Electrical Apparatus JANUARY 2025 -AUTOMATION! ROBOTICS!

A BARKS PUBLICATION

Electrical Apparatus JANUARY 2025 / $12

More than Motors

What’s new in automation and robotics What’s in store for EVs Education for the new year Five-year index of articles New efficiency rebates Tax-free business sales

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Electric Avenue

10 What’s in store for EVs in 2025 New developments this year are likely to affect adoption rates, charging, and battery recycling

By Maura Keller, EA Contributing Writer

Training & Education

18 Course work Kicking off the new year with education both theoretical and practical

By Bill O’Leary, EA Contributing Writer

Conventions & Trade Shows

— Electrical Apparatus photo by Charlie Barks

01/25

Contents

— Illustration by Bing generative AI

22 Robo-shops Automation continues to progress, with broad applications

By Charlie Barks, EA Managing Editor 24 Familiar names at the AHR Expo Readers will recognize a number of exhibitors at this year’s edition of America’s premier HVACR event

By Kevin Jones, EA Senior Editor

42

A BARKS PUBLICATION VOLUME 78 / NUMBER 01 WWW.BARKS.COM

22

Energy

25 Powering up for ’25 Significant developments in the energy industry as the new year dawns

By Charlie Barks, EA Managing Editor

Automation

27 The latest in robotics and automation Machines and systems viewed at recent trade shows point the way to the future

By Charlie Barks, EA Managing Editor

Motors & Generators

31 New opportunities in efficiency rebates There’s a new class of rebates for industrial motor users — and users may pay you to help apply for them

By John Malinowski, EA Contributing Editor

Index Of Articles

46

— Bruce Janczak photo

35 Our annual five-year index of feature articles, 2020-2024 By the Electrical Apparatus staff

Finance & The Workplace

42 Is a tax-free sale worth the gamble?

If you’re feeling lucky, you might consider selling your company under this Internal Revenue Code provision

By William H. Wiersema, CPA, EA Contributing Editor

EA Reader Profile

46 Do your best How hard work and striving to do the right thing led Bruce Janczak to owning his own business

By Colin Gregory-Moores, EA Contributing Writer

Plant Life

48 Six simple questions Asking the five Ws and the H can lead to sensible deployment of automation

By Bill O’Leary, EA Contributing Writer

Pump It Up

50 Data pump How pumps are used in data centers, and the various types of pumps employed

By Kevin Jones, EA Senior Editor

ELECTRICAL APPARATUS | JANUARY 2025 1

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— Innomotics photo

Departments 04 The editor’s comment

Energy and automation in the new year

05 Let’s solve your problem

Answers to readers’ questions about windings and coils

06 Business

ABB and Innomotics open new facilities

08 Associations

British trade group recognizes industry leaders

16 Names & faces

06

19 Plant happenings

ExxonMobil ‘exxonerated,’ and layoffs by another name

20 Know your industry

The IFR - Just your friendly neighborhood robotics federation

— Photoneo photo

Changes at Global Power Systems and Schneider Electric

26 Calendar

Events on pumps, sales, electrical testing, power, and HVACR

44 Product showcase

New tools and equipment for use in robotics and automation

51 Utilities

The use of automation and robotics by electric utilities

53 Classified advertising

Your monthly marketplace for equipment, businesses, and more

53 Cy’s Super Service

51

— Illustration by Adobe Firefly generative AI

The electrical service industry’s most prominent curmudgeon

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54 EA puzzle

A crossword puzzle based on EA’s November and December issues

55 Moe, Genny & friends

The surreal world of an anthropomorphized motor and generator

56 Direct & current

Manufacturer confidence grows, and Ohio gets new EV chargers

56 Advertising index

Who’s who—and who’s where—in this issue of Electrical Apparatus

COVER PHOTO: By Kevin Jones, at the International Manufacturing Technology Show, Chicago 2 ELECTRICAL APPARATUS | JANUARY 2025

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The Editor’s Comment

CHARLIE BARKS WWW.BARKS.COM CHARLIE@BARKS.COM

Energy and automation in the new year

Coming next month in Electrical Apparatus: News from the electric utility industry; computing labor rates; designing with switchboards; management lessons from history; bi-directional EV charging.

Read Electrical Apparatus online The entire contents of this issue are available online. Scan the QR code below:

Or enter the URL directly: https://bit.ly/jan 25coai See page 53 for links to upcoming issues that you can bookmark.

Welcome to 2025. We are officially a quarter of the way into the latest millennium, and the technology around us reflects that futuristic feeling.

The start of this calendar year once again provides a useful juncture for those of us at EA to take stock of what is changing as we prepare for what’s ahead. Hence, our January issue theme again looks to the future in a rapidly burgeoning industry. The field of robotics and automation is constantly evolving with a number of advancements. As we enter the new year, some of the latest trends and developments include mobile and humanoid robotics, energy-efficient robots, reshoring, and AI applications.

In the process of covering a few recent trade shows — namely IMTS and the Battery Show – EA editors have learned a lot about what’s new in these fields. These, as mentioned in our cover story this month (page 27), are constantly evolving, sometimes fast enough to make one’s head spin.

At IMTS, the Battery Show, and plenty of other recent events, certain applications and innovations have emerged. Some of these are more practical than others, but it has become clear that using robotics and automation for the scanning of parts is an expanding sector. Automated scanning is highly valued for quality control purposes within the supply chain. Also, robo/auto processes continue to lend themselves to maintenance and repair.

Elsewhere in this month’s issue, EA Senior Editor Kevin Jones checks in with several familiar companies among the nearly 1,900 exhibitors for the 2025 AHR Expo, the HVACR extravaganza that’s next scheduled to be held Feb. 10-12 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. (page 24).

In a technical article that offers worthwhile energy considerations (page 31), Contributing Editor John Malinowski explains an opportunity for contractors and service providers to help customers apply for new efficiency rebates.

This month’s energy column (page 25) looks toward similar analysis, only through the lens of a new incoming administration in the U.S. and what effects that might have on the energy sector as well as international trade and the supply chain.

Contributing Writer Bill O’Leary helps plant managers determine whether automation is right for their operation, using the “who, what, where, when, why, how” formula (page 48). As Bill notes, this process “can seem very enticing, and scary, for a decision-maker wanting to gain the upper hand on the plant floor.”

We hope everyone had a healthy and productive 2024, and as always, thank you to our readers and advertisers!

Electrical Apparatus 17 N. State St., Suite 435 Chicago, Illinois 60602-3598 (312) 321-9440; fax (866) 228-7274 E-mail: EAMagazine@barks.com www.barks.com Founded 1948 as Volt/Age Horace B. Barks, Founding Publisher Elsie Dickson, Founding Publisher STAFF Elizabeth Van Ness, Publisher Kevin N. Jones, Senior Editor Charlie Barks, Managing Editor Contributing Editors William H. Wiersema John Malinowski Special Correspondents Jane Powell Campbell Christopher Wachter Cartoonists John D’Acunto Tim Oliphant ElectroMechanical Bench Reference Supplement mailed with the December issue Elizabeth Van Ness, Editor & Publisher ADVERTISING Barbara Wachter, Advertising Director CIRCULATION Circulation@barks.com Electrical Apparatus (ISSN 0190-1370), Vol. 78, No. 1, is published monthly by Barks Publications, Inc., 17 N. State St., Suite 435, Chicago, Ill. 60602-3598; (312) 321-9440; fax (866) 228-7274. www.barks.com. Periodicals postage paid at Chicago, Ill., and at additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to Electrical Apparatus, c/o Barks Publications, Inc., 17 N. State St., Suite 435, Chicago, Ill. 60602-3598. PM #40830553.

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Let’s Solve Your Problem Cut-out coils must have all turns cut When cutting out a bad coil to keep a motor going until we can get it rewound, we understand the usual practice is to cut clear through all the turns at one end. But this isn’t necessary to prevent induced current flow in the coil; just disconnecting the leads will open the circuit. Why cut the end turns?

Only because either the coil failure itself, or other subsequent damage, is likely to create short circuits between turns. If only the lead ends of the coil are disconnected, such internal shorting could create closed loops within the disconnected coil that could burn up from circulating current. Possible consequences include serious magnetic unbalance, vibration, and damage to other parts of the winding.

Random versus form winding: Which is better?

We’re trying to resolve differing points of view on the best overall approach to long winding life for some high-horsepower, low-voltage motors that can be built with either random windings or formed coils. Cost and frame size are understood as one set of issues, but besides that, what are some reasons for choosing one over the other?

For some low-voltage, high-horsepower ratings, the individual coil turns can become so large that random winding (necessarily requiring a large number of wires in parallel) isn’t practical. For two-pole machines, the end turns may be so long that randomwound coils are too flexible; formed coils are more rigid and easier to support. Heat dissipation may be a standoff; formed coils exhibit fewer internal voids but are taped overall. Finally, in any motor subject to fast transient overvoltages, formed coils provide

controlled separation between coil turns and between phase groups.

All of these comments are generalities.

Exceptions will exist. When a choice is possible, it’s normally made on economic grounds rather than because of some technical issue.

What causes flexing of winding end turns?

Why do end turns flex? Is it the same on both ends of a stator? Is the condition likely to be dependent on the number of poles? Finally, does the flexing become damaging because of multiple acrossthe-line starts?

Motor end turns flex because of electromagnetic forces proportional to the square of the current flowing through the coils.

Since this current is the same throughout any coil, the end turn force and resulting movement will be the same at both ends of the machine.

Current and force aren’t directly pole-dependent. But the movement tends to be, because end turns become increasingly long and limber as the number of poles decreases. Because motor starting current may be up to 12 times full-load running current, coil forces are extremely high during starting, and starting too often is a prime cause of insulation failure and even conductor breakage in the end turns.

Space could mean motor uses non-random coils When an inverter-duty motor was brought to us for rewinding, we found a lot of extra slot space in it. To deal with possible harmonics and to boost the efficiency, we increased the slot fill about 25%, making sure to put in phase paper throughout and tie everything down tightly. But the new winding has failed

after only a couple of months. Is there something special about this kind of winding that we might have overlooked?

One possibility is that the motor was originally wound with non-random coils. Using special tools and techniques, the turns are laid into the slot in a pattern such that the first and last turns of each coil never contact each other. This minimizes the likelihood of breakdown between turns when the motor is fed from a transistorized PWM inverter. Such a winding method tends to require considerable reduction in slot fill, which would account for the extra space you found. You may be able to deal with this by using quad-build or glass-served wire.

Single-phase voltage for winding heating In a magazine article I once read, someone in the motor business claimed to be unaware of any generally accepted way to calculate the right single-phase voltage for keeping windings properly warmed in an idle three-phase motor, to prevent moisture condensation. I had always thought the proper voltage range was well known, but I can’t lay my hands on the figures now. Is this really just trialand-error guesswork, or is a more definite rule available?

The proper single-phase a-c voltage to warm an idle three-phase motor winding has indeed been known for many years. For motors in the 5 to 500 hp range, apply 6% of the voltage for which the motor is connected. For a 460 volt machine, apply 28 volts between any two line terminals (probably anywhere from 24 to 30 would do). For most users, a simpler solution is a commercially available electronic unit that automatically applies a suitably low d-c voltage across two leads whenever the motor is shut off.

This needs no separate transformer or contactor. — Edited by the EA staff EA

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Business Innomotics’ new geared motor assembly plant

ABB opens industrial electric drives campus

Innomotics, the global provider of electric motors and large drive systems, launched a new assembly center in Midrand, South Africa, Nov. 28 that will serve as the company’s local manufacturing and distribution hub for its geared motor and low-voltage motor product portfolio.

Midrand is a suburb of Johannesburg, and the center is situated near key logistics systems and transport networks, which Innomotics expects to lead to reduced lead times. The center should also facilitate Innomotics’ regional distribution and service partner networks, allowing for improved collaboration and delivery of geared motors to such industries as mining and manufacturing, according to the company.

Innomotics also focuses on high-efficiency motor and drive technology development and offers tools to help customers optimize Tim Walwyn (country CEO Innomot- their energy efficiency. ics South Africa) and Yolanda Muller Mining around Johannes(country CFO Innomotics South Africa) burg generates significant officially opened Innomotics’ new asrevenue as part of the counsembly center in Midrand, South Aftry’s broader mining secrica, Nov. 28.

— Innomotics photo tor, which, according to the Minerals Council of South Africa, produced the equivalent of about $34.8 billion U.S. in 2023, the most recent year for which data is available.

Global electrification and automation giant ABB began the phased opening of a new manufacturing and “customer experience” campus in New Berlin, Wis., Oct. 29. The $100 million campus will increase the company’s U.S. production and service of industrial electric drives to meet requirements of the Build American Buy America Act. ABB’s new campus in New Berlin, Wis., The automated producwhich combines manufacturing and warehouse distribution, will produce tion facility will be compleelectric drives that conform to require- mented by a digital “cusments of the Build America Buy Ameri- tomer experience center” ca Act. — ABB photo and an innovation lab to serve U.S. customers. By locating a warehouse distribution center on the campus, ABB hopes to reduce transportation costs and associated emissions. The new campus will employ more than 700 people; an additional 100 are expected to be added over the next three years.

The need to “reduce and avoid emissions” is driving strong demand for ABB’s electrification and automation products in the power, industrial, transport and building sectors, according to the company. In its 2024 third-quarter financial report, released Oct. 17, ABB reported revenues of $8.15 billion, a 2% increase over the comparable quarter the year before, and a 2% increase in orders, to $8.19 billion. — Kevin Jones EA

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The U.K.’s Association of Electrical and Mechanical Trades returned to the historic English cathedral city of Coventry Nov. 21 for its seventh annual awards ceremony. This year’s event, held at the DoubleTree by Hilton, featured a record number of entries across eight categories. The evening’s festivities recognized excellence in areas such as product innovation, skills development, engineering expertise, sustainability, and service delivery.

The awards ceremony, hosted by British television personality Andrea Byrne, honored the skill, dedication, and professionalism of businesses and individuals in the electrical and mechanical service, maintenance, and repair sectors. The evening also included a fundraising activity for the Red Cross that raised £1,537 through a game of Higher or Lower, with the winner receiving a Virgin Experience Day. Entertainment was provided

by Back Chat Brass, an eight-piece brass band whose style is rooted in pop, funk, and hip-hop. The band’s performance added energy to the event and also served as walk-on music for sponsors and award winners. The event was sponsored by several prominent industry organizations.

Thomas Marks, secretary and general manager of AEMT, described the event as a successful opportunity to celebrate the work of the electromechanical service and repair industry. He expressed

his intention to build on this success for the 2025 program, which will coincide with the association’s 80th anniversary.

He encouraged businesses to participate in next year’s event, emphasizing the promotional value of being recognized in the program even when one doesn’t win a top award.

The evening’s awards included Product of the Year, won by Megger Baker Instruments for its ADX Static Motor Analyzer. This multifunctional automated device is used to evaluate winding circuits and insulation systems in motors and generators, serving as both a quality assurance and reliability testing tool.

Users have praised the analyzer’s userfriendly operation, fast testing capabilities, Cloud database functionality, and detailed reporting.

The Project of the Year award went to Innomotics Motors and Large Drives for its work at a combined-cycle gas turbine power station. The project enabled precise speed control of cooling water pumps, which ensure efficient operation by delivering only the required amount of water to the condenser. This optimization was found to reduce energy waste, enhance turbine efficiency, and contribute to lower carbon dioxide emissions.

The project also improved the reliability of pump motors, addressing such considerations as startup stresses and mechanical resonances.

Hidrostal was named Service Centre of the Year for its 20,000-square-foot service and distribution center in Cheltenham, U.K., which supports the repair

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Representatives of the seven finalists for AEMT’s Service Centre of the Year Award posed with gala hostess Andrea Burne (third from left). The “chap in the kilt,” as the event’s publicist described him to us, is Philip Mclaughlin, regional manager at Acorn Industrial Services, which sponsored the Service Centre of the Year category.

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and maintenance of centrifugal pumping systems. The facility, noted for its cleanliness and best-practice standards, offers modular part storage and rapid turnaround, typically within three days.

Hidrostal also received this year’s Special Recognition Award for its efforts in promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace. The company has cultivated a culture in which employees feel “valued, respected, and accepted,” according to AEMT. Preformed Windings received the Supplier of the Year award for its highvoltage diamond coils, particularly its QualCoil H technology, which is said to offer improved hydropower efficiency and reduced carbon dioxide emissions.

The company’s focus on sustainability and innovation has supported advances in renewable energy, created jobs, and contributed to the circular economy, according to AEMT. Westin Drives was recognized for its Contributions to Skills and Training.

The company invests in apprenticeships and training programs that “upskill” new and existing employees, helping them stay current with advances in the industry. These initiatives are intended to enhance the company’s ability to meet evolving client needs while fostering innovation.

The Rising Star Award was presented this year to James Schooler of ADC Electrical, who is in the second year of his apprenticeship. Schooler has demonstrated a strong understanding of the mechanical arts, enthusiasm for his role, and a willingness to support his peers, according to ADC Electrical. He also collaborates with local schools to inspire younger students through engineering programs.

Finally, the Sustainable Engineering Award was given this year to IPS Newcastle for its collaboration with Newcastle University to study the carbon footprint of motor and generator repairs compared to replacements. The partnership is recognized as having provided valuable data promoting sustainable repair decisions and encouraging businesses to consider their operations’ impacts on the environment, according to AEMT. Nominations for the 2025 program will open in the spring. Member companies and individuals who have achieved noteworthy accomplishments are invited to enter. Businesses are encouraged to participate to gain industry recognition for their achievements. Watch for updates at EA www.theaemt.com. — Kevin Jones

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Feature | Electric Avenue

What’s in store for EVs in 2025 New developments this year are likely to affect adoption rates, charging, and battery recycling

By Maura Keller, EA Contributing Writer 2035. It’s been a date that has been bandied about by automotive manufacturers as the time frame to end production of internal-combustion vehicles and turn their manufacturing attention to full production of electric vehicles. As this date looms in the minds of industry players and consumers alike, many are looking at the immediate future of 2025 and the challenges that the EV industry faces – including EV battery charging, limited rare earth materials needed for EV batteries, and the concerns of cash-strapped consumers.

start of the manufacturing process in the EV pipeline.

Klausmeier points out that the adoption of EVs in the U.S. and globally is on the rise, with several key factors driving this trend. Despite some perceptions of slower progress, EV adoption rates have shown consistent growth over time.

So, what is fueling this momentum? According to Klausmeier: > Environmental concerns. As awareness of climate change grows, more consumers are considering EVs as a way to reduce gas emissions and improve air quality. > Technological advancements. Improvements in battery technology have led to lower costs, reduced charging times, and increased energy density. > Charging infrastructure. The availability of charging options, especially fast chargers, makes EVs more Adoption rate outlook convenient for consumers.

One of the biggest questions facing > State mandates. Some U.S. states are passing laws those who are monitoring the posaying that all new vehicles sold in the future must tential EV market activity in 2025 be electric. is: Will adoption rates of EVs go > Consumer awareness. People are more likely to up? consider EVs if they see friends, neighbors, or celebKate Whitefoot, associate pro- Kate Whitefoot, associate professor rities driving them. of engineering and public policy at fessor of Engineering & Public PolCarnegie Mellon University > Affordability. Some automakers are offering more icy at Carnegie Mellon University, affordable EVs, which may disrupt the market. who also works closely with EVs, expects that the “This trend represents a market gradually evolving to meet consumimprovement in electric vehicle technology, particer needs, that can be expedited by incentives,” Klausmeier says. ularly extending the range of fully electric vehicles Shawn McLaughlin, founder and CEO of Emporia Energy, adds that upwards of 300 miles or more, has been driving the cost of purchasing a new EV, and the relatively low number of modincreases in consumers’ likelihood of purchasing els to choose from compared to traditional gasoline cars, are the biggest these vehicles. challenges facing the EV market today. In 2025 and 2026, there will be “We conducted a study that showed that about more than 20 new models entering the market, and 50% of new car and SUV buyers several of these will be low-cost options. in the U.S. would purchase a fully In addition, many EV models have already reached electric vehicle by 2030 if they had price parity with their gasoline counterparts when a 300-mile range, were as widely considering the lifetime cost of ownership. available as conventional gasoline “With the push by automakers to deliver more afvehicles, and prices fall as expectfordable EV models, we could begin to see price pared by 2030,” Whitefoot says. ity occur at the point of sale,” McLaughlin says.

Virginia Klausmeier is the Range anxiety is another concern for new or pofounder and CEO of Sylvatex, a tential EV owners. This is becoming less prevalent materials processing company thanks to charging becoming more readily available, that is involved in the lithium-ion both on the road and at home, McLaughlin adds. battery manufacturing process, It’s important to note that 80% of EV charging hapspecifically that of the energy- and pens at home. Smart home energy management syscost-intensive cathode, with a fotems and smart EV charging will continue to drive cus on sustainability and domestic down the overall cost of charging an EV. production. Sylvatex is at the very Virginia Klausmeier, founder and CEO of Sylvatex

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Federal policy and targeted funding programs are also paving the way for this growth, making it easier for companies like Greenlane to establish connected, accessible charging corridors that accelerate adoption. As Macdonald-King explains, while the commercial sector has historically received less focus than light-duty electrification, recent policy shifts are changing that, providing essential support for heavy-duty electrificaZero-emission vehicles tion over the next few years.

Patrick Macdonald-King is the CEO of Greenlane, a Of course, this specific sector of $675 million joint venture established by Daimler the EV market faces its own set of Truck North America LLC, NextEra Energy Resources, challenges.

Currently, EV charging and BlackRock to build a high-performance, nationinfrastructure for medium- and wide, zero-emission charging and hydrogen fueling heavy-duty ZEVs is among the network for medium- and heavy-duty battery-electric main challenges facing the indusand hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in the U.S. Macdonaldtry.

A 2023 report on the future of King says that adoption rates for medium- and heavy- Shawn McLaughlin, founder and CEO the trucking industry estimates of Emporia Energy duty electric commercial trucks are expected to inthat there are currently only 6,700 crease significantly, driven by a few primary factors. public d-c fast-charging stations in the U.S., most of “For one, there is a growing demand for public infrastructure to supwhich serve only passenger vehicles. port these vehicles.” Macdonald-King says. “A report from the Inter“Having the support to get us there is critical. The national Council on Clean Transportation shows that nearly 700,000 value-add for us is actually having federal policy to chargers will be needed nationwide to accommodate the one million support this, especially during the next two, three, Class 4-8 medium– and heavy-duty ZEVs [zero-emission vehicles] an“We will also start to see the introduction of vehicle-to-grid technology through bi-directional charging,” McLaughlin says. “This technology will allow EV owners to not only lower their home electric bills by 30% or more by leveraging their car battery while it is parked in their garage or driveway, but also enable users to generate $500-$1,500 a year by selling excess battery capacity into the grid – all of which will further reduce the overall cost of owning an EV.”

ticipated to be deployed by 2030.”

Please turn to page 14

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“We need to stay educated and in the know as codes and regulations change.

You can do that efficiently here and then go out and deliver high level product.”

FEBRUARY 10-12, 2025

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Find your why.

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or four years,” Macdonald-King says. “Under current policies, we’re increasingly seeing the emergence of programs aimed at supporting and advancing electrification across the commercial transportation industry. While it is only a start, and we have seen way more attention given to light-duty vehicles, these recent developments are very encouraging and just what this sector of the industry needs.”

Macdonald-King points out that another way to address this challenge is the rollout of a nationwide network of high-capacity charging stations supporting fleets in making the shift to zero emissions.

“This infrastructure is key to unlocking widespread adoption, providing the dependability fleets need to transition to electric solutions confidently.

Ultimately, by creating a model for the future of EV charging along major freight corridors, we’re addressing not only today’s demands but also setting the stage for the broader industry to adopt ZEV technology and meet sustainability goals at scale,” Macdonald-King says.

While it’s tough to predict, the transition to EVs in the trucking industry has faced resistance from the industry, perceiving EVs as an imposed change. Fleet owners point to the high price tag of going electric: a new diesel Class 8 truck costs roughly $180,000, while a comparable battery-electric truck costs over $400,000.

“Let’s remember there are lots of incentives to bring that cost down (up to $250,000 HVIP), but there is still a difference,” Macdonald-King says. “For EVs to be a viable option, the total cost of ownership must come down in order to compete with traditional internal combustion engine vehicles. This can be achieved through advancements in battery technology, economies of scale in manufacturing, and strategic deployment of charging infrastructure that minimizes downtime and maximizes efficiency for fleet operators. We are a couple of years from this being a reality and an even playing field exists – another reason we need public/government support to stimulate the market.” (HVIP stands for Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project, a California incentive program begun in 2010.)

Macdonald-King further explains that one way to increase EVs in industrial settings is to help freight and logistics companies electrify, specifically by identifying key freight corridors to build commercial EV charging infrastructure.

“The corridor model targets popular highway routes frequently used by trucking fleets, strategically placing charging stations approximately 60 to 90 miles apart,” Macdonald-King says. “Utilizing existing infrastructure within those corridors, such as gas stations or truck stops, will speed up construction by allowing the addition of charging stations to

A 2023 report on the future of the trucking industry estimates that there are currently only 6,700 public d-c fast-charging stations in the U.S., most of which serve only

passenger vehicles

existing structures versus building new sites.”

