This in-depth analysis and application of the 2011 National Electrical Code can be purchased as a full set, or as individual titles in the series. As the only DVD series in the electrical industry that covers all aspects and changes related to 2011 National Electrical Code, it is an amazing, comprehensive resource for anyone in the electrical or related industries.

The 2011 Mastering the NEC DVDs allows users to view each section in its entirety and at their own pace. Designed to help electricians, contractors, training instructors and other tradesmen in related industries, better prepare for jobs and other situations, the DVD set is a vital resource for applying the new 2011 NEC code.

The 2011 Mastering the NEC 12-Volume Complete DVD Set can be purchased for $499.00 (MSR). Individual titles in the set can be purchased for $49.95 each (MSR). The series is taught by Mark Shapiro, a knowledgeable electrical professor who offers clear and concise explanations as to how this section of the NEC should be interpreted. The titles include:

• Basic Electric DC Calculation DVD #1
• Basic Electrical AC Calculations DVD #2
• Residential Wiring Code DVD #3
• Residential Calculations DVD #4
• Commercial & Industrial Service Calculations DVD #5
• Ampacities & Derating DVD #6
• Overcurrent Protection, Continuous Loads, Transformers & Tap DVD #7
• Understanding Grounding Pt 1: Systems & Service DVD #8
• Understanding Grounding Pt 2: Circuits & Equipment DVD #9
• Raceways, Boxes & Cabinets: Fill & Dimensions DVD #10
• Motor Circuits: Understanding Article 430 DVD #11
• Understanding the Second Half of the Code DVD #12

2011 Mastering the NEC Important Changes on DVD is also available.

W Marketing Inc. is a Long Island, New York based company dedicated to providing the widest selection of electrical and construction trade reference materials to engineers, electrical training instructors, builders, building maintenance and professionals in the construction and electrical industries. In addition to W Marketing’s extensive inventory of reference titles, training materials, DVDs, software and much more, they also publish Dr. Watts line of product guides, code books, DVDs and other reference materials.

Contact W Marketing today for more details. W Marketing is pleased to be a member of the Affiliated Distributors Marketing Group (AD).

The 2011 Mastering the NEC Important Changes DVD can be purchased from W.Marketing for $49.95 and includes the following comprehensive contents:

• AFCI’s
• AFCI Receptacles
• Tamper Resistant Receptacles
• Informational Notes
• Article 100 – Definitions
• Article 110 – Requirements For Electrical Installations
• GFCI’s
• Continuous Loads
• Residential Receptacle Requirements
• Article 230 – Services
• Article 240 – Over Current Protection
• Article 250 – Grounding and Bonding
• Article 300 – Wiring Methods
• Article 310 – Conductors For General Wiring
• Article 314 – Boxes
• Article 342 – Intermediate Metal Conduit
• Article 392 – Cable Trays
• Article 395 – Outdoor Overhead Conductors over 600 Volts
• Article 404 – Switches
• Article 406 – Receptacles
• Article 408 – Switchboards and Panelboards
• Article 410 – Luminaires
• Article 430 – Motor Circuits
• Article 450 – Transformers
• Article 514 – Motor Fuel Dispensing Facilities
• Article 517 – Health Care Facilities
• Floating Buildings and Marinas
• Article 590 – Temporary Installations
• Article 600 – Electric Signs and Outline Lighting
• Article 625 – Electric Vehicle Charging System
• Article 645 – Informational Technology Equipment
• Article 680 – Swimming Pools and Fountains
• Article 690 – Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems
• Article 694 – Small Wind Electric Systems
• Article 700 – Emergency Systems
• Article 760 – Fire Alarm Systems
• Article 800 – Communications Circuits
• Article 840 – Premises-Powered Broadband Systems
• Annex I – Recommended Tightening Torque Tables

The contents of the DVD are taught by Mark Shapiro, an electrical professor and a former member of the National Electric Code® Committee. With more than 25 years of experience inspecting residential, commercial, industrial and institutional electrical work for code compliance, reviewing plans, and teaching the NEC in addition to his experience as an electrician, Mark Shapiro will help you to easily understand the new NEC codes and how to apply them.

W Marketing Inc. is a Long Island, New York based company dedicated to providing the widest selection of electrical and construction trade reference materials to engineers, electrical training instructors, builders, building maintenance and professionals in the construction and electrical industries. In addition to W Marketing’s extensive inventory of thousands of reference titles, training materials, DVDs, software and much more, they also publish Dr. Watts line of product guides, code books, DVDs and other reference materials.

Contact W.Marketing today for more details. W Marketing is pleased to be a member of the Affiliated Distributors Marketing Group (AD).

For more information, please visit this articles web page.

