Innovative strategies for electrical design engineers to address growing energy demands in the data center space Read more on pg. 30
Growth for Data Centers Continues pg. 8 How to Make Off-Site Material Storage Decisions pg. 14 Finding Hidden Safety Failures pg. 20 AI Is Coming for Your Job… Posting pg. 38 How to Lay Cable pg. 42 NEC Requirements for Branch Circuits pg. 57
As
Subject
The
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:
NEW YORK CITY MODERNIZES ITS ELECTRICAL CODE
National Electrical Code New municipal standard, years in the making and tailored to the city, breaks its bond with 2008 NEC. ecmweb.com/55251976
EC&M ON AIR — 2025 CONSTRUCTION FORECAST WITH JIM LUCY OF ELECTRICAL WHOLESALING
Podcast Ellen and Jim take a deep dive into hot and cold markets, electrical mega projects, and what to expect this year when it comes to the electrical industry. ecmweb.com/55263953
EC&M ASKS —ARE ANNEXES A REQUIREMENT OF NFPA STANDARDS?
Video SME Ron Widup explains the purpose of annexes, how NETA testing standards are connected to NFPA 70E, and what this means for electrical safety. ecmweb.com/55259961
Editorial
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By Ellen Parson, Editor-in-Chief
In this business, we are constantly inundated with industry statistics (from electrical injury/accident incident totals to skilled labor shortage projections to economic forecasts in the many market sectors we cover) — so many that it’s easy to gloss over them. However, there’s one stat I’ve been seeing over and over again that has made me stop and think more than once: “A ChatGPT query needs nearly 10 times as much electricity to process as a Google search.” That’s according to Goldman Sachs Research. When you actually try and process everything that surrounds this tenfold notion, it quickly becomes overwhelming. An in-depth piece by EC&M’s sister publication Data Center Frontier (bit.ly/3CNW41N) does an excellent job of explaining how AI’s transformative impact on data centers is driving unprecedented industry growth, innovation, and global expansion. This is definitely worth a read.
An article on Goldman Sach’s website (https://bit.ly/42OGz4r) reveals that data centers have displayed a remarkably stable appetite for power for years — even as their workloads mounted. “Now, as the pace of efficiency gains in electricity use slows and the AI revolution gathers steam, Goldman Sachs Research estimates that data center power demand will grow 160% by 2030.” Another stunning stat. Although the data center market has been booming for years, something about this moment seems a little different.
In mid-January, J.P. Morgan forecast spending on data centers could boost U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) by 20 basis points in 2025-26 as technology companies race to benefit from the artificial intelligence boom (https://bit.ly/3WTNbL8). In the same report, the firm estimated that spending on data centers likely contributed 0.1%-0.3% to GDP growth in 2024 — a figure that’s inevitably poised to increase.
According to a piece from Allied Business Intelligence (https://bit.ly/3Qa2ZW6), by the end of 2025, there will be 6,111 public data centers worldwide — 5,544 colocation sites and 567 hyperscale sites. Asia-Pacific has the highest concentration of data center locations with Europe and North America following. ABI Research anticipates 8,378 data centers will be in operation by 2030.
Dissecting nonresidential construction spending trends in the United States, Associated Builders and Contractors (AGC) released a press release in early February that revealed national nonresidential construction spending decreased 0.2% in December 2024 and was down on a monthly basis in nine of 16 subcategories. A few exceptions stood out, however. “What little private sector nonresidential momentum exists remains concentrated in just two segments,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “Data centers, which are part of the office category, and manufacturing accounted for 94% of the increase in total nonresidential construction spending from December 2023 to December 2024. Activity in these segments, and perhaps only these segments, will remain elevated regardless of upward pressure on construction costs.”
In its “2025 North American Engineering and Construction Industry Overview,” FMI Corporation (a leading provider of consulting and investment banking services to the built environment) identifies data centers as a high-growth market — with private investment up 60% through the third quarter of 2024 compared to 2023. In contrast, non-data center private office construction spending declined by nearly 15%. The report goes on to note that new data center inventory grew by more than 20% in 2024, driven by surging demand for AI and cloud computing. “Top U.S. markets — Northern Virginia, Dallas-Fort Worth, Silicon Valley, Chicago, Phoenix and Atlanta — are leading this expansion. Prominent recent announcements include Microsoft’s planned $40 billion investment in U.S. data center facilities in 2025 and Atlas Development’s $17 billion data center campus south of Atlanta. This rapid growth is raising concerns in urban areas over land and resource allocation, such as Atlanta’s ban on new data centers in some areas.” The report projects that hyperscale data centers are projected to grow at compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in the teens through 2030. “With this growth, significant challenges such as power shortages and extended lead times for electrical infrastructure will continue to disrupt ongoing and planned projects.”
After sifting through so many statistics, what does this mean in simple terms? Given the proliferation of AI in so many facets of everyday life, one thing’s for sure. Big data is going to need a bigger footprint as the digital age evolves. That’s why we’ve dedicated a good portion of this February issue to everything data center related. Flip through the print or digital editions to uncover what leading subject matter experts expect to transpire in the data center space.
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The
surge in data center construction will not only continue into 2025, but
it also looks like the scale of projects will get even larger because of higher power demands of AI.
By Jim Lucy, Electrical Wholesaling
The explosive growth in data center construction and the related increases in the demand for the electrical construction materials, contractor installation, and design services they require is quite unlike anything the electrical construction industry has ever seen.
Data centers made national news recently when the Trump Administration announced its support for the $500-billion Stargate plan, a joint venture underway for the past year engineered by OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle. While exact details on Stargate are still being unearthed, the scale of the concept highlights just how much money is flowing into data center projects.
Sure, over the years there have been big business opportunities in speculative office construction, energy-efficient lighting retrofits, and the installation of power quality/industrial automation
products. But the dollars being spent on new data centers — and the electrical construction materials that help power them — may very well be unmatched. By all sorts of different economic metrics, data center construction continues at an impressive rate. The U.S. Census Bureau recently started breaking out data center construction in its monthly Value of Private Construction Put in Place data. Through November 2024, data centers were enjoying one of the highest year-to-date (YTD) growth percentages of any project category in 2024 — with a 43.1% increase to $31.5 billion in spending. The overall power demand new data centers are putting on the U.S. electrical grid is getting more intense, too. A recent Goldman Sachs research report said data centers currently consume 1% to 2% of overall power, but that this percentage will grow to 3% to 4% by 2030.
Why the doubling of power demands? Artificial intelligence (AI) is a big reason. A recently published Goldman Sachs report said a ChatGPT query needs nearly 10 times as much electricity to process as a Google search, and that despite the steady growth of data centers over the past few years, they have displayed a stable appetite for power, even as their workloads mounted. “Now, as the pace of efficiency gains in electricity use slows and the AI revolution gathers steam, Goldman Sachs Research estimates that data center power demand will grow 160% by 2030,” the report said.
This all means new business potential for electrical contractors, design engineers, and other electrical professionals involved with data center construction. While electrical products and related installation services typically account for 10% or so of the total cost of the average construction
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10,000
10,000 Meta data center
3,300 Microsoft data center
2,000
2,000 Databank plans for three data centers
Culpepper, BA and Atlanta, GA
1,600
1,500
1,300 Prime Data Center Caldwell County TX Plans announced April 2024 www.datacenterknowledge.com
1,000 Microsoft data center in Radius Industrial Park LaPorte IN Plans announced June 2024 www.datacenterdynamics.com
1,000 Four Meta data centers Catawba County NC Broke ground in May 2024 www.datacenterdynamics.com
1,000 Google data center expansion in Loudoun and Prince William Counties Loudon & Prince William Counties VA
1,000 Convergent Technology Park Remington VA Entered planning stages April 2024 Dodge Construction Network
800 700,000-sq-ft data center campus Jeffersonville IN Plans announced Jan. 2024 www.turnerconstruction.com
800 Meta data center Montgomery AL Broke ground July 2024 www.construction.com
800 Meta data center Montgomery AL Plans announced May 2024 www.montgomeryadvertiser.com
800
750 Phase 1 and 2 of the SNA Data Center
project, they can account for more than twice that percentage in a data center. Along with the cost of service equipment, cable tray or conduit, fiber-optic/data and power cabling, connectors electrical cabinets, and other basic electrical system materials, these facilities require sophisticated cooling, standby generators/power backup, and security or signaling systems.
The U.S. Chamber Technology Engagement Center (C-TEC) said in a post that the American Society of Professional Estimators found that electrical equipment costs are approximately 25% of a data center project. Data centers will continue to get larger in the next few years, and the equipment within will get more sophisticated. According to CBRE real estate research, “The rise of AI and machine learning is driving significant changes in data centers, including increased use of graphics processing units (GPUs) and liquid cooling to reduce the heat from these more power-intensive applications.”
The demands for more power are forcing a notable shift in the locations where new data centers will be built. While the famous “Data Center Alley” west of downtown Washington, D.C., in Fairfax and Loudon counties, has the densest concentration of data centers in the nation, new facilities are having a tougher time being approved there because of their demand for power and water. A recent Bloomberg report said Dominion Energy, the primary power provider for this region’s data centers, expects the time it takes to connect large data centers to the electric grid to “increase by one to three years amid a surge in requests, bringing the total wait time to as long as seven years.” This post also said the longer wait times only apply to data centers requiring 100MW or more of power and won’t affect projects already in the evaluation process. A post at www.datacenterknowledge.com said in March 2024 that northern Virginia had 245 data centers covering 25,000,000 sq ft that consume 3.6 GW of power.
Despite the concerns about power availability in some markets, the size of data center projects appears to be increasing. Electrical Marketing, EC&M’s sister publication, logged more than 30 data center projects valued at more than $500 million that broke ground or were in the planning stage in 2024, with $17 billion of these projects valued at more than $1 billion (see Table on page 10). Some of the largest projects top $10 billion in total contract value. One example is Project Sail, a massive 13-building data center project planned for Coweta County southwest of Atlanta that would have 4.9 million square feet under roof. A post at www.govtech.com said Project Sail project is valued at $17 billion. The Atlanta metropolitan area saw an unprecedented amount of data center development in 2024. Through mid-year 2024, CBRE said the data centers under construction in Atlanta increased by 76% year-over-year to 1,289.1MW.
Louisiana will also be home to a new data center development worth $10 billion in total construction value. Meta recently announced plans for a $10-billion development in Richland Parish in northeast Louisiana. Meta said in a Facebook post, “We are excited to announce that Richland Parish, La., will be home to Meta’s newest data center — our 23rd data center in the United States and 27th in the world. This custom-designed
4 million square foot campus will be our largest data center to date.”
A post at www.datacenterdynamics.com said construction of the data center campus was expected to begin in December 2024 and continue through 2030. Turner Construction Co., DR Construction, and M.A. Mortenson will build the data center, according to a post at www.turnerconstruction.com.
