight of the tool in question. They should also be compatible with the tool. Read the manufacturer’s recommendations for tethering to select the right equipment.
A tether shouldn’t be any longer than what’s needed for the job. Crews should use the shortest possible tether to limit the distance between them and the tool. The further the tool falls, the more damage it can cause.
This equipment should also be tested on site before starting work. The lanyard should catch the tool during a fall without bumping into workers or surfaces. Tethering shouldn’t interfere with the tool’s functionality, including the locks, switches, and other controls. Workers can also practice recovering the tools after a fall to make sure they stay within reach.
Continued on page 16
Continued from page 13
Field workers should be trained in how to use this equipment and the importance of tethering tools. If management decides tethers are needed, signs should be installed on site to remind workers to use this equipment.
Workers should inspect the tethers before and after each shift to ensure they are safe to use. While this equipment tends to be durable with reinforced lanyards, the material can fray over time. D-rings may appear warped, dented, or rusted. Stretching the tether beyond the maximum reach reduces elasticity. All damaged equipment should be replaced immediately, and the damaged items should be taken out of service.
Workers should never keep tethers near moving parts or machinery, such as gears, blades, wheels, and belts.
Tethers, anchors, and attachments should be labeled and numbered. It’s best to store this equipment in a dry, room-temperature location to insulate it from damage.
Tool tethering should be included in the company’s safety records. Managers should document the condition, use,
up the tool using the tether, so they can get back to work as soon as possible.
Tethering tools at height increases
and maintenance of this equipment. If an accident should occur, the company can go back through these records to find out what went wrong and make changes to ensure it doesn’t happen again. Tools can easily fall out of a person’s hands, especially if they are slippery or the worker can’t get a firm grip. But a falling tool doesn’t have to cause injury to others or bring the work to a halt. Workers should be able to quickly pick
efficiency and reduces the risk of injury and structural damage.
Rick Pedley, PK Safety’s president and CEO, joined the family business in 1979. PK Safety, a supplier of occupational safety and personal protective equipment, has been operating since 1947 and takes OSHA, ANSI, PPE, and CSA work safety equipment seriously. For more information, visit www.pksafety.com.
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What are the interrelated factors likely to affect adoption of LED systems in place of outdated fluorescents in schools across the country?
By Jessica Kelly and Andrea Wilkerson, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and Dan Blitzer, The Practical Lighting Workshop
Part 1 of this series reported on conversations with facility personnel to better understand the sluggish adoption of LED technology in schools. We discuss why schools face unique funding hurdles, along with the workforce availability and maintenance challenges faced by other sectors when it comes to replacing the fluorescent lighting systems that have been operating in school buildings for the last 50 years or longer. Most school personnel that were interviewed in Part 1 by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
(PNNL) over the past year are replacing these outdated systems — but many still prefer to keep the original systems for as long as possible.
Interrelated changes are likely to affect schools’ use of fluorescent lighting across the country in the near future, and regulations that effectively ban fluorescent lamps are spreading. Users are reducing the demand for fluorescent lighting. And manufacturers are reducing the supply.
The European Union completed its prohibition on the sale of fluorescent lamps in 2023, based on mercury content. Although the ban does not affect manufacturing for the North American market, it does signal the direction for fluorescents and may influence the speed of phaseout.
In November 2023, 140 countries agreed to prohibit the manufacture and import of linear fluorescent lamps, also due to mercury content. Limitations on
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Fluorescent Phase-Out in European Market
9/2021
First products phased out (some compact fluorescent lamps (CFL), T12, etc.) of European market
Fluorescent Phase-Out in Countries Supporting Minimata Convention
Fluorescent Phase-Out in U.S. States
11/2023
8/2023
T5 and T8 linear fluorescent lamps (LFL) phased out of European market
Fifth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minimata Convention announce phase-out dates for fluorescent lamps
1/2024
First U.S. state ban on LFL (VT)
Information as of September 2024
1/2025
LFL bans begin in CA, CO, OR, RI
1/2026
Some CFL and LFL phased out of global market (excluding U.S.)
1/2026
LFL bans begin in HI, ME, MN
Timeline of regulatory actions phasing out compact and linear fluorescent lamps.
certain lamp types are already in place, with regulations for general linear fluorescent lamps slated for 2026 or 2027. The United States is exempt from this ban due to eliminating other mercurycontaining products; however, this prohibition is also influencing state legislation and manufacturing.
State legislative actions to eliminate linear fluorescent lamps (outright or effectively) are increasing (see Chart above). So far, 10 states have laws on the books or under consideration. Vermont has already prohibited all linear lamps, and, in January 2025, lamps cannot be sold in four more states (California, Colorado, Oregon, and Rhode Island). While some of the facility personnel interviewed were already aware of these legislative initiatives, other facility staff may be unpleasantly surprised when fluorescent lamps are no longer available.
Fluorescent lamps generally cost less than LED replacement lamps (TLEDs). As the cost difference narrows, one significant barrier to adoption lowers. In some markets, there is no LED premium; however, there is a fluorescent premium.
Some of the school facility personnel interviewed by PNNL stated that inexpensive LED products now make it economical to switch to LEDs when the ballast fails on a fluorescent luminaire. Others noted that the price of emergency fluorescent ballasts has increased considerably, and some components are harder to find, including specialty ballasts, T12s, and 8-ft T8s. Schools are also challenged with fluorescent recycling, both as an additional cost and staff responsibility — creating another reason to move away from fluorescents.
Utility incentives for LEDs fluctuate state by state, with some states
1/2027
Remaining LFL phased out of global market (excluding U.S.)
1/2029
LFL bans begin in IL.
1/2029
LFL bans begin in WA.
sunsetting rebates, such as Oregon, where rebates are ending in July 2025. Some local utilities only provide incentives for TLEDs and not for other replacement options while some utilities are shifting focus to incentivize lighting controls. Where utility rebates were available, two out of three schools we interviewed took advantage. Some schools PNNL spoke with paid less than a dollar for a TLED post-rebate — well below the price of a fluorescent T8 lamp and disposal fees.
The influence of price on demand is dynamic. Competition remains stiff among LED manufacturers, limiting price increases. At the same time, falling demand and constrained supply are likely to increase the price of fluorescent components. Price is already shifting some schools away from fluorescent lamps, further reducing demand.
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This e-newsletter tracks the research, development, design, installation and operation of all types of lighting and control products.
This twice-a-month product is geared toward professionals working in the industrial, commercial, retail, residential, institutional, health care, government, and utility market sectors.
See all of our EC&M e-newsletters at www.ecmweb.com
In the face of legislative action and declining demand, manufacturers are cutting back on the production of fluorescent lamps and luminaires. One announced in August that production would end in 2027. Another manufacturer has moved production of U.S.-compatible lamps from the United States to India and Poland, reduced the number of products available, and more recently announced price increases. Others have moved production to China.
Relocating fluorescent production to lower-cost offshore manufacturing reduces both factory overhead and direct labor — savings that are offset to some degree by higher transportation and inventory costs. Cost reduction, combined with increased price leverage, sustains fluorescent profitability. Companies are likely to stay in the market as long as it makes financial sense.
In addition, fluorescent luminaires are disappearing from the market even faster than lamps. Luminaire manufacturers large and small have exited the market or curtailed product availability. When the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released its Energy Conservation Standards for Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts (a publicly available document), a public comment from the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) indicated that none of its manufacturers were investing in fluorescent ballast technology and that product R&D had shifted to LED technology as of 2020.