The shorter lengths between stations will alleviate range anxiety by ensuring truck drivers have ample stations within range to choose from, reducing downtime and improving operational efficiency. Building an electrified corridor makes it feasible for companies to transition to electric fleets, knowing their vehicles can complete routes reliably.

Full speed ahead An emerging market such as the EV market means that most industry experts are focused on the near future, namely over the next two to three years, as growth opportunities and challenges are addressed.

Looking ahead, Klausmeier says that, despite promising growth, the EV sector must address several persistent challenges with scaling.

To start, there needs to be supply chain stability. “Securing critical materials like lithium and rare earth metals for battery production can be challenging,” Klausmeier says. “And environmental impact concerns related to resource extraction and battery lifecycle require attention.”

What’s more, Klausmeier says developing effective recycling methods for lithium-ion batteries will be crucial to minimizing environmental impacts as more batteries reach end-of-life. Strengthening grid capacity and reliability is imperative to support rising EV charging demands.

“Informing consumers about EV benefits, performance, and financial incentives remains vital to cultivating increased adoption,” Klausmeier says.

So, which new EV technologies will see the biggest growth?

“Bi-directional charging is one of the most promising technologies for residential power and EV charging,” McLaughlin says. “It will save consumers money, reduce their reliance on grid energy, and offer the convenience of an at-home charger that can serve as a backup power source, which can lead to greater EV adoption. The potential for the new administration to eliminate the federal EV tax credit brings the future EV adoption into question; however, we believe adoption rates will continue to grow as technology and infrastructure continue to advance and pricing levels out.”

In the near future, Whitefoot expects the industry will see a growth in lithium ferro phosphate (LFP) batteries over the next few years.

These batteries are cheaper to produce, and although they can shorten the range of an electric vehicle, their performance has been increasing over time thanks to innovations in battery pack designs.

“These include cell-to-pack technology, where the battery cells are integrated directly into the battery pack without the need for modules, increasing the energy capacity of the battery pack,” Whitefoot says.

“Many automakers are increasing the use of LFP batteries for their economy vehicles, while reserving nickel-based chemistries for their higher-end long-range vehicle offerings.”

EA

14 ELECTRICAL APPARATUS | JANUARY 2025

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Names & Faces Global Power Systems of Santa Barbara, Calif., has appointed Megan Thompson as its newest vice president of marketing.

With more than 20 years of experience in marketing and communications, Thompson will oversee strategic marketing and drive brand awareness to support the company’s growth objectives, according to the company. Thompson previously held various leadership positions at Integrated Power Services, including director of marketing, a role in which she was responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive marketing strategies.

Megan Thompson Her expertise includes creating consistent messaging and branding across all communications channels while building cross-functional relationships to align for organizational goals. She holds a bachelor of arts degree in journalism and mass communications from the University of South Carolina.

Schneider Electric has quickly found a new CEO. The French industrial conglomerate announced Nov. 4 that its board of directors unanimously appointed Olivier Blum, who had previously led the energy management business of Schneider in all end markets, including data centers. Olivier has been a member of the executive committee since 2014. Before his present role as technology and business leader of Olivier Blum the largest business of Schneider Electric,

he held a wide array of positions inside the company. Jean-Pascal Tricoire, chairman, stated: “I welcome Olivier Blum as our new CEO and I wish to thank Peter Herweck for leading Schneider Electric over the past 18 months.” The board of directors decided to remove Herweck from the position of CEO due to “divergences in the execution of the company roadmap at a time of significant opportunities,” as the company delicately put it.

MEA Energy Association recently presented Cesar Sandovel, Justin Harris, Danny Torres, Eduardo Garcia, Earl Micks, Qiante Powell, Antwan Mahomes, Ernie Crafton, and Dan Bran-Fonseca of WEC Energy Group – Peoples Gas, with Life Sustaining Awards.

All were nominated by Ernie Crafton, contractor manager for Peoples Gas. The awards are presented to individuals from member companies who have contributed to saving the lives of others.

Beauregard Electric Cooperative, Inc. (BECi), of Beauregard Parish, La., has hired a new general manager. BECi announced its board of directors hired Mike Viator for the position. Viator is a lifelong resident of Moss Bluff, La., and has been a member of BECi for decades, according to the cooperative. He is a graduate of Sam Houston High School and McNeese State University. Viator also has more than 30 years of experience in leadership and manageMike Viator ment roles in the Southwest Louisiana petrochemical industry. He replaces former general manager Brian Zelenak, who was fired last June. KPLC Television News of Lake Charles, La., reported in June that Zelenak was considering legal action against BECi for his termination. — Charlie Barks EA

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Feature | Training & Education

Course work

Kicking off the new year with education both theoretical and practical

By Bill O’Leary, EA Contributing Writer

Principles and practices in motor service To kick off 2025, the Electrical Apparatus Service Association is holding a number of seminars and webinars that will touch on a variety of subjects of interest to people who apply, service, or repair electric machines.

“Units, Values, and the Basic Math of Conversions” is a webinar presented by Gene Vogel, EASA pump & vibration specialist. This unique, all-ages course is intended for technicians, supervisors, managers, secretaries, and their children.

It covers force, power, and energy for both metric and imperial values, exponential conversions such as exponents and radicals, and simple linear conversions such as proportions.

The goal of the course is to create a common language when it comes to communications quantities, rates, and dimensions. The event is being held Jan. 1 from 12:00 noon until 12:45 p.m. CST and is free for members and $99 for non-members.

“Principles of Medium and EASA technical support specialist Mike Large A-C Motors - NEMA” is a Howell will lead a seminar on medium seminar to be held at the Sonesta and large a-c motors Jan. 24-25 at the Sonesta Atlanta Airport North in AtlanAtlanta Airport North in Atlanta ta. Here we see him giving a presentathat will be led by EASA technical tion at the 2023 EASA Convention in Harbor, Md. support specialist Mike Howell. It National — Electrical Apparatus photo by Kevin Jones will cover horizontal and vertical squirrel-cage induction motors in the 300-5000 horsepower range for low- and medium-voltage motors. However, the course also widens the scope to principles that apply to other sizes, primarily NEMA motors.

Additional topics will include motor theory, safety considerations, applications, test and inspection procedures, root cause failure analysis overviews, starting methods and connections, rotor construction and design, shaft construction, motor geometry and alignment, vibration and noise, bearing types and lubrication systems, stator construction and design, and accessories.

Also available will be a companion manual developed by Austin Bonnett, EASA education and technology consultant, in collaboration with the association’s technical support specialists and technical education committee.

This seminar will take place Jan. 24-25, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday and 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday. The cost is $649 for members and $749 for non-members. Discounts are also available at www.easa.com.

18 ELECTRICAL APPARATUS | JANUARY 2025

From high-tech to low: Courses on robotics and rigging TPC Training also has its roster set for the new year, offering courses that cover a swath of subjects.

“Introduction to Robotics” covers robotics in automated manufacturing such as the evolution of robotics, essential characteristics of robotics, project manufacturing, job shop tasks for robots, continuous manufacturing and safety. Students will learn why robots did not appear at scale until the 1970s and how robots are used in repetitive manufacturing systems that utilize transfer lines.

After the course, participants should be able to describe how industrial robots are used in batch production systems and list at least three factors that should be considered as part of a risk assessment when a system is in the development phase.

Contrasting specific guarding methods like barriers and presence-sensing devices will also be covered.

Additional in-depth lessons will cover robot classifications by control system and arm geometry, workcell sensors, programming, and end-of-arm tooling.

Those interested in industrial material handling beyond robotics can take a look at “Industrial Rigging Principles and Practices.” This course covers safeguards and techniques necessary for hoists, chains, ropes, and scaffolding when moving heavy plant equipment.

Students will learn how to determine weight and center of gravity, horizontal and vertical force, and how to apply a variety of rigging tools such as hooks and slings. They will be able to give examples of methods needed to calculate the weight of a load, describe common sling arrangements and the relation between sling angle and horizontal force, and explain proper hook use and reasons for removing a hook from service.

Subsequent lessons will cover wire rope construction, seizing and splicing, welded-link chains, chain grades and strength, natural and synthetic fiber rope, inspecting slings, overhead manual chain and wire-rope hoists, jib crane, operating practices, scaffold types, and scaffold and ladder safety.

This course is available in online training and course manual formats. Both of these online courses are $85.00 each and include a test. Information is available at www.tpctraining.com.

EA

Plant Happenings Exxonerated ExxonMobil, in its own words, “doubled down” on a controversial but lucrative technology as far back as May when it pledged to expand plants in Texas dedicated to “advanced recycling,” which involves the conversion of plastic waste into raw materials. As of Nov. 25, that pledge was moving closer to fulfillment, sending detractors into panic and investors licking their chops. The oil-and-gas giant officially announced four new units in Texas, increasing its advanced recycling capacity to 500 million pounds per year — equivalent to the weight of about 25 Eiffel Towers. That would bring ExxonMobil halfway to its stated goal of 1 billion pounds per year by 2027. The $200+ million investment will add two new units in Baytown and two in Beaumont to help deal with plastic waste.

Volunteer spirit Two recent announcements from the Tennessee governor’s office confirmed manufacturing investments in the Volunteer State. O’Neal Manufacturing Services has announced plans to open a new facility in Kingsport, Tenn. The company, which specializes in carbon steel and aluminum parts, will invest $8.5 million in the project, generating 29 new jobs for the surrounding area. The new plant will support medium- to heavy-gauge steel fabrication, including steel plate burning, machining, shot blasting, and flattening. Nashville Wire Products officials announced plans in October to establish a new manufacturing site in McEwen, Tenn. The facility will be the company’s sixth base in the Volunteer State and will add 102 new jobs, increasing the company’s total workforce in Tennessee by 19%. In total, Nashville Wire Products plans to invest more than $20 million through the project. Nashville Wire Products began in a garage as a tool-and-die shop. Since then, the company has expanded to include retail displays, shelving, wire baskets, and other products. Three generations later, Nashville Wire Products remains a family-owned and -operated business with 10 locations in the U.S. and one in Mexico.

Not in Kansas anymore A Caterpillar plant in Wamego, Kan., is up for sale.

Caterpillar officials last June announced plans to close the facility in mid-2025, leaving some 400 employees without jobs. Wamego is just east of Manhattan, Kan., home to Kansas State University. Commercial real estate company Colliers is handling the sale of the plant, which officials say Caterpillar will vacate by the fourth quarter of this year. The crane-served production facility —

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which totals 258,112 square feet across 44 acres, with 37 acres of potential expansion — is listed for sale at $11.5 million. The plant has substantial infrastructure, cranes, heavy power, outdoor storage, and rail access, which officials hope will draw in a manufacturing business in need of a new location.

GM layoffs . . . er, ‘separations’ In a Nov. 15 Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) notice, General Motors submitted a letter stating that its Global Technical Center located at 29427 Louis Chevrolet Rd. in Warren, Mich., “will be separating the employment of a group of 507 employees.” “Beginning on November 15, 2024, affected employees will no longer report to work, their normal work responsibilities will cease, and they will be separated,” the WARN notice said.

The affected employees will receive payment equivalent to their wages and benefits as if they were employed through Jan. 14.

These “separations” are expected to be permanent at the GM Global Tech Center. The remaining employees at the GM Global Tech Center will continue to be employed. The affected employees do not have any bumping rights and are not represented by a union.

Viking Age Arevon Energy, Inc., a renewable energy developer, owner, and operator, started operations Nov. 21 at its Vikings Solar-plus-Storage Project in Imperial County, Calif., near Holtville. The $529 million project includes 157 megawatts (MWdc) of solar coupled with 150 MW/600 megawatt hours of battery energy storage. Vikings, one of the first utility-scale solar peaker plants in the U.S., shifts low-cost daytime solar energy to higher-cost peak demand periods, including late afternoons and evenings. Its battery storage system can adjust capacity in seconds, an essential component for addressing critical demand. During construction, Vikings employed more than 170 people, including local California labor, to build the project. In addition, Vikings has said it will disburse more than $17 million to local governments over the project’s lifespan, providing revenue for schools, first responders, and other local needs. “Vikings’ advanced design sets the standard for safe and reliable solar-plus-storage configurations,” Smith said.

“The project incorporates solar panels, trackers, and batteries that showcase the growing strength of U.S. renewable energy manufacturing.”

Conduct worthy of defense The outgoing Biden-Harris administration announced in November that the U.S. Dept. of Commerce has finalized two awards under the CHIPS Incentives Program’s Funding Opportunity for Commercial Fabrication Facilities. The department awarded BAE Systems Electronic Systems, a business unit of BAE Systems, Inc., up to $35.5 million in direct funding and awarded Rocket Lab, the parent company of space power provider SolAero Technologies Corp., up to $23.9 million. The awards come after the previously signed preliminary memoranda of terms, announced in December 2023 and in June of last year respectively, and the completion of the department’s due diligence. The department will disburse the funds based on the companies’ completion of project milestones. “From satellites in space to defense systems on the ground, our most advanced defense and commercial technology rely on mature-node and compound semiconductors to operate,” said Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and National Institute of Standards and Technology director Laurie E. Locascio. — Charlie Barks EA ELECTRICAL APPARATUS | JANUARY 2025 19

12/6/2024 1:18:21 PM

Know Your Industry Just your friendly neighborhood robotics federation International Federation of Robotics Founded: 1987 Headquarters: Frankfurt, Germany Annual dues: Varies by membership structure Website: www.ifr.org Robotics has come a long way from its antagonistic persona in classic science fiction books and movies. In the twentieth century, authors like Issac Asimov and filmmakers like George Lucas introduced robots and droids that started shaping more positive portrayals of robots in popular media.

Now there are robotics courses for students, competitions for all ages, and household robots that add convenience and functionality to homes. Sure, there are still skeptics, but learning about non-invasive surgical robots (January 2024 Electrical Apparatus, “Paging Dr. Robot”) gives some hope.

This positive outlook on robotics has been one of the guiding objectives of the International Federation of Robotics, or IFR, since its establishment in 1987. The federation aims to “create awareness of the positive impact of robots on our lives and society, increase accessibility of robots and interaction with robotics, and to enable the robotics industry to collaboratively leverage trends and advancements,” according to its mission statement.

IFR stands out among the associations covered in EA’s “Know your industry” because a portion of its members are robotics associations from around the world. As the umbrella organization, IFR includes 17 national robotics associations, including the Norwegian Society of Electrical and Automatic Control and the U.S.’s A3, host of the annual Automate trade show.

Familiar companies such as ABB and Nachi are part of the more than 3,000 organizations that work with the robotics associations that encourage research and create partnerships to achieve the IFR’s vision. IFR press officer Carsten Heer describes the federation’s influence on the robotics industry as “the voice of robotics in the world representing more than 3,000 organizations from more than 20 countries.”

Outside of the national association members, a variety of IFR membership categories exist for those considering joining the federation. Categories include “industrial robot manufacturers, service robot manufacturers, integrators of robots, component suppliers, and [research and development] institutes like universities and research centers,” said Silke Lampe, communications manager.

This positive outlook on robotics has been one of the guiding objectives of IFR since its establishment in 1987

A mechanic sets up the vision system on an industrial robot.

— Photoneo photo

Members benefit from the federation’s communication efforts and industry data. Through their press releases and research, the International Federation of Robotics brings attention to industry facts and positions this information in front of key audiences.

IFR conducts surveys to compile market data each year that is made available to members and, in some cases, to the general public. One of the association’s most prominent reports is its annual World Robotics report.

“The IFR is very proud of just having published the World Robotics 2024 reports about industrial and service robots,” said Heer. He added that “the industrial report — e.g., presents statistical data for around 40 countries broken down into areas of application, customer industries and economic aspects.”

The report data is an important resource for global businesses, academic institutions, and policymakers because it breaks down the current landscape and shapes the future stance of robotics.

Two other communication resources provided by IFR are its blog and a landing page to share member news. The blog covers relevant topics and celebrates industry achievement. Blog posts are written by IFR staff and member executives alike.

The most recent series of blog posts highlights ten women in robotics, with a post for each woman describing how their work is shaping the future of the industry. On the other hand, the members’ news landing page shares announcements from the association members and individual member updates like award winners.

The federation also sponsors the International Symposium on Robotics, which highlights expertise from the industrial, technical, and scientific fields. It was first introduced in 1970 in Chicago before becoming a multievent, global effort spearheaded by a national robotics association from the Americas, Asia, and Europe.

The IFR website explains that each International Symposium on Robotics “takes place in conjunction with an international robot exhibition.” In the Americas, the annual Automate Show acts as the North American version of the symposium.

Though a variety of topics are covered at each symposium, it is interesting that the 2024 Automate Show featured more than 35 sessions on the use or potential of artificial intelligence in robotics, while there were only around 15 sessions focusing on motors, drives, and motion control.

With robotics entering more and more business industries each year, the support and advocacy of the International Federation of Robotics is important for members and economists. As Neil deGrasse Tyson puts it, “Robots can do things humans can’t. They can survive harsh conditions, they can explore places we would never go, plus you never actually have to bring them back.” Robots were once thought to be a thing of the future, but with the IFR, the future is now. — Kristine Weller EA

20 ELECTRICAL APPARATUS | JANUARY 2025

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12/6/2024 12:30:21 PM

Feature | Conventions & Trade Shows

Robo-Shops

Automation continues to progress, with applications from the supply chain to maintenance, repair, and operations

By Charlie Barks, EA Managing Editor In the process of covering a few recent trade shows — namely, the International Manufacturing Technology Show and the Battery Show — EA editors have learned a lot about what’s new in the closely related fields of robotics and automation. These, as mentioned in our cover article this month (page 27), are constantly evolving, sometimes fast enough to make one’s head spin.

At IMTS, the Battery Show, and plenty of other recent events, certain applications and innovations have emerged. Some of these are more practical than others, but it has become clear that using robotics and automation for the scanning of parts is a burgeoning sector. This is highly valued for quality control purposes within the supply chain. Lastly, robo/auto processes continue to lend themselves to maintenance and repair. The photo spread on this and the facing page, which draws from both shows, provides ample evidence of these developments. EA

Dennis Malone of LightGuide scans EV battery cells.

22 ELECTRICAL APPARATUS | JANUARY 2025

Omega’s Astra Shrink Machine for high-production environments, tight tolerances, and complex tools.

Mitutoyo’s tool display was of great interest to customers, as was its perimeter of automated machines at the company’s IMTS booth.

Fully automated CNC machines have come to Formula One racing with Haas.

Jupiter Machine Tool (Galesburg, Ill.) provides automated CNC machining, shown here.

Fully automated process solutions from Bodor Laser Inc., a Schaumburg, Ill., company.

DWFritz (Wilsonville, Ore.) featured an advanced metrology platform for high-volume inspection at the Battery Show, ideal for high-precision small parts.

Polyrix of Saint-Augustin-de-Desmauves, Quebec, shows off a massive scanning array on a car door.

Aikoku Alpha’s hand manipulators, a type of crane/robotic arm hybrid, can lift up to 1000 lbs.

ELECTRICAL APPARATUS | JANUARY 2025 23

Feature | Conventions & Trade Shows

Familiar names at the AHR Expo Readers will recognize a number of exhibitors at this year’s edition of America’s premier HVACR event

By Kevin Jones, EA Senior Editor Finding a familiar face in a crowd is always gratifying.

In fact, the bigger the crowd, the more gratifying the find is likely to be. That’s why we were happy to see several familiar companies among the nearly 1,900 exhibitors that had reserved space as of mid-December for the 2025 AHR Expo, the HVACR extravaganza that’s next scheduled to be held Feb. 10-12 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. The AHR Expo, jointly organized and produced by the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers, is an event dedicated to all things HVACR. Here are some of the familiar names EA readers are likely to encounter should they venture to Orlando for this year’s expo: ABB Motors & Drives. Plans to feature its ACH580 E-Clipse Bypass for HVACR, which is designed to ensure continuous operation in critical cooling environments. Options enable users to customize the bypass to particular systems, according to ABB. AEGIS / Electro Static Technology. AEGIS rings, designed to protect motor bearings from electrical damage and premature failure, will be on display. The rings ground the shaft and bleed off excess charge before the voltage can build up high enough to arc.

HD Hyundai Electric. The company known for its broad range of electric motors will showcase its lightweight low-voltage motors, which comply with international standards based on premium efficiency. The motors’ efficiency and service life have been improved through optimized structural performance, according to the company.

Helwig Carbon Products, Inc. This manufacturer of carbon brushes and shaft grounding products says that “shaft grounding has never been easier” than with its EZ MultiFit brackets and BPK-Probe. Helwig representatives will demonstrate how easily one can determine which BPK and EZ bracket will work best with a particular motor.

Lafert North America. Plans to highlight its HP Integral, which the manufacturer describes as “a highly efficient integrated motor and drive package which combines an Ultra Premium efficient permanentmagnet synchronous motor with an integrated variable-frequency drive.”

Leeson. This well-known brand of Regal Rexnord will be strutting its HVACR stuff as it showcases the

Last year’s AHR Expo, held at Chicago’s McCormick Place Jan. 22-24, 2024, attracted enthusiastic crowds in spite of blustery winter weather along Chicago’s famously chilly lakefront. Energy management was on the minds of many as the event tackled the theme of “Challenge Accepted: Tackling the Climate Change Crisis.”

— Electrical Apparatus photo by Charlie Barks

SyMAX-PRO line of motors, which are designed for performance, power density, and high efficiency in HVACR applications.

Nidec Corp. Several divisions of this manufacturer will be represented at the expo. They’ll be showing off both motors and drives suitable for HVACR applications. The well-known U.S. Motors brand will feature its broad range of motors, which include replacement motors for furnaces and air-handlers and electronically commutated motors for highefficiency direct-drive blowers.

Schneider Electric. This specialist in digital automation and energy management will be putting its best foot forward as it spotlights its EcoStruxure building-IoT sensors, a line of adaptable multi-sensors designed to detect such environmental factors as volatile organic compounds, carbon dioxide, relative humidity, air pressure, temperature, noise, light, and particulate matter.

Siemens Smart Infrastructure. The well-known global industrial manufacturer plans to demonstrate its Building X Cloud-based, AI-enabled building connectivity platform, which enables the optimization and self-maintenance that let buildings “drive toward better productivity, sustainability, and well-being,” as Siemens puts it.

WEG Electric Corp. Expect to see this trusted motor and generator manufacturer showcasing its broad range of products designed to fulfill the company’s mission, which is nothing less than to “develop technologies and solutions that contribute to a more efficient and sustainable world for everyone.” Producing more than 10 million units annually, WEG is constantly investing in state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and processes.

Wolong Electric Group. This provider of “safe, efficient, smart, and green power drive system solutions” will be emphasizing its EC motors, which integrate the motor with drive control technology. The result is a combination of efficient permanent-magnet motor technology, variablefrequency speed regulation, and energy savings, all in a compact structure that’s convenient to install, according to the manufacturer.

EA

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Feature | Energy

Powering up for ’25 Significant developments in the energy industry as the new year dawns

By Charlie Barks, EA Managing Editor It seems that every new year is a crucial one for the energy industry.

Even in trying to avoid that stereotype, it’s almost impossible to frame 2025 as unimportant, mainly because of the probability of a shift in energy policy in the U.S. These changes are anticipated as a by-product of administrative turnover in the U.S. government and predicted by some to have potential global implications.

With not only a new (yet former) U.S. president set to take over — but this time a fully new legislative branch as well — Americans are split between excitement and panic about what’s going to happen in the energy industry. A new Dept. of Energy could be significantly reduced, and regulation changes within it could have a vast impact. For the oil and gas sector, this is a potential goldmine. For renewable-energy proponents, it could be a disaster. A third view suggests it could bring about a more realistic — albeit much longer — road map for the much-discussed energy transition.

Tariffs introduced in 2018, during the incoming president’s first term, focused on boosting domestic factory production in the U.S. While tariffs remain a hot-button issue, some distance from the event has forced even the harshest critics to acknowledge the tariffs worked to a fair degree. According to the International Trade Commission report titled “Economic Impact of Section 232 and 301 Tariffs”, released in 2023: “President Trump imposed section 232 tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum products on March 23, 2018. . . . The U.S. steel market has

exhibited changes in trade, production, and prices since the imposition of tariffs under sections 232 and 301, affecting both U.S. producers of these products and downstream businesses that rely on them.

“Imports of steel decreased in the years following the imposition of the tariffs, declining 17.2% from 2017 to 2021. U.S. production of steel fluctuated in recent years, but it remained about 5% higher in 2021 than in 2017. The steel industry’s capacity utilization increased as well from 2017 to 2021, with capacity utilization at a 14-year high in 2021.

“Many domestic steel producers announced plans to invest in and greatly expand domestic steel production in the coming years. The prices of U.S. steel products have increased in recent years as well. Between December 2017 and December 2021, average monthly prices for hot-rolled steel . . . increased from $697 per metric ton to $1,855 per metric ton, an increase of 166.1%.

“Although prices have increased globally since 2018, the increase has been much higher in the United States than elsewhere, despite fluctuations during that period. These changes in imports, production, and prices have had impacts on downstream industries such as construction and automotive manufacturing that rely extensively on steel inputs.”

The President attempted to pull out of the Paris Agreement — the world’s most comprehensive climate change alliance — in 2017. Many believe he’s likely to try again.

A U.S. withdrawal would not only free up U.S. emissions mandates from international commitments but could also significantly impact the agreement’s climate goals and projections.