The Dr. Watts 2011 Pocket Electrical Guide, already loaded with ample amounts of information utilized everyday by electricians and the electrical trade, also includes expansive amounts of new information. Numerous NEC tables and formulas with clear usage explanations, detailed illustrations and important reference tables, and a large number of informative examples can all be found in this amazing electrical reference guidebook.

W Marketing Inc. is a Long Island, New York based company dedicated to providing the widest selection of electrical and construction trade reference materials to engineers, electrical training instructors, builders, building maintenance and professionals in the construction and electrical industries. In addition to W Marketing’s extensive inventory of thousands of reference titles, training materials, DVDs, software and much more, they also publish Dr. Watts line of product guides, code books, DVDs and other reference materials.

Contact W Marketing today for more details and the pricing for the NEW 2011 NEC Code Books and Dr. Watts Products!

W Marketing is pleased to be a member of the Affiliated Distributors Marketing Group (AD).

Fitted with the unique system designed by EarthSure, AirRay’s roof comprises a solar honeycomb-membrane panel and the front hood is fitted with three wind turbines. While the membrane collects the sun rays when the car is both stationary and in motion, the wind turbines at the front hood transfer air into electric energy and then stores it in the main battery. A fourth wind turbine is strategically fitted at the back of the car, grabbing the airflow surrounding the moving vehicle.

The car also comes with Vehicle to Grid (V2G) capabilities, enabling the users to transfer the renewable energy into their homes or back into the electrical grid, thus eliminating the electricity bills.

These features will be incorporated within either a hybrid auto or traditional gas or diesel run vehicle. EarthSure CEO Raymond Saluccio says, “Our final automobile masterpiece will be solely electrically powered and will not require either gas or diesel. The energy created with solar panels and wind turbines will be sufficient to run the vehicle without the worry of losing power. In addition to that the car has a sleek look – making it a prized possession for the owner since apart from turning air and light into energy, it will turn lot of heads also.”

Although the final version of the car is still in progress, EarthSure has already filed numerous patents with the US Patent and Trademark Office to ensure quick availability in the market once approved.

The report said that the state is ranked fourth for its job potential, which is right behind Wisconsin and ahead of Missouri. If it utilizes its potential the state could add 24,350 jobs in wind power, 6,644 in solar power, 1,502 in geothermal power and 2,281 jobs in biomass.

Dan Ferson, a steel worker who spoke at a press conference hosted by the AFL-CIO, said that Pennsylvania is one of the states which has taken full advantage of its alternative energy potential, opening up formerly closed manufacturing facilities to employ workers who are building components for renewable energy systems. “Wouldn’t it be nice to open up some of our closed auto plants in Michigan?” he said.

Mark Gaffney, president of the AFL-CIO, said if other Midwest states act fast at enacting portfolio standards, Michigan residents will be helping to grow the economies of its neighboring states instead of adding jobs here.

Gaffney said that Illinois is big competition with a possible 56,579 new positions; it ranked number one in job creation potential and it is close enough that Michigan companies could consider traveling there to get parts instead of having them built here.

Rep. Frank Accavitti (D-Eastpointe) said that he will take measures to stop this from happening by passing renewable portfolio standards legislation. He added that Michigan is a leader, not a follower, and that is why he will enact a 10 percent renewable energy standard by 2015.

However, Dan Bishop, spokesperson for Consumers Energy, the state’s second largest supplier of electricity, said that passing renewable energy standards alone will not bring in new alternative energy investments.

Presently, Consumers gets about five percent from its power from alternative energy, which is mostly wind and biomass power, and is prepared to notch that up to 15 percent by 2015.

Bishop further added that it also wants to build a fifth “clean burning” coal plant in the state in order to meet Michigan’s ever-increasing energy needs. He also said that renewable energy legislation will be combined with efforts to reform PA 141 – the law that was supposed to open up customer choice in the 1990s but has had limited success because of the lack of energy suppliers. He further added that as long as energy companies can’t guarantee to their investors that they have customers who will stick with their company, they will have a hard time getting money to invest in Michigan. Bishop also revealed that ‘Consumers’ is prepared to invest billions of dollars in renewable energy but the lenders want assurance that there is a solid market.

Accavitti said that the bill has gone through several workgroups that have changed it from its original form. As introduced, it would have required that companies gradually increase their renewable energy usage until 2015, but that requirement has been eliminated.

Although there are several bills in both the House and Senate that address renewable portfolio standards, Accavitti said displayed confidence that the House will ultimately pass “one comprehensive bill.”

The letter noted various reports that showed customers either saving money or power by using the competitive market, and discussed that the customers are learning to take advantage of the benefits of more than one market.

It also said, “Empowered customers have an amazing history of driving the American economy and electricity markets are no different. If given a chance, consumers will demand what they want from the market and the market will respond accordingly.

The topic of markets providing additional power that is not currently available under regulated monopolies was also discussed in the letter.