As LED luminaires now dominate new building construction and major renovations, the cost of maintaining fluorescent product availability will continue to rise. At some point, diminishing economies of scale will end (or substantially reduce) the production of components unique to fluorescent systems. Of course, specialized manufacturers may produce replacement components in limited quantities and at high cost. But this is hardly an answer for schools maintaining old fluorescent systems.
From 1990 to 2010, the substantial standardization of linear fluorescent lighting has helped school maintenance personnel
keep their systems operating with modest cost and trouble. In this sense, fluorescent lighting systems are a familiar and comfortable option. That is until schools can no longer secure lamps, ballasts, and other critical components. Then what?
Some forecast that fluorescent lighting will effectively disappear in about five years. In this view, the combination of legislative pressure and the diminishing profits from shrinking sales will lead manufacturers to exit the market for fluorescent lamps and concentrate all efforts on LED products.
Industry data from NEMA show that from 2015 to the middle of 2020, linear fluorescent lamp sales showed a steady 67% decline, except for a small bump in late 2019. For the next two years, sales were generally flat. Fluorescent ballast sales also fell by 70% from 2015 to 2019. By comparison, TLED sales peaked in 2018 and have generally declined since. If fluorescent lamp sales continue to decline at an estimated rate of 20% annually over the next five years, the market will have fallen by another 67%, leaving sales at just 10% of the pre-LED rate. For schools needing a reliable and economical supply of replacement lamps, this looks like the effective end to fluorescent lighting in the United States.
Of course, once the end is near, we will likely see schools weighing whether to jump in and accomplish the upgrade quickly or to purchase the remaining fluorescent inventory and postpone the cost of the changeover — simply acting as they have been until they can’t anymore.
The next article in the series considers upgrade options available to school decision-makers but with tough decisions and trade-offs that consider both short- and long-term outcomes.
Jessica Kelly is a lighting research engineer at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.
Andrea Wilkerson is a lighting research engineer at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.
Dan Blitzer is principal of The Practical Lighting Workshop, a consultancy in marketing and education for the lighting industry.
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By Jim Lucy, Editor-in-Chief, Electrical Wholesaling
Electrical professionals have much to look forward to in 2025 if demand for new construction projects and renovation work picks up next year as much as some forecasters believe possible. The big “if” is whether or not interest rates will decline enough in 2025 to have an impact on still-pricey construction loans and mortgages for new homes. Following are the 10 most important market drivers the editorial team at EC&M and Electrical Wholesaling magazines expects to shape the 2025 construction market.
NO. 1 — INTEREST RATES WILL HAVE A MAJOR IMPACT ON THE WILLINGNESS OF DEVELOPERS TO BORROW FUNDS FOR CONSTRUCTION LOANS.
Many construction economists believe lower rates in 2025 will juice up construction spending. In her monthly analysis of the Dodge Momentum Index, a measure of future business conditions in the construction market, Sarah Martin, the associate director of forecasting for Dodge Construction Network, said rate cuts could impact the construction market by mid-2025. The Dodge Momentum Index is a monthly measure of the value of non-residential building projects going into planning, shown to lead construction spending for non-residential buildings by a full year.
“By late 2025, the impact of the Fed’s rate cuts should be substantial enough that we see projects in planning reach groundbreaking more quickly than they have over the last year or so,” she said. “That should lead to some stronger non-residential construction starts in mid-2025 to early-2026. There really is a steady pipeline of construction projects that we believe are going to be ready to break ground once those market conditions are right.”
Richard Branch, chief economist for Dodge Construction Network, said in his monthly analysis of construction starts that lots of projects are “coming into the top of the funnel but are not yet coming out of the spigot.” He expects that to change if the U.S. Federal Reserve cuts a full point off of the current federal funds rate.
Nick Lipinski, vice president and electrical equity analyst for Vertical Research Partners, Stamford, Conn., said in his quarterly analysis of electrical business conditions that underlying bidding/quoting activity seems healthy, and the outlook for 2025 seems “broadly positive.”
“Data center and utility verticals remain the key growth engines,” he said in the report. “The recent Fed rate cut has already been broadly positive for commercial construction but less impactful on residential housing demand/affordability at a time when inflation is pinching consumer budgets.”
The American Institute of Architects (AIA), Washington, D.C., was less bullish than these forecasts in its evaluation of construction market business conditions that was posted with its update of the AIA Consensus Construction Forecast in mid-July (see Fig. 1 on page 26). AIA is predicting a +7.4% increase in non-residential construction this year, followed by a marked decrease to +2% in 2025.
This forecast is developed with the estimates of nine construction economists from Dodge Construction Network, S&P Global Market Intelligence, Moody’s Analytics, FMI, ConstructConnect, Associated Builders and Contractors, Wells Fargo Securities, Markstein Advisors, and Piedmont Crescent Capital. There’s approximately a four-point swing in their non-residential construction forecasts for 2024, ranging from +5.2% on the low end (Dodge Construction Network) to +9.9% on the high end (Associated Builders and Contractors), as noted in Fig. 2 on page 26. There’s an even broader 10.7-point swing in their 2025 non-residential forecasts. Three forecasters see declines: S&P Global, Market Intelligence (-2.7%); Moody’s Analytics (-0.7%); and ConstructConnect (-0.1%). Associated Builders and Contractors came in the highest at +8%.
In its Consensus Construction Forecast analysis, AIA reported: “Construction
to continue through this year and into 2025. Indications of a continued slowdown include a challenging lending market for construction projects, continued weakness in commercial property values, and ongoing softness in billings at architecture firms.”
The AIA post, published in July before the 50-point federal rate cut, also said, “Currently, lending rates are significantly changing the calculations of project feasibility. The Federal Reserve Board’s survey of senior loan officers documents the tighter lending standards for commercial real estate lending. A significant net share of banks reported tightening standards for all types of commercial real estate (CRE)
loans. Meanwhile, a moderate net share of banks reported weaker demand for construction and land development loans, while significant net shares of banks reported weaker demand for loans secured by nonfarm non-residential and multi-family residential properties. The most cited reasons for tightening credit policies on CRE loans were less favorable or more uncertain outlooks for CRE market rents, vacancy rates, and property prices.”
AIA’s Architecture Billings Index (ABI), a monthly indicator of construction spending nine to 12 months in the future, is also signaling weakness. “Quarterly billings at architecture firms have been declining since the fourth quarter of 2022, according to the AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index,” said Kermit Baker, AIA’s chief
economist, in the analysis. “However, the pace of decline — though volatile — has begun to accelerate over the past 10 months. Firms that specialize in the multi-family residential market have seen the steepest downturn in billings, followed by those specializing in commercial/industrial activity. Firms
Fig. 1. In its Consensus Construction Forecast, the American Institute of Architects is forecasting a marked decline in the core 2025 non-residential market — from a +7.4% increase in 2024 to a +2% decrease in 2025.
Fig. 2. Nine forecasters contribute to the AIA Consensus Construction Forecast. There’s approximately a four-point swing in their non-residential construction forecasts for 2025, ranging from +5.2% on the low end (Dodge Construction Network) to +9.9% on the high end (Associated Builders and Contractors).
with an institutional specialization have generally seen revenue levels hold steady, although there has been emerging weakness in recent months. Given that both new design contracts and project inquiries at architecture firms have been about as weak as billings, prospects for a turnaround in design activity do not appear to be imminent.”