Data centers will continue to be big business for electrical contractors for the foreseeable future. If data center work would be a new avenue of business for your company, check out what some of the veteran contracting firms in that market have to say about data centers. Many of the larger electrical contractors have been in this niche for many years. For example, Cupertino Electric says on its website (www.cei.com) that it has “designed, installed, and commissioned more than 11.5 million square feet of data center space since the 1990s.” EMCOR also promotes the work it does in data centers and says on its website (www.emcor.com) that, “EMCOR companies have completed 875 mission-critical data center projects since 2006, including 450-plus electrical projects; 250-plus mechanical projects; 100plus facility service projects; and 75-plus fire projects.”
There’s also a lively discussion underway on the technical aspects of data centers and getting into this business segment in one of Mike Holt’s Forums at forums.mikeholt.com/threads/ data-center-technician-insight.2582315/.
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ensure material is available and free from damage where you want it and when you need it
By Phil Nimmo, MCA, Inc.
More than two decades ago, research conducted for the electrical construction industry identified that the ideal amount of inventory on a job site equals about three days of installation-ready material. The conclusion stated that having less than three days of material added the risk of starving the crew if they were more productive than planned or faced unscheduled changes and redirection. It also stated that having more than three days of material adds waste by having material that likely would not be installed when expected due to uncontrolled schedule changes, which would then drive up handling costs, damage, and loss.
For most jobs, making space to store and manage material comes at a premium or it’s nonexistent. The supply chain can be long and unpredictable while delays and expedited material fees can quickly become overwhelming. The answer is clear: Material must be nearby but not in the way. The material must be available within three days and verified to be correct and damagefree. This all sounds simple — but be careful not to trivialize the work and expertise needed to ensure this simple solution is effective.
To make an off-site storage solution effective, several questions need to be answered, and the answers aren’t always the same. Things to address include:
• What type of material needs to be stored? How much material do you need? How large and fragile is the material?
• What storage facilities are needed? Can this be stored on the floor, stacked, or racked?
• How far from the job site should this location be? How will it be transported to the site? Who will transport it? What equipment is needed? How long will it take to get it there?
• Who will manage the logistics? Who will know that the material was ordered and shipped to/from the storage location? Who will track the amount of material available at the storage location? How will this be tracked and communicated?
These few simple bullet points are only the starting point for this type of solution. If you read that list of questions carefully, you may notice that none of the answers are taught to apprentices during their training to be an electrician — and none of those are routinely taught to new foremen either.
In fact, for most contractors, training in these skills isn’t even provided to the project managers they promote from the field. The effectiveness of off-site material storage is often less about the material and the cost of storage than it is about managing the information and knowing where the material is at any point in time.
Over the past several decades, many contractors have been increasing their reliance on vendors to help with logistics management. For many of these contractors, the eye-opening reality is that the vendors are mostly interested in selling in large volume and turning their warehouse inventory frequently. The vendors simply do not have a consistent process or supporting tools for managing your material in their facilities. Issues arise from having committed and separate inventory,
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Sample Project
First Floor Pipe Completion
3,262h Fri 12/17/21
Mon 8/1/22 First Floor Lighting 1,200h Mon 8/8/22
Second Floor Temp Lighting 80h Mon 9/5/22
Second Floor Temp Power for Equipment 160h Mon 1/2/23
Materials 22h Fri 12/17/21
Vendor #1 22h Fri 12/17/21
Pipe and Wire 11h Fri 12/17/21 Contract 1h Fri 12/17/21
Submittals Approved 3h Fri 1/18/22 PO 1h Fri 2/4/22
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Table 1. Project schedule with material planning. Note that the material movement is tied to the installation tasks.
unique billing and tracking processes, and separate storage facilities. This can be easily exaggerated by inventory that isn’t theirs and isn’t really in their WMS. Suddenly, you — and your preferred vendors — realize that their expertise in managing your material is based on the organization and communications skills of a few individuals. These vary widely from project to project, customer to customer, and business to business.
So, what is the real solution? The real solution to off-site material storage lies in the process — a process that is designed with the intent of knowing what your material is, where it is, and when you will have it where you need it. Again, this may start to sound trivial because it isn’t difficult. But for most contractors, it also isn’t followed through.
In preconstruction and early construction, most project managers and
foremen do a great job at setting up the material lists and even getting the POs in place. Things typically start to fall apart when it comes to tracking the status of submittals and, of course, the release and logistics planning for the material movement. We can’t blindly rely on the vendors to just make it all happen. After all, most jobs don’t stick to a rigid schedule, and the dates the vendors have at the start will (at best) loosely match when you are ready for the material on the job site. The material management solution for off-site material storage needs to be owned by the project team — the only people who know the latest and most realistic needs of a dynamic job site.
Foremen don’t have to make calls and spend their days negotiating manufacturing dates and carrier schedules, but they do need to share the changing needs
of the job site in a language/manner that the supply chain can respond to appropriately. That means the foreman needs to have a running and real-time picture of both the project installation progress and where the material is located. Continuing from the preconstruction BOM and corresponding POs, the project manager and foreman will need to have a simple tracking mechanism. Gathering the information and putting it together in one place for the project manager and foreman means reviewing an up-to-date project schedule to provide two to three weeks look ahead of the planned work areas, tasks, and materials, combined with a short interval scheduling tool, such as SIS®, to show the short-term work two to three days ahead. And last, you’ll need a running tally of the ordered material, its current location, and its condition.
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Table 3. Tracking spreadsheet showing material quantity and location (red text shows potential issues).
Here’s what that looks like. The project schedule is the contractor’s work, not just the phases and milestone dates provided by the GC, but the actual installation schedule. The schedule also must be updated regularly to show progress, which should be updated weekly to allow the three-week look ahead to be accurate. The lookahead is used to ensure that material has arrived at the local off-site storage facility and has been inspected before its actual transfer date to the job site.
SIS® is used to coordinate the ship dates from the local storage to the jobsite point of installation. Last, although many more sophisticated and capable tools exist, such as DCI Construction®, most project managers and foremen can track the location of material with a simple spreadsheet.
Above are illustrations showing the specific tools for support of the off-site
material storage solution. Table 1 on page 16 shows an excerpt from a project schedule that includes material breakdown, filtered to provide a three-week look ahead. Table 2 shows an example of the SIS® that allows for material needs to be identified by the installers. Table 3 is a spreadsheet illustration of the material tracking needs.
For many jobs — and nearly all large projects — off-site material storage is the only practical solution. We have touched on the idea that neither contractors nor distributors has historically focused on the information flow and communications management needed to ensure the success of this model.
In conclusion, MCA has been a long-time advocate of vendor services and partnering for the purposes of material management. This is still an effective solution because partnering
with the right vendor can provide access to storage space, transportation, and enhanced relationships with manufacturers and their reps. As the industry continues to evolve, so must the solutions. We are at the point where job sites and contractors installing on those job sites need more information and a complete picture of their material throughout the supply chain. But most importantly, you must stay one step ahead of the job site. You need to know where the material is and have a proactive plan to get it to the job site when it’s needed. That plan comes from updated project schedules with both three-week and three-day planning and scheduling for material needs.
Phil Nimmo is Vice President of Business Development at MCA, Inc. He can be reached at pnimmo@mca.net.
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When someone dies from electrocution or loses an eye, we can readily see that a safety failure has occurred. However, if a week goes by at your facility without so much as a paper cut, does that mean no safety failure has occurred?
Let’s consider something we deal with almost daily. We’ve all encountered them: the people who terrorize others with their aggressive driving. They tailgate with no hope of stopping in time. They weave, often forcing other drivers to brake hard. They blow past us at 90 or 100 mph. Even if by sheer luck and the attentiveness of other drivers they don’t slam into anybody, we don’t consider them safe drivers — and neither do the police or insurance companies.
We consider these people to be unsafe drivers all the time — not only when their choices result in a collision or fatality. Yet on the job, it’s common to ignore or downplay unsafe choices, behaviors, and conditions as long as nobody gets hurt. This is a mistake that inevitably results in an injury or death that would not have otherwise occurred.
For the sake of simplicity, we can sort occupational safety failures into two areas of responsibility:
• Employer failures.
• Employee failures.
One reason we know there’s a high incidence of employer failures is we can see the number of OSHA citations. OSHA is thinly spread across a large number of workplaces. So, it’s amazing that in the 12 months ending in September 2024, the agency cited companies for 2,888 violations of the hazard communication system (HCS) and 2,443 violations of lockout/tagout (LOTO) requirements.
These were not employee violations; they were company violations.
In many smaller firms — and even in factories owned by larger firms — there simply isn’t the budget to have a dedicated safety director on staff. So it falls to the HR person or someone else as an add-on job responsibility.
For those factories, the solution is to properly allocate the budget. For the recalcitrant, the choice tends to get forced on them once they experience the expensive sting of a string of OSHA citations followed by a stern warning from their insurance company — or a hemorrhaging of key personnel who find these unsafe conditions unacceptable.
For the smaller firms, multiple solutions are available including outsourcing the expertise while assigning
implementation and oversight to key managers.
Let’s go back to the dangerous driver example. If you, as the employer, think of your job as analogous to providing/ managing the road system, you have a fair approximation of how to manage the workplace. For example, you need to ensure medians are in place to prevent head-on collisions (machine guards are in place and serviceable); people don’t speed, tailgate, or weave (you teach safe work practices and incorporate them into your work procedures, supervision, and company culture); and so forth.
As you perform this role, here are some ways to expose and correct hidden safety failures:
• Check your work procedures If they are laden with dense safety
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Perfect for data center remote power panel feeds, panels, equipment feeds and EV Chargers in parking garages, Arlington’s Listed CableStop™ Transition Fittings deliver the efficient, cost-effective way to transition feeder cables to 2.5", 3" and 3.5" EMT, IMC and RMC conduit in protective drops, risers and feeds to panels and equipment.
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warnings, the safety message is being ignored. Trim safety messages to simple verb-noun reminders, such as “verify de-energization” or “lockout breaker.” Properly trained people don’t need more than that, they just need a reminder.
Check your training. Don’t conduct training so you can check the box; check the training to ensure people understand how to perform their work safely.
saying things like, “Tell me how to make this portable cord safe.”
• Correct chronic failures. People make mistakes, and you have to allow for that by not automatically going down
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
See all of our EC&M e-newsletters at www.ecmweb.com
Establish a “safe harbor” for reporting unsafe acts. Employees should be able to report themselves (tell their supervisor about a near miss and ask for advice) and their coworkers (ask their supervisor to speak to person X about unsafe act Y) without fear of negative repercussions on anybody. It’s about protecting people, not punishing them.
Establish a coaching system Each employee needs to watch out for coworkers. If Sally sees Jim performing an unsafe act, she should ask him to stop and correct it. Jim’s response to Sally should be one of gratitude. Getting this to work right is not difficult. It works smoothly when people realize their coworker is also their safety coach.