EA

director, the acquisition will allow WEG to expand its solutions portfolio, integrate new technologies, and The changes described above are ushering in a wave of preparations improve customers’ operational efficiency. in various energy sectors.

A third area of development Oil and gas investments are already emerging at is compressed air and vacuum the prospect of a more lenient administration. For technology. German trade fair example, ExxonMobil announced Nov. 25 that it Hannover Messe again plans plans to invest more than $200 million to expand its this year to dedicate an entire advanced recycling operations at sites in Baytown section to the compressed air and and Beaumont, Tex. The new operations, expected to vacuum technology sector. Hanbegin in 2026, could help increase advanced recynover Messe is to be held at the cling rates and divert plastic from landfills.

Hannover Fairground in Hanover, The investment is expected to add 350 million Germany, from March 31 to April 4. pounds per year of advanced recycling capacity “Using digital tools for condition at Baytown and Beaumont, bringing Exxon-Mobil’s monitoring, predictive maintotal capacity to 500 million pounds per year. The tenance, and spare parts and company is also developing additional advanced maintenance management are a recycling projects at manufacturing sites in North matter of course for manufacturAmerica, Europe, and Asia, with the goal of reaching ers of compressed air and vacuum 1 billion pounds per year globally by 2027. technology,” said Christoph SinInternationally, the electrical manufacturer WEG grün of the German Association S.A. announced Nov. 26 that it had signed a contract of Mechanical and Plant Engito acquire Reivax, a Brazilian company operating in neering. “Diverse applications the power generation control systems sector, along continue to guarantee stable busiwith Reivax’s subsidiaries. According to Carlos José ExxonMobil’s advanced recycling site ness despite constantly increasing Bastos Grillo, WEG’s digital and systems managing in Baytown, Tex. — ExxonMobil photo requirements.” — CB

Developing energy sectors

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Calendar Update your calendar with these upcoming trade shows, conferences, and other events.

• January 19-24, 2025 — Hydraulic Institute Annual Conference, Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa, Rancho Mirage, Calif. The Hydraulic Institute, www.pumps.org/event/2025-annual-con ference.

• January 27-30, 2025 — 2025 Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Innovation Conference, InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown, Los Angeles, Calif.

Mechanical Contractors Association of America, National Electrical Contractors Association, and Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association, https://mepconference.com.

• February 2-5, 2025 — NEMRA25 Conference, Orlando World Center Marriott, Orlando, Fla. National Electrical Manufacturers Representatives Association, www.nemra.org/nemra25-conference.

• February 8-12, 2025 — 2025 ASHRAE Winter Conference, the Hilton Orlando, Orlando, Fla. American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, www.ashrae.org/conferences/2025winter-conference-orlando.

• February 10-12, 2025 — AHR Expo, Orange County Convention Center, Or-

Upcoming events on pumps, sales, electrical testing, power generation, HVACR, and facility management lando, Fla. The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute, www.ahrexpo. com.

• March 11-15, 2025 — PowerTest 2025, Rosen Shingle Creek Resort, Orlando, Fla. InterNational Electrical Testing Association, https://bit.ly/PowerTest2025.

• March 17-20, 2025 — Promat 2025, McCormick Place, Chicago. Material Handling Industry, www.promatshow.com.

• April 3-5, 2025 — PEARL 2025 Conference & Exhibition, Sheraton Charlotte Hotel, Charlotte, N.C. Professional Electrical Apparatus Reconditioning League, https://pearl1.org/2025-conference.

• April 6-8, 2025 — Electrical Generating Systems Association Spring Conference, Sheraton Le Meridien, Charlotte,

N.C. Electrical Generating Systems Association, https://spring.egsa.org.

• April 29-May 1 — Facility Fusion, Renaissance Austin Hotel, Austin, Tex. The International Facility Management Association, https://facilityfusion.ifma.org.

• May 19-22, 2025 — Cleanpower 2025 Conference & Exhibition, Phoenix Convention Center, Phoenix, Ariz. American Clean Power Association, https://clean power.org/expo.

• May 20-22, 2025 — NAED 2025 National Meeting, JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort, Marco Island, Fla. National Association of Electrical Distributors, www. naed.org/national-meeting.

• May 21-23, 2025 — Europump’s Annual Meeting and General Assembly, Hilton Prague, Prague, Czech Republic.

Europump, http://bit.ly/4dt8TM2.

• June 11-12, 2025 — Coiltech North America 2025, Suburban Collection Showplace, Novi, Mich. QUiCKFairs, www. coiltech.us.

• June 16-20, 2025 — Turbo Expo: Turbomachinery Technical Conference & Exposition, Renasant Convention Center, Memphis, Tenn. American Society of Mechanical Engineers, https://event.asme.org/ Turbo-Expo.

• June 21-25, 2025 — ASHRAE 2025 Annual Conference, Sheraton Phoenix Downtown and Phoenix Convention Center, Phoenix, Ariz. American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and AirConditioning Engineers, www.ashrae.org/ conferences/2025-annual-conferencephoenix.

• July 19-22, 2025 — EASA Convention 2025, Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, Nashville, Tenn.

Electrical Apparatus Service Association, https://easa.com/convention.

• July 22-24, 2025 — Safety25 Conference & Expo, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Fla. American Society of Safety Professionals, https://safety.assp. org.

• September 12-15, 2025 — NECA 2025 Convention and Trade Show, McCormick Place, Chicago, Ill. National Electrical Contractors Association, http://bit. ly/4f9BWoN. • September 17-19, 2025 — AEE World Energy Conference & Expo, Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, Ga. Association of Energy Engineers, https:// aeeworld.org/conference.

• September 29-October 2, 2025

— Canadian Manufacturing Technology Show, Toronto Congress Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Society of Manufacturing Engineers, www.cmts.ca. — Kevin Jones EA 26 ELECTRICAL APPARATUS | JANUARY 2025

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Feature | Automation

The latest in robotics and automation Machines and systems displayed at recent trade shows point the way toward an exciting and productive future

By Charlie Barks, EA Managing Editor The field of robotics and automation is constantly evolving. As we enter 2025, some of the latest trends and developments include mobile and humanoid robotics, energy-efficient robots, re-shoring, and AI applications.

These were among the trends most prominent at two trade shows Electrical Apparatus editors recently attended: the International Manufacturing Technology Show, held this past Sept. 9-14 in Chicago, and the Battery Show, held Oct. 7-10 in Detroit.

What we saw at these shows reminded us that robotics and innovation are related but distinct concepts. Automation generally involves using hardware, software, and other technologies to automate tasks that are usually done manually. Robotics is about Creaform chose to use a Bobcat excavator to showcase its 3D scanning capabilities. designing, creating, and using robots to complete tasks. In all, the term automation to improve mass production. Lumafield provides new data that gives is broader and encompasses technologies beyond the company’s engineers better insights across the product lifecycle.

In one recent case, a bottle and cap were leaking after inspection. physical robots.

Puzzlingly, the bottle’s individual components passed all traditional inspection measures. “We were trying to do dimensional analysis, but Parts, data, and more everything was within specification,” said Zach Mahoney, director of These new technologies are being used both for the packaging qualification lab for L’Oreal. scanning parts and for monitoring machine data.

In collaboration with Lumafield, Mahoney’s team obtained a CT scan Take Lumafield, a company specializing in CT scanof the assembly. “In our first scan with Lumafield, we saw what we ning (yes, the same technology used in medical CAT were looking for,” Mahoney said. The culprit, it turned out, was a tiny scans). The company gave informative overviews of 100-micron indentation inside the bottle’s neck. Lumafield’s scanner its versatile products at both the Battery Show and provided the engineers with virtual slices that helped them inspect and the International Manufacturing Technology Show. measure the entire assembly in detail while keeping the seal in situ and Items Lumafield used to demonstrate its scanning preserving all physical evidence. capabilities ranged from footwear and electronics to batteries and aerospace parts — basically “anything we can fit” into the scanner’s parameters, according Mobile robots and machine learning to Philippe Videau, a product manager at Lumafield, Let’s look at some other areas of growth. The mobile robotics market is which is based in the San Francisco and Boston met- booming, with significant growth expected by 2033. These robots are ro areas. being used in various industries like logistics, healthcare, agriculture, Videau offered a live demonstration of parts scan- and household chores. ning. One of the company’s newest clients, the wellInnovations in AI, machine learning, and sensor miniaturization are known beauty products manufacturer L’Oréal, uses making these robots more intelligent and adaptable than ever before.

Please turn to next page CT scanning both in new-product introductions and

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Humanoid robots are also making strides, with companies like Boston Dynamics, Tesla, and Sanctuary AI showcasing impressive capabilities.

These robots are designed to perform tasks in environments built for humans, although the robots still face technical challenges and safety scrutiny.

Everything from automotive applications to aerospace and defense is on the table, too. The latest of these applications includes subsea automation for submarines. With the mtu NautIQ Master automation system, Rolls-Royce Power Systems is extending its product line to include sophisticated integrated control and monitoring systems for subsurface platforms.

The system, which integrates numerous standard systems, controls both the propulsion system and the power supply, monitors the condition of the units, and can be expanded with a range of modules such as damage control, onboard training, alarm and monitoring, navigation, and communication systems. This means that all integrated systems can be controlled via a standardized user interface. mtu NautIQ Master has already proven itself for naval surface vessels. Rolls-Royce is now applying this experience underwater as well.

This means that Rolls-Royce is also moving up from component supplier to solution provider in the submarine market.

— Electrical Apparatus photos by Charlie Barks and copyright 2025 by Barks Publications, Inc.

3D scanning technologies are explained at the 3DWonders LLC booth over coffee at IMTS.

Robots are becoming more energy-efficient, which is crucial in order for companies to remain competitive amid rising energy costs. Modern robots are designed to use less energy and even convert kinetic energy into electricity. There’s a trend towards reshoring manufacturing processes to reduce supply chain risks. Robots play a vital role in automating these processes, especially in industries like automotive and semiconductor manufacturing. Generative AI is changing human-robot interaction, making robots more intuitive and capable of performing complex tasks. These advancements are shaping the future of robotics and automation, making them more efficient, versatile, and integral to various industries.

Maintaining the bots As with the many industries that deploy automated processes in their operations, maintenance has grown alongside the robotics boom over the years.

Here are some of the latest trends in the maintenance portion of the robotics and automation world.

Predictive maintenance has been using AI and machine learning algorithms to analyze performance data and predict potential failures before they occur. This approach helps in scheduling maintenance tasks proactively, reducing downtime and costs.

Augmented reality and virtual reality are also being used to provide maintenance technicians with real-time, hands-on guidance and remote assistance. Mobile Manipulators (MoMas) involve combining collaborative robot arms with mobile robots to automate material handling tasks in various industries.

Generative AI, meanwhile, is working to enhance human-robot interaction by allowing robots to be programmed using natural language instead of code.

All the while, energy efficiency remains a constant point of emphasis, with an eye toward developing robots that use less energy and can convert kinetic energy into electricity.

Best practices for robotics maintenance include conducting routine inspections to identify early signs of wear, damage, or abnormalities; cleaning and lubrication, which can prevent malfunctions; software updates, which not only improve functionality but help as a security safeguard; and ensuring that maintenance staff are well-trained in operating, troubleshooting, and maintaining robotics systems.

Implementing these practices can help keep robotic systems running smoothly and efficiently.

A recent Yaskawa educational webinar indicated how specific parts of the AI wave are being dealt with in robotics and automation. It focused specifically on how artificial intelligence can enhance robot welding.

“In the past, challenging materials and conditions

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Flow Shape Technologies Group of Kent, Wash., displayed a waterjet processing system along with basic automation for manufacturing applications at IMTS.

demanded constant human oversight,” Tom Kutcher of Yaskawa said in the webinar. “Now, AI empowers systems to adapt automatically, elevating both quality and efficiency.” Highlights of the webinar included adaptive and AI welding demos, including a live AI weld inspection; a look at the progress of AI in robotics manufacturing; and projecting the future state of AI integrations. The webinar closed out with a panel on robotics and AI.

Making the show rounds The International Manufacturing Technology Show, which takes place every other year, continued to impress last October by showcasing a bevy of innovative products and services.

The 2024 event featured a cross-section of industries, including shop owners, who gave positive feedback to the association. For example, Mike Payne, president of Hill Manufacturing & Fabrication, said, “You have to come to IMTS because you need to know where your shop is going to be in a couple of years.”

Lambda Function, a San Francisco-based automation machinery manufacturer, offered an enthusiastic perspective on emerging technologies in the form of David Lopez, a Lambda employee whose energetic personality has gained a following on YouTube. Lopez spoke about the fear of AI taking human jobs. “In 1607 the lighter would have been considered witchcraft,” he quipped, adding that he’s been using AI to “augment his skills” and that he needs “the older generation’s expertise” for it to be properly cultivat

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ed. “We monitor machine data,” he said, urging prospects not to fear AI despite references to Skynet, a term used in the Terminator movies.

“Our vision is to unlock Level 5 autonomy, when CNC machines can make decisions without any need for human guidance and intervention,” Lambda says in its mission statement. The company’s software enables increasing levels of machining autonomy by augmenting CNC programmers and machine operators with AI. Mitutoyo is a testing instruments company that places an emphasis on repair and service and can serve as a common thread for those in the service world to demonstrate the usefulness of automation companies.

The company, based in Kanagawa, Japan, operates its U.S. headquarters in Aurora, Ill. The company’s growth demonstrates the importance of standardization as robotics and automation continue to permeate further into industrial processes.

“Initially we provided replacement parts and repair services, but as our customer base grew, so did customer service demands. In response we built one of the highest performance A2LA Accredited Calibration Laboratory’s (A2LA Certificate #0750.01) in the nation,” Curtis Stubbs of Mutitoyo told Electrical Apparatus. “Now we offer turnkey metrology solutions and even integrate measuring directly into manufacturing processes via in-line automation. Mitutoyo America is also the first service organization to have A2LA-accredited field service technicians.”

M3 solution centers are geographically positioned to cover the U.S. Local software design and development translate into well-resourced software support. The company also provides education and training through the Mitutoyo Institute of Metrology. Mitutoyo America Corp. is configured to provide customers with the competitive advantages that result from application of best-practice metrology.

The company’s ISO/IEC 17025-accredited calibration lab is used for commercial precision measurement services. It features the capability to address challenging measurement needs and critical reference stanPlease turn to next page

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dards; company reps say the company’s personnel are always willing to go the extra mile for customers. “Our field service technicians also provide accredited calibration services on-site, ensuring the accuracy and efficiency of your measurement instruments.”

Big-name backers of R&D Before and since the emergence of widespread digital technology, engineering innovations have demonstrated the potential to transform lives and energize the economy. This can often involve modern robotics and technology.

In pursuit of this end, the U.S. National Science Foundation recently announced a five-year investment of $104 million, with a potential 10year investment of up to $208 million, in four new NSF Engineering Research Centers (ERCs) to create “technology-powered solutions that could benefit the nation for decades to come,” the foundation said late last August.

“NSF’s Engineering Research Centers ask big questions in order to catalyze solutions with far-reaching impacts,” NSF director Sethuraman Panchanathan said in a statement. “NSF engineering research centers are powerhouses of discovery and innovation, bringing America’s great engineering minds to bear on our toughest challenges. By collaborating with industry and training the workforce of the future, ERCs create an innovation ecosystem that can accelerate engineering innovations, producing tremendous economic and societal benefits for the nation.”

ScanTech employees demonstrate the company’s versatile, compact wireless scanning suite on a small off-road vehicle at IMTS.

The new centers will develop technologies to tackle the carbon challenge, expand physical capabilities, make heating and cooling more sustainable, and enable the U.S. supply and manufacturing of natural rubber. (Some of these research centers come with catchy acronyms; see sidebar below.)

Since its founding in 1985, NSF’s ERC program has funded 83 centers that receive support for up to 10 years. The centers build partnerships with educational institutions, government agencies, and industry stakeholders to support innovation and inclusion in established and emerging engineering research.

Just when you think you’re getting accustomed to the latest wave of technology and innovation, another one comes along. The worlds of robotics and automation may be the flagship example of this, especially as we witness the further integration of AI into their processes. These technologies aren’t going away, and they could be useful to you in a number of ways, whether your operation is centered on manufacturing, maintenance and repair, or any other task that requires productiveness.

EA

A treat for acronymophiles

Someone at the U.S. National Science Foundation, overseer of several Engineering Research Centers, clearly likes acronyms. The Engineering Research Centers, or ERCs, unveiled in 2024 included some clever plays on words: > NSF ERC, for Carbon Utilization Redesign through Biomanufacturing-Empowered Decarbonization (CURB) — Washington University in St. Louis in partnership with the University of Delaware, Prairie View A&M University and Texas A&M University. CURB will create manufacturing systems that convert CO2 to a broad range of products more efficiently than current engineered and natural systems. > NSF ERC, for Environmentally Applied Refrigerant Technology Hub (EARTH) — University of Kansas in partnership with Lehigh University, University of Hawaii, University of Maryland, University of Notre Dame and University of South Dakota. EARTH will create a transformative, sustainable refrigerant lifecycle to reduce global warming from refrigerants while increasing the energy efficiency of heating, ventilation, and cooling. > NSF ERC, for Human Augmentation via Dexterity (HAND) — Northwestern University in partnership with Carnegie Mellon University, Florida A&M University, and Texas A&M University, and with the engagement of MIT. HAND will enhance the ability of robots to augment human labor by transforming dexterous robot hands into versatile, easy-to-integrate tools. > NSF ERC for Transformation of American Rubber through Domestic Innovation for Supply Security (TARDISS) — The Ohio State University in partnership with Caltech, North Carolina State University, Texas Tech University, and the University of California, Merced. TARDISS will create bridges between engineering, biology, and agriculture to revolutionize and on-shore alternative natural rubber production from U.S. crops. — CB

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Feature | Motors & Generators

New opportunities in efficiency rebates There’s a new class of rebates for industrial motor users — and users may pay you to help apply for them

By John Malinowski, EA Contributing Editor Electric utilities collect around $8 billion annually from electrical bills that are used for energy efficiency incentive programs. Most industrial companies have used these rebates to upgrade their lighting and possibly the HVAC systems that are simple prescriptive programs.

These funds can be used for other upgrades, such as adjustable-speed drives, but they require measurement and verification (M&V) to show the sav-

ings. These M&Vs compare the energy used before and after the installation.

Carrying out these measurements can be complicated and costly, and the process requires purchase and installation of the equipment.

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association and a coalition of energy advocates have been working to develop a prescriptive system for adding motors and drives to applications.

In this context, we’ll refer to the motor and drive system as a power drive system, or PDS. It includes the motor, adjustable-speed drive, and any filters in the system. The PDS does not include the driven load.

First, some background Over the course of several years, the U.S. Dept. of Energy conducted a motor assessment and issued a series of three reports called the U.S. Industrial and Commercial Motor System Market Assessment Report that looked at the installed base of motors and drives. It was found that energy savings of at least 30% can be seen by adding an adjustable-speed drive to a variable-torque load such as a pump, fan, or centrifugal compressor. A similar study done by Cadeo and funded by the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance and NEMA indicated similar potential savings of 30% to 40%.

The program administrators who manage the rebates for the utilities talk about upstream and downstream rebates. We are familiar with downstream rebates and incentives that are provided at the point of sale. In our industry, we had a downstream rebate to encourage adoption of Premium Efficient motors before the regulations made them mandatory. An upstream incentive would be given to the OEM manufacturer for using a PDS. We will be focusing here on downstream incentives.

NEMA’s calculation procedure

An IE5 synchronous motor with integral drive. Motors of this type are currently the highest-efficiency systems on the market.

— ABB Motors and Mechanical photo

NEMA has developed a new standard, MG 10011-2024, Power Index Calculation Procedure — Standard Rating Methodology for Power Drive Systems and Complete Drive Modules. This standard

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dicators for Power Drive Systems and Motor Starters. [Brevity is obviously not the IEC’s strong suit.

— Editor.]

The NEMA PI metric provides a rank ordering and a conservative estimate of energy savings relative to a single-speed baseline product. In the PI scenario, a lower PI number uses more energy than one with a higher number.

This PI measurement will allow comparisons between systems so that the M&V can be eliminated, and we are allowed an easier path to prescriptive rebates.

NEMA Super Premium efficient induction motors (IE4) can be drop-in replacements or operated with a Variable-torque applications drive for additional savings.

— WEG Electric Corp. photo with centrifugal loads, such as EFFICIENCY REBATES continued from previous page fans, pumps, and compressors, offer the most energy establishes the calculation procedure for the Motor Coalition Metric. savings when used with adjustable-speed drives inIt provides a means to compare the relative energy savings of motors stead of a fixed-speed motor with a method of throt(both fixed and variable speed) to a standard baseline motor. tling the load (valve, damper, etc.). Constant-torque Note that we are comparing energy usage and not system efficiency. For loads may offer not a direct energy saving but one polyphase equipment, this is a premium efficient direct-on-line mo- related to productivity improvements that are diffitor (i.e., an IE3 equivalent). This metric represents weighted-average cult to benchmark. Thus, the prescriptive incentive power consumption relative to a fixed-speed motor like NEMA’s Power programs we are discussing are first being directed Index, which is based on IEC 61800-9-2 Ed. 2. to variable-torque applications.

The IEC standard’s full title is Adjustable-peed Electrical Power Drive The Dept. of Energy recently conducted an inSystems — Part 9-2: Ecodesign for Power Drive Systems, Motor Starters, centive program for PDS installations on variablePower Electronics, and Their Driven Applications — Energy Efficiency In- torque loads. These incentives provided $25 per horsepower for the motor and $25 per horsepower for the drive. This covered systems that were installed in 2022-2023. Unfortunately, this program Purpose and benefits of the new NEMA standard was not well publicized, and its details were reNEMA MG 10011:2024, titled “Power Index Calculation Procedure — leased in 2023 after many of the qualifying systems Standard Rating Methodology for Power Drive Systems and Complete had been installed.

Drive Modules,” provides a methodology for calculating the Power

Index for power drive systems and complete drive modules.

The Power Index is a metric used to compare the relative energy savings of motors, both fixed and variable-speed, to a standard baseline motor. For polyphase equipment, the baseline is a premium-efficient direct-on-line motor, equivalent to IE3 efficiency standards. This index represents the weighted-average power consumption relative to a fixed-speed motor, providing a conservative estimate of energy savings.

The standard applies to low-voltage (600 V and less) power drive systems and complete drive modules ranging from 1 to 500 hp. It establishes a rating methodology for power drive systems and complete drive modules; the idea is to ensure consistency and comparability across different products from different manufacturers. The standard also includes the Motor Coalition Metric, which helps in comparing the energy efficiency of different motors.

NEMA MG 10011:2024 offers several benefits. By providing a standardized method for calculating energy savings, it helps manufacturers and users identify more efficient motor systems. The Power Index allows for a rank ordering of products based on their energy efficiency, making the comparison of different systems easier. And the methodology provides conservative estimates of energy savings, ensuring that the reported savings are reliable and achievable.

The standard, published last March 26, is available in both electronic (PDF) and hard-copy formats. For more information, visit the NEMA website at http://bit.ly/3OA2pQF. — Kevin Jones

Installation classifications Consider the following classes of installations. The base Class 1 is a direct-on-line (DoL) premium efficient motor as may be already installed. Class 2 is a drop-in replacement of a Super-Premium (IE4) level motor that has a similar mechanical footprint. In some cases, its inrush current may be higher than the original motor, and the starter sizing may need to be upgraded.

In a recent Electrical Apparatus article (“NEMA adds new Design BE and CE motors,” October 2024 EA, page 37), we discussed the new NEMA Design BE that was developed to address motors that had higher locked rotor currents than a NEMA Design B. Design BA locked rotors may be up to 1200% of full-load current compared to 800% on Design B. A study of having correctly sized motor protection is a simple task that the user should be able to accomplish. If he can’t, he should be able to reach out to his electrical contractor for assistance.

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‘Upstream’ vs, ‘downstream’ rebates

Electric utility rebates for the installation of more efficient motors and drives are generally categorized as either “upstream” or “downstream” rebate programs. Both types of rebate are intended to promote energy efficiency, but they differ in their approach and implementation, coming at the objective from opposite directions.

Upstream rebates are incentives provided directly to manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of energy-efficient equipment. Their purpose is to reduce the initial cost of these products before they reach the end user. By lowering the purchase price, upstream rebates encourage the adoption of energy-efficient technologies at the point of sale.

This approach simplifies the process for end users, as user benefit from the reduced cost without the need to apply for rebates themselves.

Several steps go into the implementation of upstream rebates. Utilities partner with manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to offer rebates on qualifying products. The rebate is applied at the point of

When we look at the Class 3 and Class 4 upgrades that offer the most energy savings, a drive must be installed and integrated into the application.

Where the opportunity lies Skills to successfully transition from a fixed-speed motor with mechanical variable speed may be beyond the ability of most users, and this is where the opportunity arises for skilled motor system technicians. Industry will require people trained to do this job. Many applications are repetitive, so the installations do not need the advanced skills of a system integrator. The drive manufacturer can provide training so that the shop or contractor can sell the drive, the motor, and the installation and integration.

sale, reducing the cost for the end consumer. Utilities verify that the products sold meet the efficiency criteria and that the rebates are correctly applied. For the user, the process is simple.