2 HIGH OFFICE VACANCY RATES WILL CONTINUE TO TAMP DOWN DEMAND FOR NEW OFFICE SPACE.
One of the best indicators of the health of the office market are vacancy rates. The rule of thumb for years has been that markets with vacancy rates of 10% or below are primed for new office
construction while those with 20% or higher don’t see many new offices being built. Since the COVID-19 era and the move toward remote offices, vacancy rates have skyrocketed, and we see few metropolitan areas with office vacancy rates as low as 10%.
The Colliers 2Q 2024 U.S. office vacancy report tells a remarkable story
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— with only three of the nation’s largest market areas logging office vacancy rates less than 20% (New York; Miami; and Silicon Valley, Calif.). In that report, Colliers said the office vacancy rate in the San Francisco metropolitan area touched 30%. Houston was near that high mark.
At least one commercial real estate firm thinks the office market may have bottomed out. According to the JLL U.S. Office Markets Dynamics-Q3 2024 report, “The U.S. office market reached an important milestone in Q3 2024. With the concurrent acceleration in leasing activity and slowdown of new supply, availability levels have begun to decline for the first time in over five years. Leasing activity continued to grow after establishing a post-pandemic high last quarter, and downsizing activity is steadily normalizing as tenants become more comfortable with their existing office footprints. At the same time, new supply has fallen dramatically, and a record volume of inventory is being removed for conversion and redevelopment, leading to a tightening office market nationally for the first time since 2019.”
If you want to get a sense of the impact of remote officing on office life in the nation’s largest cities, look no further than Kastle’s Back to Work Barometer, which calculates office occupancy based
on the number of swipes of its access cards in 2,600 buildings in 138 cities. In a recent report, the average midweek occupancy rate was only 51% in its 10 largest metropolitan areas (New York; Austin, Texas; Dallas; Los Angeles; Chicago; Washington, D.C.; Houston; Philadelphia; San Jose, Calif.; and San Francisco).
You hear about offices being retrofitted into much-needed multi-family housing units in some urban areas, but the location of plumbing and HVAC systems, windows, and other building structures often complicate these conversions to the point that — for some office buildings — a total tear-down to make space for a new building is a better option than a conversion.
When you consider that electrical work typically accounts for 10% of the total value of a large non-residential construction contract, you can see why landing work at one of the many mega-projects valued at a billion dollars or more is such a big deal. Table 1 and Table 2 on pages 30 and 32 list 50 of the largest projects in the pipeline or underway, including 16 mega-projects with a contract value
of $1 billion or more. Data centers, EV plants, utility-scale renewable projects, hospitals, and airports were among these mega-projects.
NO. 4 A HANDFUL OF LOCAL MARKETS AND STATES WILL CONTINUE TO SEE THE LION’S SHARE OF BUSINESS.
While it’s always important to look at national construction data or economic indicators as a baseline, the disparity in the growth rates of individual states or local market areas should always be considered, as should the consolidated nature of the electrical construction market. For example, according to ConstructConnect’s “August 2024 Starts Forecast” published in 2024, 10 states accounted for 55% of the United States total of $953.6 billion in total construction spending — Texas, California, Florida, New York, North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona, Ohio, Virginia, and Tennessee. Building permits also show that same consolidation, as 10 states accounted for 45% of all single-family building permits year-to-date through August 2024.
Consolidation is often the case with local markets, too, where a single metropolitan statistical area (MSA) can account for a tremendous amount of
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Overlooking Maine’s Casco Bay, Northeastern University’s Roux Institute and Alfond Center now being built in Portland, Maine — a $500-million project — will focus on digital, artificial intelligence, and life sciences.
building activity or electrical contractor employment in an individual state.
Two of the most dramatic examples are the Phoenix and Las Vegas metros. For example, the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, Ariz., MSA accounted for 72% of all of Arizona’s single-family building permits year-to-date through August 2024, and the Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, Nev., MSA accounted for 80% of single-family building permits in Nevada year-to-date through that same period.
When you look at electrical contractor employment in these two markets, the same trend is apparent. According to the most recent construction employment data from the U.S. Census Bureau and estimates from Electrical Wholesaling, the Phoenix metro accounts for 79% of all electrical contractors in Arizona while the Las Vegas metro accounts for 71% of electrical contractor employment in Nevada (Table 3 on page 36).
CONTRACTORS MAY START TO SEE MORE SINGLE-FAMILY CONSTRUCTION WORK IF MORTGAGE RATES DECLINE. While the decline in single-family home construction can be linked to a lack of available lots, permitting red tape, and broad demographic declines in the key first-time homebuyer age group of 25- to 33-years-old, comparatively high mortgage rates have probably wreaked the most havoc on the homebuilding industry over the past few years. Robert Dietz,
chief economist for the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), said in the association’s September building date report, “While single-family home building increased in September, higher mortgage interest rates in October are likely to place a damper on growth in next month’s data. Nonetheless, NAHB is forecasting a gradual, if uneven, decline for mortgage rates in the coming quarters, with corresponding increases for single-family construction,” as shown in Fig. 3 on page 38 and Table 4 on page 40.
NO. 6 — FUTURE FEDERAL FUNDING FOR MANY LARGE INDUSTRIAL PROJECTS AND FEDERAL SUPPORT FOR EV PURCHASES IS CURRENTLY IN DOUBT BECAUSE OF THE 2024 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION RESULTS.
In the industrial market, dozens of semiconductor plants and EV or battery plants partially funded by federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funds or other financial stimulus are underway or in the pipeline. Changes in the White House and on Capitol Hill could impact future funding for the Chips and Science Act, IRA, and Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act (IIJA), passed early in the Biden Administration. This legislation pumped billions of dollars in grants, tax breaks, and other financial incentives into semiconduction plants, EV and battery factories, and renewables projects with wind farms, photovoltaic
panels, and battery storage systems. For individuals, federal legislation has provided tax incentives to consumers for the purchase of some electric vehicles and energy-efficient equipment for their homes, including water heaters and solar panels, as well.
According to an August 2024 White House press statement, since the beginning of the Biden-Harris Administration, companies have announced $900 billion in clean energy and manufacturing investments in the United States (including more than $265 billion in clean energy investments) since the IRA was signed into law. On the residential front, the release said more than 250,000 Americans have claimed the IRA’s electric vehicle tax credit, saving these buyers about $1.5 billion total.
Not all of the allocated funds for this legislation have been spent yet, and President-Elect Donald Trump has said on the campaign trail that he would not allow unallocated funds to be spent on future green projects, calling the IRA the “greatest scam in history.” It’s hard to know what campaign trail rhetoric on this legislation from Trump will become policy, in part because so many of the industrial projects funded by it are being built in states that voted him into office.
James West, senior managing director at Evercore ISI, said about 75% of the job creation and the capital spending on new manufacturing and other clean energy resources has gone to red states or red counties in blue states,
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Source: Employment data is a three-month average for May-July 2024 and May-July from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). BLS data for construction employment and Electrical Wholesaling estimates for local electrical contractor employment based on historical trends. Electrical contractor employment typically accounts for 13% of total construction employment on a national basis. This percentage may vary by local market. Electrical contractor employment estimates for all 50 states and more than 300 MSAs are available as part of a $99 annual subscription to Electrical Marketing newsletter at www.electricalmarketing.com.