• Train supervisors in field auditing for safety. Their job isn’t to catch people not wearing their safety glasses and then write them up. Their job is to check how people are doing their work and provide safety mentoring as needed. They should do things such as occasionally sit in on a job briefing, follow along on a lockout/tagout, and stop people to ask them to explain what dangers they have identified and how they are protecting themselves.
• Look for system issues/unsafe conditions. These include poorly maintained lifts, damaged ladders, and incorrectly stored solvents. This should be done systematically. At a manufacturing plant in central Tennessee, the safety director does a safety inspection tour every Tuesday with a maintenance or production supervisor joining him. On a paper mill construction project in South Carolina, the safety director visited one work area every few days and supplemented his visual inspection by asking workers about safety concerns they encountered. He could often be heard
If you are an employee, you have a huge incentive to work safely. Blaming the company after you lose an eye is not quite as good for you as working in such a way that you don’t lose your eye.
the formal discipline path. Often, a mistake means management did not do a good job of training. But some people either disregard the safety practices or are too unfit for work (sleep-deprived, hungover, or sick) to give safety proper attention. These people are a danger to themselves and others. The formal discipline practice must be applied to them.
OSHA puts the legal burden on the employer, not the employee. But that doesn’t mean the employee has no responsibility. OSHA holds the employer responsible for establishing a program to train and oversee employees.
NFPA 70E, by contrast, focuses on what employees need to do. Much of the text has to do with personal awareness, personal judgment, and personal responsibility.
If you are an employee, you have a huge incentive to work safely. Blaming the company after you lose an eye is not quite as good for you as working in such a way that you don’t lose your eye. Your primary duty on the job is to be your own personal safety supervisor. Getting
Arlington’s recessed STEEL combination power/low voltage TV BOX™ is the best way to mount an LED or Hi-Def TV flush against a wall.
TV BOX provides power and/or low voltage in one or more of the openings. Plugs and connectors stay inside the box, without extending past the wall.
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Arlington’s Concrete Pipe Sleeves are the economical way to sleeve through concrete pours in tilt-up construction WALLS – and FLOORS allowing cable and conduit to run easily from one floor to the next.
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the work done is extremely important, but it comes third on the list (protecting the environment, for example, not pouring solvent down the drain, is second). You must work safely — and there is no excuse for doing otherwise. Follow these tips to succeed:
• Actively address causes of inattention. Staying up too late, texting while working, and engaging in social chatter are obvious ones.
• Ask for a printed copy of your company’s electrical safety program. Read it methodically and jot down any questions you have. The only stupid question is the one you don’t ask. Where safety is concerned, the question you don’t ask might be a lethal one. So ask.
• Thoroughly read and understand NFPA 70E. If you do not own a copy that you can pore over and mark up, why not buy one?
• Obtain a written copy of your company’s HCS program. Take the time to understand it. If you have questions, ask your supervisor.
• Pay close attention during a job briefing. If anything is unclear, ask for clarification.
• If you are unsure about whether something is safe for you to do, don’t do it. Raise the issue with your supervisor. Note that just because it is safe for another person to do it, that doesn’t mean it’s safe for you to do it. The other person
may be a “qualified person” while you are not, and that can make a critical difference.
• Don’t try to hide a safety failure from your supervi sor. Instead, raise the issue and discuss how you could have done things differently. This approach shows maturity and trustworthiness — two characteristics highly valued by employers.
• Be a safety nut. If it’s been a while since someone has joked that you’re paranoid, it could mean you’re not diligent enough.
• Be methodical. To the uninitiated, a methodical work approach seems slow and inefficient. To the experienced, it is the best way to avoid mistakes, reduce waste, stay safe, and produce the highest quality of work.
Make a point of learning what you can do to prevent safety failures. Watch for them to happen, determine the cause, and solve for that cause. A safety failure that doesn’t occur never becomes a reportable safety incident. But one that stays hidden will repeat itself and eventually produce serious injuries or death.
Mark Lamendola is an electrical consultant based in Merriam, Kan. He can be reached at mark@mindconnection.com.
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In an era where energy efficiency is paramount, power quality analysis stands out as a critical practice for optimizing operational performance and reducing costs.
By Jason Axelson, Fluke
Optimizing energy efficiency in today’s industrial and commercial landscapes is more crucial than ever. One often overlooked yet vital aspect of achieving this optimization is power quality analysis, which ensures that the electricity supplied to a facility meets the required standards for equipment operation.
Power quality analysis involves evaluating the electricity being provided to a facility and the loads connected to its electrical panels. This process is fundamental because equipment such as computers, motors, and pumps all have specific power requirements to operate efficiently. If the quality of power deviates from these requirements, the equipment may not function optimally, leading to inefficiencies and increased operational costs.
Power quality issues directly affect the energy efficiency of a facility. Every electrical device consumes power. By using a power quality analyzer, one can break down the cost of power consumption into specific components. These components reveal stories about the quality of power and how it impacts energy efficiency.
• Resistive losses: Electrical wiring and connections inherently possess resistance, which results in power losses. Though changing electrical wiring can be challenging, tools like thermal imagers can help identify loose connections. Fixing these connections can significantly reduce resistive losses, thereby improving overall energy efficiency.
• Harmonics: Harmonics are distorted frequencies generated by electronic loads that disrupt the normal operation of electrical systems. These frequencies create additional heat rather than performing useful work, which can reduce the efficiency of motors and other equipment. Using a power analyzer to identify the harmonic components and their magnitudes, facilities can implement appropriate mitigation strategies to
Arlington’s steel SliderBar™ offers the easy, NEAT way to mount single or two-gang boxes between wood or metal studs with non-standard stud cavities.
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reduce harmonic distortion and lower energy costs.
• Electrical unbalance: Electrical unbalance occurs when the load is not evenly distributed across phases, leading to increased energy consumption and negative impacts on motors. Addressing and reducing electrical unbalance can lead to significant energy savings and improved performance.
• Power factor: Power factor is a measure of how efficiently power is delivered and used. A poor power factor can result in additional utility charges and may necessitate upgrading electrical panels to support extra loads. By improving the power factor, facilities can reduce these extra charges and potentially avoid costly panel upgrades.
Harmonic distortion arises when non-linear loads or electronic devices introduce frequencies that are multiples of the fundamental power frequency. These harmonic frequencies generate heat instead of performing useful work and can interfere with motor operations.
To tackle harmonic distortion, electrical professionals can use advanced power quality analyzers. These analyzers align measurements with power quality
standards such as IEEE 519, Standard for Harmonic Control in Electric Power Systems, and provide pass/fail analysis of harmonic components. Total harmonic distortion (THD) is a key metric to determine if further analysis is required. Once harmonics are identified, there are two primary mitigation methods:
• Passive mitigation: This involves using filters to block specific harmonic frequencies. These filters target and eliminate the identified harmonics,
thus reducing their impact on the system.
• Active mitigation: Active mitigation techniques counteract harmonics in real time. These methods dynamically address harmonic frequencies as they occur, improving the overall power quality and efficiency of the system.
Power quality analysis is a powerful tool for enhancing energy efficiency and reducing operational costs in industrial and commercial facilities. By identifying and addressing issues such as resistive losses, harmonics, electrical unbalance, and power factor, electrical professionals can help facilities achieve significant improvements in energy efficiency. Implementing proper mitigation strategies for these power quality issues not only reduces energy consumption but also extends the lifespan of equipment and minimizes additional costs.
Jason Axelson is a product application specialist for Fluke. He has more than 15 years of experience helping customers and partners find solutions for power quality, scope meters, and battery testers. He also conducts application training to help diagnose and resolve both technical and product inquiries.
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Our
screws
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This convenient combo box has power and low voltage openings in the same box for a neat, time-saving installation.
The box adjusts to fit wall thicknesses from 1/4" to 1-1/2". Mounting wing screws hold it securely in place.
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Arlington’s heavy-duty, plated steel fan/ fixture box has an adjustable bracket that mounts securely between joists spaced 16" to 24" o.c.
Flush ceiling installations
FBRS415 is designed for ceilings up to 1-1/4" thick. For 1/2" ceilings, use the pre-bent positioning tab. For other ceiling thicknesses, bend along the appropriate score line.
• 15.6 cu. inch box ships with captive screws, mud cover, installed NM cable connector
By Matt Koukl
Data centers are vital to maintaining our digital world, playing a crucial role in business operations and daily life. However, the demand for data center capacity is increasing at an unprecedented rate, driven by the rapid growth of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and cloud computing. McKinsey & Company estimates data capacity demand in the United States will surge from 25 GW in 2024 to over 80 GW by 2030.
While this growth presents exciting opportunities, it also comes with challenges. With AI/ML advancements driving future data center demand, data center developers, owners, and operators are pressured to keep pace with the increasing power density and capacity needs associated with these computing requirements. The latest advancements in data center networking and computer and storage technologies must be deployed to handle staggering volumes of data and traffic with minimal latency — all of which must be adequately supported by power and cooling infrastructure.
Given the projected data demands over the next decade and the current constraints of the aging United States electrical grid, electrical design engineers are in a unique position to help data center operators/owners reduce
energy consumption and improve performance through innovative power generation and cooling strategies, including on-site power generation and liquid cooling.
Data center energy consumption will continue to grow as the need for data, digitalization, cloud migration, and new technologies expands. According to the “2024 United States Data Center Energy Usage Report,” U.S. data center power needs will likely double or triple current capacity within the next four years, going from around 4% total electricity consumption in 2023 to 6.7% to 12% in 2028. The report further anticipates the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) for electricity consumption to reach 13% to 27% between 2023 and 2028 with an estimated low- and highend energy use of roughly 325 TWh and 580 TWh in 2028. This annual energy use range would translate to a total data center power demand of between 74 GW and 132 GW.
AI/ML advancements are major factors driving U.S. data center demand and power consumption. AI-specific data center energy usage is projected to grow at an average rate of 43% annually over the next four years with AI-data capacity demand rising 33% per year.
Goldman Sachs estimates that a single query to ChatGPT uses around six to 10 times the power of a traditional Google search. Furthermore, the growth of AI, ultimately fueled by chip suppliers such as NVIDIA and AMD, has prompted data center giants (including Google, Meta, Amazon, and Microsoft) to start building super-sized hyperscale data centers requiring much more power to meet their energy consumption needs. In existing hyperscale data centers, cabinet power densities range from 10 to 20kW per rack. However, AI-ready racks equipped with resource-intensive GPUs require more than 130kW per rack. This shift in cabinet power density is also occurring in existing colocation and enterprise data centers, where there’s a significant need for greater cooling and power to accommodate AI/ML.
Power distribution will eventually need to evolve to support the increased and continued use of high-powerdensity IT equipment. This includes enabling higher voltage and possibly a change in operating current (i.e., alternating current versus direct current). Such changes will require IT hardware with different power supplies to accommodate higher voltages and power distribution infrastructure to support these different voltage conditions. These new conditions will also require revisions to power coordination studies and arc flash values as well as staff training to operate in these environments.