Downstream rebates, by contrast, are incentives provided directly to end users, such as businesses or homeowners, after they purchase and install qualifying energy-efficient equipment. These rebates are typically applied for after the installation is complete, and they require the end user to submit documentation proving the purchase and installation of qualifying products.

There are several steps in the implementation of downstream rebates. First the end user purchases and installs energy-efficient motors and drives. The end user submits a rebate application to the utility; this application includes proof of purchase and installation. Then the utility reviews the applications, verifies the eligibility of the equipment, and — assuming everything is in order — approves the rebate. Once approved, the rebate is issued to the end user, either as a check or as a credit on the end user’s utility bill.

Both upstream and downstream rebates have come to play a significant role in promoting energy efficiency.

Because downstream rebates require that the user gather information about an installation and submit an application, there’s a service — and revenue — opportunity here for contractors and service companies to apply their expertise to the process. — Kevin Jones

With the Class 3 product class using a Premium Efficient motor, the existing motor may be used if it is a Premium Efficient design that is compatible for use with a drive (inverter-capable). Since this is meant to be a variable-torque application, a NEMA Part 31 inverter-only motor is not necessarily required and may be overkill, as these motors are primarily used in constant-torque or constant-horsepower applications.

The drive will be integrated to adjust the motor speed, driving the load to the system needs rather than using a valve or damper to control the flow. In most applications, a pressure or flow transducer to be used as a set point needs to be installed and programmed into the drive.

Most of these installations will be the same, so installation technicians won’t need to engineer each new application.

Class 4 products will require installation of the new Super Premium IE4 induction motor along with the drive. Class 4 also includes motors Please turn to next page

Proposed Voluntary Incentive Program Class Levels Product PI Class

Class Description

Estimated PI Range

References

Equipment Type

Class 1

Premium Efficient DoL Motor

0.0-0.5

NEMA MG00001 Table 12-12; DOE 431.25

≥ DoL NEMA Premium or Equivalent Efficiency

Class 2

Super Premium (IE4) DoL Motor

1.0-1.5

NEMA MG000001 Table 12-23

≥ DoL NEMA Super PremiumI E4 (60 Hz) or Equivalent Efficiency

Class 3

Premium Efficient Motor with VFD

45-48

PI Class 1, NEMA 10011:2024, OR IEC 61800-9-2, IEC 60034-30-2

≥ NEMA Premium-3, or IEC 30-2 IE3) + PWM VFD (IE2)

Class 4

Super Premium or above (IE4+) Motor with VFD (Max tech, includes synchronous motors)

50-55

NEMA 10011:2024 OR IEC 61800-9-2, IEC 60034-30-2, IEC 60034-2-3

≥ Inverter-Fed (NEMA Super Premium or IEC 30-2 IE4) or ≥IE4 synchronous motor + PWM VFD (IE2)

Descriptions of the four classes of products that will be covered under the new energy-efficiency rebates.

01rebates2.indd 3

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EFFICIENCY REBATES continued from previous page

above the IE4 level such as any of the synchronous motor systems that manufacturers have introduced.

These IE5 motors are the highest-efficiency systems available for sale today and are being sought after by many utility programs. As we discussed with Class 3 above, the drive will adjust motor speed to control the output and use a transducer as a set point for desired performance. Class levels for a proposed voluntary incentive program are listed in the table on the previous page.

Several electric utilities are interested in a Max Tech solution, which means the highest efficiency PDS possible. Today this means some type of synchronous motor design that needs a drive for operation. Lower horsepower ratings may be a motor with an integral drive, but they become separate components. Synchronous motors of these types are available to almost 1000 hp and with the usual mounting configurations as an induction motor. With a higher power density, synchronous motors could be built in a smaller frame size. Both NEMA and IEC designs are available from many manufacturers.

Actual rebate amounts are still under study by the energy advocates and utilities, so we do not know

Several electric utilities are interested in a Max Tech solution, which means the highest efficiency PDS possible. Today this means some type of synchronous motor design that needs a drive for operation. those amounts at the time of this writing. We anticipate that consideration will be made for the additional costs incurred installing the PDS system on downstream applications. The utility programs either have their own department that administers the rebate program, or they contract with a program administrator.

The future of motor-driven systems lies in using the PDS, so there will be more drives installed on new equipment. Some of this is driven

by Dept. of Energy regulations, but companies are becoming more energy-conscious, and the opportunity to save 30% or more on electrical use can’t be ignored.

Opportunities for increased sales, as well as the installation and service of PDS products, could produce significant revenue and job opportunities for contractors and service providers.

EA

Assessing the market for efficient drive systems

Between January 2021 and July 2022, the Energy Technologies Area of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory released three volumes of a report titled U.S. Industrial and Commercial Motor System Market Assessment Report, which served as a foundation for NEMA standard MG 10011-2024, which is discussed in the accompanying article.

The report contains numerous facts and insights that can provide a better understanding of how the U.S. market for more efficient drive systems is evolving. This background is helpful in understanding why rebates are being offered to spur industry toward more efficient use of electrical power.

The report points out that reducing the amount of carbon dioxide emitted in the U.S. industrial and commercial sectors has become a priority in domestic energy policy. Reducing energy use through energy efficiency and productivity improvements is seen by many as crucial for achieving a “decarbonized” economy cost-effectively.

In 2019, a quarter of all U.S. CO2 emissions could be traced back to the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. The report says that 29% of U.S. electric grid demand in 2018 came from polyphase motors of 1 hp or greater in these sectors. This accounted for 15% of all U.S. energy-related CO2 emissions, 27% of industrial sector emissions, and 42% of commercial sector emissions.

Even with a fully renewable electric grid, improving energy efficiency in motor systems would significantly reduce the required renewable energy generation capacity, lowering decarbonization costs, according to the report’s authors. One study they cite estimates that achieving a 95% renewable electric grid in the U.S. by 2050 would cost about $3 trillion, with costs rising nonlinearly to reach 100% renewable generation.

A significant barrier to attaining these objectives has been a lack of sufficient data. Prior to this report, there was no comprehensive information on the current state of motor-driven systems in the U.S. This dearth of data limited the ability to analyze potential energy savings, develop technologies to address energy and productivity gaps, and create programs to promote energy efficiency.

Often overlooked in this process is the role played by motor systems.

Since electric motors are already electrically driven, it’s commonly

thought — erroneously — that decarbonizing motor system energy use will follow the decarbonization of the electric grid without further intervention.

This belief, however, overlooks the role motor systems could play in “decarbonizing” the economy.

Given the magnitude of grid electricity used for motor systems, increasing the energy efficiency and power management of existing motor systems could substantially reduce the costs associated with expanding the capacity of renewable electricity generation, according to the report.

It’s generally agreed that from a facility’s perspective, energy savings through efficiency improvements also reduce operating costs. According to this report, U.S. industrial and commercial motor systems use 1,078 TWh of electricity annually, costing $116 billion per year. A 5% reduction in electricity use could save nearly $6 billion annually for business owners. While there’s room for improvement in motor efficiency, greater energy savings can be achieved by considering the broader system, including the electric drive, motor, power transmission, driven equipment, and fluid distribution system.

Supply chains for the raw materials used in motor manufacturing are another wild card. Not to be overlooked are the increasing demand and supply risks for permanent magnets, weak relationships between motor manufacturers and steel suppliers for electrical steel, and challenges in the supply chain for wide-bandgap semiconductors used in variablefrequency drives.

Yet another factor influencing the demand for more efficient drive systems is the shifting federal attitude toward the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions.

Whether or not the incoming presidential administration will fully back efficiency rebate initiatives is an open question. — Kevin Jones

34 ELECTRICAL APPARATUS | JANUARY 2025

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Index of Articles: 2020-2024

Circulation Department Barks Publications, Inc., 17 N. State St., Suite 435, Chicago, Ill. 60602-3570 (312) 321-9440 Fax (866) 228-7274 www.barks.com See page 4 for prices

Automation Welcome, our new robot coworkers.

Selena Cotte. January 2020, p. 46.

Becoming a cyborg. Selena Cotte. September 2020, p. 10.

Thinking small. Susan Follett. December 2021, p. 30.

Robots and renewable energy. Charlie Barks. January 2022, p. 8.

A quicker path from virtual to actual.

Susan Follett. January 2022, p. 20.

Robots in the shop. Charlie Barks. January 2022, p. 24.

Not your standard-issue robot. Selena Cotte. January 2022, p. 29.

Fasten your robotic exoskeleton and get to work. Selena Cotte. January 2022, p. 32.

Robot workers for rent. Leah Zitter. May 2022, p. 10.

How 3D printing transforms manufacturing. Anna Claire Howard. June 2022, p. 24.

Tomorrow comes today at Hannover Messe. Charlie Barks. July 2022, p.

18.

Detroit welcomes Automate show. Selena Cotte. July 2022, p. 30.

“Dark” manufacturing plants. Anna Claire Howard. August 2022, p. 52.

The International Manufacturing Technology Show. Kevin Jones. October 2022, p. 16.

Learning the AI ropes. Charlie Barks.

December 2022, p. 12.

What’s new in electromechanical and automation control technology. David Miller. December 2022, p. 25.

University degrees in “human-robot collaboration.” Charlie Barks. January 2023, p. 16.

SME certification in manufacturing robotics. The Electrical Apparatus staff.

January 2023, p. 20.

All Control of Elgin, Ill., meshes automation and service. Charlie Barks. January 2023, p. 21.

The 2023 Cleanpower and Automate trade shows. Charlie Barks. July 2023, p. 20.

Automation and robotics in training.

Charlie Barks. September 2023, p.

37.

Fabulous-tech. Kevin Jones. November 2023, p. 14.

Truths and myths about AI. Bill O’Leary.

November 2023, p. 24.

Robots in critical medical procedures.

Batteries Utility batteries not driven by price alone. David Miller. May 2020, p. 44.

EV batteries power up. Charlie Barks.

July 2020, p. 14.

Tesla’s Battery Day proves to be a mixed bag. David Miller. December 2020, p. 10.

Batteries cheaper than ever; wind power prevalent abroad. Charlie Barks. February 2021, p. 39.

Another boost for utility-scale batteries.

Kevin Jones. April 2021, p. 32.

“These batteries are making me nervous.” Susan Follett. July 2021, p. 12.

Recharge at the Battery Show in September. Susan Follett. July 2021, p. 24.

Nurturing innovation globally. Charlie Barks. September 2021, p. 9.

More money, more problems. Charlie Barks. November 2021, p. 12.

More than just lithium. Carol Brzozowski. February 2022, p. 18.

A new dawn for battery production in the U.S. Carol Brzozowski. March 2022, p. 20.

Electric battery recycling. Carol Brzozowski. April 2022, p. 16.

Battery Show preview. Charlie Barks.

September 2022, p. 24.

The best in batteries. Kevin Jones. November 2022, p. 16.

The risks of lithium-ion batteries. Carol Brzozowski. November 2022, p. 22.

Countering the risk of lithium-ion batteries. Carol Brzozowski. January 2023, p. 36.

Battery Show preview. Charlie Barks.

September 2023, p. 18.

Battery Show 2023. Charlie Barks. November 2023, p. 19.

EV battery replacements & warranties.

Maura Keller. January 2024, p. 20.

The Battery Show moves to downtown Detroit as EVs gain traction. Charlie Barks. September 2024, p. 29.

Revving up for the Battery Show. Charlie Barks. October 2024, page 30.

The twists & turns of EV and AV technology. Maura Keller. November 2024, p. 18.

Battery Show report. Chelsea Fisher and Charlie Barks. December 2024, p. 17.

The dynamics of EV fleet charging and storing. Maura Keller. December 2024, p. 26.

Sodium-ion batteries making waves with new developments. Charlie Barks. December 2024, p. 48.

Business Management When employees become owners. Selena Cotte. January 2020, p. 14.

Field customer service for manufacturers. Selena Cotte. February 2020, p.

20.

The show must go on. Selena Cotte.

April 2020, p. 38.

Executive incentives today. William

Wiersema. June 2020, p. 47.

Product, product everywhere. Selena Cotte. August 2020, p. 42.

The value of giving back. Selena Cotte.

November 2020, p. 13.

Remote management for plants. Selena Cotte. November 2020, p. 40.

Ransomware and other threats against manufacturing. Selena Cotte. December 2020, p. 10.

Are your virtual meetings secure? Selena Cotte. December 2020, p. 38.

Smarter construction with Robots. Selena Cotte. January 2021, p. 8.

Hiring through a pandemic. Selena Cotte. January 2021, p.19.

Success in the year of Covid-19. William Wiersema. January 2021, p. 35.

On-the-job monitoring: are there no limits? Elizabeth Van Ness. January 2021, p. 41.

The benefits and costs of the new stimulus. William Wiersema. February 2021, p. 31.

The IoT transition gets a boost. Charlie Barks. February 2021, p. 35.

“This will only hurt a little bit. . . .” Susan Follett. June 2021, p. 26.

People come first at the family business.

Susan Follett. August 2021, p. 14.

Labor compliance in a remote world.

William Wiersema. January 2022, p. 45.

A third option for those on the “shorefront” fence. Charlie Barks. August 2021, p. 34.

HELP WANTED. Susan Follett & Selena Cotte. August 2021, p. 35.

The new business normal. William Wiersema. August 2021, p. 45.

Unraveling digital threads. Susan Follett. September 2021, p. 22.

Insights into private equity. William Wiersema. September 2021, p. 42.

Nurturing the development of facility managers. Charlie Barks. October 2021, p. 13.

The myriad opportunities of crypto. Susan Follett. October 2021, p. 14.

Global service disruptions. Kevin Jones.

October 2021, p. 25.

Why financial reporting rules matter.

William Wiersema. October 2021, p. 34.

Pre-to-what? Susan Follett. November 2021, p. 16.

Help needed. Selena Cotte. December 2021, p. 8.

There’s never a bad time for a party.

Selena Cotte. December 2021, p. 18 A better way to modernize equipment.

William Wiersema. December 2021, p. 43.

Robots in the shop. Charlie Barks. January 2022, p. 24.

This company wants to update your facility. Selena Cotte. February 2022, p. 8.

Steps to a bonus plan. William Wiersema. February 2022, p. 38.

Can relocating save taxes? William Wiersema. March 2022, p. 40.

A better way to sell “S” corporations.

William Wiersema. April 2022, p.

39.

Virtual training is here to stay. Emily Halnon. June 2022, p. 19.

Financial planning for a business exit.

William Wiersema. June 2022, p. 50.

Unlikely manufacturing partnerships.

Anna Claire Howard. July 2022, p.

52.

Accounting for business growth. William Wiersema. August 2022, p. 47.

A path to rehabilitation. Emily Halnon.

August 2022, p. 50.

Cybersecurity: more important now than ever. Anna Claire Howard. September 2022, p. 33.

Inventory in disruptive times. William Wiersema. September 2022, p. 41.

Do your company’s earnings show quality? William Wiersema. October 2022, p. 44.

The post-Covid workforce. The Electrical Apparatus staff. November 2022, p. 27.

Flat-rate pay for technicians. William Wiersema. November 2022, p. 37.

In search of sustainable talent. Charlie Barks. November 2022, p. 40.

New accounting rules for leasing.

William Wiersema. December 2022, p. 34.

Machine shops come in all shapes and sizes. Charlie Barks. January 2023, p. 25.

New rules covering bad debts. William Wiersema. February 2023, p. 33.

Exercise caution when buying or selling a business. William Wiersema.

March 2023, p. 35.

Does more inventory lead to higher prices? William Wiersema. April 2023, p. 35.

Mergers and acquisitions in the pump sector. Kevin Jones. April 2023, p. 40.

A business planning agenda. William Wiersema. May 2023, p. 43.

The new financial fraud. William Wiersema. June 2023, p. 48.

Bringing electric vehicles into the workforce. William Wiersema. July 2023, p. 36.

Taking control through accounting. William Wiersema. September 2023, p.

35.

Innovation on the factory floor. The Electrical Apparatus staff. September 2023, p. 42.

Getting started with cost accounting.

William Wiersema. November 2023, p. 32.

Get smart about setting goals. Bill O’Leary. December 2023, p. 22.

New products, from concept to customer.

Bill O’Leary. December 2023, p. 29.

China’s economic standing post-pandemic. William Wiersema. December 2023, p. 36.

Training Gen Z. Chelsea Fisher. December 2023, p. 44.

Operational metrics. Bill O’Leary. January 2024, p. 22.

New federal reporting requirements for business owners. William Wiersema.

January 2024, p. 43.

Saving taxes at business sale. William Wiersema. February 2024, p. 37.

The five types of plant maintenance. Bill O’Leary. March 2024, p. 20.

Creating a new hybrid workplace. William Wiersema. March 2024, p. 37.

The mid-year employee review. Bill O’Leary. April 2024, p. 10.

Post-closing M&A financial disputes.

William Wiersema. April 2024, p.

37.

Embracing rotational training. Maura

Indexof ofArticles Articles2020-2024 2015-2019 Index

Back issues, or photocopies of articles when back issues are out of stock, are available from:

Kristine Weller. January 2024, p. 24.

The emerging role of robotic process automation. Maura Keller. January 2024, p. 25.

A fresh look at IoT. Bill O’Leary. February 2024, p. 24.

At the pinnacle of service with Apex Industrial Automation of Romeoville, Ill. Charlie Barks. June 2024, p. 41.

Automate 2024: Guard your Job. Charlie Barks. July 2024, p. 32.

Automation to be everywhere at the International Manufacturing Technology Show. Kevin Jones. September 2024, p. 30.

Installing new digital machines. Bill O’Leary. October 2024, page 20.

Please turn to next page

ELECTRICAL APPARATUS | JANUARY 2025 35

01index.indd 1

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INDEX continued

Keller. April 2024, p. 43.

Management’s quest for the best. William Wiersema. May 2024, page 44.

The elements of lifecycle. Bill O’Leary.

May 2024, page 46.

The manager as coach. Bill O’Leary.

June 2024, p. 62.

The EV’s place in the plant. Bill O’Leary.

July 2024, p. 16.

Electric trucks for commercial fleets.

William Wiersema. July 2024, p. 38.

Improving customer and employee relations with contests. Bill O’Leary. August 2024, p. 14.

Using the working load limit to reduce workplace injuries. Bill O’Leary. August 2024, p. 18.

Upgrade your project accounting. William Wiersema. August 2024, p. 48.

Securing funding for innovation.

William Wiersema. September 2024, p. 41.

Preparing for health crises. Bill O’Leary.

October 2024, page 22.

Will the deal work? William Wiersema.

October 2024, page 41.

Better employee retention. Bill O’Leary.

November 2024, p. 12.

What’s new in payroll compliance. William Wiersema. November 2024, p.

36.

Building a competitively sustainable service shop. Michael Mitten. December 2024, p. 12.

Year-end product purchasing. Bill O’Leary. December 2024, p. 29.

Financial payback for new equipment.

William Wiersema. December 2024, p. 41.

tors. John Malinowski. October 2024, page 37.

Conventions & Trade Shows

Indexof ofArticles Articles2020-2024 2015-2019 Index

What’s cool in HVACR. The Electrical Apparatus staff. January 2020, p. 18.

EV batteries power up. Charlie Barks.

July 2020, p. 14.

“See you at the Zoom meeting.” The Electrical Apparatus staff. August 2020, p. 18.

Back in the saddle. Kevin Jones. May 2021, p. 24.

Welcome to Fort Worth. Susan Follett.

May 2021, p. 26.

Together again: revisiting in-person trade shows. Charlie Barks. May 2021, p. 56.

Show stoppers. The Electrical Apparatus staff. June 2021, p. 30.

EASA Convention exhibitors. The Electrical Apparatus staff. June 2021, p.

52.

EASA’s over . . . Now what? The Electrical Apparatus staff. July 2021, p. 22.

The business and technology of water.

Charlie Barks. August 2021, p. 18.

Together again. Selena Cotte, Richard Nailen, and Kevin Jones. August 2021, p. 20.

Fabulous fabricators. Kevin Jones. August 2021, p. 26.

More money, more problems. Charlie Barks. November 2021, p. 12.

Weftec 2021: Dampened moods. Charlie Barks and Selena Cotte. December 2021, p. 49.

The newest — and safest — in HVACR. Susan Follett. January 2022, p. 16.

Setting the stage for CWIEME Berlin.

Codes & Standards Kevin Jones. February 2022, p. 24.

How well do we understand ambient?

The 2022 AHR Expo. Selena Cotte.

Richard Nailen. June 2020, p. 41.

March 2022, p. 27.

What’s become of IEEE 1415? Richard EASA Convention a Midwestern homeNailen. July 2020, p. 19. coming. Kevin Jones. May 2022, p.

Harmonization: still a ways to go. Rich16. ard Nailen. October 2020, p. 19.

EASA to meet in a revitalized St. Louis.

Beyond Motor Efficiency. John MaCharlie Barks. May 2022, p. 20. linowski. March 2021, p. 14.

EASA Convention preview: The latest The subjective language of standards. in apparatus service and repair. The Richard Nailen. March 2021, p. 31.

Electrical Apparatus staff. June 2022, IEEE 841: designed and built for severe p. 28. duty. John Malinowski. May 2022, Tomorrow comes today at Hannover p. 48.

Messe. Charlie Barks. July 2022, p.

The hands-on approach of TÜV North 18.

America. Charlie Barks. May 2022, Detroit welcomes Automate show. Selep. 54. na Cotte. July 2022, p. 30.

Taking a blue pencil to IEEE documents.

Weftec show preview. Charlie Barks.

Richard Nailen. June 2022, p. 22.

August 2022, p. 18.

When “standard” motor features are EASA 2022 Convention report. Kevin anything but. Richard Nailen. July Jones and Charlie Barks. August 2022, p. 39.

2022, p. 23.

No standard covering “standard.” RichThe 2022 EASA Convention in photos. ard Nailen. August 2022, p. 22.

Kevin Jones and Charlie Barks. AuA matter of motor size. Richard Nailen. gust 2022, p. 32.

August 2022, p. 41.

Manufacturing show returns to the Navigating the standards maze. RichWindy City. Kevin Jones. September ard Nailen. September 2022, p. 35.

2022, p. 20.

New rule on the efficiency of circulaBattery Show preview. Charlie Barks. tor pumps. Kevin Jones. November September 2022, p. 24.

2022, p. 24.

The International Manufacturing TechUpdated DOE regulations cover more nology Show. Kevin Jones. October small motors. John Malinowski.

2022, p. 16.

March 2023, p. 31.

The best in batteries. Kevin Jones. NoCite your sources! Richard Nailen. April vember 2022, p. 16.

2023, p. 24.

Weftec 2022 report. Kevin Jones. NoWhy get involved with standards? John vember 2022, p. 20.

Malinowski. December 2023, p. 33.

Report from Pack Expo 2022. Charlie Hydraulic Institute pump ratings adoptBarks. December 2022, p. 14. ed by federal and California agencies.

Buyers and sellers to meet at CWIEME Kevin Jones. February 2024, p. 18.

Berlin. Kevin Jones. February 2023, HVACR motor testing standards. John p. 22.

Malinowski. March 2024, p. 33.

The AHR Expo and the HVACR industry The road to improved motor efficiency. today. Charlie Barks. March 2023, p.

John Malinowski. April 2024, p. 33.

27.

What s new in ANSI/NEMA MG 1. John EASA Convention preview. Kevin Jones.

Malinowski. July 2024, p. 33.

May 2023, p. 20.

NEMA adds new Design BE and CE moEASA Convention venue. Charlie Barks.

36 ELECTRICAL APPARATUS | JANUARY 2025

01index.indd 2

May 2023, p. 28.

EASA Convention exhibitor preview. The Electrical Apparatus staff. June 2023, p. 28.

The 2023 Cleanpower and Automate trade shows. Charlie Barks. July 2023, p. 20.

Together in National Harbor: EASA Convention report. Charlie Barks. August 2023, p. 20.

The EASA Convention in photos. The Electrical Apparatus staff. August 2023, p. 28.

Highlights from the EASA Convention technical sessions. Kevin Jones. August 2023, p. 35.

Battery Show preview. Charlie Barks.

September 2023, p. 18.

Fabulous-tech. Kevin Jones. November 2023, p. 14.

Battery Show 2023. Charlie Barks. November 2023, p. 19.

Photos from Weftec 2023. The Electrical Apparatus staff. December 2023, p. 24.

Welcome to AHR Expo 2024. Charlie Barks. March 2024, p. 22.

The AHR Expo in photos. Charlie Barks.

March 2024, p. 24.

How Sabine Lehmann reached the pinnacle of trade expo management. Colin Gregory-Moores. May 2024, page 16.

Las Vegas for the EASA conventioneer.

Charlie Barks. May 2024, page 26.

On display at the 2024 EASA Solutions Expo in Las Vegas. The LightItalic>Electrical Apparatus staff. June 2024, p. 28.

Scenes from the 2024 CWIEME coil winding expo in Berlin. Charlie Barks.

July 2024, p. 20.

Manufacturing summit at Hannover Messe 2024. Charlie Barks. July 2024, p. 22.

EASA Convention reveals an industry in flux. Charlie Barks and Kevin Jones.

August 2024, p. 22.

The Battery Show moves to downtown Detroit as EVs gain traction. Charlie Barks. September 2024, p. 29.

Automation to be everywhere at the International Manufacturing Technology Show. Kevin Jones. September 2024, p. 30.

Revving up for the Battery Show. Charlie Barks. October 2024, page 30.