Table 3. According to employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and estimates from Electrical Marketing, through mid-year five metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) saw increases of electrical contractor employment of more than 1,000 employees (Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL; Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX; Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX; Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV; and Baton Rouge, LA).
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Fig. 3. Any sizable increase in 2025 residential construction hinges on a decrease in mortgage rates. The National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) is forecasting a +2.1% increase in 2025 single-family housing starts to 1.024 million and a -2.2% drop in multi-family units to 331,944.
and a report on Yahoo Finance said according to data from the Department of Energy, $10.8 billion in investments in solar energy have gone to red states, while just $4.1 billion have gone to blue states. That post also said $35 billion tied to electric vehicle spending has gone to Republican districts, while $22 billion has gone to Democratic ones.
9 — BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS (BESSS) WILL CONTINUE TO BECOME MORE POPULAR IN UTILITY-SCALE RENEWABLE PROJECTS.
Utility-scale wind and solar projects have had the most visibility in the renewables market in recent years, but battery storage systems are becoming increasingly common on these jobs. A post on Forbes magazine’s website says the growth rate of energy storage is expected to double in 2024 after double-digit growth in 2023. It mentioned a Wood Mackenzie study forecasting 45% growth in 2024 after 100% growth from 2022 to 2023 that states: “Annual storage installations are growing faster than wind and solar as the sector races to keep up with the growing need to balance renewables and support grid resiliency.” The storage market is also supported by falling module costs and IRA tax incentives, according to the post at www.forbes.com.
NO. 9 ELECTRICAL PRODUCT PRICE INCREASES HAVE MODERATED, BUT SWITCHGEAR AND SOME OTHER PRODUCTS ARE STILL SEEING SOME INCREASES.
Two monthly price indexes that watch pricing trends in the electrical market reflected moderate price increases and even declines in some electrical product prices but marked increases in others. The Electrical Price Index (Table 5 on page 42) published monthly in Electrical Marketing newsletter, one of EC&M’s sister publications, called out switchgear’s gains in its September 2024 data — with a +1.4% monthly increase and a +8.8% year-overyear (YOY) increase (the highest in the 20-plus electrical products it monitors).
S&P Global also monitors electrical product pricing as part of its Engineering and Construction Cost Indicator, which covers the broader construction market as well as the electrical construction industry. This index, a leading indicator measuring wage and material inflation for the engineering, procurement and construction sector, declined -4.4 points to 55.3 points this month, according to an S&P press release. “The materials and equipment indicator saw a minor increase in October and continues to show rising prices. Only five of the 12 components increased
compared to last month, but the magnitude of the increases was larger than the declines. The primary drivers of the increase were the +19.4-point jump for electrical equipment, the +12.7-point increase for alloy steel pipe, and the +10point increase for shell and tube heat exchangers. On the other hand, only transformers saw a double-digit decline, down -11.1 points to 66.7 this month.”
NO. 9 QUANTA’S ACQUISITION OF CUPERTINO ELECTRIC MAY USHER IN A NEW WAVE OF CONTRACTOR MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS.
More baby boomers than ever are reaching retirement age, and if they own an electrical contracting business, they may be looking for a buyer. Some M&A specialists have said contractors have become a hot commodity in the private equity market, particularly if they are involved with lighting and other digital technologies or renewables.
According to a recent article in The Wall Street Journal, a post at www.pitchbook.com said private-equity investors have purchased almost 800 electrical, plumbing, and HVAC companies since 2022. As these acquirers grow from large local firms to regional or even national electrical contractors, they may become formidable competitors in bids to win
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U.S. Census Bureau building permit data
Table 4. A handful of local markets currently account for a huge share of all single-family building permits. Through September 2024 year-to-date, the 10 largest metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) for building permits account for 20% of all permits nationally, and the 50 markets shown in this table account for 45% of all single-family permits.
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Electrical Marketing’s monthly Electrical Price Index (EPI) is compiled by S&P Global and is available as part of a subscription to Electrical Marketing newsletter (www.electricalmarketing.com) for just $99 per year. To subscribe, visit https://www.electricalmarketing.com/membership/signup/member.
Table 5. Prices for switchgear, panelboards, and transformers continue to outpace other electrical product pricing in Electrical Marketing’s Electrical Price Index. When measured on a year-over-year basis through September, prices for this product category are up +6.7% compared to the EPI’s Total Index increase of +2.7%.
commercial project business in new markets. For example, over the past few years, some large regional contractors, including Cupertino Electric and Rosendin Electric, have worked on data centers nationwide and far outside their original bases of operations in northern California.
Quanta’s acquisition of Cupertino Electric in July 2024 was one of the largest electrical contractor acquisitions in recent years. EC&M magazine ranked Quanta as the largest electrical contractor in the nation in its 2024 Top 50 Contractors listing with 2024 sales of $11.8
billion, while Cupertino was ranked No. 7 on the list with $1.96 billion in sales. Quanta was involved in the first wave of roll-ups in the electrical contracting business in the late 1990s. It first acquired four firms that focused on utility work, and since that time, it has acquired more
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than 200 other contracting firms, according to www.quantaservices.com/history. If other companies follow suit, this trend could have a direct impact of the electrical construction market because they may force smaller contractors to compete with large regional or national coming into their markets.
Integrated Electrical Services Inc. (IES), Houston, Texas, quietly took shape as a national electrical contracting corporation in June 1997 and as a public company in January 1998. Back then, IES acquired 15 electrical contractors from around the United States and a related electric supply company, according to a 2003 report in Electrical Wholesaling magazine.
NO. 10 — NEWER TECHNOLOGIES, LIKE APP-BASED DIGITAL LIGHTING CONTROL, DIGITAL POWER, AND SMALL MODULAR REACTORS (SMRs), WILL OFFER THE ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION MARKET NEW PROFIT AND REVENUE OPPORTUNITIES.
It’s hard to pinpoint a past era in the electrical construction market when so many new technologies offered this level of future business potential. As the demand for new sources of power and advancement of digital control technologies from the R&D labs to the job site continue, they will provide electrical contractors with new opportunities to differentiate their businesses next year and beyond. Following is a brief discussion of several technologies of particular interest to keep your eyes on:
Lighting control. App-based lighting control is already in the market. It continues to get more intuitive to use, easier to commission, and sophisticated to control more complex lighting systems.
Small modular reactors (SMRs). Because of their insatiable appetite for power, data centers, EV charging stations, and other new electrical loads are asking more of the U.S. electrical grid. Some power experts are re-evaluating nuclear power as a potential source. Ninety-three conventional nuclear power plants already produce about 20% of the nation’s electrical power.
While it will take several years for SMRs to provide a notable amount of electrical power, they are attracting plenty of attention because they will be
The $861-million South Brooklyn Marine Terminal wind farm logistics hub for Equinor’s 810MW Empire Wind offshore wind farm broke ground in June.
easier to bring online. Their modularity will make them easier to build, and — due to their smaller size — data centers and other big-time power users may be able to have them right on site. Commissioning is a years-long process with conventional nuclear power generators, but SMR advocates believe there will be less red tape in getting them online. They are in the early-development stage and prototype stage right now, but you can expect to see some of them being built after 2025.
Digital power. Digital power is a potentially game-breaking technology first seen in the lighting market with Power over Ethernet (PoE) LED lighting systems. While these lighting loads are comparatively small, digital power is now used for much larger projects because so much of the electrical load is serving digital devices and systems that operate on lower voltage electrical systems, including computers, lighting, security, televisions, and other electronic loads. Since digital power can be run through much smaller cables, such as 18/2 speaker cables and Cat 5e cable as a Class 2 wiring system, it can save quite a bit on installation time and material costs. Some savings estimates for PoE run as high as 30% because these systems don’t need to be installed in conduit or utilize more expensive metal boxes or support systems.