Utilities in the United States are currently struggling to meet increasing
power demands with challenges such as congestion, reliability, and inadequate transmission capacity
The rising power requirements for high-performance computing and AI will only further strain data center
According to the “2024 United States Data Center Energy Usage Report,” U.S. data center power needs will likely double or triple current capacity within the next four years.
impacting the U.S. power grid. In recent years, states like Texas and California have experienced shortages and constraints, leading to significant service outages and interruptions. Over the next five years, U.S. electricity demand could rise 128 GW, largely due to data center and manufacturing growth.
energy infrastructure, amplifying the challenges of sourcing sufficient power capacity. It is estimated that $50 billion in new generation capacity is needed just to support data centers. Intensifying data center power requirements could also create roadblocks to meeting sustainable energy goals at a time when data centers
are facing increasing regulatory pressure to reduce carbon emissions.
Power generation availability is crucial for data centers to meet the ever-increasing demands of AI/ML computing workloads. As such, data center operators are exploring on-site power generation and alternative power sourcing strategies. On-site power generation using technologies like fuel cells, small modular reactors, and renewable energies paired with storage solutions can help minimize the impact of increased energy demands, enhance resilience, and reduce dependence on the traditional grid.
Fuel cell technology. Fuel cell technology is emerging as a key solution in the push for energy diversification and alternative energy sources. With the ability to produce energy on site, enhancing electrical reliability and energy security, these systems can reduce the burden on the existing power grid and provide power where access to the grid is
limited. Fuel cells are particularly ideal for microgrids powering critical facilities like data centers.
Natural gas fuel cells convert the chemical energy from methane in natural gas into electricity with minimal footprint or infrastructure at the data center’s location, reducing the need for transmission lines or related materials. While not entirely “green,” these systems produce less than half the emissions of coal or oil, generating approximately 0.96 pounds of CO2 per kilowatt hour.
Hydrogen fuel cells operate similarly, using hydrogen instead and emitting only water without carbon emissions. Innovations in fuel cell efficiency, hydrogen production, and renewable energy integration, along with supportive government policies and a growing commitment from the private sector, are making this technology more viable and cost effective. Prominent tech companies, including Microsoft and Google, are currently exploring using hydrogen
fuel cells in data centers to achieve their carbon-free energy goals.
Natural gas generation. Power constraints and the long wait for utility power upgrades are pushing some data center operators and developers toward on-site natural gas-fired generation to meet the demand for reliable and efficient services.
In recent years, energy companies have observed a shift in site selection for data centers toward regions with greater energy and supply infrastructure. A significant portion of U.S. data center construction is now concentrated in areas near natural gas resources (like the Marcellus shale production region in Northern Virginia and Dallas-Fort Worth) where there is access to gas from the Permian Basin in West Texas. S&P Global estimates that demand for natural gas to support data centers could increase to between three and six billion cubic feet per day over the next six years, with this infrastructure playing a crucial role in supporting data centers by 2030.
Arlington’s heavy-duty Grounding Bridges provide reliable intersystem bonding between power and communication grounding systems. And handle multiple hookups of communications systems: telephone, CATV and satellite.
Our new GB5T is THREADED for threaded conduit or another GB5T – with a SET SCREW for use on EMT or PVC.
Arlington’s zinc and bronze grounding bridges...
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An example of this trend is the Microsoft Dublin data center campus, which received approval in 2023 to construct a 170MW gas-fired power plant to provide power for its operations. In another instance, plans for a 3-GW data center in Western Pennsylvania include installing natural gas turbines for onsite generation for the data center while using electricity from the local power utility to power the site. Also, ExxonMobil recently announced its commitment to providing data centers with lowcarbon electricity by coupling carbon capture with natural gas-fired power plants by the decade’s end.
signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Dominion Energy to explore an SMR project that could bring at least 300MW of power to Virginia, where AWS is expanding its data center presence.
Renewable clean energy. Data centers are increasingly turning to renewable energy sources like solar and wind to power their operations, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and minimize carbon emissions. While integrating clean energy technologies presents challenges for affordability and reliability, advancements in energy storage systems, grid management, and energy systems
Although traditional air conditioning systems have been useful for maintaining suitable temperatures over the last few decades, they are limited in handling the thermal load from densely packed, powerful servers.
Small modular reactors (SMRs). Although still in the development phase and currently unavailable for commercial use, data center operators are beginning to look toward small modular reactors for future on-site power generation needs. With roughly one-third of the generating capacity of traditional nuclear power reactors, SMRs use nuclear fission to generate heat to produce a large amount of low-carbon electricity — up to 300MW(e) per unit.
A key benefit of SMRs is their smaller size, which allows for installation on site or within a reasonable distance of data centers. This can help overcome grid constraints and improve energy resiliency. They are also scalable and have the potential for incremental power additions. Local authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ) will play a significant role in determining whether SMRs can be a viable power source for data centers.
In October 2024, Google and Kairos Power announced an agreement to develop, construct, and operate advanced reactor plants to supply clean electricity to Google data centers. Concurrently, Amazon Web Services (AWS)
integration are helping companies overcome these obstacles.
Leading tech companies like Google and Amazon are at the forefront with ambitious goals to run their data centers entirely on renewable energy. Google has committed to operating on carbonfree energy in all its data centers by 2030, while Amazon has announced plans to power its operations with 100% renewable energy by 2025.
Energy storage systems. Grid-scale energy storage systems (ESSs) store energy and supply it back to the grid when needed. While an ESS is not a means of power generation, this technology plays a key role in maintaining a reliable power supply, especially when using alternative power sources.
In particular, battery energy storage systems (BESSs) installed on site can help lessen dependence on the grid, ensuring service remains stable, resilient, and reliable as energy demands continue to grow. These systems can aid in peak shaving and load leveling, voltage and frequency regulation, and emergency power supply. They can also facilitate broader adoption of renewable energy sources, helping data centers manage
intermittent generation patterns associated with wind and solar energy.
Recently, the State of Virginia, along with South Carolina and private sector partners, was awarded an $85.3-million federal grant for renewable energy initiatives, which included the installation of a large-scale battery energy storage system at the Iron Mountain data center campus in Manassas.
As data centers face increasing power densities driven by advancements in AI and ML, cooling has become key in managing power consumption and improving data center performance. Although traditional air conditioning systems have been useful for maintaining suitable temperatures over the last few decades, they are limited in handling the thermal load from densely packed, powerful servers. Consequently, many operators are shifting to advanced cool ing solutions like liquid cooling, which is gaining traction in the data center cool ing market.
Providing the computing power needed to meet the ever-growing demand for AI and ML applications requires deploying sophisticated infrastructure with high-powered general-purpose graphics processing units (GPUs). Advances in processor technology have introduced chips with thermal design power ranging from 300W to 1,000W, with the possibility of 2,000W proces sors in the near future.
This increase in power density and power-hungry silicon devices poses chal lenges for traditional air cooling systems to effectively and efficiently dissipate heat. High air temperatures can negatively impact the performance of electronic components within data centers poten tially leading to reduced efficiency or hardware failure in extreme cases. For systems to remain reliably operational, data centers need to implement sophis ticated and redundant cooling systems to maintain optimal temperatures.
With its efficiency and energysaving capabilities, liquid cooling can facilitate better management of ther mal output and overall performance for data centers. Unlike air, liquid cooling
the cable into the connector and rotate it clockwise.
Available in 3/8" trade size, both connectors install into a 1/2" knockout, and are listed for steel and aluminum AC, HCF, MCI and MCI-A cable. The tinted 40STS has more room inside for easier cable insertion.
In Canada both connectors are Listed for use with AC90 and ACG90 cable.
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This twice-a-month e-newsletter tracks the development, design, installation, and safe operation of electric vehicle supply equipment and systems.
Topics covered include:
• Applying NEC requirements
• Industry news and trends
• New products
• Federal investment allocation
• National EV charging infrastructure buildout development
See all of our EC&M e-newsletters at www.ecmweb.com
efficiently absorbs and dissipates heat from data center components, allowing for closer component packing and reduced space requirements.
Liquid cooling methods also keep electronics at a more consistent temperature by targeting the hottest spots. This can increase the life of the hardware and allow it to operate at higher speeds than those originally intended by manufacturers. A December 2022 study published in ASME on the power usage effectiveness of an air-liquid hybridcooled data center found liquid cooling reduced total data center power by more than 10%.
The adoption of liquid cooling as an alternative or supplement to air cooling in data centers has dramatically increased over the last few years due to the rapid increase in power consumption for AI/ML workloads. Cloud service providers (CSPs) and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), in particular, have intensified their adoption, as CPU power has steadily increased from around 100W to greater than 400W over the last five years.
Many liquid cooling options are entering the data center cooling market for various applications with some solutions better suited to certain conditions than others.
• Rear-door heat exchangers (RDHx) cool components with liquid-cooled heat exchangers installed at the back of the rack. They are categorized into passive and active heat exchangers. While neither delivers liquid directly to the server or chip, both rely on fans to either push or pull heated exhaust air across liquid-filled coils that absorb the heat before the air is returned to the data hall.
• Immersion cooling typically involves submerging the server and its components in a carbon or stainless-steel tank housing dielectric, thermally conductive fluid. The fluid rapidly absorbs heat, effectively keeping the temperature low. These fluids usually consist of either a single-phase fluid or a two-phase fluid.
• Direct-to-chip liquid cooling (DLC) employs a liquid cooling mechanism that directly contacts the chip’s surface, quickly absorbing and removing the heat produced by the chip, leading to efficient heat transfer and dissipation. In single-phase DLC, fluid (deionized
water or water treated with bacterial growth inhibitors) circulates through the microchannels within the cold plate and then moves to a heat exchanger to dissipate the heat. Two-phase DLC involves fluid entering the cold plate and changing from liquid to vapor through an evaporative process with the vapor returning to a heat exchanger and condensing into a liquid.
Of the three technologies, DLC is one of the most commonly deployed liquid cooling systems to date and has been implemented in many large-scale data centers worldwide. DLC primarily focuses on cooling processors and other high-heat flux components, leaving less energy-intensive heat-generating components to be cooled by air. The computer room cooling system typically cools these components, which also helps to cool other IT equipment, including switches and storage hardware.
Rapid advancements in technology — particularly in AI and ML — are shaping the future of data centers, driving unprecedented power demand. As data center developers, owners, and operators face the challenge of meeting this growing energy requirement while maintaining operational efficiency and resilience, adopting innovative design and infrastructure solutions becomes imperative.
Integrating advanced power management strategies, on-site generation, and effective cooling mechanisms will be crucial for optimizing performance and mitigating strain on existing electrical grids. By embracing these changes, data center operators can ensure they are well equipped to navigate the complexities of a technology-driven world and capitalize on the opportunities that lie ahead.
Matt Koukl, DCEP-G, is a Principal and Market Leader at Affiliated Engineers, Inc. Matt has nearly two decades of experience leading Mission Critical projects and supporting the planning and design of data center facilities. He is also the current Chair for ASHRAE Technical Committee 9.9, defining standards for mission critical facilities, data centers, technology spaces, and electronic equipment.