IMTS 2024: International Manufacturing Technology Show report. Charlie Barks and Kevin Jones. November 2024, p. 20.

Battery Show report. Chelsea Fisher and Charlie Barks. December 2024, p. 17.

Fabtech report. Kevin Jones. December 2024, p. 20.

Sodium-ion batteries making waves with new developments. Charlie Barks. December 2024, p. 48.

Electric Vehicles Code check: ICC projects an EV-filled future. Charlie Barks. March 2020, p. 37.

The future of EV charging. Selena Cotte.

July 2020, p. 16.

Electric vehicle roundup. The Electric Apparatus staff. July 2020, p. 23.

Electrification of buses hits a speed bump. Kevin Jones. July 2020, p. 24.

“Not for the faint of heart.” Selena Cotte. July 2020, p. 26.

Amidst pandemic, governments play outsized role in EV prospects. David Miller. October 2020, p. 16.

The trans-Pacific EV competition is heating up. Kevin Jones. January 2021, p. 39.

Right to repair: e-mobility edition. Char-

lie Barks. April 2021, p. 48.

“These batteries are making me nervous.” Susan Follett. July 2021, p. 12.

Advocates for the development of EV infrastructure. Charlie Barks. July 2021, p. 26.

The present and future of EV charging station maintenance and repair. Matt Cousineau. July 2021, p. 33.

A patchwork of energy rebates for EV owners. Kevin Jones. July 2021, p.

48.

Mineral deficiency? Charlie Barks. July 2021, p. 52.

“Electromodding.” Charlie Barks. October 2021, p. 42.

“Gentlemen, choose your engines.” Kevin Jones. January 2022, p. 22.

More than just lithium. Carol Brzozowski. February 2022, p. 18.

A new dawn for battery production in the U.S. Carol Brzozowski. March 2022, p. 20.

All aboard the green bus! Emily Halnon. April 2022, p. 10.

Electric battery recycling. Carol Brzozowski. April 2022, p. 16.

EV tech continues to innovate. Carol Brzozowski. May 2022, p. 32.

The promise of marine electrification.

Carol Brzozowski. June 2022, p. 66.

Portugal leading the charge on EVs. Charlie Barks. July 2022, p. 16.

EV charging unit maintenance repair.

Carol Brzozowski. July 2022, p. 28.

Take me home, (electrified) country roads. Kevin Jones. July 2022, p. 35.

Preparing the workforce for work on electric vehicles. Emily Halnon. July 2022, p. 45.

Electrified aircraft. Carol Brzozowski.

August 2022, p. 34.

Battery Show preview. Charlie Barks.

September 2022, p. 24.

The electric-grade steel shortage. Carol Brzozowski. September 2022, p. 42.

EV charging access. Carol Brzozowski.

October 2022, p. 20.

The best in batteries. Kevin Jones. November 2022, p. 16.

The risks of lithium-ion batteries. Carol Brzozowski. November 2022, p. 22.

New models of electric vehicles. Charlie Barks. December 2022, p. 20.

Countering the risk of lithium-ion batteries. Carol Brzozowski. January 2023, p. 36.

These EVs do the heavy lifting. Carol Brzozowski. February 2023, p. 36.

From diesel to electrified rail. Carol Brzozowski. March 2023, p. 15.

Electrified construction equipment.

Carol Brzozowski. April 2023, p. 19.

Speed bumps in the EV road. Carol Brzozowski. May 2023, p. 31.

Learning by doing with Switch Lab. Carol Brzozowski. June 2023, p. 22.

EVs and the grid. Charlie Barks. July 2023, p. 14.

Training the EV techs of the future. Carol Feature | Power Transmission & Distribution

Adjustable-speed drives and power quality A look at the ways in which these versatile devices are used in industrial systems

By David Bredhold, EA Contributing Writer Adjustable-speed drives (ASDs) are employed extensively today in industrial systems for many purposes: conveying systems, pumping, HVACR — the applications seem endless. Principally, the ASDs are adjustable-frequency drives, or AFDs. Adjusting the frequency of an induction motor or of a synchronous motor adjusts its operating speed. A typical ASD is shown in Figure 1.

VFDs are employed in many applications formerly served by adjustable valving systems used to control fluid flow and HVACR systems where dampers were formerly employed to control air flow. VFDs offer energy savings over motors operated at full speed driving pumps or blowers, while valves or dampers are modulated to control fluid flow.

Maintenance on the modulated valves and damper system mechanical components is reduced or eliminated, effecting additional economy over the simple energy savings from the use of VFDs. VFDs also replace adjustable d-c drives and d-c motors that were widely used in the past; d-c motors require more maintenance than do their a-c counterparts.

The cost of VFDs has fallen dramatically such that in recent years they are often used in preference to solid-state, reduced-voltage starters to provide soft starting for conveyors. Picture a bottling line with bottles falling over when the line is started abruptly with a conventional starter; a solid-state reduced-voltage starter can be employed to provide a soft starting feature for the bottling line. The VFD can provide a controlled, soft start and can be used to reduce the speed for the bottling line conveyor should the need arise. Should a soft starting or reduced-speed feature for a conveying system become necessary later, retrofitting is not required, because the solution is in place if a VFD is installed at the outset.

Most VFDs operate from three-phase a-c voltage, although some lower-horsepower units can operate from single-phase sources. (Consult the manufacturer; special provisions such as additional capacitors may be needed for the power supply.) The three-phase or single-phase supply voltage is rectified and filtered. Insulated gate bipolar transistors, or IGBTs, are fired in the correct sequence to generate an appropriate three phase output frequency, commanding the motor to run at the appropriate speed. Whether the power source is single-phase or threephase, all VFDs provide three-phase output voltages at the required output frequency.

VFDs can be incorporated into industrial establishments by various means. One method (Figure 2) involves mounting them side by side on a wall. This is okay, but it can present problems when mounting and when providing electrical feeders to each drive from the main breaker. A considerable amount of wall space may be consumed when the Please turn to next page

Figure 1. An example of the type of variable-frequency drive often found in industrial applications.

— Eaton Corp. photo

VFD, ASD, AFD: What’s the difference?

The term ASD was adopted by the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) to describe adjustable-speed drives in general, whether a-c (various technologies), d-c, or other types. VFD is an abbreviation for variable frequency drive and is the term commonly used to designate an a-c adjustable-frequency drive. Actually, the output frequency controlling the motor is “adjustable” by intent rather than “variable,” which connotes an uncontrolled commodity.

My preference, as it is for some manufacturers, is AFD, for adjustable-frequency drive, because it better describes the technology and the application. Here we’ll use VFD when referring to an a-c adjustable-speed (frequency) drive because it is the term commonly used to describe the device. — DB ELECTRICAL APPARATUS | MAY 2024 39

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Energy Decentralized generation with geothermal HVACR. David Miller. March 2020, p. 18.

The many sources of clean energy. Selena Cotte. August 2020, p. 10.

Hydrogen pipe dreams. David Miller.

August 2020, p. 13.

Batteries cheaper than ever; wind power prevalent abroad. Charlie Barks. February 2021, p. 39.

Solar-powered transportation. Selena Cotte. April 2021, p. 29.

Oil & gas — not down for the count. Selena Cotte. April 2021, p. 34.

Block chain renewables projects becoming a reality. Charlie Barks. June 2021, p. 63.

Feature | Pump It Up

Pumped up across the pond An annual awards ceremony recognized the best and most innovative in the British pump industry

By Kevin Jones, EA Senior Editor Suppliers to the British pump industry came out dressed to the nines and ready to party March 14 when the British Pump Manufacturers Association gathered for its annual awards gala. The event — held at the Hilton at St. George’s Park in Burton upon Trent — saw a record number of submissions across eight categories. Manufacturers, distributors, service providers, a software producer, and an up-andcoming star all had their moment in the spotlight.

The gala was opened by Dale Croker of KSB and president of the BPMA, who welcomed the 2024 finalists and acknowledged their “professional endeavor, product innovation, skills development, engineering prowess, and overall service delivery,” the association reported. Croker used his opening remarks to review the work carried out by the BPMA, emphasizing the role the association plays in ensuring that the sector’s regulatory framework fully supports the delivery of “enhanced operational efficiency, reduced energy consumption, and environmentally sustainable solutions for pump operations the world over.”

Serving as co-host this year was Martin Bayfield, a popular English rugby star, now retired from the game, who’s also known as a journalist and actor.

(Among other screen acting gigs, he appeared as a young Rubeus Hagrid in “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.”) Bayfield helped conduct the main awards ceremony and, afterward, provided post-dinner entertainment.

Manufacturers get the nod This year’s Product of the Year Award went to Assoma, Inc., of Taoyuan, Taiwan, for its AVF-C pump, said to be the first thermoplastic canned motor pump to exceed Europe’s highest energy efficiency standard.

The stator of the IE5 permanent-magnet motor, according to the award citation, “directly drives the inner magnet of the high-efficiency pump for leakfree operation, reduced floor space, noise, and running costs.” The pump is typically used for liquid circulation in manufacturing processes that require varying duties, minimum energy usage, or both.

An award category that’s broader than Product of the Year is Manufacturer of the year, recognition for

People representing all sectors of the British pump industry mingled informally during what many consider to be the industry’s social event of the year.

— Touchwave Media photo

which went this year to SPP Pumps of Reading, Berkshire, a designer and manufacturer of “high-quality engineered products and services.”

The company has demonstrated that its “experience, expertise, and ethos of sustainability create value for all stakeholders,” the award citation stated. With more than 70% of its products exported worldwide, “SPP Pumps are proudly flying the flag for British engineering and manufacturing whilst continuously looking for ways to operate more sustainably and to reduce their impact on the environment,” the citation said.

Pumping projects recognized The Project of the Year Award, meanwhile, went jointly this year to pump supplier KSB and Cornish Metals, which together worked to remove water from a tin mine in a historic mining district in the towns of Pool and Camborne, in southwestern England.

The South Crofty Tin Mine ceased operations in 1998, when the price of tin was depressed and the workings of the mine were allowed to flood. In subsequent years, as the price of tin recovered and operation of the mine became financially feasible again, some eight million cubic meters of water needed to be pumped out of the mine so mining from the greatest depths could be resumed. “Using innovative techniques and KSB BSX pumps, Cornish Metals have developed an energy efficient method of dewatering the mine,” the award citation said.

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Putting the blue in green. Charlie Barks.

June 2021, p. 66.

Big Oil’s terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. Charlie Barks. July 2021, p.

26.

Carbon measurement: How do we know what’s what? Charlie Barks. August 2021, p. 58.

Climate report contains unprecedented urgency. Charlie Barks. September 2021, p. 26.

The element in the room. Charlie Barks.

September 2021, p. 29.

Blockchain technology in the energy sector. Charlie Barks. November 2021, p. 21.

Equipping the planet. Charlie Barks.

December 2021, p. 16.

Energy rating labels expanded to cover circulator pumps. Kevin Jones. December 2021, p. 45.

Robots and renewable energy. Charlie Barks. January 2022, p. 8.

Energy, redefined. Charlie Barks. February 2022, p. 20.

A new dawn for battery production in the U.S. Carol Brzozowski. March 2022, p. 20.

Beating the (oil) drums of war. Charlie Barks. March 2022, p. 38.

All aboard the green bus! Emily Halnon. April 2022, p. 10.

Renewable energy called up from the minor leagues. Charlie Barks. April 2022, p. 22.

Toward a more perfect grid. Selena Cotte. April 2022, p. 29.

Niagara rises. Charlie Barks. April 2022, p. 40.

An “energy transition for all.” Charlie Barks. May 2022, p. 34.

Old vs. new equipment repair. Charlie Barks. June 2022, p. 36.

Environmental efforts during a drought.

Charlie Barks. August 2022, p. 48.

It’s a coal world after all. Charlie Barks.

September 2022, p. 14.

Are we in a “global energy crisis”? Charlie Barks. October 2022, p. 25.

Updates on nuclear energy hotspots around the world. Anna Claire Howard. October 2022, p. 49.

In search of sustainable talent. Charlie Barks. November 2022, p. 40.

Recycled plastic a failed experiment?

Charlie Barks. December 2022, p. 10.

Pieces of the energy pie. Charlie Barks.

January 2023, p. 14.

Fusion breakthrough. Charlie Barks.

February 2023, page 20.

From diesel to electrified rail. Carol Brzozowski. March 2023, p. 15.

The top 10 states for sustainable buildings. Charlie Barks. March 2023, p.

22.

Training for jobs in the oil and gas sector. Charlie Barks. April 2023, p. 16.

Traditional versus alternative energy.

Charlie Barks. April 2023, p. 22.

Coal-fired power plants, a vanishing breed. Chase Fell. April 2023, p. 31.

Battle for the climate. Charlie Barks.

May 2023, p. 16.

A Master’s degree in Applied Energy and Electromechanical Engineering. Charlie Barks. June 2023, p. 50.

EVs and the grid. Charlie Barks. July 2023, p. 14.

The 2023 Cleanpower and Automate trade shows. Charlie Barks. July 2023, p. 20.

A roundup of energy news from the U.S. Charlie Barks. August 2023, p. 46.

New solar EVs on the horizon. Carol Brzozowski. September 2023, p. 21.

Innovation in agrivoltaics. Charlie Barks. September 2023, p. 33.

A new wind-powered transmission project in the southwestern U.S. Charlie Barks. November 2023, p. 38.

Three new interregional U.S. transmission lines. Charlie Barks. December 2023, p. 20.

Virgin Atlantic uses waste as fuel. Charlie Barks. January 2024, p. 45.

Are heat recovery and thermal transfer becoming practical? Charlie Barks.

March 2024, p. 35.

Oil and gas companies seek to influence carbon-capture projects. Charlie Barks. March 2024, p. 47.

Alternative fuel sources for EVs. Maura Keller. April 2024, p. 18.

Storms on the horizon for the wind industry. Bill O’Leary. April 2024, p. 27.

An “eye in the sky” to call out polluters.

Charlie Barks. April 2024, p. 42.

U.S. Dept. of Energy pledges $6 billion towards decarbonization. Charlie Barks. May 2024, page 38.

Inductive charging and the adoption of EVs. Maura Keller. May 2024, page 51.

The place of pumps in the hydrogen economy. Kevin Jones. May 2024, page 54.

Updates on the U.S. energy workforce.

Charlie Barks. June 2024, p. 57.

Norwegian solar energy company NorSun inks an Oklahoma deal. Charlie Barks. August 2024, p. 34.

The latest research on the energy use of electric motors. Charlie Barks. September 2024, p. 28.

U.S. Dept. of Energy’s new projects for training centers. Charlie Barks. October 2024, page 47.

Global nuclear news. Charlie Barks. October 2024, page 50.

Copper’s critical role in the “energy transition.” Charlie Barks. November 2024, p. 42.

Facility Management

Indexof ofArticles Articles2020-2024 2015-2019 Index

Brzozowski. July 2023, p. 22.

West Virginia high schoolers build an EV charging system. Charlie Barks.

July 2023, p. 27.

The promising world of EV service. Carol Brzozowski. July 2023 EA, p. 28.

Bringing electric vehicles into the workforce. William Wiersema. July 2023, p. 36.

Large-scale EV charging projects. Carol Brzozowski. August 2023, p. 16.

Battery Show preview. Charlie Barks.

September 2023, p. 18.

New solar EVs on the horizon. Carol Brzozowski. September 2023, p. 21.

Battery Show 2023. Charlie Barks. November 2023, p. 19.

Connecting with customers with EV charging stations. Maura Keller. November 2023, p. 34.

Where in the U.S. electric vehicle manufacturing is concentrated. Maura Keller. December 2023, p. 26.

EV battery replacements & warranties.

Maura Keller. January 2024, p. 20.

Adding noise to electric vehicles as a safety measure. Maura Keller. February 2024, p. 42.

The state of EV charging infrastructure.

Maura Keller. March 2024, p. 40.

Alternative fuel sources for EVs. Maura Keller. April 2024, p. 18.

Inductive charging and the adoption of EVs. Maura Keller. May 2024, page 51.

Improving EV accessibility. Maura Keller. June 2024, p. 25.

The EV’s place in the plant. Bill O’Leary.

July 2024, p. 16.

Obtaining raw materials for EVs. Charlie Barks. July 2024, p. 27.

Electric trucks for commercial fleets.

William Wiersema. July 2024, p. 38.

We drive, drive, drive on the autobahn.

Colin Gregory-Moores. July 2024, p.

42.

The pumped-up EV pump market. Kevin Jones. July 2024, p. 44.

Design and implementation challenges of larger electric vehicles. Maura Keller. August 2024, p. 52.

The Battery Show moves to downtown Detroit as EVs gain traction. Charlie Barks. September 2024, p. 29.

Innovations in electric vehicles. Maura Keller. September 2024, p. 46.

EV initiatives on a global scale. Maura Keller. October 2024, page 27.

The twists & turns of EV and AV technology. Maura Keller. November 2024, p. 18.

Battery Show report. Chelsea Fisher and Charlie Barks. December 2024, p. 17.

The dynamics of EV fleet charging and storing. Maura Keller. December 2024, p. 26.

Sodium-ion batteries making waves with new developments. Charlie Barks. December 2024, p. 48.

Time for a motor survey. John Malinowski. April 2021, p. 14.

This company wants to update your facility. Selena Cotte. February 2022, p. 8.

Updating your plant’s HVACR. Selena Cotte. March 2022, p. 26.

“Dark” manufacturing plants. Anna Claire Howard. August 2022, p. 52.

Cybersecurity: more important now than ever. Anna Claire Howard. September 2022, p. 33.

Remote condition monitoring: more than just hardware and software. Kevin Jones. March 2023, p. 18.

Distributed pumping in HVACR systems.

Kevin Jones. March 2023, p. 40.

Maintaining antique motors at a Memphis pumping station. Chase Fell. November 2023, p. 27.

A fresh look at IoT. Bill O’Leary. February 2024, p. 24.

The five types of plant maintenance. Bill O’Leary. March 2024, p. 20.

Codifying guidelines for verifying the health of buildings. Kristine Weller.

May 2024, page 22.

The EV’s place in the plant. Bill O’Leary.

July 2024, p. 16.

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INDEX continued

Guarding against overheating in the plant. Bill O’Leary. September 2024, p. 20.

Installing new digital machines. Bill O’Leary. October 2024, page 20.

Preparing for health crises. Bill O’Leary.

October 2024, page 22.

Finance

Indexof ofArticles Articles2020-2024 2015-2019 Index

Repair or replace? William Wiersema.

January 2020, p. 38.

Executive incentives today. William Wiersema. June 2020, p. 47.

Rethinking retirement. William Wiersema. July 2020, p. 33.

The new uncertainty about “revenue” William Wiersema. October 2020, p. 37.

Buying or selling a business post-Covid.

William Wiersema. November 2020, p. 35.

Financial reporting in a pandemic. William Wiersema. December 2020, p.

35.

Success in the Year of Covid-19. William Wiersema. January 2021, p. 35.

New performance metrics. William Wiersema. April 2021, p. 48.

Financial protections in the pandemic.

William Wiersema. May 2021, p. 45.

Better inventory accounting. William Wiersema. June 2021, p. 48.

Benchmarks for success. William Wiersema. July 2021, p. 44.

The new business normal. William Wiersema. August 2021, p. 45.

Insights into private equity. William Wiersema. September 2021, p. 42.

Why financial reporting rules matter.

William Wiersema. October 2021, p. 34.

Better financial ratios for managers.

William Wiersema. November 2021, p.37.

A better way to modernize equipment.

William Wiersema. December 2021, p. 43.

Labor compliance in a remote world.

William Wiersema. January 2022, p. 45.

Steps to a bonus plan. William Wiersema, February 2022, p. 38.

Can relocating save taxes? William Wiersema, March 2022, p. 40.

A better way to sell “S” corporations.

William Wiersema. April 2022, p.

39.

The economy post-Covid. William Wiersema. May 2022, p. 50.

Financial planning for a business exit.

William Wiersema. June 2022, p. 50.

Finding business funding. William Wiersema. July 2022, p. 26.

Accounting for business growth. William Wiersema. August 2022, p. 47.

Inventory in disruptive times. William Wiersema. September 2022, p. 41.

Do your company’s earnings show qual-

ity? William Wiersema. October 2022, p. 44.

New accounting rules for leasing. William Wiersema. December 2022, p.

34.

Predictive maintenance: more essential than ever. William Wiersema. January 2023, p. 33.

New rules covering bad debts. William Wiersema. February 2023, p. 33.

Exercise caution when buying or selling a business. William Wiersema.

March 2023, p. 35.

Does more inventory lead to higher prices? William Wiersema. April 2023, p. 35.

A business planning agenda. William Wiersema. May 2023, p. 43.

The new financial fraud. William Wiersema. June 2023, p. 48.

Bringing electric vehicles into the workforce. William Wiersema. July 2023, p. 36.

Selling to private equity. William Wiersema. August 2023, p. 41.

Taking control through accounting. William Wiersema. September 2023, p.

35.

Getting started with cost accounting.

William Wiersema. November 2023, p. 32.

New federal reporting requirements for business owners. William Wiersema.

January 2024, p. 43.

Saving taxes at business sale. William Wiersema. February 2024, p. 37.

Creating a new hybrid workplace. William Wiersema. March 2024, p. 37.

Post-closing M&A financial disputes.

William Wiersema. April 2024, p.

37.

Management’s quest for the best. William Wiersema. May 2024, page 44.

Mergers & acquisitions on a roll. William Wiersema. June 2024, p. 55.

Electric trucks for commercial fleets.

William Wiersema. July 2024, p. 38.

Upgrade your project accounting. William Wiersema. August 2024, p. 48.

Securing funding for innovation. William Wiersema. September 2024, p.

41.

Will the deal work? William Wiersema.

October 2024, page 41.

What’s new in payroll compliance. William Wiersema. November 2024, p.

36.

Year-end product purchasing. Bill O’Leary. December 2024, p. 29.

Financial payback for new equipment.

William Wiersema. December 2024, p. 41.

HVACR What’s cool in HVACR. The Electrical Apparatus staff. January 2020, p. 18.

What’s smart in HVACR? Selena Cotte.

March 2020, p. 12.

How to get a start in the HVACR trade.

Kevin Jones. March 2020, p. 13.

HVACR society offers information you can use. Kevin Jones. March 2020, p. 24.

HVACR heats up local economy. David Miller. March 2020, p. 25.

Efficient pumps, efficient HVACR. Kevin Jones. March 2020, p. 39.

Waste not, want not. Charlie Barks.

March 2021, p. 21.

Promoting an economical heating alternative. Charlie Barks. March 2021, p. 23.

Change is in the air. Kevin Jones, Selena Cotte, and Charlie Barks. March 2021, p. 25.

The heat pump’s moment in the sun.

Kevin Jones. March 2021, p. 39.

The newest — and safest — in HVACR. Susan Follett. January 2022, p. 16.

Cybersecurity: more important now than ever. Anna Claire Howard. September 2022, p. 33.

Feature | Motors & Generators

The road to improved motor efficiency

Manufacturing — Adobe generative AI image

A brief look at the history and current status of the U.S. Dept. of Energy’s motor efficiency regulations

By John Malinowski, EA Contributing Editor Many younger readers may not remember the gasoline lines of 1973 that resulted from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) refusing to sell oil to the U.S. Cars were lined up for gas, and the U.S. assigned which days individuals could purchase gas.

To prevent a similar event from happening in the future, Congress mapped out a broad energy strategy that resulted in the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, or EPCA, which was passed in 1975. EPCA resulted in re-establishing a strategic oil reserve and, over time, included setting minimum energy efficiency levels for automobiles and appliances.

Electric motors, transformers, and lighting ballasts are all included under the broad umbrella of appliance regulations.

Regulation requirements Before Energy Conservation Standards (which define minimum efficiency levels) are issued, the DOE must issue a rule codifying the scope of products the DOE is authorized to regulate and the accepted test method, or methods, for measuring energy efficiency of those products. In the case of three-phase motors, the DOE chose the test methods in IEEE 112 and CSA 390, since these were already widely in use by the motor industry. Since the regulations also

covered IEC designs, DOE later accepted the testing IEC 60034-2-1 version as an alternate.

Under EPCA, test procedures are to be reviewed every seven years.

While not required, test procedure rulemaking often includes changes to both the scope and test methods.

Once a test procedure has been published, the products covered by the test procedure are subject to potential minimum efficiency levels through the setting of energy conservation standards, or ECS. ECS can be developed through various stakeholders working together to draft a Direct and Final Rule. Or, they can follow the default process, where the DOE completes a market study to determine if setting standards will result in cost-effective energy savings, and, if so, a proposed rule, followed by discussion and comments, an economic impact study, and eventually the issuance of a final rule.

Like test procedures, EPCA also stipulates the maximum time between when energy conservation standards need to be reviewed. For ECS, the time is every six years. While the standards are required to be reviewed, levels are not required to be increased. It is worth noting that once ECS are set, the DOE is prohibited from changing the levels to previous or lower values. This is considered backsliding and is prohibited.

The economic analysis required by EPCA is shown by the seven steps in Table I (next page).

A history of motor efficiency regulations Beginning in the early 1980s, motor efficiency levels and the scope of covered products have continued to grow voluntarily. No standards for Please turn to next page

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Updating your plant’s HVACR. Selena Cotte. March 2022, p. 26.

The 2022 AHR Expo. Selena Cotte.

March 2022, p. 27.