Although digital power is in its infancy, Sinclair Digital, Fort Worth, Texas, has wired two hotels with digital power: the
Sinclair Marriott in Fort Worth, and the Hotel Marcel in New Haven, Conn. It also wired an office for Southwire, which has invested in the firm. According to a Southwire post, Sinclair installed PoE wiring in roughly 23,000 square feet of offices, meeting rooms, workstations, and multi-purpose space in the Bat tery Atlanta mixed-used development adjacent to Truist Park, home of Major League Baseball’s Atlanta Braves.
Voltserver, East Greenwich, R.I., also wired a large hotel with digital power — the 777-room Circa Hotel & Resort in Las Vegas. This hotel was wired with Voltserver’s digital power products to power advanced building automation, digital in-room controls, LED lighting, and electrical power distribution.
On the 2025 horizon. On the whole, the 2025 U.S. electrical construction market at worst should see low single-digit growth. If lower interest rates have the expected positive impact on construction loans and residential mortgages, many local markets could see much higher rates of growth. Construction economists also expect a looser regulatory environment under the Trump Administration and a Republican-controlled Congress to accelerate environmental or local approvals for construction projects. And if your company is a player in one of the high-growth construction niches like data center or utility grid revitalization, 2025 could turn out to be a very good year indeed.
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FBy Bennie Kennedy, Electrical Consultant
or 30-plus years, I have helped electrical contractors install busway systems. Typically, I don’t get involved until after the busway is completely installed and a problem is discovered while performing an insulation resistance test of the complete system — or when there’s a failure. In my experience, the most common and costly mistake electrical professionals make when installing busway is the failure to evaluate each busway section as it is installed.
When doing this type of work, all testing is performed on de-energized equipment using personal protective equipment (PPE) following NFPA 70E and facility-required safety practices. For a list of busway system installation and testing best practices, read the sidebar on page 48.
A total of 10 measurements should be taken on 3-phase, 4-wire systems after each component is connected — three phase-to-phase, three phase-to-neutral, three phase-to-ground, and one neutral-to-ground test. A 3-phase, 3-wire system requires six measurements to ensure system integrity — three phase-to-phase and three phase-to-ground tests.
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This twice-a-month e-newsletter delivers the latest trends and information on electrical safety, reports on specific accidents in the field, and provides tutorials and evergreen safety content that can be used for reference and training.
Topics covered include:
• Best practices for safely working on electrical equipment
• Accidents and investigations
• Arc flash
• PPE
• Shock and electrocution
• Fire and security
• Safety audits
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• Store busway indoors in a dry, clean location.
• Inspect for shipping damage.
• Test each section prior to installation.
• Test busway after each component is installed including bus plugs on feeder busway systems.
• To prevent a shock hazard and ensure the proper operation of protective devices, verify there are no neutral-to-ground connections in 3-phase, 4-wire busway systems. The only connection allowed is the neutral to ground bond in the main switchboard, as per NEC Art. 250.
• Compare the calculated values based on the manufacturer’s formula to the measured values. Record these readings.
• Energize the breaker or switch feeding the busway first, followed by feeder devices and then branch circuit devices. Do not energize with loads applied.
• Perform an infrared inspection at all connections and joint packs after load is applied to ensure good connections. As part of a preventive maintenance program, an annual inspection of busway systems should include an infrared evaluation.
• Never attempt any measurements on an energized busway. Infrared allows you to safely evaluate busway from a distance.
• Only qualified electrical maintenance personnel should install and/or maintain busway systems.
A good practice is to perform an insulation resistance test on each component individually before installation and after each busway component is connected. Tests should be conducted in a temperature and humidity-controlled
environment. Apply 1,000V for a minimum of 30 seconds, and record the readings. Any substantial difference in readings could indicate a problem. A good reason to evaluate it before installation is that you can identify a defective
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component before it’s installed say 30 feet above the floor.
An all-important — and an often overlooked measurement in a 3-phase, 4-wire application — is the neutral-to-ground test. If the neutral is unintentionally connected to ground in a busway, a prohibited neutral-toground bond is created. As a result, current could flow on the grounded parts and equipment resulting in a shock hazard. Any neutral-to-ground connection in a 3-phase, 4-wire system other than the neutral-to-ground bond in the switchboard can cause protective device equipment failures resulting in fire and / or nuisance tripping. In addition, system noise, surges, ground loops, overall poor power quality, and improper operation of sensitive equipment can result from prohibited neutral-to-ground bonds.
As part of equipment start-up, evaluating the busway insulation reading may indicate there is an improper neutralto-ground connection present in an installation. The first step to locating this is to isolate the busway from the switchboard and other components/ equipment. Once a short is discovered, the most common procedure employed to find the fault is to remove a joint pack near a mid-run point and perform insulation resistance testing in both directions. Continue to remove joint packs at other halfway points on the remaining busway sections, and you’ll eventually locate the problem.
As indicated, this is the most widespread test practice, but it can be costly and dangerous. Trying to remove a joint pack 30 feet above the floor is possible but typically results in irreparable damage to the joint packs (Photo 1 on page 46). And if it’s hard to remove, it will be even harder to replace. I have seen this procedure create new shorts during the removal/replacement process. The fewer you must remove, the better.
A safer and overall less expensive test procedure is to use a high current test set and inject current into the busway at one end, typically at the switchboard location. Inject current at approximately 25% of the busway rating (e.g., 200A for a 800A busway) and use an infrared camera to scan the entire run. After a
set amount of time (based on the length of the run from the switchboard), the joint pack where the busway is shorted will show an increase in temperature. If the fault is between joint packs, which is rare, only the sections between the fault and the current source will show an increase in temperature (Photo 2 on page 48). The point where the transition occurs (warm to cold) is the location of the short. At worst, you must remove and re-install one joint pack. This procedure will work to locate multiple shorts. The shorts must be corrected one at a time. This procedure will work to locate a short in an old busway run.
If the run is long, begin by conducting a test at each end. Adjust the output rheostat to get the desired current. The closer you are to the short, the less you’ll have to increase the output. Then, inject current on the end closest to the short, and wait for it to heat up. As an example, a test on the first floor of a building required increasing the output rheostat less than half of what was required on the 11th floor. The short was found in a joint pack at the motor control center (Photo 3).
Considering the weight of one section of busway — and having to address an issue 30 feet above the floor — an ounce of prevention is truly worth a pound of cure. It is highly recommended to test each individual section as it’s installed. The measured readings will be affected
by temperature and humidity, so proper storage prior to installation is neces sary. Once the installation is complete, compare the final readings to the man ufacturer’s recommendations based on the total length of the run. For example, meg-ohms = 100 / length of the run in feet or meg-ohms = 30.5 / length of the run in meters. The meg-ohm readings should not be less than the value calcu lated from the manufacturer’s formula. If readings are less than the calculated value, contact the manufacturer.
Insulation resistance readings are impacted by temperature and humidity. When the busway is installed in an open unheated building, it may be necessary to conduct the final readings after the building is enclosed and the temperature and humidity has stabilized.