Arlington’s Low Voltage Mounting Brackets are mounting of Class 2 communications, computer and cable TV wiring and connections.
Introducing for EXISTING or RETROFIT construction...
Our
• Extra rigidity and stability where performance and visibility are important or critical
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The LV1S PLATED STEEL mounting bracket, with its unique X-shaped bracket design, provides excellent stability and secure installation of low voltage devices in 1/4" to 1-1/4" walls - without an electrical box.
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As an electrical contractor or electrical engineer, artificial intelligence is working with you and for you — not against you.
By Aaron Szymanski, Augmenta
The construction industry continues to face many of the same challenges as it has for the last decade. Labor shortages, material supply chain disruptions, and increasingly complex projects make staying competitive and profitable more difficult than ever. While everyone’s feeling this pressure, the push to innovate is on the rise. This means finding new ways to do more with less, mitigating risks like inaccurate estimating, and keeping projects on schedule. As an electrical professional, failing to adapt could slow your growth and even put your business in jeopardy.
For the past 25 years, productivity and efficiency in construction have flatlined while a growing global population coupled with aging infrastructure has led to skyrocketing demand for construction projects. However, as demand rises, the industry faces a critical labor shortage. According to Associated Builders and Contractors, the industry needs to attract an estimated 501,000 additional workers in the United States alone on top of the normal pace of hiring in 2024 to meet demand. Part of this problem is that construction is underappreciated as a career choice. The public perception of the industry is that it’s “old school,” physically demanding, and less tech-savvy. These assumptions are keeping top talent out of the market where they’re needed most.
Arlington’s 8X10 TV Box™ with a Plastic or Steel Box offers the ultimate in versatility for installing TVs in new and retrofit projects. There's more room in the box for wires and it installs horizontally or vertically to properly position low voltage connections behind the TV.
• Ideal for home theater systems: multiple connections for sound systems, satellite TV, CATV, DVRs
• Brackets for neater cables, with a 1-1/2" knockout for ENT and other low voltage wiring
• Box mounts to stud in new work; for retrofit, mounting wing screws secure
Arlington’s non-metallic Split Wall Plates provide a simple and effective way to accommodate pre-connectorized low voltage cable(s) of varying size and quantity or pre-existing low voltage cables.
Multiple split grommets are provided with our single- and two-gang wall plates for increased versatility in effectively sizing and covering the hole/opening.
Use as shipped, or with one of the supplied bushings to alter the size of the opening.
• Single-gang CESP1 w/ 1-1/2" opening, bushings for .312" • .500" • 1" openings
• Two-gang CESP2 w/ 2" opening, bushings for .750" • 1.250" openings 1-1/
One of the biggest hurdles to artificial intelligence (AI) adoption in construction is the fear that AI will take jobs. In reality, we need AI to fill the hiring gap. The industry cannot possibly meet the growing demand with the construction labor market as it is. Conversely, by using AI to empower existing employees and automate tedious and repetitive tasks, skilled electrical professionals can focus on higher-value activities that require critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving.
Despite this, it’s still important to recognize that it will take time to transform the construction industry into a digital-age innovation leader. One area that stands out as a prime candidate for early adoption is building information modeling (BIM) and virtual design and construction (VDC).
Electrical teams often shoulder a disproportionate amount of the modeling workload compared to other trades. When paired with the increasing complexity of electrical systems in modern buildings, these teams are especially susceptible to the challenges of labor shortages and tight deadlines. What’s more, the modeling tools available today are difficult to train and are time-consuming to use. Fortunately, AI can help alleviate these challenges by automating many of the time-consuming tasks associated with electrical BIM and VDC.
AI applications for electrical contractors are starting to emerge. Today, the primary use case is automated estimation and take-offs. Traditionally, this process involved taking two-dimensional plans in PDF format and using them to map out wiring, conduit, boxes/enclosures, circuit breakers and panels, transformers, and other equipment. Then, the team would estimate the total cost of the project based on the material quantities from the take-off, including labor rates, material prices, and other projectrelated expenses. This work was typically done using spreadsheets, which inevitably led to errors and inefficiencies. Many electrical contractors still use these same traditional processes today.
But takeoff work can be optimized today by AI-powered software, which analyzes digital blueprints and automatically identifies and quantifies electrical components. This eliminates the need for manual measurement and counting, reducing human error and saving time. For estimation, AI will soon be able to analyze historical project data, material prices, and labor rates to generate
One of the biggest hurdles to artificial intelligence (AI) adoption in construction is the fear that AI will take jobs. In reality, we need AI to fill the hiring gap.
more accurate cost estimates. Overall, this technology increases accuracy and time savings and empowers electrical contractors to make better decisions. These early use cases are very compelling, but they’re only the beginning of what AI can do for the electrical trade.
As the technology matures, expect to see AI play an even greater role in areas like design automation.
• Automating design: Once the BIM model backgrounds are available at project kickoff, AI can review the documentation and generate coordinated electrical designs that meet all electrical codes and contract requirements. These designs can be varied to meet different priorities. For instance, one builder might prioritize quick construction, while others may prefer designs that are more sustainable or will mitigate upkeep in the future. With all the options in front of them, these AI-generated designs empower electrical engineers and electrical contractors to become true advisors.
• Translating documents into 3D models: Most construction projects
begin with disparate documentation like permit drawings, contracts, project specs, and more. These documents are often transferred between users, updated, and marked up, creating miscommuni cations and errors early on in the design process. Soon, AI can reconcile all 2D documents, aggregate project require ments, and even translate 2D drawings into a 3D BIM model, creating a single source of truth for all parties that elimi nates the risk of miscommunication.
• Regulating quality assurance
Today, quality assurance is often man aged by senior field personnel. This can be costly, and even the best QA lead can make mistakes. Soon, AI could be tasked with reviewing electrical designs to find errors before they happen. This will streamline the process and protect teams from expen sive and potentially dangerous mishaps.
• Coordinating prefabrication AI can streamline prefabrication by automating time-consuming tasks like creating shop drawings and spooling by approximately 10% to 20%. This auto mation frees up BIM teams to focus on higher-level tasks, such as optimizing the design and coordination, ultimately increasing efficiency and reducing proj ect timelines.
The construction industry is struggling to keep up with the rate of change occur ring in society today. To truly embrace innovation, the industry must recognize that AI isn’t working against you. It’s an agent that works with you and for you — completing monotonous tasks that humans aren’t generally good at, such as calculation and data storage.
Electrical contractors have a unique opportunity to lead the way in AI adop tion, and the tools available today only scratch the surface of AI’s potential. By embracing this transformative technology, electrical contractors can improve their efficiency and productivity and inspire other trades to follow suit. The future of construction isn’t about choosing between human expertise and artificial intelligence; it’s about combining both to build better, faster, and more sustainably than ever before.
Aaron Szymanski is a co-founder and head of product at Augmenta. He leads Augmenta’s product definition and design efforts.
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Subject matter experts answer your most pressing questions about mastering cable installation and management in the data center space.
By Bill Fowler, Paul Bitterly, and Joel Wynn, Southwire
Effective cable management is a cornerstone of ensuring data center performance, safety, and longevity. Proper cable installation and maintenance are critical factors in preventing interference, equipment damage, and data transmission issues while improving cooling and airflow dynamics. In this Q&A, we asked Southwire experts to help us explore key considerations for cable management, including the installation of cables in raised floor facilities, challenges associated with overhead wiring, the importance of fire suppression systems, the selection between fiber and copper cabling, and the impact of poor decommissioning practices. We also dive into best practices for labeling and organizing cables to enhance operational efficiency and safety.
Q: When installing cables in raised floor facilities, what factors should be considered to minimize interference, crosstalk, and equipment damage — all while ensuring proper airflow?
A: Installers should implement a one-directional cable layout (similar to a single-lane highway) to prevent stacking and interference. Running cables along the perimeter and dividing equipment rows from both sides optimizes airflow
management. Attention to bend radius and distance requirements is crucial to maintain signal integrity and prevent damage. This approach reduces crosstalk with other cables and enhances overall airflow efficiency.
Q: What are the challenges associated with overhead wiring in data centers?
A: Overhead wiring requires careful spacing and routing to avoid overlaps that can impede airflow within cabinets. While cable trays aid in organization, improper management can block airflow, especially if the cabinet exhausts upward. Using one-way flow in trays and employing bridge systems at intersections mitigate cable crossovers, ensuring smooth data flow and maintaining optimal airflow dynamics.
Q: What considerations are essential regarding fire suppression systems and busways?
A: It’s essential to assess whether cables are accessible for effective fire suppression. Enclosed spaces like troughs require specialized sprayers to extinguish flames. Early detection systems installed in floors and cabinets are critical for minimizing potential fire damage. Regular dust management
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This weekly e-newsletter offers subscribers a unique and inside view into the most important trends, technologies, and developments taking place within the electrical industry.
Topics covered include:
• EC&M videos & podcasts
• Market forecasts and analysis
• Code Quiz of the Week
• Online-only feature articles
• Late-breaking industry news
See all of our EC&M e-newsletters at www.ecmweb.com
around sensors is necessary to prevent false alarms. Maximizing cable exposure to airflow aids suppression effectiveness.
Q: What factors should be considered when choosing between fiber and copper cabling?
A: Fiber optics offer superior data capacity and speed with immunity to electromagnetic interference, despite higher installation costs and stringent bend radius requirements. Copper is cost-effective for shorter distances but is susceptible to crosstalk and speed limitations. Hybrid cabling solutions combine both for efficiency, enabling Power over Ethernet alongside highspeed data transmission. Fiber’s scalability and future-proofing benefits outweigh initial costs.
Q: How does poor decommissioning affect cabling and airflow in data centers?
A: Neglecting to remove abandoned cables obstructs airflow and poses fire hazards. Proper decommissioning practices, including removal and labeling
of cables, are essential for maintaining optimal airflow and reducing risks associated with outdated infrastructure. Failure to manage abandoned cables increases clutter and potential hazards under raised floors.
Q: What are the best practices for cable labeling in data centers?
A: Adopt a systematic labeling grid system, ensuring each cable is traced from origin to destination. Mapping and planning cable routes with enforced oneway flows streamline management and reduce the accumulation of abandoned cables. Effective cable management practices promote safety, optimize space utilization, and facilitate future maintenance and upgrades.
Bill Fowler is the Business Development-eMobility Infrastructure Solutions Manager at Southwire.
Paul Bitterly is the Northeast Contractor Solutions Professional at Southwire.
Joel Wynn is Vice President of Data Center Sales at Southwire.
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By Forrest Secosky, Eaton
AI is opening new doors — and creating fresh challenges — for data center power engineers.
Businesses are piloting AI and machine learning use cases that show promising results for delivering value. Yet many are quickly realizing that the benefits carry significant dependencies — namely, power management — that must be addressed before AI can truly deliver on its expectations.