The AHR Expo and the HVACR industry today. Charlie Barks. March 2023, p.

27.

Welcome to AHR Expo 2024. Charlie Barks. March 2024, p. 22.

Flolo Corp.’s HVACR division. Kevin Jones. March 2024, p. 27.

HVACR motor testing standards. John Malinowski. March 2024, p. 33.

The updated Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating for heat pumps. Bill O’Leary.

March 2024, p. 44.

Phased-out products. Bill O’Leary. June 2024, p. 60.

Industry Personalities Orvin W. Craley, the self-made motor repairman. Colin Gregory-Moores.

March 2024, p. 16.

Rodney Fuller and the hand of providence. Colin Gregory-Moores. April 2024, p. 22.

How Sabine Lehmann reached the pinnacle of trade expo management. Colin Gregory-Moores. May 2024, page 16.

Foodie adventurer: Krista DeSocio of ICC International. Colin Gregory-Moores.

June 2024, p. 20.

How Brittany Riley established a career as a trade show professional. Colin Gregory-Moores. July 2024, p. 24.

Blake Bailey, the solution finder for people with motors. Colin GregoryMoores. August 2024, p. 35.

Physicist Dr. Oswald Willi’s five-peak climb. Colin Gregory-Moores. September 2024, p. 18.

Remembering Dick Nailen. Kevin Jones.

September 2024, p. 24.

Michael Mitten’s journey from pole to pole. Collin Gregory-Moores. October 2024, page 24.

Travis Conner’s education in accountability. Colin Gregory-Moores. November 2024, p. 40.

Bruce Lyle’s trek from tropical rainforests to prairie winters. Colin GregoryMoores. December 2024, p. 46.

Information Technology Keeping up with new tech. Selena Cotte.

January 2020, p. 43.

Privacy and the Internet of Things.

Charlie Barks. July 2020, p. 37.

Ransomware and other threats against manufacturing. Selena Cotte. December 2020, p. 10.

Reality check. Susan Follett. March 2021, p. 18.

Where water meets broadband. Kevin Jones. September 2022, p. 18.

HECO and Relayr: Partners in remote condition monitoring. Charlie Barks.

September 2022, p. 27.

The reshoring revolution. David Miller.

January 2020, p. 23.

Just one word: plastics. William Wiersema. February 2020, p. 35.

Coronavirus and the supply chain. Selena Cotte. March 2020, p. 40.

The end of an era for manufacturing?

Selena Cotte. June 2020, p. 55.

Beyond Fordism. David Miller. July 2020, p. 40.

Machine, print me a cheeseburger. Selena Cotte. October 2020, p. 12.

Food and beverage manufacturing gets flexible. David Miller. October 2020, p. 40.

Smarter construction with robots. Selena Cotte. January 2021, p. 8.

The trans-Pacific EV competition is heating up. Kevin Jones. January 2021, p. 39.

President’s plan for manufacturing.

Selena Cotte. February 2021, p. 19.

Representing manufacturers for more than a century. Charlie Barks. February 2021, p. 41.

India: the next manufacturing giant?

Selena Cotte. March 2021, p. 38.

Time for a motor survey. John Malinowski. April 2021, p. 14.

Meet your “digital twin.” Selena Cotte.

May 2021, p. 12.

A complicated manufacturing landscape. Selena Cotte. July 2021, p. 14.

Using metrology in manufacturing.

Selena Cotte. August 2021, p. 12.

A third option for those on the “shorefront” fence. Charlie Barks. August 2021, p. 34.

Advanced manufacturing across the globe. Selena Cotte. September 2021, p. 12.

Unraveling digital threads. Susan Follett. September 2021, p. 22.

Recognizing new ideas. Selena Cotte.

September 2021, p. 24.

Metals, manufacturing & more. Selena Cotte. October 2021, p. 20.

The broken supply chain. Selena Cotte.

October 2021, p. 21.

Bringing back the factory town. Selena Cotte. November 2021, p. 8.

Thinking small. Susan Follett. December 2021, p. 30.

A better way to modernize equipment.

William Wiersema. December 2021, p. 43.

Rise of the machine shop. Selena Cotte.

February 2022, p. 27.

Rebuilding American manufacturing communities. Leah Zitter. April 2022, p. 8.

Robot workers for rent. Leah Zitter. May 2022, p. 10.

How 3D printing transforms manufacturing. Anna Claire Howard. June 2022, p. 24.

Unlikely manufacturing partnerships.

Anna Claire Howard. July 2022, p.

52.

“Dark” manufacturing plants. Anna Claire Howard. August 2022, p. 52.

Manufacturing show returns to the Windy City. Kevin Jones. September 2022, p. 20.

The International Manufacturing Technology Show. Kevin Jones. October 2022, p. 16.

University degrees in “human-robot collaboration.” Charlie Barks. January 2023, p. 16.

SME certification in manufacturing robotics. The Electrical Apparatus staff.

January 2023, p. 20.

Buyers and sellers to meet at CWIEME

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Motor Performance Some reminders about motor efficiency.

Richard Nailen. July 2020, p. 27.

Beyond motor efficiency. John Malinowski. March 2021, p. 14.

Motor efficiency then, now, and tomorrow. John Malinowski. May 2021, p.

30.

Verifying motor operating conditions.

Richard Nailen. June 2021, p. 41.

Motor efficiency: A refresher course.

John Malinowski. July 2021, p. 16.

A “disruptive” motor backed by a highly regarded manufacturer. Charlie Barks. July 2021, p. 31.

What “everyone knows” about motor application. Richard Nailen. July 2021, p. 37.

Motor maxims: true or false? Richard Nailen. November 2021, p. 31.

Choosing the right motor enclosure.

John Malinowski. December 2021, p. 33.

Die-cast copper rotors: Where do we stand? Richard Nailen. December 2021, p. 37.

All about performance curves. Richard Nailen. February 2022, p. 31.

How hot is that motor? Richard Nailen.

April 2022, p. 44.

Amortisseur windings in synchronous machines. Chase Fell. February 2023, p. 29.

Remote condition monitoring: more than just hardware and software. Kevin Jones. March 2023, p. 18.

Fundamentals of motor condition monitoring. John Malinowski. May 2023, p. 41.

Up-rating a motor’s horsepower. Chase Fell. June 2023, p. 45.

Maintaining antique motors at a Memphis pumping station. Chase Fell. November 2023, p. 27.

The road to improved motor efficiency.

John Malinowski. April 2024, p. 33.

Resistance temperature detectors.

Chase Fell. June 2024, p. 51.

Operating a-c motors over and under rated voltage. Chase Fell. September 2024, p. 37.

New horizons in motor efficiency and power density. Chase Fell. December 2024, p. 35.

Motors & Generators Good, better, best. Richard Nailen. January 2020, p. 27.

Understanding a motor’s service factor.

Richard Nailen. October 2020, p. 21.

From farm to factory: How motors bring food to the table. Selena Cotte. October 2020, p. 25.

A question of motor size. Richard Nailen. November 2020, p. 29.

“Revolutionary motor technology”: marketing or reality? Kevin Jones & Selena Cotte. December 2020, p. 23.

Large, medium, small: What’s the difference? Richard Nailen. December 2020, p. 29.

What do we mean by “cyclic load”?

Richard Nailen. December 2020, p.

42.

Form-wound versus random-wound: Is there a choice? Richard Nailen. January 2021, p. 23.

The great motor efficiency race. Richard Nailen. February 2021, p. 21.

The quest for more-efficient materials.

Kevin Jones & Selena Cotte. February 2021, p. 27.

Large, small, or. . . ? Richard Nailen.

March 2021, p. 20.

Time for a motor survey. John Malinowski. April 2021, p. 14.

“Is this the motor I ordered?” Richard Nailen. April 2021, p. 35.

Motors old . . . Kevin Jones. May 2021, p. 33. . . . And motors new. Charlie Barks. May 2021, p. 36.

Random winding for high-voltage motors? Richard Nailen. May 2021, p.

39.

A question of environment. Richard Nailen. August 2021, p. 31.

Motor management: What’s it all about?

Richard Nailen. August 2021, p. 39.

The meaning of “severe duty.” Richard Nailen. September 2021, p. 35.

Choosing the right motor enclosure.

John Malinowski. December 2021, p. 33.

Die-cast copper rotors: Where do we stand? Richard Nailen. December 2021, p. 37.

Guidance for “large” motor repair. Richard Nailen. January 2022, p. 33.

All about performance curves. Richard Nailen. February 2022, p. 31.

A deeper dive into TEFC motors. John Malinowski. February 2022, p. 36.

V-belt efficiency. Richard Nailen. February 2022, p. 39.

Communicating the needs of rotating machines. Richard Nailen. March 2022, p. 22.

Feature | Service & Sales Companies

HVACR plugged in How Flolo Corp.’s HVACR division fits into the company’s larger service and sales operation

By Kevin Jones, EA Senior Editor

Flolo Corp. sales manager Kim Hjerstedt explains some of the stock on display in the company’s HVACR department in West Chicago, Ill. The company performs full service and parts replacement for HVACR systems in addition offering to a broad range of electromechical sales and services.

WEST CHICAGO, ILL. — What’s the difference between a failed motor on an industrial line and a failed motor that’s part of an HVACR system?

As often as not, a failed motor in an HVACR system needs to be replaced yesterday. A motor on an industrial line, on the other hand, maybe can wait a day or two — especially after the plant manager has been quoted a gobsmacking price for express turnaround on a rush job.

HVACR and Industrial: Therein lies the primary division of business at Flolo Corp. of West Chicago, Ill., an electromechanical service and sales company founded in 1943 and still under family ownership and management. The company has called several different locations home over the years, and as the company has changed, so has the focus of its services, shifting with the demands of the marketplace.

Today the company, founded by Nils Flolo and now run by his son George, operates two locations: its main facility employing 52 people in an industrial park in West Chicago, an exurb about 38 miles

The HVACR business At the main West Chicago location, HVACR plays an important enough role in the company’s operations to merit its own division. HVACR service and sales “are huge for us,” said Flolo corporate sales manager Kim Hjerstedt (pronounced YER-stead) during a recent visit by Electrical Apparatus to the West Chicago facility.

The company’s HVACR division prides itself in providing the kinds of application services not offered by the big supply houses. These include troubleshooting of motor and control problems; the ability to recommend such motor control components as starters, variablefrequency drives, and pressure controllers; and a cross-referenced list of replacements, not only of motors but also of such things as belts, sheaves, bearings, and fans.

Contractors account for about 65% of the HVACR department’s sales.

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directly west of Chicago’s downtown Loop; and a sales office in Gurnee, Ill., a town about a dozen miles south of the Wisconsin state line just west of Waukegan, Ill.

2/8/2024 1:46:40 PM

Specifying the right motor for the job.

Richard Nailen. March 2022, p. 31.

Another look at the “drop-in” motor.

Richard Nailen. April 2022, p. 33.

How hot is that motor? Richard Nailen.

April 2022, p. 44.

Separating the true motor maxims from the false ones. Richard Nailen. May 2022, p. 43.

IEEE 841: designed and built for severe duty. John Malinowski. May 2022, p. 48.

The meaning of “above NEMA.” Richard Nailen. June 2022, p. 45.

When “standard” motor features are anything but. Richard Nailen. July 2022, p. 39.

No standard covering “standard.” Richard Nailen. August 2022, p. 22.

A matter of motor size. Richard Nailen.

August 2022, p. 41.

Navigating the standards maze. Richard Nailen. September 2022, p. 35.

A motor’s global journey. Charlie Barks.

October 2022, p. 29.

Relating motor output and input. Richard Nailen. October 2022, p. 33.

Motors for use in hazardous locations.

John Malinowski. October 2022, p.

38.

How many starts is a motor capable of?

Richard Nailen. November 2022, p.

31.

A two-way street for motor designers and users. Richard Nailen. December 2022, p. 29.

Laminated-frame motors. John Malinowski. January 2023, p. 25.

Amortisseur windings in synchronous machines. Chase Fell. February 2023, p. 29.

Updated DOE regulations cover more small motors. John Malinowski.

March 2023, p. 31.

Fundamentals of motor condition monitoring. John Malinowski. May 2023, p. 41.

Up-rating a motor’s horsepower. Chase Fell. June 2023, p. 45.

When rewinders make house calls.

Chase Fell. August 2023, p. 31.

Highlights from the 2023 EASA Convention technical sessions. Kevin Jones.

August 2023, p. 35.

When motors fail. John Malinowski.

September 2023, p. 29.

Maintaining antique motors at a Memphis pumping station. Chase Fell. November 2023, p. 27.

Compensating windings in d-c machines. Chase Fell. February 2024, p. 33.

HVACR motor testing standards. John Malinowski. March 2024, p. 33.

The road to improved motor efficiency.

John Malinowski. April 2024, p. 33.

Adjustable-speed drives and power quality. David Bredhold. May 2024, page 39.

Resistance temperature detectors.

Chase Fell. June 2024, p. 51.

What s new in ANSI/NEMA MG 1. John Malinowski. July 2024, p. 33.

Controlling motors with VFDs. David Bredhold. August 2024, p. 43.

The latest research on the energy use of electric motors. Charlie Barks. September 2024, p. 28.

Operating a-c motors over and under rated voltage. Chase Fell. September 2024, p. 37.

NEMA adds new Design BE and CE motors. John Malinowski. October 2024, page 37.

New horizons in motor efficiency and power density. Chase Fell. December 2024, p. 35.

Feature | Automation & Robotics

The emerging role of robotic process automation

The GRIT ST collaborative robot from Kane Robotics, shown here in action with its human operator, is an example of the evolution of robotic process automation.

— Kane Robotics photo

Industry by industry, robots are increasingly finding their place alongside humans on process lines

By Maura Keller, EA Contributing Writer The need to accelerate automation across industries has created more demand for technologies such as Robotic Process Automation (RPA) to streamline manual work and improve the bottom line as well as the employee experience.

Over the last few years, RPA has seen an increased focus on scalability and flexibility. According to John Spruce, CEO of Kane Robotics, organizations are moving beyond basic rule-based automation to more sophisticated solutions that involve artificial intelligence and, in particular, machine learning.

“This evolution allows for a broader range of tasks to be automated, leading to increased efficiency and productivity,” Spruce said.

With “smarter” automation, manufacturers can adapt to changing conditions during the manufac-

turing process. And as Spruce explains, increasingly, manufacturers are adopting AI-powered robots that are smaller, more agile, and easier for humans to work with than traditional industrial automation. These collaborative robots, or cobots, marry the advantages of machine learning with physical simplicity, offering manufacturers more flexibility in the types of tasks they can automate and in the environments in which their automation can operate.

“Most cobots are mobile, compatible with 110 V electrical outlets, and have safety measures in place to be safely operated in close proximity to humans,” Spruce said. Cobots are also more economical than traditional industrial automation systems, allowing small and medium-sized manufacturers to adopt automation.

As Spruce further explains, in the current market where manufacturing labor shortages are commonplace, cobots offer a viable alternative to hiring humans for hard-to-fill vacancies.

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Power Transmission & Distribution

Indexof ofArticles Articles2020-2024 2015-2019 Index

Berlin. Kevin Jones. February 2023, p. 22.

Stern Pinball of Elk Grove Village, Ill. Charlie Barks. May 2023, p. 35.

Virtual reality goes to work. Chelsea Fisher. May 2023, p. 46.

Innovation at John Deere’s Harvester Works in East Moline, Ill. Charlie Barks. September 2023, p. 24.

Innovation on the factory floor. The Electrical Apparatus staff. September 2023, p. 42.

When failure is part of innovation.

Charlie Barks. September 2023, p.

44.

Fabulous-tech. Kevin Jones. November 2023, p. 14.

Where in the U.S. electric vehicle manufacturing is concentrated. Maura Keller. December 2023, p. 26.

New products, from concept to customer.

Bill O’Leary. December 2023, p. 29.

A fresh look at IoT. Bill O’Leary. February 2024, p. 24.

Scenes from the 2024 CWIEME coil winding expo in Berlin. Charlie Barks.

July 2024, p. 20.

Manufacturing summit at Hannover Messe 2024. Charlie Barks. July 2024, p. 22.

Automation to be everywhere at the International Manufacturing Technology Show. Kevin Jones. September 2024, p. 30.

IMTS 2024: International Manufacturing Technology Show report. Charlie Barks and Kevin Jones. November 2024, p. 20.

Fabtech report. Kevin Jones. December 2024, p. 20.

The use and care of electrical and electronic equipment for Class I hazardous locations. David Bredhold. January 2024, p. 31.

Adjustable-speed drives and power quality. David Bredhold. May 2024, page 39.

Controlling motors with VFDs. David Bredhold. August 2024, p. 43.

How Wescom of Duluth, Minn., is “energizing America.” Charlie Barks. November 2024, p. 25.

Pumping Systems

Pump firms lead in workforce development. Kevin Jones. January 2020, p.

44.

New pump efficiency rule now in effect.

Kevin Jones. February 2020, p. 43.

Efficient pumps, efficient HVACR. Kevin Jones. March 2020, p. 39.

Improving pump efficiency. Kevin Jones. April 2020, p. 36.

When “flushables” clog the pumps. Kevin Jones. May 2020, p. 46.

Pool pump season is here. Kevin Jones.

June 2020, p. 53.

EVs no place for pumps? Wrong! Kevin Jones. July 2020, p. 39.

Pharmaceutical-grade pumps: Just what the doctor ordered. Selena Cotte.

August 2020, p. 25.

New guidance for pump efficiency incentives. Kevin Jones. August 2020, p. 40.

Know your food and beverage pumps.

David Miller. October 2020, p. 41.

Delivering water responsibly. Kevin Jones. November 2020, p. 41.

Trends in pump design. Kevin Jones.

December 2020, p. 39.

Intelligent pumps: What’s new in 2021.

Kevin Jones. January 2021, p. 38.

“And the award goes to . . .” Kevin Jones.

February 2021, p. 37.

Spring training. Kevin Jones. April 2021, p. 46.

Lab work. Kevin Jones. May 2021, p.

55.

Pumps get smarter. Kevin Jones. June 2021, p. 74.

After the storm, clear sailing. Kevin Jones. July 2021, p. 28.

When innovation is about more than hardware. Kevin Jones. September 2021, p. 10.

A world of pump standards. Kevin Jones. October 2021, p. 36.

Best of the best. Kevin Jones. November 2021, p. 46.

Energy rating labels expanded to cover circulator pumps. Kevin Jones. December 2021, p. 45.

Weftec 2021: Dampened moods.

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INDEX continued

Indexof ofArticles Articles2020-2024 2015-2019 Index

Charlie Barks and Selena Cotte. December 2021, p. 49.

Virtual community showcases a pump maker’s products. Kevin Jones. January 2022, p. 48.

Fresh financial foundations. Kevin Jones. February 2022, p. 42.

The Infrastructure Act: What’s in it for pumps? Kevin Jones. March 2022, p. 42.

Pump manufacturers take to the field.

Kevin Jones. April 2022, p. 42.

Pump manufacturers and “sustainability.” Kevin Jones. May 2022, p. 58.

Pump training matters. Kevin Jones.

June 2022, p. 60.

Pump manufacturers navigate choppy economic waters. Kevin Jones. July 2022, p. 50.

Where water meets broadband. Kevin Jones. September 2022, p. 18.

A roundup of global pump news. Kevin Jones. October 2022, p. 52.

New rule on the efficiency of circulator pumps. Kevin Jones. November 2022, p. 24.

What’s under the Christmas tree for pump users? Kevin Jones. December 2022, p. 38.

2022: The year in pump news. Kevin Jones. January 2023, p. 40.

Pump stories from the field. Kevin Jones. February 2023, p. 40.

Distributed pumping in HVACR systems.

Kevin Jones. March 2023, p. 40.

Mergers and acquisitions in the pump sector. Kevin Jones. April 2023, p. 40.

The British Pump Industry Awards. Kevin Jones. May 2023, p. 52.

The UN Water Action Agenda. Kevin Jones. June 2023, p. 60.

News from top pump suppliers. Kevin Jones. July 2023, p. 40.

Working with larger pumps. Kevin Jones. August 2023, p. 48.

Update on pump innovations. Kevin Jones. September 2023, p. 40.

Maintaining antique motors at a Memphis pumping station. Chase Fell. November 2023, p. 27.

Atlas Copco pumps up the acquisitions.

Kevin Jones. November 2023, p. 40.

A tale of two pumping stations. Kevin Jones. December 2023, p. 42.

AI is coming for pumps. Kevin Jones.

January 2024, p. 49.

Hydraulic Institute pump ratings adopted by federal and California agencies.

Kevin Jones. February 2024, p. 18.

The updated Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating for heat pumps. Bill O’Leary.

March 2024, p. 44.

Money spigot opens for water infrastructure spending. Kevin Jones. April 2024, p. 44.

The place of pumps in the hydrogen economy. Kevin Jones. May 2024, page 54.

The British pump industry awards. Kevin Jones. June 2024, p. 69.

The pumped-up EV pump market. Kevin Jones. July 2024, p. 44.

Maintaining larger pumps. Kevin Jones. August 2024, p. 55.

Recent innovations in pump technology.

Kevin Jones. September 2024, p. 49.

A snapshot of the European pump market. Kevin Jones. October 2024, page 48.

Investing in pumping knowledge. Kevin Jones. November 2024, p. 44.

New composite materials for pumps.

Bill O’Leary. December 2024, p. 22.

Repair Operations Industrial-use drones: a primer. Selena Cotte. February 2020, p. 41.

The future of the small, independent

Truths and myths about AI. Bill O’Leary.

November 2023, p. 24.

Robots in critical medical procedures.

Kristine Weller. January 2024, p. 24.

The emerging role of robotic process automation. Maura Keller. January 2024, p. 25.

A fresh look at IoT. Bill O’Leary. February 2024, p. 24.

Feature | More Than Accounting

A new federal burden Starting this month, new reporting requirements are being placed on the shoulders of U.S. business owners both large and small

By William H. Wiersema, CPA, EA Contributing Editor Small business managers and advisors need to familiarize themselves with the new disclosure filings required imminently by the U.S. government. The Corporate Transparency Act, or CTA, aims to gather beneficial ownership information from specific U.S. businesses for security purposes, crime prevention, and compliance with international standards.

The standard went into effect at the beginning of this month, on New Year’s Day, but businesses existing on that date are given a year to file. Businesses that start during 2024, on the other hand, have only 30 days from their date of formation to comply.

As the CTA indicates, U.S. states generally do not require disclosures in entity formation filings, although California and New York legislatures are considering proposals. The information void provides “malign actors” the opportunity to secretly engage in illegal activity, such as money laundering or terrorism financing, through shell companies under the guise of legitimacy. The CTA provides the U.S. government with data to combat the problem.

Company information will be housed with the U.S. Treasury Dept.’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, or FinCEN. FinCEN will provide the information only to government agencies as needed; it will not be available to the public under the Freedom of Information Act. Users are those involved in national security, law enforcement, and taxation. Financial institutions may also be included with company consent, as when applying for a new bank account or loan. Until the CTA, those institutions were responsible for performing the due diligence themselves.

While the CTA has many benefits, it also places a significant burden on small businesses required to collect beneficial ownership information. Small business groups have petitioned Congress for relief.

Bills before Congress propose to delay the legislation’s start date.

— Illustration by Adobe generative AI

More clarity and precision with respect to the requirements is expected to reduce the burden, while also increasing compliance and the value of the information reported. This article provides an overview but is not intended as legal advice. Readers should seek their outside counsel on the CTA for their circumstances.

Identify reporting entities At first glance, the rules appear straightforward and exempt numerous businesses. A “Reporting Entity” (RE) is subject to the disclosure rules.

The CTA defines an RE as “a corporation, limited liability company [LLC], or other similar entity that is created by the filing of a document with a Secretary of State or a similar office under the law of a State or Indian Tribe; or formed under the law of a foreign country and registered to do business in the United States. . . .” The definition would exclude many self-employed individuals, partners, and trusts from the requirement. Furthermore, businesses physically located in the U.S., with over $5 million in revenue and at least 21 employees, are exempt from CAT rules. Considering such, only early-stage or smaller businesses that have formed entities would seem subject to reporting. Other exemptions cover publicly traded companies, banks, insurance companies, securities broker-dealers, accounting firms, section 501(c) nonprofit organizations, and inactive entities.

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shop. David Miller. June 2020, p. 33.

Guidance for “large” motor repair. Richard Nailen. January 2022, p. 33.

Rise of the machine shop. Selena Cotte.

February 2022, p. 27.

Niagara rises. Charlie Barks. April 2022, p. 40.

Old vs. New equipment repair. Charlie Barks. June 2022, p. 36.

Trends in industrial maintenance. Carol Brzozowski. June 2022, p. 41.

Attracting young people to the field of CNC machining. Charlie Barks. January 2023, p. 12.

Machine shops come in all shapes and sizes. Charlie Barks. February 2023, p. 25.

Virtual reality goes to work. Chelsea Fisher. May 2023, p. 46.

Energetic growth at EMS Industrial of Madison, Wis. Charlie Barks. June 2023, p. 39.

The promising world of EV service. Carol Brzozowski. July 2023 EA, p. 28.

When rewinders make house calls.

Chase Fell. August 2023, p. 31.

Highlights from the EASA Convention technical sessions. Kevin Jones. August 2023, p. 35.

House calls are their specialty. Charlie Barks. February 2024, p. 27.