Licensed electrical contractor Bennie Kennedy is a nationally recognized authority on electrical systems/safety with more than 40 years of experience in the electrical industry. He has trained and spoken to hundreds of organizations nationally and authored numerous published articles on low- and medium-voltage power distribution systems and safety. He has been authorized by the U.S. Department of Labor OSHA to conduct safety training for more than 20 years. He’s also skilled in electrical equipment failure analysis and occurrence investigation.
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Site visits can be daunting even for the experienced engineer. Here are some key factors to consider as well as best practices to employ when taking on this task.
By Tyler Mize, Mason & Hanger
Whether you’re a newly graduated engineer who’s just entered the workforce, a seasoned designer who’s been confined to cubicle walls, or anywhere between, chances are at some point you’ll have to pull out the hard hat, lace up your work boots, and head to your first site visit.
An important milestone in any electrical professional’s career, the first site visit can be a daunting task, especially if you’re going solo. Many factors — including state of the project, purpose of the visit, size of the site, access to electrical/
telecommunications rooms, and presence (or lack thereof) of clients — can make or break the success of this visit. While by no means a definitive formula for a 100% successful site visit, this three-phased approach should help your first (or 50th) site visit be a positive one.
Before jet-setting across the country or hopping in the company car to the other side of town, tons of prep work can (and should) be done in the office in the days and weeks leading up to the site visit.
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Before starting any project task as an electrical professional, the first question that should always come to mind is: “What is the scope of work?” This is no different for a site visit. Becoming intimately familiar with the scope before arriving will greatly bolster your time on site. Are there as-constructed documents of the existing site? Is this visit to survey a small room of an existing building for light renovations? Are you evaluating a specific piece of equipment the client has on-site? Are you looking at a greenfield site for possible utility connection points with the power and/or telecommunications company? Remembering what you are there for will keep you focused on the task at hand and will help prevent other issues from taking precedence over the task at hand.
Other documents to review are specific client standards you are obligated to follow and any Code requirements that might apply to your project. Safety requirements, such as access to electrical rooms and equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements, lock-out/tag-out procedures, etc., should also be reviewed and planned for.
Depending on the size and scope of the project, as well as the number of documents reviewed, you might feel like you’ve been drinking through a firehose before leaving the office. I’ve found it extremely helpful to gather the information into a checklist of objectives that need to be captured on the site visit. Whether it’s a list of room names you can check off after documenting or specific panelboard names that need to be examined, having a physical list of items will keep you focused and on track during the investigation.
If you’ve ever packed a suitcase for a trip without a plan, chances are you’ve either paid the airline excessive baggage fees or had to find a 24-hour store that sells socks, toothpaste, and phone chargers when you arrive at your destination. The same can happen when packing for a site visit.
Do you need physical copies of floor plans, panel schedules, and the scope of work? Do you have a digital copy of the
National Electrical Code (NEC), or do you need to bring a hard copy with you? Do you have the names and phone numbers of your site contacts? By preparing a packing list during the preparation stage, issues that can be avoided (such as forgetting a critical item) will be avoided.
Consulting with other professionals in your office on what they would bring to a site visit is always a great start. It was recommended to me years ago to bring a whiteboard with small magnets
Before starting any project task as an electrical professional, the first question that should always come to mind is: “What is the scope of work?”
This is no different for a site visit.
on the back and a dry-erase marker to a site visit where multiple panelboards needed to be photographed. I was able to write the panel name, size, and location on the whiteboard and stick it on the cover for each photograph, which provided clear direction when reviewing the photographs later in the office.
You’ve diligently studied the scope of work, created a bulletproof list of objectives, packed everything you need, and finally arrived at the site. This is where the rubber hits the road — and the work starts.
It’s common on your first day at the site to feel overwhelmed, especially if most of your experience has come from behind a computer screen. Take a deep breath. Depending on time and if anyone else is with you, you could be tempted to move sporadically around the site, dig too deep into the
first thing you see, or get rattled by the experience altogether. This is where preparation comes into play. Rely on the notes you have already taken and the objectives you’ve identified to keep you laser-focused on your task at hand. One great way to ease into the visit is by introducing yourself to key staff at the site — whether it’s a superintendent, client, electrician, or other professional involved with the project. Be sure to record names and contact details for follow-up later.
As you start the site survey, it’s helpful to perform a general high-level walkthrough of the areas noted in the scope of work. Then you can ease into gaining familiarity with the site and start to make mental notes of areas that may require more or less attention than you initially anticipated. Once the walkthrough is complete, it’s time to dive into the investigation. I recommend using a systematic approach, where each item on your list can be completed for each space, area, etc.
Although I just recommended using a methodical approach, one thing that is critical to site visits is flexibility. Schedules will always change, access to areas will always be hard to gain, and lunch breaks will always seem to happen just as you get into something. That’s okay! As with most things in life, holding a rigid schedule can create more of a headache if and when plans change. That is the dichotomy of the tasks involved with site visits — maintaining the balance of a thorough schedule with the changing nature of teams and people.
While collecting data, marking up drawings, and photographing equipment, it’s always helpful to err on documenting more than you think you need. While you will always inevitably miss something (there’s always more to be seen), hedging your bets on gathering too much information seems to pay off in the long run. This is especially true for photographs — take plenty of them! With the amount of storage now available on digital cameras or smartphones, it’s a no-brainer to take as many photographs as you can.
It’s also helpful to establish a routine for the pictures you are collecting. For a given room or area, it’s beneficial to first take a picture of the room number (if applicable), an overall photo of the room,
and then detailed pieces of equipment in the space. That way, it’s easy to discern where each picture was taken when you get back to the office. Another helpful hint for photographing survey areas is to review the photos while on site to ensure the information you need is visible. For example, it’s unfortunate to get back to the office to discover you cannot read the main circuit breaker ratings or the model number of panelboards that are needed to design the project.
At the end of the visit — or the end of each day of a multi-day survey — it’s helpful to review the notes, markups, and or/photographs you recorded. It’s also handy to record a summary of general findings and tasks completed. Taking the extra time at the site (or in your hotel room) to do this will help gather your thoughts, provide direction for the next day, and aid in any field reports that are required per your scope of work.
After returning from your first site survey, it might feel like the work is over — but in reality, it’s only just begun. It’s now time to review, collect, and disseminate the information you gathered to execute the design, make recommendations, or effectively communicate client needs. Your company might have a process for how and where to upload documents and photographs, put markups into design software, or share your field notes with the team. This is where the daily review of the information you gathered will come in handy.
Another great practice is to follow up with the contacts and staff you met with on site. It’s incredibly important to thank them for their time and direction as well as follow up on any critical issues or agreed-upon assumptions that were documented and discussed in the field.
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Perhaps the most important step of this last phase is to conduct an internal review of the site visit and your performance on the trip. What went well, not so well? Were there any items you wished you had while in the field? Did you bring anything unnecessary, or was anything a burden to carry? Were you overly stressed due to a lack of preparation or lack of access? After asking yourself these questions, plan on what you can do differently next time, and record them in a document to access later. That way, you are setting yourself up for successful future site visits.
Tyler Mize, PE, LEEP AP BD+C is a Senior Electrical Engineer and Group Leader at Mason & Hanger with a decade of experience designing secure, mission-driven facilities worldwide. He can be reached at tyler.mize@masonandhanger.com.
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Switchboards and panelboards are often called “the guts” of a premises wiring system.