Power system engineers now face greater urgency to design data center power systems that can help support the increasing consumption from AI workloads while maintaining their focus on ever-present needs like resiliency and sustainability. Emerging innovations in data center infrastructure can help engineers rethink power management to balance these demands and meet the needs of AI innovation.
Grey space solutions are essential to distribute power throughout the data center and ensure uptime during unplanned power events. Whether building a new, AI-ready data center or upgrading existing infrastructure, engineers should consider emerging innovations to help meet the demands of AI and other advancing trends, including:
Uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs). The UPS is the cornerstone of power protection in the data center and serves as the bridge to generator power during an unplanned outage. Growing power demands and the need for more IT infrastructure (such as GPUs, servers, and storage) have paved the way for UPSs that are more efficient and provide higher power density in a smaller footprint. Additionally, UPSs now offer
greater flexibility in available battery technology and chemistry as well as the ability to deploy new systems quickly to meet the rapid demand for scalability. For engineers seeking to modernize existing infrastructure (rather than replace what already exists) some manufacturers offer modernization programs that allow the installation of new and improved electronics and batteries into the frame of the existing UPS. This can be an attractive option for those who have aging equipment and need to upgrade quickly without fully replacing installed systems.
Medium-voltage switchgear. Medium-voltage switchgear provides centralized control and protection of medium-voltage power equipment in the data center involving generators, motors, feeder circuits and transmission, and
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• Low voltage cable protection
• Best way to run cable
distribution lines. These technologies help protect personnel from arc faults on both grounded and ungrounded systems.
When deploying a new unit, engineers should look for advanced solutions that offer enhanced safety and operating features, maintenancefree medium-voltage compartments, smaller footprints, superior ratings, and the ability to meet both IEEE C37.20.9 and IEC 62271-200 safety standards. Some newer medium-voltage switchgear solutions can adapt to handle different voltages without requiring replacement, providing critical flexibility in an era of dynamic energy demands.
Molded-case circuit breakers. Circuit breaker technology continues to advance in its ability to keep employees and other personnel safe from arc flash events, and emerging solutions are available in smaller footprints for easy adaptability regardless of the application or requirement. Recent innovations in circuit breaker technology include trip units that incorporate digitalization, giving users the ability to monitor breaker health and thermal status in real time.
Trip units are also embedded with communications and metering to reduce costs and push actionable data through power distribution monitoring and control. Using these advancements, data centers can generate data to help optimize performance and power consumption and use predictive diagnostics to uncover, diagnose, and stop power outages before they happen.
Floor power distribution. Floor standing or cabinet power distribution units (PDUs) are often used in raised and non-raised floor applications to take incoming power and distribute it to an individual rack or groups of racks. These systems optimize power utilization and availability down to the branch circuit level. They also address needs for isolation, voltage transformation, harmonic reduction, and voltage regulations, while offering unique monitoring and diagnostic capabilities to help facilitate load balancing and warn of potential threats. Because of the changing power needs driven by AI at the rack level as well as other innovations, cabinet PDU technology continues to evolve with higher levels of flexibility and configurability, allowing engineers to
design systems that meet their unique requirements.
Battery energy storage. Containerized battery energy storage systems enable data centers to store energy so it can be used on demand as a backup power source, help offset peak usage to lower costs, or even participate in selling energy back to the grid. These systems can also be used to maximize the consumption of renewable energy that is locally produced to power buildings or charge electric vehicles.
The white space — comprising ITsupporting equipment, such as servers, storage and networking equipment, racks, and cooling systems — will see ongoing transformation as businesses invest in new infrastructure to support generative AI. Power management technology is advancing to help ensure the resiliency, safety, security, and sustainability of these critical systems. Important technologies to consider include:
Lithium-ion batteries. In recent years, lithium-ion battery technology has become an attractive alternative to traditional valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) batteries in UPSs supporting critical IT equipment. Among other
benefits, lithium-ion can deliver higher power density in a smaller footprint without compromising essential backup runtime requirements. Additionally, the extended runtime of lithium-ion technology can help reduce the frequency of required maintenance.
IT rack enclosures. The IT rack can help organize and secure IT equipment in everything from high-density data centers to edge environments. Newer enclosures are emerging in the market that are purpose-built to support larger, heavier AI servers and critical IT infrastructure. These racks offer higher weight capacities, deeper enclosures, and different designs for better visibility in high-density environments as well as the ability to accommodate alternative cooling methods, such as liquid cooling.
Rack power distribution. Rack PDUs have advanced significantly with new features that can help save time, reduce costs, and simplify power management. Examples of recent innovations in rack PDU technology include higher power densities, with PDUs that pack more outlets into the same amount of space, including outlets that accommodate higher amperages; universal input, enabling engineers to deploy a single PDU SKU across a global data center
Arlington’s variety of cULus Listed Box Extenders extend set back electrical boxes up to 1-1/2”.
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network without having to mix and match PDUs to serve multiple locations; and network connectivity, allowing for remote monitoring and management of power at the rack level.
As with UPSs, some manufacturers now offer the opportunity to retrofit existing PDUs with modern equipment inside an existing PDU frame, eliminating the need to replace current PDUs wholesale as needs change.
Liquid cooling. The amount of heat generated by data center infrastructure will grow exponentially as data centers invest in higher-density infrastructure to support generative AI, such as GPUs, servers, and storage. This will require engineers to explore innovative approaches to traditional, fan-driven cooling systems. One promising trend that has emerged is liquid cooling, which improves heat transfer using dielectric fluids.
Currently, two types of liquid cooling show great promise. Direct-to-chip cooling uses specialized liquid to extract heat at the source (i.e., directly in contact with CPUs and GPUs). Immersion cooling requires full submersion of the server in nonconducting, dielectric fluids, which helps improve the overall efficiency of cooling. Both of these options offer distinct advantages and will be imperative as data centers experience higher power requirements through the proliferation of GPU servers.
Because liquid cooling is nascent in its evolution and many data centers may not be equipped to adopt certain approaches, engineers seeking to modernize may determine that a hybrid approach that uses air and liquid cooling is best to meet current needs while they explore new innovations.
Track busway. A structured track busway system can distribute power safely and reliably within the data center and offers multiple advantages over traditional cable and conduit. Modern track busway systems provide high-speed monitoring, key electrical performance metrics, and proactive management of power usage and availability.
Additionally, these systems have evolved to offer considerable flexibility and configurability — both essential considerations in modernizing and future-proofing data centers to support
emerging innovations. For example, modern track busway systems can include a multitude of features, such as tap-off boxes that are easily adapted to different layouts, with multi-range ampacity buses to support a wide range of power loads without requiring replacement.
As data centers expand computing infrastructure to meet rising power requirements, many are realizing that the existing energy grid may not be capable of sustaining their growing needs.
As data centers expand computing infrastructure to meet rising power requirements, many are realizing that the existing energy grid may not be capable of sustaining their growing needs. Additionally, data centers must prepare for more frequent outages and disturbances — as grid reliability may be compromised by escalating demand and an increasing reliance on renewable energy sources.
In short, there is now growing industry awareness that it is no longer enough for data centers to simply be consumers of energy. They must become energy producers.
As we have explored, deploying UPSs and battery energy storage systems with lithium-ion battery technology can help extend service life and offer higher power density in a smaller footprint, reserving room for new infrastructure to better support AI. Compared to traditional VRLA batteries, lithium-ion batteries provide
longer battery life and faster recharge capabilities as well.
An additional, key advantage of lithium-ion batteries, especially as sustainability demands rise, is their inherent energy storage capabilities. When combined with intelligent energy management, data analytics, and sophisticated controls, a lithium-ion battery-powered UPS can be transformed into a distributed energy resource (DER), enabling a bi-directional flow of energy to and from the grid. This approach allows data centers to more efficiently and effectively coordinate multiple energy sources, anticipate energy needs, and participate in grid programs to earn new revenue streams. Utilizing this approach can help curtail peak power draw from the utility, reducing costly demand charges and helping advance sustainability goals.
Deploying a full-scale microgrid is another promising strategy to enhance energy resilience, reduce grid dependence, advance islanding capabilities, and optimize energy usage. Microgrids offer reliable backup power during unexpected outages by balancing fluctuations in energy demand and consumption. By leveraging microgrid technology, data centers can better support the integration of renewable energy sources like solar and battery energy storage, further reducing energy costs and boosting resiliency.
As the landscape for data centers continues to evolve, generative AI will transform the industry and require investment in new solutions and approaches to power management. By understanding available solutions for both the grey space and white space — as well as exploring innovative approaches to meeting grid power availability challenges — engineers can support the AI innovation needs of today while preparing to meet the resiliency and sustainability opportunities of tomorrow.
Forrest Secosky is the Commercial Marketing Manager for Data Centers at Eaton in Raleigh, N.C. Prior to this role, he was the strategic lead for Modular Solutions including substations, data centers, power assemblies, and nova reclosers.
In a tight spot? Arlington’s new SNAP-TITE® Transition Fittings offer the time-saving solution for installing additional conduit or cable in an already congested panel. They allow installers to work around tightly spaced, installed fittings in a panel, box or enclosure – where installing and tightening additional locknut fittings would be
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A look at how microgrids and other energy-efficient resources are ensuring the U.S. electrical grid is equipped to meet the continuing influx in demand.
By Bin Lu, Schneider Electric
This past year, the U.S. energy grid faced unprecedented strain, driven by a surge in demand fueled by the rapid expansion of data centers — specifically those supporting artificial intelligence (AI) and the growing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). As AI continues to evolve and expand, AI-powered data centers alone are projected to account for 8% of the nation’s total energy consumption by 2030, up from just 3% in 2022. Meanwhile, the demand for electricity to power EV charging infrastructure is also increasing at a rapid pace. Together, these sectors are reshaping energy consumption patterns across the country with regions like Northern Virginia, Texas, and Georgia emerging as key hubs powering data centers in this new era of energy demand.
THE CHALLENGE: THE GRID’S GROWING COMPLEXITY
Georgia is a perfect example of how one state’s emergence as a major technology hub for data center development (amid the AI and EV boom) is playing out. It is positioned to be a key player in this shift with the state’s business-friendly environment and access to reliable, affordable electricity making it a prime location for the
establishment of large-scale data centers. While areas like Northern Virginia and Texas have experienced early growth, Georgia Power forecasts that the state will drive the nation’s “second industrial revolution” over the next decade with energy demand from data centers alone expected to triple by the mid-2030s. This rapid rise in demand presents both a significant challenge and a unique opportunity for Georgia — and the broader United States energy grid — to adapt and evolve to meet the needs of a digital, electrified economy.
At the same time, the increasing adoption of electric vehicles is further intensifying the demand for electricity as the need for widespread charging infrastructure continues to grow. Cities in Georgia, such as Atlanta, which are home to both tech and automotive industries, are already experiencing sharp increases in electricity demand — not only for AI-driven operations but also for the growing number of EVs on the road. Together, these two rapidly expanding sectors are creating a perfect storm of energy needs that the current grid is struggling to manage.