Compensating windings in d-c machines. Chase Fell. February 2024, p. 33.

Installing new digital machines. Bill O’Leary. October 2024, page 20.

Building a competitively sustainable service shop. Michael Mitten. December 2024, p. 12.

Robotics Keeping humans in the loop. Susan Follett. June 2021, p. 70.

Working like a dog. Charlie Barks. April 2021, p. 22.

Robot workers for rent. Leah Zitter. May 2022, p. 10.

The International Manufacturing Technology Show. Kevin Jones. October 2022, p. 16.

Learning the AI ropes. Charlie Barks.

December 2022, p. 12.

What’s new in electromechanical and automation control technology. David Miller. December 2022, p. 25.

University degrees in “human-robot collaboration.” Charlie Barks. January 2023, p. 16.

SME certification in manufacturing robotics. The Electrical Apparatus staff.

January 2023, p. 20.

All Control of Elgin, Ill., meshes automation and service. Charlie Barks. January 2023, p. 21.

Automation and robotics in training.

Charlie Barks. September 2023, p.

37.

Fabulous-tech. Kevin Jones. November 2023, p. 14.

Safety & Health Field safety 101. Kevin Jones. February 2020, p. 40.

Hydrofluorocarbon bill hits a road block. Selena Cotte. April 2020, p. 40.

The Security Industry Association.

Charlie Barks. May 2020, p. 26.

The Covid-19 stimulus. William Wiersema. May 2020, p. 38.

Clean plant, healthy employees. Kevin Jones. May 2020, p. 41.

Invoking the Defense Production Act. Selena Cotte. May 2020, p. 43.

When “flushables” clog the pumps. Kevin Jones. May 2020, p. 46.

3D printers: The medical industry’s latest resource. Selena Cotte. May 2020, p. 50.

No rest for the regulators. Kevin Jones.

July 2020, p. 43.

Safe manufacturing post-Covid-19. William Wiersema. August 2020, p. 36.

Anti-nuclear meltdown. David Miller.

August 2020, p. 43.

Robots boost plant safety post-Covid.

David Miller. November 2020, p. 42.

Working with a mask. Selena Cotte.

February 2021, p. 34.

Workplace safety updates. Charlie Barks. May 2021, p. 48.

Carbon measurement: How do we know what’s what? Charlie Barks. August 2021, p. 58.

Start ’em early. Charlie Barks. August 2021, p. 59.

Secure the perimeter. . . . Charlie Barks.

November 2021, p. 24.

Disputed statistics. Charlie Barks. February 2022, p. 22.

Countering the risk of lithium-ion batteries. Carol Brzozowski. January 2023, p. 36.

Stern talk from OSHA. Charlie Barks.

March 2023, p. 20.

Industrial accidents in Pennsylvania.

Charlie Barks. May 2023, p. 48.

Adding noise to electric vehicles as a safety measure. Maura Keller. February 2024, p. 42.

Codifying guidelines for verifying the health of buildings. Kristine Weller.

May 2024, page 22.

Phased-out products. Bill O’Leary. June 2024, p. 60.

Using the working load limit to reduce workplace injuries. Bill O’Leary. August 2024, p. 18.

Guarding against overheating in the plant. Bill O’Leary. September 2024, p. 20.

Wearable technology in MRO. Bill O’Leary. September 2024, p. 31.

Preparing for health crises. Bill O’Leary.

October 2024, page 22.

OSHA is taken to court. Bill O’Leary. November 2024, p. 14.

Sodium-ion batteries making waves with new developments. Charlie Barks. December 2024, p. 48.

Service & Sales Companies (In alphabetical order by company name, as featured in full-length articles) Advanced Motor Solutions, Hamilton, Ontario. Diverse team, diverse market.

Selena Cotte. February 2020, p. 23.

Atlas Electric Motor, Walton, Ky. Boone County boom. Charlie Barks. April

2023, p. 25.

Brithinee Electric, Colton, Calif. Wallace Brithinee takes stock of the industry. Colin Gregory-Moores. June 2024, p. 45.

Core Machinery, Phoenix. Keeping the big vehicles rolling. Charlie Barks. August 2024, p. 37.

EMS Industrial, Madison, Wis. Energetic growth. Charlie Barks. June 2023, p. 39.

Etheredge Industrial, Shreveport, La. Work on the Ether-EDGE. Selena Cotte. May 2022, p. 37.

EV Garage Miami. The promising world of EV service. Carol Brzozowski. July 2023 EA, p. 28.

Evans Enterprises, Norman, Okla. ”We want to be the best, not the biggest.””

Selena Cotte. November 2021, p. 25.

Flolo Corp., West Chicago, Ill. HVACR plugged in. Kevin Jones. March 2024, p. 27.

HECO, Kalamazoo, Mich. HECO and Relayr: Partners in remote condition monitoring. Charlie Barks. September 2022, p. 27.

Kräutler Elektromotoren, Lustenau, Austria. Sails set for the future Colin Gregory-Moores. October 2024, page 31.

Longo’s machine for generating electricity in natural gas pipelines. Charlie Barks. May 2024, page 33.

Mile Hybrid Automotive, Denver, Colo. The promising world of EV service. Carol Brzozowski. July 2023, p. 28.

Rotating Apparatus Co., Salem, Wis. House calls are their specialty. Charlie Barks. February 2024, p. 27.

How Wescom of Duluth, Minn., is “energizing America.” Charlie Barks. November 2024, p. 25.

Terminology The how and why of locked-rotor testing. Richard Nailen. February 2020, p. 29.

Call it “engineerese.” Richard Nailen.

June 2020, p. 18.

How well do we understand ambient?

Richard Nailen. June 2020, p. 41.

“Let me be clear . . .” Richard Nailen.

September 2021, p. 20.

Communicating the needs of rotating machines. Richard Nailen. March 2022, p. 22.

Taking a blue pencil to IEEE documents.

Richard Nailen. June 2022, p. 22.

Avoiding redundancy in writing. Richard Nailen. November 2022, p. 18.

Cite your sources! Richard Nailen. April 2023, p. 24.

Be careful when using acronyms. Richard Nailen. December 2023, p. 16.

Training & Education Pump firms lead in workforce development. Kevin Jones. January 2020, p.

44.

How to get a start in the HVACR trade.

Kevin Jones. March 2020, p. 13.

HVACR heats up local economy. David Miller. March 2020, p. 25.

More ways than ever to “earn while you learn.” Kevin Jones. April 2020, p. 12.

Organizations offer free online training.

Kevin Jones. May 2020, p. 48.

The spike in distance learning is more than just a temporary anomaly. Kevin Jones. June 2020, p. 22.

Still too soon to assume training events are in-person. Kevin Jones. August 2020, p. 23.

Assessing the talent of technicians.

Charlie Barks. November 2020, p. 19.

Fast-track electrician training is gaining

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training centers. Charlie Barks. October 2024, page 47.

Better employee retention. Bill O’Leary.

November 2024, p. 12.

Big money being invested in the skilled trades. Charlie Barks. November 2024, p. 43.

Building a competitively sustainable service shop. Michael Mitten. December 2024, p. 12.

Utilities How affordable is the “smart” home?

Richard Nailen. January 2020, p. 20.

A game with many players. Richard Nailen. April 2020, p. 44.

Disconnects suspended; charitable giving increases. Kevin Jones. May 2020, p. 20.

Moving forward with green energy projects. Kevin Jones. June 2020, p. 51.

New life for an ancient power source.

Kevin Jones. August 2020, p. 50.

The future of old power plants. Selena Cotte. April 2021, p. 12.

A patchwork of utility rebates for EV owners. Kevin Jones. July 2021, p.

48.

Electric utilities ramp up their cybersecurity. Kevin Jones. August 2021, p.

10.

Public and private sectors support utility innovation. Kevin Jones. September 2021, p. 44.

What in the world is going on with electric utilities? Kevin Jones. October 2021, p. 38.

Utilities experiment with Netflix-style pricing. Kevin Jones. November 2021, p. 40.

Toward a more perfect grid. Selena Cotte. April 2022, p. 29.

Take me home, (electrified) country roads. Kevin Jones. July 2022, p. 35.

Three new interregional U.S. transmission lines. Charlie Barks. December 2023, p. 20.

The state of EV charging infrastructure.

Maura Keller. March 2024, p. 40.

Oil and gas companies seek to influence carbon-capture projects. Charlie Barks. March 2024, p. 47.

Storms on the horizon for the wind industry. Bill O’Leary. April 2024, p. 27.

pump users? Kevin Jones. December 2022, p. 38.

2022: The year in pump news. Kevin Jones. January 2023, p. 40.

Pump stories from the field. Kevin Jones. February 2023, p. 40.

Mergers and acquisitions in the pump sector. Kevin Jones. April 2023, p. 40.

The British Pump Industry Awards. Kevin Jones. May 2023, p. 52.

The UN Water Action Agenda. Kevin Jones. June 2023, p. 60.

News from top pump suppliers. Kevin Jones. July 2023, p. 40.

Working with larger pumps. Kevin Jones. August 2023, p. 48.

Photos from Weftec 2023. The Electrical Apparatus staff. December 2023, p. 24.

A tale of two pumping stations. Kevin Jones. December 2023, p. 42.

Hydraulic Institute pump ratings adopted by federal and California agencies.

Kevin Jones. February 2024, p. 18.

Money spigot opens for water infrastructure spending. Kevin Jones. April 2024, p. 44.

Workforce On-the-job monitoring: are there no limits? Elizabeth Van Ness. January 2021, p. 41.

Giving electrical workers a helping hand.

Charlie Barks. August 2021, p. 8.

HELP WANTED. Susan Follett. August 2021, p. 35.

Help needed. Selena Cotte. December 2021, p. 8.

Steps to a bonus plan. William Wiersema, February 2022, p. 38.

Rebuilding American manufacturing communities. Leah Zitter. April 2022, p. 8.

IBEW helps earn while you learn. Emily Halnon. May 2022, p. 30.

Preparing the workforce for work on

electric vehicles. Emily Halnon. July 2022, p. 45.

A path to rehabilitation. Emily Halnon.

August 2022, p. 50.

Ukraine’s refugee crisis has created hiring opportunities. Charlie Barks. October 2022, p. 27.

The post-Covid workforce. The Electrical Apparatus staff. November 2022, p. 27.

Flat-rate pay for technicians. William Wiersema. November 2022, p. 37.

In search of sustainable talent. Charlie Barks. November 2022, p. 40.

Attracting young people to the field of CNC machining. Charlie Barks. January 2023, p. 12.

Expansion of Pell grants could bridge skills gap. Charlie Barks. March 2023, p. 14.

Training for jobs in the oil and gas sector. Charlie Barks. April 2023, p. 16.

Training the EV techs of the future. Carol Brzozowski. July 2023, p. 22.

West Virginia high schoolers build an EV charging system. Charlie Barks.

July 2023, p. 27.

The technical skills gap. John Malinowski. July 2023, p. 33.

Innovation on the factory floor. The Electrical Apparatus staff. September 2023, p. 42.

The mid-year employee review. Bill O’Leary. April 2024, p. 10.

Updates on the U.S. energy workforce.

Charlie Barks. June 2024, p. 57.

Training Gen Z. Chelsea Fisher. December 2023, p. 44.

Improving customer and employee relations with contests. Bill O’Leary. August 2024, p. 14.

Wearable technology in MRO. Bill O’Leary. September 2024, p. 31.

Building a competitively sustainable service shop. Michael Mitten. December 2024, p. 12.

EA

Indexof ofArticles Articles2020-2024 2015-2019 Index

favor. Kevin Jones. November 2020, p. 46.

Embedding credentials within bachelor’s degrees. Kevin Jones. January 2021, p. 12.

Providing electrical technician certification. Charlie Barks. January 2021, p.

15.

Spring training. Kevin Jones. April 2021, p. 46.

Skilled Trades Day spotlights career benefits. Susan Follett. May 2021, p.

18.

An alternative to “death by PowerPoint.”

Susan Follett. June 2021, p. 64.

New York State boosts apprenticeship opportunities; Federal funds aimed at improving apprenticeship programs.

Susan Follett. August 2021, p. 56.

The ABCs of Gens Y and Z. Susan Follett. September 2021, p. 16.

Metallica forges a connection to its fan base. Susan Follett. November 2021, p. 10.

IBEW helps earn while you learn. Emily Halnon. May 2022, p. 30.

Virtual training is here to stay. Emily Halnon. June 2022, p. 19.

Pump training matters. Kevin Jones.

June 2022, p. 60.

A path to rehabilitation. Emily Halnon.

August 2022, p. 50.

School’s in for summer. Charlie Barks.

September 2022, p. 46.

University degrees in “human-robot collaboration.” Charlie Barks. January 2023, p. 16.

SME certification in manufacturing robotics. The Electrical Apparatus staff.

January 2023, p. 20.

Attracting young people to the field of CNC machining. Charlie Barks. February 2023, p. 12.

Expansion of Pell grants could bridge skills gap. Charlie Barks. March 2023, p. 14.

Training for jobs in the oil and gas sector. Charlie Barks. April 2023, p. 16.

Learning by doing with Switch Lab. Carol Brzozowski. June 2023, p. 22.

A Master’s degree in Applied Energy and Electromechanical Engineering. Charlie Barks. June 2023, p. 50.

Training the EV techs of the future. Carol Brzozowski. July 2023, p. 22.

West Virginia high schoolers build an EV charging system. Charlie Barks.

July 2023, p. 27.

The technical skills gap. John Malinowski. July 2023, p. 33.

A training program with big-name partnerships. Charlie Barks. August 2023, p. 47.

Automation and robotics in training.

Charlie Barks. September 2023, p.

37.

Mandated apprenticeships: help or hindrance? Chelsea Fisher. November 2023, p. 10.

Training Gen Z. Chelsea Fisher. December 2023, p. 44.

The self-directed learner. Bill O’Leary.

February 2024, p. 26.

The gender gap in STEM. Charlie Barks.

March 2024, p. 26.

Embracing rotational training. Maura Keller. April 2024, p. 43.

Wallace Brithinee takes stock of the industry. Colin Gregory-Moores. June 2024, p. 45.

A season for engineering awards. Bill O’Leary. July 2024, p. 18.

Automate 2024: Guard your Job. Charlie Barks. July 2024, p. 32.

Training courses become increasingly digital. Charlie Barks. September 2024, p. 22.

Preparing for health crises. Bill O’Leary.

October 2024, page 22.

U.S. Dept. of Energy’s new projects for

Water & Wastewater Treatment What’s new in water sanitation. Kevin Jones. August 2020, p. 29.

Great news: Beer is sustainable. David Miller. October 2020, p. 10.

The business and technology of water.

Charlie Barks. August 2021, p. 18.

Fresh water ideas. Susan Follett. August 2021, p. 28.

Water wish list. Kevin Jones. August 2021, p. 52.

The Infrastructure Act: What’s in it for pumps? Kevin Jones. March 2022, p. 42.

Pump manufacturers take to the field.

Kevin Jones. April 2022, p. 42.

Weftec show preview. Charlie Barks.

August 2022, p. 18.

What’s next in water technology. Carol Brzozowski. August 2022, p. 37.

A new center for water research in Washington. Kevin Jones. August 2022, p. 54.

OSHA proposes a new rule to combat water contamination. Charlie Barks.

October 2022, p. 46.

Weftec 2022 report. Kevin Jones. November 2022, p. 20.

New rule on the efficiency of circulator pumps. Kevin Jones. November 2022, p. 24.

What’s under the Christmas tree for ELECTRICAL APPARATUS | JANUARY 2025 41

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Feature | Finance & The Workplace

Is a tax-free sale worth the gamble?

If you’re feeling lucky, you might consider selling your company under this Internal Revenue Code provision

By William H. Wiersema, CPA, EA Contributing Editor It’s hard to beat or even conceive of a 0% income tax rate. Internal Revenue Code Section 1202 (S1202) enables regular C corporation (RCC) stockholders to incur no tax when they sell their companies. S1202 exempts gains up to $10 million, or ten times the stock basis (whichever is greater), per taxpayer. Many analysts view this as the best income tax strategy available.

However, owners are taking a gamble. If any of the restrictive criteria outlined below are not met, an RCC asset sale could prove costly. Sales of assets, which buyers prefer and typically make up most middle-market transactions, do not qualify for gain exemption under S1202. Asset sales subject the seller’s gain to double taxation: first on the income generated within the RCC and second on dividends, which are not deductible for the RCC. Accordingly, federal income tax can be nearly 40%, the highest of all.

Let’s look at federal tax rates, S1202 pitfalls, and the need for a back-up plan. Company owners are well advised to consult with their tax advisors in applying the laws to their circumstances.

Look behind the numbers RCCs are legal entities separate from their owners and must pay their own taxes. The most advantageous sale for RCC stockholders is a stock sale. Even without the benefits of S1202, the maximum tax rate on gain is currently 23.8%. This includes a 20% capital gains tax plus a 3.8% net investment income tax (NIIT). However, under S1202, the sale of Qualifying Small Business Stock (QSBS) that meets the criteria summarized below is tax-free.

Conversely, RCC asset sales incur the highest tax rates. The total can reach up to 39.8%, which breaks down to a 21% tax for the RCC plus a 23.8% personal

tax on the remaining 79%, paid as dividends. The law enforces this double taxation by limiting owner salaries to “reasonable” levels and by restricting RCCs from retaining excess earnings. Additionally, RCCs do not benefit from the capital gains tax breaks that individuals do. As summarized in the sidebar for context, prior to 2018, the double tax rate was up to 50.5%, and the 2021 Build Back Better Act originally proposed to increase it to 59.2%.

The difference between a 0% and a nearly 40% tax rate is substantial.

In contrast, owners of pass-through entities, such as S corporations and — Illustration by Bing generative AI limited liability companies (LLCs) filing as partnerships, generally incur federal taxes on sales in the 20% range. They do not face double taxation but pass their income through to the owners.

However, pass-through entities are ineligible for the S1202 gain exemption upon sale. Prior to the 2018 reduction in the RCC income tax rate from 35% to 21%, pass-through entities were the top choice for middle-market businesses. While it is possible to convert to an RCC at any time, S1202 only applies to appreciation from that date through the entire holding period.

S corporations have strict structural limitations, but active owners can avoid the 3.8% self-employment tax. They can also execute a stock sale, but assets must be distributed at their market values. Additionally, the introduction of pass-through entity tax deductions favors asset sales. On the other hand, LLCs offer high flexibility and allow for broader definitions of basis for deducting losses.

A decision to use an RCC for S1202 locks in owners, as switching can incur tax. Existing RCCs that convert to LLCs must dissolve and face double taxation. For S corporations, five years must pass before the double taxation of built-in gains ceases.

Beware of pitfalls The law limits S1202 benefits exclusively to the sale of the original issue of QSBS by RCCs, excluding pass-through entities. QSBS refers to stock originating after Sept. 27, 2010, with initial capitalization capped

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SIDEBAR I: U.S. FEDERAL TAXES ON A "C" CORPORATION SALE

Maximum Federal Income Tax Rates

Corporate Individual Individual Capital gain NIIT

Sale of Regular "C" Corporation Current, Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, 2018 to Present Prior law, 2017 Build Back Better Act proposal, 2021 Sale of QSBS under IRC Section 1202 QSBS issued September 27, 2010 to Present Build Back Better Act proposal, 2021 - 50% exemp

21% 35% 28% N/A N/A

Stock Sale

Asset Sale

20% 20% 39.6%

3.8% 3.8% 3.8%

23.8% 23.8% 43.4%

39.8% 50.5% 59.2%

0% 14%

0% 1.9%

0% 15.9%

N/A N/A

Note: The asset sale tax equals the coporate rate, plus the individual rates net of the corporate tax Sidebar: U.S. federal taxes on a “C” corporation sale.

at $50 million. Notably, a 50% exclusion became effective on Aug. 10, 1993.

To qualify, an RCC must have initial capitalization of no more than $50 million. Additionally, the required holding period for an S1202 is a minimum of five years. During this time, at least 80% of the RCC’s assets must be used in a qualified trade or business. Certain industries, such as service, hospitality, farming, insurance, finance, and mining, are excluded from this definition, along with those that are reliant on individual expertise, reputation, or skill.

QSBS must be held by individual stockholders or through their passthrough entities. Ownership by a RCC blocker or holding company generally does not qualify for the benefits, although a taxpayer might take a position it does in some circumstances. No election is needed at the time of issuance; instead, the exemption is claimed upon sale.

However, owners should know that the benefits may not always apply. For instance, the treatment of the typical 20% carried interest in private equity investments remains unclear. Additionally, transferring QSBS to non-grantor trusts to create a separate taxpayer for exemption purposes is subject to restrictions and may incur gift tax.

There are also legislative risks to consider. In recent years, there has been increasing support to limit S1202 exclusions, particularly for higher-income taxpayers. In 2021, the Build Back Better Act proposed capping the exclusion at 50% of the gain for taxpayers with earnings over $400,000 for S1202 sales after Sept. 12, 2021. Applying the 28% capital gain rate in place in 1993 when S1202 became law plus the 3.8% NIIT, the rate totals 31.8%. The 50% proposal yields a rate of 15.9%.

Some alternative minimum tax may also apply.

While a rate of 15.9% provides some savings compared to the standard 23.8% typically owed on stock sales, federal tax would no longer be zero. However, this proposal was ultimately not enacted.

Have a ‘Plan B’ When selling RCC assets, the first step is often to negotiate an asset deal premium. This premium represents the additional price a buyer may be willing to pay for acquiring specific assets and liabilities, rather than the entire company through a stock deal.

Several factors justify this premium. Asset deals allow buyers to avoid contingent liabilities and hidden risks associated with stock

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deals. They can selectively acquire assets, which helps mitigate post-deal risks. Moreover, buyers can “step up” the tax basis of assets, enabling greater depreciation and tax savings over time.

However, insisting on a premium for the difference between a 40% double tax and 0% could discourage buyers. To address this, stockholders can explore strategies such as designating portions of the selling price as personal goodwill or non-compete agreements, which can provide tax benefits in incurring only a single level of individual tax.

Unless planned in advance, corporate divisions typically transfer as asset sales. However, by meeting specific criteria, divisions can be independently incorporated, allowing for a stock sale and favorable capital gains treatment.

Other strategies for deferring taxes include rollovers, installment sales, and utilizing trust and estate tools. RCC tax can be offset by net operating losses, and certain dividends are tax-free until the stockholder’s basis reaches zero, after which they are taxed, but at advantageous capital gains rates. EA

Update about payroll compliance

Bill Wiersema’s November 2024 article, “What’s new in payroll compliance,” stated: “Effective Jan. 1, 2025, the threshold to be ‘exempt’ from time tracking will be $58,656, up from $43,888 on the preceding July 1.” This was correct at the time of the article’s publication. On Nov. 15, though, a U.S. District Court in Texas struck down the U.S. Dept. of Labor’s ruling regarding the salary threshold for exempt employees. The salary threshold increase, which was scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, was no longer to be put in place. The court also rescinded the increase that went into effect last July 1. The current threshold for the annual salary basis requirement for exempt status under the Fair Labor Standards Act has reverted to $35,568. As always, it’s best to check with your accountant about the current state of these matters. — Editor ELECTRICAL APPARATUS | JANUARY 2025 43

12/6/2024 2:55:20 PM

Product Showcase

The newest and best in tools and equipment for robotics and automation

Wearable robotics for the workplace Comau has launched Mate-XB Exoskeleton, a wearable robotic exoskeleton that uses human energy and stores it to help workers gain relief from heavy lifting and other physically laborious efforts on the job. The Torque Generating Box is the core mechanism behind obtaining and transforming potential mechanical energy to create adjustable assistive torque. Made of lightweight carbon fiber, the wearable product is adjustable and can fit most bodies. The intention is to improve ergonomics during lifting and repetitive tasks.

The Cupola 360 smart patrol system ASPEED Technology’s Cupola 360, in collaboration with Foxconn, has implemented smart manufacturing, remote management, and remote patrol using a mix of Cupola360 panoramic cameras and third-party AI analytics. The system can identify irregularities in real time and notify managers for faster responses. Through large-scale application of AI and automation, improvements in production efficiency, labor productivity, and well as digital management become a more sustainable route for manufacturing. Cupola360 panoramic cameras have the ability to switch perspectives and cameras at any time.

Intelligent sensor with intuitive operation SICK Innovations has introduced, for complex applications, the microScan3 Pro I/O with new local I/Os combined with Ethernet interface. Measurement data can be stored and analyzed, helping optimize processes and configurations, thus preventing machine downtime. The microScan3 safety laser scanner protects various applications, whether stationary or mobile.

The safeHDDM scanning technology enables the microScan3 to deliver high-precision measurement data.

Tool changer module unlocks 10 GB Ethernet New from ATI Industrial Automation is the GBX 10 gigabit Tool Changer Ethernet Module, designed to allow smart manufacturing processes to optimize performance and flexibility with timely, accurate communication. It’s said to excel in highspeed data and signal communication with vision, inspection, metrology, motion control, and fieldbus systems. Plug-and-play M12 eight-pin X-code connectors provide secure pass-through of Cat6/Cat6a industrial Ethernet cables, which saves time during integration.