By Mike Holt, NEC Consultant
Article 408 covers the requirements for switchboards and panelboards that control power and lighting circuits (Fig. 1). These rules address the equipment that forms the core of a premises electrical system. For that reason, you should invest the time it takes to become familiar with them.
What’s the difference between a panelboard and a switchboard?
• A panelboard is an assembly with buses and overcurrent protective devices (OCPDs) designed to be placed in a cabinet or enclosure [Art. 100].
• A switchboard is a large single panel, frame, or assembly of panels on which are mounted (on the face, back, or both) switches, overcurrent and other
protective devices, buses, and usually instruments [Art. 100].
Panelboards supplied by a 4-wire, delta-connected, 3-phase (high-leg) system must have the high-leg conductor (which operates at 208V to ground) terminate to the “B” phase of the panelboard [Sec. 408.3(E)(1)]. Such a panel or switchboard must have a label that is legibly and permanently field-marked to state the phase and voltage [Sec. 408.3(F)(1)].
On a 4-wire, delta-connected, 3-phase system, where the midpoint of one phase winding of the secondary is grounded, the conductor with the resulting 208V to ground (high-leg) must be
durably and permanently marked by an outer finish (insulation) that is orange in color or other effective means. Such identification must be at each point where a connection is made if the neutral conductor is present [Sec. 110.15].
The ANSI standard for meter equipment requires the high-leg conductor (208V to neutral) to terminate on the “C” (right) phase of the meter socket enclosure. This is because the demand meter needs 120V, which it gets from the “B” phase.
When replacing equipment in existing facilities that contain a highleg conductor, double-check that you replace the high-leg conductor in its original phase position. Failure to reterminate the high-leg per the existing installation can result in 120V circuits being inadvertently connected to the 208V high-leg with disastrous results.
The minimum wire bending space at terminals provided in switchboards and panelboards must comply with Sec. 312.6 [Sec. 408.3(G)].
Provide a legible and permanent description on a circuit directory. Per Sec. 408.4(A)(1) through (6), the circuit description must be:
(1) Located at each circuit breaker in a switchboard.
(2) Located on the face, inside, or in an approved location adjacent to the panel door.
(3) Clear and specific as to the purpose or use of each circuit, including spare positions for unused OCPDs.
(4) Have a degree of detail and clarity that is unlikely to produce confusion between circuits.
This e-newsletter, published four times per month, is dedicated to coverage of the National Electrical Code. The content items are developed by well-known Code experts.
CodeWatch promises to:
• Explain how to properly apply the Code
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An example of the identification required by Sec. 408(B)(1).
(5) The circuit description must not depend on transient conditions of occupancy such as “dad’s office.”
(6) Be clear in explaining abbreviations and symbols when used.
Switchboards and panelboards supplied by a feeder, in other than one- and two-family dwelling units, must be marked as follows [Sec. 408.4(B)]:
(1) The identification and physical location where the power supply originates (Fig. 2).
(2) A permanent label that withstands the environment involved per Sec. 110.22(A).
(3) A method that is not handwritten.
Just before stating the requirements for replacement panelboards, Part I contains three short sections — each of which provides a general rule:
• If raceways enter a switchboard, floor-standing panelboard, or similar enclosure, the raceways (including end fittings) cannot rise more than 3 in. above the bottom of the enclosure [Sec. 408.5].
• Switchboards and panelboards must have a short-circuit current rating not less than the available fault current on the line side of the equipment. In other than one- and two-dwelling units, the available fault current and the date the calculation was performed
must be marked on the enclosure. The marking must be sufficiently durable to withstand the environment involved [Sec. 408.6].
• Unused openings for circuit breakers must be closed using identified closures (or other approved means) which provide protection substantially equivalent to the wall of the enclosure [Sec. 408.7].
Replacement panelboards can be installed in existing enclosures:
• If listed for the enclosure by either catalog number or dimensional information, the panelboard can be used with its short-circuit current rating [Sec. 408.9(A)].
• If not listed for the enclosure — and the available fault current is greater than 10,000A — the completed work must be field labeled. If the available fault current is 10,000A or less, the replacement panelboard shall be identified for the application. Any previously applied listing marks on the cabinet that pertain to the panelboard shall be removed [Sec. 408.9(B)].
“Field Labeled” means “equipment or materials which have a label, symbol, or other identifying mark of a field evaluation body (FEB) indicating the equipment or materials were evaluated and found to comply with the requirements described in the accompanying field evaluation report” [Art. 100].
“Field Evaluation Body (FEB)” is an organization (or part of an organization) that performs field evaluations of electrical equipment and materials.
For other than a totally enclosed switchboard, a space of at least 3 ft must be provided between the top of the switchboard and any combustible ceiling unless a noncombustible shield is provided between the switchboard and the ceiling [Sec. 408.18(A)]. Clearances around switchboards must comply with Sec. 110.26 [Sec. 408.18(B)].
Each section of equipment that requires rear or side access to make field connections must be marked by the manufacturer on the front of the equipment. Section openings requiring rear or side access must comply with the workspace and access to workspace requirements of Sec. 110.26 [Sec. 408.18(C)].
The panelboard rating must not be less than the minimum feeder capacity as determined by load calculations per Art. 220, as applicable [Sec. 408.30].
Panelboards must be provided with OCPDs within or at any point on the supply side of the panelboard with a rating not greater than the panelboard [Sec. 408.36] (Fig. 3).
When a panelboard is supplied from a transformer, as permitted in Sec. 240.21(C), the OCPDs for the panelboard can be in an enclosure ahead of the panelboard or within the panelboard [Sec. 408.36(B)].
Plug-in circuit breakers that are backfed must be secured in place by a fastener that requires other than a pull to release the breaker from the panelboard [Sec. 408.36(D)]. This fastener prevents the circuit breaker from being accidentally removed from the panelboard while energized, which would expose someone to dangerous voltage.
Circuit breakers marked “Line” and “Load” must be installed per listing or labeling instructions [Sec. 110.3(B)]. These types of devices are therefore not permitted to be back-fed.
Cabinets for panelboards installed in damp or wet locations must be weatherproof per Sec. 312.2 [Sec. 408.37].
Panelboards must be mounted in cabinets, cutout boxes, or identified enclosures and must have dead-front covers [Sec. 408.38].
Where equipment grounding conductors of the wire type enter a panelboard metal cabinet, they must terminate to a grounding terminal bar within the panelboard metal cabinet frame [Sec. 408.40].
Equipment grounding conductors cannot terminate on the neutral terminal bar except as permitted by Sec. 250.142(D) for services and Sec. 250.30(A) for separately derived systems.
Many panelboards are rated for use as service disconnects, which means they are supplied with a main bonding jumper [Sec. 250.28]. This screw or strap is not permitted to be installed except when the panelboard is used for a service disconnect [Sec. 250.24(B)] or separately derived system [Sec. 250.30(A)(1)].
Each neutral conductor within a panelboard must terminate in an individual terminal [Sec. 408.41].
Exception: Neutral conductors run in parallel are permitted to terminate to a single terminal if the terminal is identified for more than one conductor [Sec. 110.14(A)].
If two neutral conductors are connected to the same terminal and someone removes one of them, the other neutral conductor might unintentionally be removed as well. If that happens to the neutral conductor of a multiwire circuit, it can result in excessive line-to-neutral voltage for one of the circuits, plus undervoltage for the other. Do not install panelboards in the faceup or face-down position [Sec. 408.43].