As the demand from AI-powered data centers and EVs accelerates, grid operators across Georgia — along with the United States as a whole — must adopt innovative solutions to maintain grid stability and ensure resilience. This includes implementing distributed energy resources (DERs), such as microgrids, which can help manage local power loads, increase reliability, and ensure that energy is available when and where it is needed most. This solution offers a more flexible, resilient infrastructure capable of meeting the demands of a digitally connected and electrified future while reducing the risks of grid overload and improving overall reliability.
Microgrids are rapidly emerging as key solutions for a more resilient, sustainable, and cost-effective energy future. These localized energy systems, capable of operating independently from the main grid during outages or periods of peak demand, are perfectly positioned to meet the evolving energy needs of Georgia and the country. By integrating
renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, microgrids not only support decarbonization efforts but also enhance energy independence for high-demand sectors, including the rise of AI operations and EVs.
In addition to their environmental and energy independence benefits, microgrids are also equipped with advanced controllers and sensors throughout their infrastructure. This technology allows them to predict
Microgrids are rapidly emerging as key solutions for a more resilient, sustainable, and cost-effective energy future.
periods of heightened energy demand with remarkable accuracy. By leveraging this predictive capability, microgrids can dynamically adjust power distribution in real-time, ensuring that supply aligns with fluctuations in demand. This not only helps maintain grid stability but also boosts the overall reliability and resilience of the energy system.
Beyond their environmental and operational advantages, microgrids offer significant economic benefits. By generating and storing energy locally, businesses, municipalities, and energy providers in Georgia can reduce their reliance on the central grid, better manage energy costs, and even sell surplus power back to the grid. For high-demand sectors like data centers, microgrids present a reliable solution to ensure operational continuity amidst rising energy needs — all while supporting sustainability efforts through the use of renewable energy sources.
While microgrids hold immense promise, their adoption has been hindered
by several barriers, including regulatory hurdles, high upfront costs, and a lack of standardized solutions. Many current microgrid projects are customdesigned and come with significant upfront investments — typically ranging from $2 million to $5 million per megawatt — which can deter widespread implementation.
However, innovative financial models such as “energy as a service” (EaaS) — alongside the development of standardized, modular microgrid solutions — are helping overcome these barriers, making these systems more accessible and scalable. Pre-engineered microgrids that integrate renewable energy sources and advanced energy management software can significantly reduce both deployment time and costs. This makes microgrids a more affordable and scalable option for both public and private sector energy users, offering a clearer path toward more widespread adoption.
Looking ahead, Georgia’s leadership in driving the “second industrial revolution” holds immense potential, but this vision can only be realized if energy solutions are placed at the heart of its strategy. If approached thoughtfully, the state has the opportunity to set a powerful example for the rest of the United States, demonstrating how a strategic combination of innovative grid solutions, forward-thinking regulations, and investment in renewable energy can pave the way for a sustainable, resilient energy future.
By embracing microgrids and other DERs, the United States can help shape an energy infrastructure that not only meets the demands of today but is also agile enough to support the rapidly evolving sectors of tomorrow — from AI to electric vehicles.
In doing so, these key industry players have the chance to play a pivotal role in transforming the U.S. energy grid, setting the stage for a more decentralized, reliable, and sustainable national energy landscape.
Dr. Bin Lu is Executive Vice President of Power Products at Schneider Electric, a position he has held since January 2025.
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The company’s new non‐metallic split wall plates provide a simple yet effective way to accommodate preconnectorized low-voltage cable(s) of varying size and quantity. According to the company, the plates also work with pre‐existing low-voltage cables. The versatile single‐ and 2-gang split wall plates come with multiple grommets that effectively cover the hole or opening in drywall. The single-gang CESP1 has a 11/2 in. opening and comes with three bushings for 0.312-in., 0.5-in., and 1-in. openings. The 2-gang CESP2 has a 2-in. opening and comes with two bushings for 0.75-in. and 1.25-in. openings.
Arlington Industries
The Lumin smart panel with panel guard is a retrofit-ready add-on panel that enables the addition of any electric appliance and entirely avoids main panel and utility service upgrades. Unlike traditional circuit splitters or pausers, this guard manages all major home loads to keep them within the home’s limit while providing energy visibility, remote circuit control, intuitive scheduling, and the flexibility to expand as desired. This solution offers complete electrification flexibility and the features of a smart panel replacement at the cost of an add-on.
Lumin
The company recently unveiled the AcuPanel 9108X, featuring the Acuvim 3 advanced power quality meter. Pre-wired, factory assembled, and rigorously tested, the product is designed to provide reliable, durable and accurate energy measurements. With the NEMA 4X rating, it can withstand the toughest industrial environmental conditions (suitable for indoor and outdoor uses), according to the company. The panel comes with the Acuvim 3 advanced power quality analyzer, which provides IEC 61000-4-30 Class A compliant power quality monitoring.
Accuenergy
BIMPOWER is a plug-in for Autodesk Revit®, designed to help engineers and contractors with 3D building information modeling (BIM) projects. It not only enhances the design process within Revit but also brings the ordering and submittal processes for electrical products to the platform. With BIMPOWER, users can convert electrical system requirements into models and act upon real-time design feedback. The company’s product designs are the basis for the tool, but customizable model dimensions allow for flexibility and compatibility with all manufacturers. Other tool features include the ability to automatically create a bill of material for all electrical equipment configured in the project, improving estimating efficiency. Siemens
The Orbita pendant has a modular design that allows customization of lengths and configurations to meet specific project specifications. The pendant features superior color rendering with high R9 and R13 values. The pendant is offered in 2,700K, 3,000K, 3,500K, and 4,200K color temperatures and available with a matte black or satin brass finish. The product is available in 12-, 18-, 24-, and 36-in. segmented lengths with up to three segments. It also features 360° rotatable light engines/optics to fine-tune the direction of the light in the field, making it possible to select direct, indirect, or anything in between.
Optique Lighting
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Branch circuits account for most circuits run in any electrical installation, so it pays to be familiar with the requirements.
By Mike Holt, NEC Consultant
Article 210 provides the general requirements for branch circuits not over 1,000VAC or 1,500VDC. These include requirements for conductor sizing, overcurrent protection, identification, GFCI and AFCI protection, receptacle outlets, and lighting outlets.
A “branch circuit” consists of the conductors between the final overcurrent protective device (OCPD) and the receptacle outlets, lighting outlets, or other outlets [Art. 100], as shown in Fig. 1
A “multiwire branch circuit” consists of two or more circuit phase conductors with a common neutral conductor [Art. 100]. This type of circuit has a voltage between the phase conductors and an equal difference of voltage from each phase conductor to the common neutral conductor.
Except as permitted in Sec. 300.3(B) (4), all conductors of a given multiwire branch circuit must originate from the same equipment containing the branch-circuit OCPDs [Sec. 210.4(A)]. All multiwire branch-circuit conductors (including the neutral and EGCs) must run in the same raceway, cable, trench, cord, or cable tray [Sec. 300.3(B)], except as permitted by Sec. 300.3(B)(1) through (4).
Each multiwire branch circuit must have a means to simultaneously disconnect phase conductors at the circuit origin (e.g., the breaker) [Sec. 210.4(B)].
Individual single-pole circuit breakers with handle ties identified for the purposes or a circuit breaker with a
1. A “branch circuit” consists of the conductors between the final overcurrent protective device (OCPD) and the receptacle outlets, lighting outlets, or other outlets.
common internal trip can be used for this application [Sec. 240.15(B)(1)].
Multiwire branch circuits must supply only line-to-neutral loads [Sec. 210.4(C)] (two exceptions exist). Phase and neutral conductors of a multiwire branch circuit must be grouped by wire markers, cable ties, or similar means in at least one location within the enclosure per Sec. 200.4(B) [Sec. 210.4(D)].
The branch-circuit neutral conductor must be identified per Sec. 200.6 [Sec. 210.5(A)].
Equipment grounding conductors (EGCs) of the wire type can be bare, covered, or insulated [Sec. 210.5(B)]. Insulated EGCs 6 AWG and smaller must have a continuous outer finish — either green or green with one or more yellow stripes [Sec. 250.119(A)]. Insulated EGCs 4 AWG and larger can be permanently reidentified with green marking at the time of installation where accessible [Sec. 250.119(B)].
Circuit phase conductors must be identified per Sec. 210.5(C). For example, where premises wiring is supplied from more than one nominal voltage
system, the phase conductors of branch circuits must be identified by phase or line and by nominal voltage system at termination, connection, and splice points per Sec. 210.5(C)(1)(a) and (b). Different systems within the premises with the same nominal voltage can use the same method of identification.
You determine the required number of branch circuits by dividing the total calculated load in amperes by the ampere rating of the circuit [Sec. 210.11(A)]. If the load is calculated on VA per sq ft, the wiring system must serve the calculated load. The load must be evenly proportioned among the branch circuits within the panelboard [Sec. 210.11(B)].
Per Sec. 210.11(C), you must have:
(1) At least two 20A, 120V branch circuits to supply receptacle outlets in a dwelling unit kitchen, dining room, breakfast room, pantry, or similar area (food preparation or serving areas) per Sec. 210.52(B).
(2) One 20A, 120V branch circuit to supply the receptacle outlet for dwelling unit laundry equipment per Sec.
210.52(F). This circuit can supply other receptacles in the laundry area, but not lighting outlets or receptacle outlets outside the laundry area.
(3) At least one 20A, 120V branch circuit to supply the dwelling unit bathroom sink receptacle outlet(s) required by Sec. 210.52(D). This circuit cannot supply lighting outlets or any other receptacle outlets. Exception: A single 20A, 120V branch circuit can supply all the outlets in a single bathroom area.
(4) One 20A, 120V branch circuit in dwelling unit garages with electric power. This circuit can supply receptacle outlets in addition to the vehicle bay receptacle outlet(s) required by Sec. 210.52(G)(1). This circuit cannot supply outlets in other areas of the dwelling unit. A branch circuit rated 15A or greater is permitted in addition to the required 20A, 120V garage vehicle bay branch circuit. Two exceptions exist.
Branch circuits must be sized to have an ampacity per Sec. 210.19(A) through (D). For example, branch-circuit conductors must be sized to have an ampacity of at least the largest of Sec. 210.19(A)(1) or (2):
Branch-circuit conductors must be sized to have an ampacity of at least 125% of the continuous loads, plus 100% of the noncontinuous loads, based on the temperature rating of equipment per Sec. 110.14(C)(1) and Table 310.16, prior to conductor ampacity correction and/or adjustment.
Exception: If the assembly, including the OCPDs protecting the branch circuits, is listed for operation at 100% of its rating, the ampacity of the branch-circuit conductors can be sized at 100% of the continuous load plus the noncontinuous load.
Conductors must be sized to have an ampacity of at least 100% of the total load after conductor ampacity correction and/or adjustment per Table 310.15(B)(1)(1) and Table 310.15(C)(1).
