Chuck Ross » Electrical

A More Direct Approach

Administrator — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 18:31:49 +0000

With new generation capacity becoming both more difficult to get approved and expensive to finance, electric utilities are looking at more creative strategies for squeezing inefficiency out of customer-side distribution systems. One idea gaining attention—direct current (DC) distribution—actually represents a step backward to practices common during the days of Thomas Edison. However, new standards and products now under development could bring such designs back into a range of commercial facilities. This article ran in the April 2010 issue of Electrical Contractor magazine.
A More Direct Approach

A Smart Start: Metering

Administrator — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 18:14:39 +0000

Large commercial, industrial and institutional building owners have been tracking their energy use for years, knowing that even the smallest efficiency improvements can make a big bottom-line difference in facilities of their scale. Now the same energy auditing and monitoring capabilities are being developed for owners of individual buildings and homes, and these new tools also provide opportunities for electrical contractors seeking to diversify their service offerings during an economic downturn. This feature ran in the April 2010 issue of Electrical Contractor magazine.
A Smart Start: Metering

Onsite Power

Administrator — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 17:59:16 +0000

The next big idea in renewable energy: Small-scale installations producing power that can be used onsite. Building-integrated systems are evolving from promising to practical, and standards developers are creating the necessary specs required for distributing onsite-generated electricity to specific building systems. This article ran in the March 2010 issue of Architectural Products magazine. The link leads to the magazine’s online reading tool – click the “Enlarge” link under each page to display a full-size page.
Onsite Power

It’s a Small, Small World: Microgrids

Administrator — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 18:04:32 +0000

Bringing power to the people could be more than just a 1960’s era goal for social change if promoters of localized electricity distribution systems—called “microgrids”—have their way. Seen as one approach for safely incorporating on-site renewable resources into the larger utility grid, microgrids are gaining new attention among both researchers and marketers. This article ran in the February 2010 issue of Electrical Contractor magazine.
It’s a Small, Small World: Microgrids

Understanding the Unseen

Administrator — Fri, 15 May 2009 13:54:25 +0000

The work electrical contractors do every day poses some obvious, inherent safety risks. After all, few jobs are riskier than those involving live electrical wires. However, electrical contractors also face a number of hidden hazards that, over time, could be every bit as deadly as arcing current. Understanding potential dangers in the environment of a construction site could be as critical to your long-term health as a good pair of insulated work gloves. This article was published originally in the May 2009 issue of Electrical Contractor magazine.
Understanding the Unseen

One Word: Plastics

Administrator — Fri, 15 May 2009 13:50:11 +0000

The presence of wooden electric utility poles is, by now, such a familiar part of the U.S. landscape that many of us barely notice them anymore. For electric utilities, however, those faithful powerline supports can pose numerous problems, so some companies are looking more seriously at a modern-day alternative. Like Benjamin Braddock in the film “The Graduate,” utilities are being urged to consider plastics in their pole-purchasing plans. This article was originally published in the May 2009 issue of Electrical Contractor magazine.
One Word: Plastics

Cooper Crouse-Hinds LED Lighting Video Demo

Administrator — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 17:32:04 +0000

I wrote the script for this video demonstrating product features of a new series of industrial LED lighting developed by Cooper Crouse-Hinds, a major electrical manufacturer. The video was developed by – and is hosted on – Electricsmarts.com.
Cooper Crouse-Hinds Video Demo

Installation Requirements for IBC Compliant Generator Sets

Administrator — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 18:06:40 +0000

I ghost-wrote this technical white paper for Cummins Power Generation, a major manufacturer of industrial-size electrical-generating equipment. The assignment involved working in close collaboration with the credited engineer, along with researching the topic and revising over a series of review cycles that included the client’s public relations agency. It was published in full in the December 2008 issue of Consulting-Specifying Engineer magazine.

Installation Requirements for IBC Compliant Gensets

On-Site Power

Administrator — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 17:56:03 +0000

I served as editor for four editions of this annual supplement to Consulting-Specifying Engineer, sponsored by the Electrical Generating System Association. My responsibilities included article soliciting, setting contributor deadlines, article editing and working with the in-house designer to select cover photos and other artwork.

Bridgeport Raintight Fittings Demo Video

Administrator — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 17:23:31 +0000

I wrote the script for this product video demonstration, hosted on Electricsmarts.com, a developer of electrical-product videos. Videos are directed to both contractors and the distributors those contractors count on for advice.
Bridgeport Raintight Fittings Video Demo