The Code provides the minimum requirements for the practical safeguarding of persons and property. At each phase of the project, think beyond those requirements. Panel layout, conductor labeling considerations, OCPD labeling considerations, conductor routing, positioning of any terminal strips, and working space between objects within the switchboard or panelboard (which differs from “spaces about equipment” per Sec. 110.26) all play a role in how safe the installation will be for maintenance purposes. A small change might make only a small difference in personnel safety. Rack up a few of those, and you can make a big difference in personnel safety.
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.
Section 215.15 was a new requirement for the 2023 Code meant to increase safety.
By Russ LeBlanc, NEC Consultant
Section 215.15 was a new requirement for the 2023 Code meant to increase safety in certain power distribution equipment where feeder conductors terminate. The requirement is one long sentence, so I’ll try to break it down piece by piece. It requires barriers to be installed to minimize the risk of accidental contact with energized, uninsulated, ungrounded terminals or busbars. This rule only applies to panelboards, switchboards, switchgear, and motor control centers. It does not
apply to any other equipment where feeder wires are terminated. However, it does not apply to all feeders either. It only applies to equipment fed by transformer secondary conductors or feeder tap conductors.
Unfortunately, the requirement does not seem to apply to transformer secondary conductors and tap conductors equally. Let’s start with tap conductors first. If the panelboard in the photo is being fed from feeder tap conductors, the requirement for barrier installation applies to the line side terminals of the
100A main breaker when this breaker is in the “off” or “opened” position. Barriers would not be required on any load side busbars or load terminals of the other circuit breakers in the panelboard because they would not be energized if the main breaker was off. Ironically, barriers are apparently not required when the 100A main breaker is “on.” That’s a little weird!
I think that needs some clarification. If this panelboard was fed from transformer secondary conductors, the requirement for barriers to be installed seems to apply whether the 100A main breaker is either “on” or “off” because there is no mention of the disconnecting device for transformer secondary conductors. That could be problematic. Does this mean the line side terminals of the 100A main breaker (along with the busbars and all the load terminals of all the other breakers in this panel) would need insulating barriers too? Apparently, yes! However, I don’t believe that is the intent of this new rule. Like many new rules, the wording may take a few Code revision cycles to iron out all the wrinkles.
What if this was a main lug panelboard protected by a 100A fusible disconnect ahead of it? Would any barriers be required in either the fusible disconnect or the main lug panelboard? Nope. And, in this case, it wouldn’t matter if the fusible disconnect was fed by feeder tap conductors or transformer secondary conductors. In either scenario, barriers would not be required. Hopefully, the 2026 Code will provide some clarity on these requirements.
How much do you know about the National Electrical Code?
By Mike Holt, NEC Consultant
All questions and answers are based on the 2023 NEC.
Q1: In clothes closet storage spaces, recessed incandescent or LED luminaires with a completely enclosed light source can be installed in the wall or the ceiling, provided there is a minimum clearance of from the storage space.
a) 3 in. c) 8 in.
b) 6 in. d) 12 in.
Q2: Where single conductor cables comprising each phase, neutral, or grounded conductor of a circuit are connected in parallel in a cable tray, the conductors shall be installed to prevent current imbalance in the paralleled conductors due to inductive reactance.
a) in groups consisting of not more than three conductors per phase or neutral, or grounded conductor
b) in groups consisting of not more than one conductor per phase, neutral, or grounded conductor
c) as individual conductors securely bound to the cable tray
d) in separate groups
Q3: Where the metal box for a receptacle is surface mounted, direct metal-to-metal contact between the device yoke and the box shall be permitted to ground the receptacle to the box if at least of the insulating washers of the receptacle is (are) removed.
a) one c) three
b) two d) four
Q4: Where portions of cable raceways or sleeves are required to be sealed due to different temperatures, sealants shall be identified for use with , a bare conductor, a shield, or other components.
a) low temperature conditions
b) high temperature conditions
c) a stranded conductor
d) cable insulation or conductor
insulation
Q5: All switchboards, switchgear, and panelboards supplied by a feeder(s) in _____ shall be permanently marked to indicate the identification and physical location where the power supply originates.
a) other than one- or two-family dwellings
b) all dwelling units
c) all nondwelling units
d) all dwelling units and all nondwelling units
Q6: For stationary motors of 2 hp or less and 300V or less on AC circuits, the motor controller can be an AC-rated only general-use snap switch where the motor full-load current rating is not more than _____ of the rating of the switch.
a) 50% c) 70%
b) 60% d) 80%
See the answers to these Code questions online at ecmweb.com/55247379.
By Russ LeBlanc, NEC Consultant
All references are based on the 2023 edition of the NEC.
I guess the installer of this flexible metal conduit (FMC) figured securing and supporting the conduit was “optional.” I saw many runs of FMC simply strewn about the water pipes and other piping systems in this mechanical room. Section 348.30(A) requires FMC to be securely fastened in place within 12 in. of each box, conduit body, or other conduit termination. That didn’t happen here. That same Section also requires FMC to be supported and secured at intervals no greater than 41/2 ft. While portions of these conduits may be “supported,” I would not consider any of them properly “secured” other than at the connectors securing the FMC to the enclosures.
There are four exceptions allowing supporting and securing options that differ from the requirements of the general rule. However, none of those exceptions apply to any of the 3/8-in. FMC shown in this photo. In fact, 3/8-in. FMC probably should not have been used here. Section 348.20(A) places restrictions on using FMC smaller than trade size 1/2-in. There are certain scenarios described in Sec. 348.20(A)(1) through (A)(5) where 3/8-in. FMC could be used, but none of those scenarios apply to the wiring for the controls of these hot water tanks.
Where do I even begin? There are so many problems here. I suppose the most immediate problem is the gaping hole bashed through the wall above the door to this electrical room. There is absolutely zero firestopping for this hole as required by Sec. 300.21, and smoke/fire could easily spread from one side of the wall to the other side — and all through the building. There is a variety of cables in that giant bundle (including NM cables) that are not permitted to be installed exposed in this multiple occupancy building. Section 334.10(3) requires these NM cables to be concealed within walls, floors, or ceilings providing a 15-minute finish rating. None of the NM cables or AC cables are supported and secured properly. According to Sections 320.30(B) and 334.30, these types of cables are required to be supported and secured within 12 in. of each enclosure where they are connected and at intervals no greater than 41/2 ft. Several of the red fire alarm cables have been spliced without being installed in enclosures, boxes, fire alarm devices or utilization equipment, or listed fittings in violation of Sec. 760.130(B)(1).
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Durability encourages
Customized
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: Dreadful ductwork location.
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.
Our winner this month is Daniel Hixon, deputy director, Public Works-Buildings, Grounds and Facilities, Hagerstown, Md. Daniel knew that according to the 2023 Code, a bathroom is not an appropriate place for enclosed panelboards and overcurrent devices to be located.
While there are no rules specifically prohibiting the installation of panelboards in bathrooms, the circuit breakers installed in the panelboard enclosure are another story. For 2023, Sec. 240.24(E) was revised to state “overcurrent protective devices, other than supplementary overcurrent protection, shall not be located in bathrooms, showering facilities, or locker rooms with showering facilities.” In the 2020 edition, Sec. 240.24(E) stated, “in dwelling units, dormitory units, and guest rooms or guest suites, overcurrent devices, other than supplementary overcurrent protection, shall not be located in bathrooms.” So, prior to 2023, circuit breakers in enclosed panelboards were not prohibited from being located in public restrooms like the one in the photo.
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