Citing an example, the letter emphasized that nearly 80 percent of the nation’s wind turbines are located in organized competitive electricity markets, even though only 44 percent of the nation’s wind potential lies in those areas. It also stated, “Generation output at existing power plants is far higher than before the markets opened, providing environmental along with economic benefits by producing more electricity from existing plants.”

The members also admitted the fact that it will take some more time for the competitive markets to fully develop and they urged policy makers to give the markets time to respond to the coming changes.

The former regulators attributed the reasons for a hike in recent electricity rates to increasing fuel costs, rather than the effects of competitive markets, and stated that customers should have a chance to respond to the rise in rates.

Meanwhile, the Customer Choice Coalition released a new proposal for using electric choice, promoting alternative and renewable energy providers. According to the plan, the PSC would be setting targets for power demands and all the providers, including alternatives and conservation plans, would be able to compete to meet that demand.

Adoption of a renewable portfolio standard requiring utilities to purchase renewable power to meet that standard, as long as the cost of that power was no more than three percent greater than the cost of traditional power, was also included in the plan.

The group also discussed the fact that some alternative providers could be less expensive as compared to the increased construction cost of new coal-fired plants proposed by the utilities.

A good example of this fact is that the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) recently installed photovoltaic, or solar, energy systems at its headquarters and training center in Denver, CO. Electricians nationwide are seeking hands-on training opportunities aimed at ensuring that they get a share of the growing number of jobs expected to be generated by the green building boom.

The shift from nonrenewable to renewable energy is unleashing an economic growth pattern that’s going to last for a decade or more. Experts are seeing a current shortage of qualified installers. With the green revolution spreading the industry is experiencing a growth of installations on residential and commercial construction. Helping to boost interest in both home and business installations are utility rebates and federal tax credits that provide an added incentive to the energy cost savings.

Solar and wind power

Solar electric power is an alternative energy source that is cleaner, more reliable, longer lasting and environmentally safer than nuclear and fossil fuels. Photovoltaics (PV) is a technology that converts light directly into electricity. Due to the growing need for solar energy, the manufacture of solar cells and solar photovoltaic array has expanded dramatically in recent years. In fact, photovoltaic production has been doubling every two years, increasing by an average of 48 percent each year since 2002, making it the world’s fastest-growing energy technology. Preliminary data states that cumulative global production was 12,400 megawatts at the end of 2007.

Wind power is the conversion of wind energy into useful form, such as electricity, using wind turbines. In windmills, wind energy is directly used to crush grain or to pump water. Wind power is produced in large scale wind farms connected to electrical grids, as well as in individual turbines for providing electricity to isolated locations. Wind energy is plentiful, renewable, widely distributed, clean, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions when it displaces fossil-fuel-derived electricity. At the end of 2007, worldwide capacity of wind-powered generators was 94.1 gigawatts. By 2010, the World Wind Energy Association expects 160GW of capacity to be installed worldwide, up from 73.9 GW at the end of 2006, implying an anticipated net growth rate of more than 21% per year.

Electricians nationwide are seeing that there is big potential in joining the green revolution, especially as renewable energy captures the commercial building market’s attention. Unions and electrical associations are encouraging workers to take courses on solar installations and wind generators.

April 2008

Since nearly half of the homes in the United States are at least 50 years old, it is logical to concur that so many residential fires occur due to aging wires, connectors and outlets. The wiring systems in older homes simply may not have the ability to keep up with the ever-increasing demands placed on them. The quality and safety of wiring naturally deteriorates over time, causing potential hazards that often go unnoticed or neglected by homeowners or renters.

Because of our ever-improving National Electrical Code, the number of causes of residential fires has been steadily decreasing. Thanks to constant updates to the NEC and tougher electrical inspections, houses being built today won’t have to face the same problems as most of the estimated 100 million existing homes in the United States. However, something must be done to combat the large number of electrical wiring fires in older homes.

TOP 3 RESIDENTIAL WIRE SAFETY ISSUES

1. Overheating
Overheating often occurs when homeowners exceed the maximum wattage rating for residential fixtures. The last major change in residential wiring was in 1985 when the required maximum temperature rating of NM cable was increased to 90°C while keeping the ampacity to 60°C. This has worked very well. Some electricians use a rule of thumb that says 30-year-old wiring should be replaced since it is difficult to predict how badly it may age.

2. Overloading
Homes see greater electrical loads today with the addition of more appliances and the expectation for electrical systems to keep up. Homeowners will often do whatever it takes to get up and running, such as adding more circuits or outlets, putting in larger fuses, or adding circuit breakers to blank spots in electrical panels. Older electrical systems weren’t designed to handle such large loads.

3. Do-it-yourselfers
Homeowners often try to save money by involving themselves in their home wiring systems. What seems like a simple wiring upgrade can be fatal when unskilled people perform installations that do not meet NEC. Do-it-yourselfers and less than skilled electricians can create serious code violations to the point where a lot of the work results in an accident waiting to happen.