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A solution for data e-waste problems ABB and Molg have partnered to create micro-factories to advance sustainable and circular manufacturing processes for electronics. As an alternative to manual disassembly, or sending equipment to landfill or incineration, the micro-factory solves many of the challenges associated with the disposal of electronic waste. With end users facing increasing regulations covering the responsible handling of decommissioned equipment, automated disassembly reduces the risks associated with handling toxic elements that can damage the environment and human health; it also releases workers from handling arduous and potentially dangerous tasks. This will also create the opportunity for the recovery of rare earth elements to be recovered and reused in the production of new electronic equipment.

EV charging fleet software Synop, a provider of software for electric vehicle fleets, has partnered with Bus2Grid for coordinated intelligent charging of electric school buses integrated with on-site solar and battery storage. By integrating Synop’s advanced charging management platform, Bus2Grid optimizes the charging infrastructure for electric school buses, ensuring efficient and reliable operations.

Synop’s software offers a range of benefits, including intelligent charging and real-time monitoring. — Chelsea Fisher EA

ELECTRICAL APPARATUS | JANUARY 2025 45

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12/6/2024 2:56:30 PM

Feature | EA Reader Profile

Do your best How hard work and striving to do the right thing led Bruce Janczak to owning his own business

By Colin Gregory-Moores, EA Contributing Writer Born in the then Polish-Catholic south side of “Mo-wau-kee” in 1956, Bruce Janczak is a bred-in-the-bone son of the city. A hardworking family man of his word. A licensed master electrician who went on to become a designer of engineered systems and a commercial electrical inspector. A businessman who knows his own worth. A sports coach and referee at the local, state, and college levels. An adjunct professor of electrical apprentices and high school students in the electrical trade program.

In everything he does, Bruce aims to do the right thing by people. He feels blessed and grateful for all that life and the industry have given him, including the hard knocks and lessons, too. A doer, and not a bragger, he gives without reserve: “I hope that this Reader Profile helps and affects people’s lives in a positive manner,” Bruce told Electrical Apparatus.

Family always comes first Bruce grew up in a tight-knit middle-income community of smaller homes, where the proximity of the houses meant you got to know your neighbors pretty well. His values, ambitions, and work ethic were shaped by his parents’ love of family, community, and hard work. His father saw active service in the Army in two wars; working himself up on the railroads to become assistant director of Port Milwaukee.

Bruce’s mother was a stay-at-home mum for Bruce and his younger brother David until high school. She then worked part-time in the stockroom at Kohl’s Department Store till she was 80 years old and loved every minute. His parents and the somewhat stern Catholic school Bruce attended ingrained in him the value of always doing the right thing. The large family of his mother, who was the second oldest of eight, and that of his father, who was the youngest of 13, played a significant role. At one family gathering, he was talking with the husband of one of his aunts who was an electrician. He encouraged Bruce to look into the electrical field.

Find yourself and your purpose

Fran and Bruce Janczak.

— Bruce Janczak photo

Bruce attended Milwaukee Boys’ Tech High School, where he enrolled because two of his uncles had gone there. While in high school, he worked at McDonald’s part-time and after two years was promoted to manager.

Upon graduating from the pre-engineering college-preparatory course with very good grades, Bruce went to work as a lab technician at Grede Foundries. After a year, he felt frustrated about his career options and left to complete one year of a twoyear associate’s degree at Milwaukee Area Technical College in computer programming and repair. When he learned he would only be earning about $1.25 more than he had at McDonald’s, that didn’t sit quite right with him. He dropped out of college and almost signed on the dotted line to become a plumber.

On his first day as an apprentice at Erickson Electric, Bruce says he made so many mistakes he should’ve been fired. His foreman took him under his wing and mentored him. Bruce completed his

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apprenticeship at Staff Electric and became a certified journeyman wireman. His former foreman, who was now working for Andrae Electric, contacted him to ask whether he’d be interested in joining their team as an electrical estimator. He took them up on the offer. Bruce was then approached to join Roman Electric and later became a master electrician.

Be better on the next play In 2003, Bruce had an opportunity to purchase Peerless Electric. Peerless did well at first, but then the recession hit in 2008, and the company started to have financial problems and had to close. He’ll tell you that he’s “too nice a guy and trusted the wrong people.” The closing of his business hit Bruce, an ambitious, hard-working husband and father, badly.

“We went through some very tough times, both financially and emotionally.”

Bruce’s wife Fran, to whom Bruce has been married for some 40 years and affectionately refers to as “his better half,” has stayed with him through thick and thin. She would give him the tough love he needed and the encouragement to keep going, telling him they’d get past this together. His good friend Bill was also a source of daily support. Bruce went to work at a few smaller electrical companies, trying to find his niche, without success. After a couple of years, he was feeling burnt out and decided he might be done with the industry.

Then one Sunday in 2016, Bruce found an ad on Craigslist by Best Electric looking for a master electrician to drive a service truck. Since his days working in the field were long past him, he just went through the motions of applying for the job. The next thing Bruce knew, the owner wanted to talk with him the next evening. As he was getting out of his car in the parking lot of Best Electric, a man approached him and said, “Bruce, I’ve done some homework on you. Let’s talk.”

The two talked for two and a half hours. The next day, Bruce received a long e-mail with three options: 1) to work as an employee; 2) to work as a manager with a percentage of the profits; 3) to buy the business. He chose the second option. One year later, at the age of 61, he purchased Best Electric. It was not in the best shape financially, but Bruce was convinced he could make a go of it. As a coach, one of Bruce’s favorite phrases is: “We can’t do anything about what happened, but we have to learn and be better on the next play.” And that’s just what he did.

the same thing he tells his students at Waukesha County Technical College: “I don’t know everything, and you don’t know everything, but together we’ll figure it out.”

The electricians in the field are the company’s best references. “They are what the people see,” Bruce says. “If they make a good impression, the chances are we’ll get called back and referred.” There are a lot of electrical contractors in the Milwaukee area. Best Electric’s unique selling proposition is doing right by and taking care of employees and clients.

When Bruce bought the company, it had three people working in residential service. It had grown into a $3.5 million business with 14 people working in the field when he sold it to his eldest son Nate in 2023.

Nate, 30, who majored in business finance in college, came to work at Best Electric six years earlier to fill in during an employee’s vacation.

He had been working at a bank and felt he needed a career move.

Nate ended up staying and becoming the CFO. In 2022, he walked into his father’s office: “Dad, I want to buy the business.” It was a “proud-father moment.” Bruce has stayed on as CEO for commercial projects, still coming into the office at 5:30 a.m., almost seven days per week. Fran tries to get him to take one day off on the weekends.

“Family businesses are tough,” says Bruce. “Things might go back and forth sometimes. Nate and I have a solid relationship, so we always work through it.” Bruce also has a solid relationship with his youngest son Ryker, 24, who is in the midst of finding himself and his purpose in life — something that Bruce, from his own biography, understands well and supports.

Forty-six years after starting out in the electrical industry, Bruce has to pinch himself: “I ask myself, how did this all happen?” he says. It’s a story of always trying to do your best by yourself, by your family, and by others. And never, ever giving up.

EA

You don’t work for me, you work with me Best Electric is a residential and commercial electrical contractor. Everyone at the company is part of the team. Bruce tells his apprentices and foremen

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Bruce Janczak (left), Perkins, and Nate Janczak.

— Bruce Janczak photo

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Feature | Plant Life

Six simple questions Asking the five Ws and the H can lead to sensible deployment of automation

By Bill O’Leary, EA Contributing Writer Plant managers are often tasked with making decisions that impact various areas of the business. One such decision that is on the mind of many a plant leader is automation.

Automation, whether in the form of robotics, artificial intelligence, or other methods where technology allows for fast and repeated task completion, is a recurring character on the pages of business news stories of how automation can revolutionize the way we work and the implications of its use.

Automation can also seem very enticing, and scary, for a decision-maker wanting to gain the upper hand on the plant floor. But it’s one thing to join the trend just to join and another entirely to turn that trend into a sustainable competitive advantage.

How can a plant manager achieve such a lofty goal? Well, the 5W1H question framework, probably seen most frequently throughout your school days, can help provide the direction necessary for deciding if automation is right for your plant.

Meet the questions So here’s a quick refresher. The framework is the familiar who, what, where, when, why, and how. By answering each of these questions, managers can create a more targeted and disciplined approach to seamlessly integrating dynamic improvements across their businesses. They also should be able to identify any gaps or weaknesses from the answers to these questions, indicating that a particular strategy and execution framework needs more thought or may not work entirely.

Now let’s have some fun by applying the subject of automation to the six-question framework.

Plant managers looking to make automation a new or more all-encompassing presence in their plant should ask the following: > Who is going to use automation? The “who” can also be the specific types of automation that be used in the plant > What specific tasks will these technologies be used for? > Where in my current process and in my plant will I use automation? > When is a good time to implement automation in my plant processes?

> Why would I want to use automation to help achieve my goals? > How will I embed automation in my current workflows and train workers to use it effectively?

Each plant manager should ask these six questions before going further. If a clear answer is not available for even one of these, plant managers should think long and hard as to whether automation and related technologies are the right fit for them. Maybe it’s not the right time.

Maybe the costs are too exorbitant. Maybe we don’t have the necessary skills to leverage automation. Maybe my current process does not lend itself to effective automation.

Digging deeper Let’s drill down even further by fleshing out the considerations for each of these questions. This should give plant managers better, more thoughtful answers by revealing the many variables and details that go into each.

Who (Part 1): The types of automation that can be used in a plant will of course depend on our specific industry. Robotic process automation is often seen in robotic arms. CNC machines are used for production automation tasks. For material handling and inventory, automated storage and retrieval systems are commonplace. Start with the specific industry that you operate in and draw a direct connection to the related automation technology that is designed for use in that industry.

Who (Part 2): Various roles can contribute to the operation and maintenance of automation in your plant. Make sure you identify each. Operators can start and stop equipment such as robots and PLCs. Maintenance technicians can troubleshoot and repair equipment. Engineers can inspect robotic systems and perform predictive maintenance using data analytics and IoT monitoring tools. Warehouse staff can track inventory using barcode scanners that utilize automation and use robotic sorters. Data analysts can evaluate automated reports and modify automation as needed. Go down the current roster of the staff and think about how each role could use automation. If it is only a very small amount or the related role is non-existent, automation is probably not the right decision at this time.

What: Let’s use the previous “whos” to make a direct connection to the “what.” Robotic process automation is often seen in robotic arms for welding and assembly tasks. CNC machines are used for production automation tasks such as manufacturing components using automated cutting and machining. Expand the formula even further by going from industry to technology to task to find the relevant “whats” in your current plant progress.

Where: Now use the industry, technology, and tasks to identify where on your plant floor that automation would be effective. Let’s use some other examples to add some variety, shall we? Automated convert systems transport materials to production lines. Automated guided

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vehicles can move raw material from storage and production areas and back again. Vision systems can be used in quality control areas at the end of the production line to identify defects. Robotic pallet users can stack and store products in shipping areas along with inventory shelves. By better identifying the “where,” managers can determine whether they have the current infrastructure and space for any automated enhancements.

When: Context is key, and the “when” should help determine if now is the right time for automation or if a future date would be more fortuitous. The severity of operational challenges and current market demands are two important timely indicators to help answer this question. Is downtime too costly or frequent? Have there been a number of safety-related injuries or risks? Are you seeing your competitors utilize automation to good effect? If the answer is “yes” to any of these questions, then the time for automation may be now.

Why: This is perhaps the most important question, because if you can’t find a sufficient answer here, then it’s a waste of time to even consider the others. The “whys” should clearly tie to your goals, at an individual, department, and company-wide level. The most common is increasing productivity through higher output volume through reduced production time. Automation can help teams produce fewer defects and catch those defects earlier, improving overall production quality. It can also reduce costs by limiting waste through more exact material usage and preventing costly downtime through predictive and preventative maintenance systems. For inventory, automation can result in reduced holding costs and fewer stockouts. If any of these are the current goals of your business, then automation should get a hard look.

Finally we have the how: Using an organized, structured approach can help managers effectively embed automation in their plants. Related tasks include assessing the readiness of current technology, space, and staff, planning a rollout with pilot projects and assuring your current staff that automation will be used to help them in their tasks and not “replace” them. This should better prepare managers for implementing technology but also ensure better buy-in for the investment across the board.

Filling in the gaps Training workers in automation is another key consideration of the “how.” After assessing the current skills levels of your team, work to fill the gaps through targeted sessions that include hands-on training, data analysis courses, and detailed documentation and instructional materials. The answer does not have to be just bringing someone in who has expertise in these fields. Successful training interventions that expand on the current skills of your staff that relate to automation while adding new skills to valued performers can check those boxes for you.

Automation is an emerging technology with a potential impact to completely revolutionize how we work. Because of that it raises a whole wealth of questions but with the 5W1H framework, plant workers can balance that out with relevant answers removing uncertainty while charting a clearer path to continued success.

EA

By answering each of these questions, managers can create a more targeted and disciplined approach to seamlessly integrating dynamic improvements across their businesses ELECTRICAL APPARATUS | JANUARY 2025 49

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Feature | Pump It Up

Data pump How pumps are used in data centers, and the various types of pumps employed

By Kevin Jones, EA Senior Editor Today’s industry is highly dependent on the efficient gathering, storage, and use of data. Much of our work and leisure would be impossible without data’s reliable delivery.

And yet who would have imagined that in our digital world of ones and zeroes, a technology as firmly established as pumps would be playing a critical role in the process?

Pumps, it turns out, are essential to the cooling of data centers. Pumps ensure that the vast amounts of heat generated by servers and other equipment found in such facilities are efficiently managed. Effective cooling is crucial to the maintenance of optimal operating conditions and the prevention of overheating, which, if not dealt with promptly and decisively, can lead to equipment failure and data loss. And who wants that in the middle of a workday — or in the middle of a streaming video?

How data centers use pumps Data centers generate significant amounts of heat due to the high density of electronic equipment.

Pumps circulate coolant through these centers, transferring heat away from the equipment and dissipating it outside the data facilities. Pumps can typically be found in these data center components: > Chilled-water systems. In these systems, pumps circulate chilled water through networks of pipes and heat exchangers. The chilled water absorbs heat from the data center equipment and is then pumped to a chiller. > Direct-to-chip cooling. This method involves pumping coolant directly to the chips or processors.

The coolant absorbs heat directly from the source and is then pumped away to be cooled. This method is highly efficient and reduces the need for extensive air conditioning. > Liquid immersion cooling. In this approach, servers are submerged in a dielectric fluid that absorbs heat. Pumps circulate the fluid to remove the heat and maintain a stable temperature. This method is particularly effective in high-density data centers. > Cooling towers. Pumps are used to circulate water through cooling towers, where the heat is dissipated into the surrounding atmosphere. The cooled water is then recirculated back into the cooling system.

Companies that employ pumped cooling systems include several household names:

> Google uses advanced cooling systems that include pumps to circulate chilled water and maintain optimal temperatures. The company’s data centers are known for their energy efficiency and innovative cooling systems. > Facebook employs direct-to-chip cooling and liquid immersion cooling in some of its data centers. Pumps are essential in these systems to ensure efficient heat transfer and cooling. > Microsoft uses a combination of chilled water systems and liquid cooling in its Azure data centers. Pumps play a vital role in circulating the coolant and maintaining the required temperatures in these facilities.

The primary types of pumps used Those are the systems employing pumps in data centers and some of the giant data suppliers that use them. How about the pump products themselves? These are the types of pumps one is likely to encounter in data centers: > Centrifugal pumps are the most common type of pumps found in data centers. They’re used in chilled water systems to circulate water through the cooling network. In these systems, centrifugal pumps move large volumes of water through heat exchangers and chillers. > Positive displacement pumps are used in applications where constant flow rates are required, regardless of pressure variations. Typically these pumps are used in direct-to-chip cooling systems to provide a consistent flow of coolant directly to the processors. This ensures that the coolant flow remains stable even under varying pressure. > Submersible pumps, frequently found in liquid immersion cooling systems, are designed to operate while fully submerged in the coolant.

They circulate the dielectric fluid around the submerged servers. Submersible pumps help maintain a uniform temperature and prevent the formation of hot spots. > Magnetic drive pumps are common in applications where preventing leaks is critical. They’re often employed in systems that use hazardous or sensitive coolants, as they eliminate the need for seals. > High-pressure pumps are frequently found in high-pressure mist systems. These pumps generate a fine mist that absorbs heat from the air. The mist is then evaporated, effectively reducing the temperature within the data center.

When you come down to it, pumps are indispensable in the cooling systems of data centers. They ensure that the vast amounts of heat generated by electronic equipment are efficiently managed. From centrifugal pumps in chilled water systems to submersible pumps in liquid immersion cooling, each type plays a role in maintaining optimal operating conditions.

As data centers continue to evolve and grow, the importance of efficient and reliable cooling systems — supported by advanced pump technologies — will only increase. Which is all well and good for our daily work — and for our Netflix binging.

EA

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Utilities The use of automation and robotics by electric utilities Electric utilities worldwide are increasingly leveraging automation and robotics to enhance efficiency, bolster safety, ensure security, and support the stability of the grid. These technologies have become integral to operations such as predictive maintenance and remote inspections.

And yet while these advancements can bring substantial benefits, the increasing digitalization of electric utility assets also exposes utilities to substantial risks.

According to cybersecurity firm KnowBe4, cyberattacks against critical national infrastructure rose by 30% in the first half of 2024, as reported by Tech Monitor.

First consider the applications and benefits automation and robotics bring to the electric utility industry: Automated inspections and drones. Drones are revolutionizing infrastructure inspections, especially in remote or hazardous areas. Utilities like Duke Energy deploy drones for visual and thermal inspections, identifying early signs of equipment wear or vegetation encroachment on substations. Similarly, Germany’s E.ON uses drones to inspect wind turbines and solar panels.

Drones equipped with artificial intelligence analyze data in real-time, reducing the need for physical inspections and increasing accuracy in detecting problems.

The International Energy Agency reports that drones can cut the need for physical inspections by up to 50%.

Grid automation and smart sensors. Smart sensors and automated systems are proving invaluable for monitoring grid conditions and identifying faults. Électricité de France, for instance, expanded its deployment of Smart Grid sensors in 2023 to balance supply and demand, particularly during peak usage. According to The Channel Co., the French utility’s integration of automated controls allows more effective electricity rerouting.

Robotics for maintenance and repairs. Robots are also instrumental in maintenance, especially in challenging environments. Tokyo Electric Power Co. uses robots for nuclear plant maintenance and power line inspections.

These robots, designed to withstand high temperatures and radiation, perform comprehensive inspections in confined spaces, minimizing risks for human workers.

Artificial intelligence in demand forecasting. AI-powered tools are helping utilities predict energy demand. Southern California Edison, among others, uses machine learning algorithms to analyze demand patterns, optimize resource allocation, and adjust energy production.

Despite these benefits, automation in electric utilities presents several challenges: Cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Automation relies on interconnected digital systems, making them potential targets for cyberattacks. The rise of connected devices, such as smart meters and sensors, expands the “attack surface” that hackers can exploit. Cyberattacks can disrupt grid operations, manipulate data, and even cause outages. Many attacks aim to extract ransom payments from their victims.

High initial costs. The up-front costs of automation technologies are significant. Smaller utilities often struggle with funding, even though long-term savings from efficiency improvements can offset these expenses.

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— Illustration by Adobe Firefly generative AI

Technical challenges and maintenance needs. Automated systems require regular maintenance, updates, and calibration. Drones need software updates and battery maintenance, and they may face operational limitations in extreme weather.

Dependence on data quality and integration. Automation relies on accurate data; poor-quality data can undermine predictive maintenance and AIdriven decision-making. Integrating these systems into legacy infrastructure adds another challenge, as older systems may not be compatible with modern technologies.

Electric utilities are adopting various measures to address the risks associated with automation. These include: Robust cybersecurity protocols. Utilities enhance cybersecurity with multifactor authentication, vulnerability assessments, and encrypted communications. Government entities such as the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency collaborate with utilities, sharing threat intelligence and providing guidance to protect critical infrastructure.

Regular testing and redundancy. Automated systems undergo rigorous testing to ensure reliability under various conditions. Utilities also employ redundancy measures, such as backup power systems and fail-safe mechanisms.

Compliance with industry standards. Adhering to industry standards, such as the North American Electric Reliability Corp.’s Critical Infrastructure Protection standards, ensures robust security for automated systems. These standards mandate regular audits, security assessments, and protocols to protect grid operations against cyber threats.

Ongoing training of personnel. Skilled technicians are essential for managing advanced automation technologies. Utilities invest in training staff to operate, troubleshoot, and secure these systems. Training also addresses cybersecurity risks, reducing human errors in handling automated technologies.

Clearly, automation and robotics are transforming the electric utility sector, delivering unparalleled benefits in safety, efficiency, and reliability. These advancements come with risks, however. Fortunately there’s hope. By adopting robust security measures, ensuring system redundancy, and adhering to industry standards, utilities can harness the advantages of automation while mitigating associated risks. — Kevin Jones EA ELECTRICAL APPARATUS | JANUARY 2025 51

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Save The Date

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January 2025Classified-3 page version.indd 1

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21 Instrumentation, tools, and machinery 25 They are responsible for a sustainable environment, abbr.

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sensors, actuators, telemetry, and more 3 Casing 4 Gardening tool 5 The joining of two or more conductors 7 Quick, rough drawing 8 Design where the motor’s coils or windings are arranged in a helical pattern creating a ____ shape 11 Industrious insect 12 Units of computer memory, informally 13 Led the way as an innovator 16 Ancient time period, abbr.

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54 ELECTRICAL APPARATUS | JANUARY 2025

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ADVERTISING INDEX Aaki Grounding Solutions . . . . . 54 Advanced Rotors, Inc. . . . . . . . . 12 AHR Expo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 AKARD COMMUTATOR OF TENNESSEE . . . . . . . . . . . 9 BAE Wire & Insulation, Inc. . . . . . 55 Bartlett Bearing Company, Inc. . . IBC The Battery Show South . . . . . . .21 City Machine Technologies, Inc. . . 54 Coiltech North America . . . . . . . 52 CWIEME Berlin . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Electric Materials Company . . . . .16 Electrical Apparatus & Machine . . 45 Helwig Carbon Products, Inc. . . . . 5 Hoto Instruments . . . . . . . . . . 55 ICC International . . . . . . . . . . IFC Jasper Electric Motors, Inc. . . . . . 15 Lafert North America . . . . . . . . 54 Laughter in Caregiving . . . . . . . 26 OTS Wire & Insulation, Inc. . . . . . 55 S&W Wire Company . . . . . . . . . 8 Spring Point Solutions . . . . . . . . 11 Superior Services LLC . . . . . . . . 6 Toshiba International Corp. . . . . . 3 Vaughen’s Price Publishing, Inc. . . 54 WEG Electric Corp. . . . . . . . . . BC Wolong Electric America . . . . . . . 7 Learn more about the products and services featured in this issue!

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Direct & Current

STABLE EYES. Manufacturers showed renewed confidence in the industry’s trajectory in November, with companies hiring additional staff, according to S&P Global’s U.S. Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index. S&P Global’s PMI reading rose to 49.7 last month. The Institute for Supply Management’s PMI registered slightly lower at 48.4%, though still 1.9 percentage points higher compared to October. ISM’s reading was also driven by improved demand, with new orders reaching 50.4%. A reading below 50.0% signals economic contraction.

MEGGER AWARDED. Megger, a longtime fixture in Electrical Apparatus, announced recently that the Megger Baker Instruments’ ADX Static Motor Analyzer has been awarded Product of the Year at the prestigious Association of Electrical and Mechanical Trades Awards 2024. Competing against five other shortlisted products, the ADX The Megger team accepts AEMT’s 2024 Product of the Static Motor Analyzer stood Year Award for its ADX Static Motor Analyzer.

— Megger photo out for its multi-functionality, user-friendly design and cutting-edge capabilities. (See this month’s “Associations,” page 8, for more about AEMT’s awards ceremony.)

ROAD TRIP. The Ohio Dept. of Transportation’s DriveOhio has opened seven new EV charging stations, bringing the state’s total to thirteen new stations since November 2023. In addition, six more locations were under construction in December and were expected to be operational by the end of the month. Each new station has multiple ports to accommodate simultaneous charging of at least four vehicles per location, and each port produces at least 150 kW of power, which can charge most EVs in around 30 minutes.

MOTORS & DRIVES CONFERENCE. Looking for a warm getaway in midwinter this year? This option could also be useful to your business and/or education: the 2025 MDSM Conference & Exhibition in Tallahassee, Fla., set to take place Feb. 18-20. MDSM is one of the world’s leading conferences & expos focused on the latest technical advancements in motor, drive systems, motion control, magnetic applications, technology, and rare earth materials. Information at www.magneticsconference.com.

GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY. The Georgia Ports Authority plans to use three recent federal grants totaling more than $120 million to improve “operational sustainability” for neighboring communities.

“These federal grants will help us reduce the community impact of our ship, rail, and truck traffic operations and emissions,” said the authority’s president and CEO, Griff Lynch. The money will be used, among other things, to help ensure uninterrupted power supply at the Port of Savannah’s Garden City Terminal and to provide shore power at four berths in Savannah and the Port of Brunswick, Ga. — Charlie Barks Have the digital “Direct & Current” delivered each week, at no charge, to your e-mail in-box. Scan the code at right or sign up now at http://eepurl.com/dEkrB9.

56 ELECTRICAL APPARATUS | JANUARY 2025

JANUARY 2025

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