Branch-circuit conductors and equipment must be protected by OCPDs with a rating or setting that complies with 210.20(A) through (D).
For example, branch-circuit OCPDs must have an ampere rating of at least 125% of the continuous loads, plus 100% of the noncontinuous loads [210.20(A)], as shown in Fig. 2
A single receptacle must have an ampere rating of at least the rating of the circuit OCPD [Sec. 210.21(B(1)].
Where connected to a branch circuit supplying two or more receptacles or outlets, a receptacle cannot supply a total cord- and plug-connected load greater than the maximum specified in Table 210.21(B)(2) [Sec. 210.21(B)(2)]. Where multiple receptacles are connected to a branch circuit, their ampere ratings must be per Table 210.21(B)(3) [Sec. 210.21(B)(3)].
Receptacle outlets in dwelling units for specific appliances must be within 6 ft of the intended location of the appliance unless this distance is modified elsewhere in the Code [Sec. 210.50(C)].
Section 210.52 provides the requirements for 15A and 20A, 125V receptacle outlets in dwelling units. Receptacles or receptacle outlets in these four locations do not count as the
required 15A and 20A, 125V receptacle outlets under this section:
(1) Receptacles that are part of a luminaire or appliance.
(2) Receptacles controlled by a listed wall-mounted control device per Sec. 210.70(A)(1) Exception No. 1.
(3) Receptacle outlets within cabinets or cupboards.
(4) Receptacle outlets more than 51/2 ft above the floor.
A receptacle outlet must be installed in the walls for every kitchen, dining room, breakfast room, pantry, or similar area per the requirements of Sec. 210.52(1), (2), (3), and (4). For example, floor receptacle outlets within 18 in. of the wall can be counted as the required wall space receptacle outlet but receptacle outlets installed for countertop surfaces required by Sec. 210.52(C) cannot.
In any kitchen, dining room, breakfast room, pantry, or similar area of a dwelling unit, the following must be supplied by two or more 20A, 120V small-appliance branch circuits [Sec. 210.11(C)(1)]:
• Wall and floor receptacle outlets covered by Sec. 210.52(A).
• Countertop outlets covered by Sec. 210.52(C).
• Receptacle outlets for refrigerators. Exception No. 2: An individual 15A or larger branch circuit can supply a receptacle outlet for a specific appliance such as a refrigerator.
The 20A, 120V small-appliance circuits required by Sec. 210.11(C)(1) cannot supply lighting outlets or receptacle outlets outside the kitchen, dining room, breakfast room, pantry, or similar area. Exception No. 2: A receptacle outlet for a gas-fired range, oven, or countermounted cooking unit is permitted on the 20A, 120V small-appliance circuit.
Receptacles that serve countertop surfaces must be supplied by at least two small-appliance branch circuits, either or both of which can supply receptacle outlets in the same kitchen, dining room, breakfast room, pantry, or similar area as specified in Sec. 210.52(B)(1), as shown in Fig. 3
In kitchen, dining room, breakfast room, pantry, or similar area of dwelling units, receptacle outlets for countertop and work surfaces 12 in. or wider must be installed per Sec. 210.52(C)(1)
3. Receptacles that serve countertop surfaces must be supplied by at least two small-appliance branch circuits.
For the typical design engineer or electrician, it pays to systematically study Art. 210 because so much of your work involves branch circuits. A good method is to set aside a specific time each month to read a chunk of Art. 210.
through (C)(3) and don’t count toward the receptacle outlets for wall space required by Sec. 210.52(A).
The receptacle requirements for these spaces are detailed further in Sec. 210.52(B) and (C).
Other dwelling unit locations with detailed requirements are:
• Bathroom sinks [Sec. 210.52(D)].
• Outdoors [Sec. 210.52(E)].
• Laundry areas [Sec. 210.52(F)].
• Garages, basements, and accessory buildings [Sec. 210.52(G)].
• Hallways [Sec. 210.52(H)].
• Foyers [Sec. 210.52(I)].
We haven’t covered every requirement for branch circuits. We’ve just hit the highlights. For some jobs you may encounter, the requirements can be confusing unless you’ve already invested time in becoming familiar with them.
For the typical design engineer or electrician, it pays to systematically study Art. 210 because so much of your work involves branch circuits. A good method is to set aside a specific time each month to read a chunk of Art. 210. But pause as you go, and think of a project you recently worked on — and then determine how what you just read would apply to it.
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.
By Mike Holt, NEC Consultant
All questions and answers are based on the 2023 NEC.
Q1: Guest rooms and guest suites in _____ that are provided with permanent provisions for cooking shall have branch circuits installed to meet the rules for dwelling units.
a) hotels
b) motels
c) assisted living facilities
d) all of these
Q2: Overcurrent protection shall be provided in each ungrounded circuit conductor and shall be located at the point where the conductors receive their _____ except as specified in Sec. 240.21(A) through (H).
a) power c) source
b) supply d) energy
Q3: When using portable receptacles for temporary wiring installations that are not part of the building or structure,
employees shall be protected on construction sites by either ground-fault circuit interrupters or by a(an) _____.
a) insulated conductor program
b) double insulated conductor program
c) flexible conductor program
d) assured equipment grounding conductor program
Q4: The common grounding electrode conductor shall be sized per Sec. 250.66, based on the sum of the circular mil area of the _____ ungrounded conductor(s) of each set of conductors that supply the disconnecting means.
a) smallest c) color of the b) largest d) material of the
Q5: A disconnecting means in accordance with Parts VI through VIII of Art. 230 shall be provided to _____ all
ungrounded conductors of an interconnected electric power production source from the conductors of other systems.
a) coordinate
b) disconnect
c) protect
d) all of these
Q6: Where there are no adjustment or correction factors required, the feeder conductors rated between 100A and _____ supplying the entire load associated with an individual dwelling unit, Table 310.12(A) shall be permitted to be applied.
a) 150A
b) 200A
c) 300A
d) 400A
See the answers to these Code questions online at ecmweb.com/55247379.
By Russ LeBlanc, NEC Consultant
Can this ceiling fan be installed over a bathtub? Before I answer this question, I want to look back at earlier Code requirements.
Before 2023, there were no requirements in Art. 422 covering the installation of a ceiling-suspended paddle fan over a bathtub. However, Art. 410 did have some requirements. This seems a little odd since Art. 410 covers luminaires, lampholders, and lamps while Art. 422 covers appliances. This ceiling fan is an appliance — not a luminaire — and yet, Sec. 410.10(D)(1) in the 2020 Code stated in part, “No parts of cord-connected luminaires, chain-, cable-, or cord-suspended luminaires, lighting track, pendants, or ceiling-suspended (paddle) fans shall be located within a zone measured 3 ft horizontally and 8 ft vertically from the top of the bathtub
rim or shower stall threshold.” This seems like an odd place to have a rule for an appliance not covered by Art. 410.
In the 2023 Code, Sec. 410.10(D)(1) was revised to clarify it applies to ceiling-suspended (paddle) fans with a luminaire (light kit) but not to a paddle fan without a light kit. This makes a little more sense because the light kit on the paddle fan would be covered by Art. 410. But where does that leave us when it comes to the rules for a paddle fan with no light kit?
In this case, we need to look at the provisions in Sec. 422.18(B) that were added for 2023. That Section states in part, “No metal parts of ceiling-suspended (paddle) fans in bathrooms and shower spaces shall be located within a zone measured 3 ft horizontally and 8 ft vertically from the top of the bathtub rim or shower stall threshold.” So,
Sec. 410.10(D)(1) excludes ALL parts of the paddle fan, including any wood or plastic blades from the 3-ft × 8-ft zone, while Sec. 422.18(B) only excludes the METAL parts of the paddle fan. This means the wood or plastic blades of a fan like the one in the photo are not excluded from encroaching into the 3-ft × 8-ft zone near the bathtub or shower stall. However, if a light kit is installed on that same fan, no parts, including wood or plastic blades, can encroach that 3-ft × 8-ft zone.
Was it the intent of these revisions to have two completely different sets of requirements for ceiling fans? I don’t think it was. But, like many new Code rules, sometimes it takes a few Code revision cycles for all the quirks in the wording to be sorted out. Hopefully, the 2026 language will provide some consistency and clarity here.
By Russ LeBlanc, NEC Consultant
All references are based on the 2023 edition of the NEC.
It’s not very common, but I will sometimes discover a temporary lighting or temporary power installation that was never removed. This temporary light in the photo is a case in point. I found this “temporary” lighting circuit above the suspended ceiling of an office space. The lamp was burned out, but the circuit was still energized long after the job was completed and the space permanently occupied. I traced the circuit, de-energized it, and removed the abandoned wiring.
Section 590.3(D) requires temporary wiring to be removed immediately upon completion of the construction or purpose for which it was installed. In this case, the wiring remained there for several years after the completion of the work. That’s not cool! Thankfully, there were no reported injuries or damage
While Sec. 225.26 prohibits vegetation such as trees from being used to support overhead conductor spans, installing UF cables up trees in the manner shown in the photo is not specifically prohibited. Section 410.36(G) permits trees to be used as support for outdoor luminaires and associated equipment. Providing some protection for the UF is certainly necessary, however.
A closer look at the UF cable just a few inches above where it emerges from the ground reveals that this UF is all chewed up and damaged. Perhaps a lawn mower or weed trimmer caused this damage. In any case, stapling a UF cable up a tree with no protection against physical damage is a violation of Sec. 340.12(10). Section 300.5(D)(1) requires direct-buried cables emerging from grade to be protected by raceways or other enclosures to a point at least 8 ft above finished grade. This protection must also extend below grade to the minimum cover requirements specified in Table 300.5(A). On a slightly different but related topic, for temporary holiday lighting, the exception for Sec. 590.4(J) does permit trees to support overhead spans of branch-circuit wiring.
caused by this energized wiring or those free-flying splices.
Temporary wiring is exactly what its name indicates — it is supposed to be temporary. Article 590 relaxes many
of the strict provisions required for permanent installations, and, as such, temporary wiring must be disconnected and removed immediately upon completion of its intended use.
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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: 480V + ringed knockouts = bad news
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 was Kaleb Dutil with Southern Lighting Services of Leland, N.C. He knew that the duct in this photo is prohibited from being located directly above the panelboard enclosure.
Section 110.26(E) requires service equipment, switchboards, switchgear, panelboards, and motor control centers to be located in dedicated spaces. For indoor installations, Sec. 110.26(E)(1)(a) requires the space equal to the width and depth of the equipment and extending from the floor to a height 6 ft above the equipment or to the structural ceiling (whichever is lower) to be dedicated to the electrical installation. The ductwork above the panel is located in the “dedicated space.” No ducts, piping, leak protection equipment, or other types of equipment foreign to the electrical installation can be located in this dedicated space. The exception permits suspended ceilings with removable tiles to be located in the dedicated space above the electrical equipment. Obstructions such as the ductwork in the photo can make it very difficult — if not impossible — for electricians to install raceways or cable into the top of the electrical equipment enclosure.
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