TOP 5 RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE NFPA AND UL:

1. Have GFCIs installed as required per Code
   1. Bathrooms
   2. Kitchens
   3. Outdoors/Garage
   4. Unfinished Basements/Crawl Spaces
   5. Laundry and Utility Sinks
2. Replace Old Receptacles
   1. Especially if installed before 1965
   2. Especially if damaged or broken
   3. Especially of low retention force
   4. If no Ground – Install GFCI
3. Install Plug Fuse Adaptors/Proper Size Fuses
4. Use Proper Wiring/Surface Raceway to Add Outlets & Receptacles
   1. Especially before 1960
5. Armored Cable (BX) Before 1960
   1. Probably does not have bonding wire
   2. Consider protecting entire circuit with AFCI or GFCI (GFP)

Approximately 4,000 extension cord related injuries are treated in hospital emergency rooms each year. About half of those are caused by tripping over extension cords and result in fractures, sprains and lacerations. Other accidents are caused by overloaded cords and worn or damaged cords. An estimated thirteen percent of the injuries involve children under the age of five, with half of these being electrical burns to the mouth.

An annual estimate of 3,300 residential fires are caused by extension cords, resulting in 50 deaths another 270 injuries. Follow these tips to reduce the likelihood of fires or other extension cord related injuries.

• Only use extension cords when absolutely necessary.
• Use extension cords on a temporary basis, and unplug them and put them away when you are finished.
• Use specially designed extension cords in tight areas or where furniture may be pushed against a cord where it plugs into an outlet.
• Before using an extension cord outdoors, check the label on the cord to make sure that it indicates that the cord is suitable for outdoor use.
• When using polarized appliances, use polarized extension cords.
• Make sure the prongs are fully inserted in the outlet.
• Do not use extension cords that have been knotted or kinked.
• Use the shortest extension cord possible. A very long cord can overheat, creating a potential fire hazard. Furthermore, electricity traveling through longer cords suffer from elevated resistance levels which can result in compromised amperage levels.
• Replace old extension cords with new #16 gauge cords that have special safety features and the listing of a nationally-recognized testing laboratory.

Always use extension cords safely to avoid hazardous situations. Taking these simple precautions may help you lower your risk of injury or even save your life!

As we anxiously await the release of the 2008 National Electrical Code (NEC) this fall, there are several significant revisions to be considered. The final proposals were approved last month, and perhaps one of the most important amendments we’ll find in the latest version of the NEC is that combination-type arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) will now be required for 120V, 15A and 20A branch circuits in newly-constructed dwellings.

In the wake of this new development, we thought we’d take a closer look at what an AFCI is and how it works. The AFCI is a fairly new electrical device that was designed to protect against fires caused by arcing faults in home electrical wiring. With over 40,000 fires attributed to faulty home electrical wiring annually, there was an obvious need for a device that would prevent unwanted arcing faults, one of the major causes of these fires.

Damaged or deteriorated wires and cords are most often the culprits when fires occur due to arcing faults. When unwanted arcing occurs, the high temperatures generated by the condition can ignite nearby combustibles such as wood, paper, and carpets. Since conventional circuit breakers only respond to overloads and short circuits, they do not protect against arcing conditions that produce erratic current flow. That means there can be trouble and sparking without the regular circuit breaker sensing a problem. AFCIs have the intelligence to distinguish between normal and unwanted arcing conditions and will quickly shut down at the first sign of unwanted arcing that could cause a fire.

According to the 2008 NEC, AFCIs should be installed not only in bedroom circuits, but in all branch circuits in living areas. When upgrading home electrical systems, target the rooms that are the farthest distance away from the circuit breaker panel first, since they are the most susceptible to arcs that can’t be detected by traditional circuit breakers. The idea is to protect rooms that have appliances, lamps, or any other device that might be occasionally or permanently plugged into a wall outlet.

Every AFCI features a test button on the front of the device. AFCIs should be tested after installation to ensure that they are working properly and protecting the circuit. Subsequently, homeowners should test AFCIs once a month to make sure they continue to work properly and provide protection from fires initiated by arcing faults.

Single-pole, 15- and 20-ampere AFCI circuit breakers are presently available at electrical supply houses. AFCIs are about ten times more expensive than regular circuit breakers (about $35 vs. $3.50). However, with the installation of AFCIs now becoming standard, in time they should become more widely available and less expensive.

While it’s always tough to adapt to new changes, the requisition of AFCIs throughout newly constructed dwellings is a huge breakthrough and a welcome addition to the 2008 NEC. This new code will prevent fires and save lives, property, and the environment. In addition, it will present additional business opportunities for electricians, as AFCI troubleshooting will be in high demand.