Data centre managers plan to increase technology spend, says survey
A recent survey of data centre managers in Australia identifies a focus on investing in ‘green’ infrastructure. Read more »
Master Builders Association recognises registered trades
Master Builders Association of Victoria announced a new category of membership for properly qualified trades associated with the construction industry. Read more »
More house fires mean more safety checks needed
Peak electrical industry body NECA is urging residents to undertake four simple steps to help make their homes safe after a recent spate of house fires. Read more »
Conduit developments in hazardous areas
New developments in metallic and nonmetallic conduits provide cost-effective alternatives for installing electrical and communications cabling in hazardous areas. Read more »
The three ‘easies’ of home automation
While we all have our opinions on what’s driving or holding back the uptake of home automation, I’ve personally reached the conclusion that the real ‘gatekeepers’ of the rate of adoption of home automation are electrical contractors. That statement might ‘ruffle a few feathers’, but I’ve drawn that conclusion from lots of market analysis, speaking with home owners, builders, developers, real estate agents, integrators and equipment suppliers. If you’re an electrical contractor, I believe the future of home automation is in your hands. So what’s holding you back? Read more »
Basic building and business initiatives that can cut emissions
Numerous reports from around the world indicate that around 40% of the world’s energy is used in buildings, so taking the lead in energy efficiency in buildings is a key area to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This therefore, represents tremendous opportunities for the electrical industry to assist in reducing emissions, as well as operating costs, for their clients. Read more »
Switches and GPOs don’t have to be so bland
Not long after I first arrived here in Australia, I met an architect who told me that he didn’t want light switches to be visible in homes. When I asked him why, he simply said: “Because they’re ugly.” I suspect such an attitude is not uncommon amongst many architects, and even some home owners, given the universal use of basic white switch plates and GPOs in this country. Read more »
Is power protection costing more than it should?
All electronics in an organisation - from desktops to data centres - require continuous, clean power. Anything less puts businesses at risk of data corruption, equipment damage and unplanned downtime. Most organisations meet this requirement by having a central UPS that serves an entire building/data centre, or distributed UPSs placed closer to the equipment being protected, or both. Read more »
Skills shortages loom large as risk to growth
A recent survey of 400 CEOs of Australian companies has identified skills shortages as a major challenge facing business. Read more »
Energy-efficiency disclosure now compulsory
New legislation requiring the disclosure of buildings’ energy ratings means the electrical industry will play an even more important role on the performance of buildings. Read more »
Standards for the Australian smart grid
Standards Australia provides an update on its activities in the continuing development of smart grid standards for Australia. Read more »
Electric utilities must embrace clean energy and energy efficiency to compete, says report
A recent US report states that important factors such as climate change, emerging renewable technologies, carbon costs and volatile fossil-fuel prices are the driving forces behind new business models in the electrical industry in the 21st century. Read more »
Apprenticeship flexibility will help with skill shortages
NECA has been instrumental in a Fair Work Australia decision to enable NSW businesses to continue to choose between two types of apprenticeships in the electrical industry. Read more »
NECA calls on government to release safety inspection figures
NECA has called on the government to release details on the insulation installation safety inspection figures or to inspect all of the installations in the country. Read more »
Energy management to reduce costs
Improving the energy efficiencies of industrial plants can be enhanced through proper monitoring of the energy consumed by plant and equipment. Read more »
Think safety when selecting a multimeter
Would you use the nearest handheld multimeter to measure mains voltage or some other high-energy source? Absolutely not! Just as different types of helmets are designed to protect against rockclimbing, bicycle and motorcycle accidents; different multimeters are designed with different levels of protection against common electrical hazards. For your own safety - and for the safety of others nearby - choose the right multimeter that’s designed to protect against specific hazards that will be encountered. Read more »
Can NBN Co avoid another ‘insulation installation’ debacle?
The National Broadband Network is currently the largest infrastructure project within Australia, promising to elevate our nation’s communication capabilities to world-class levels. The problem is we lack the skills necessary to deliver it. Without the appropriate groundwork right now to build skill levels, there is a very real risk of this government initiative turning into an embarrassing debacle. Read more »
Pitfalls to avoid when implementing an IP network surveillance system
Structured cabling systems have become ubiquitous in commercial and industrial buildings and facilities around the world in recent decades. At the same time, Internet Protocol has become the norm for communicating over this infrastructure. While their fundamental applications were initially for voice and data systems, many other building services applications, such as video surveillance, are emerging on these platforms to take advantage of their simplicity to deploy and operationally integrate. Read more »
Swiss cheese and downlights - more in common than you think ...
It’s hard to imagine the terms ‘Swiss cheese’ and ‘halogen downlights’ being used coherently in the same sentence - ordinarily the two have nothing in common with each other. But the subject of this article makes an exception. The common practice of mass installations of halogen downlights in homes and businesses is effectively turning ceilings into ‘Swiss cheese’. Read more »
Can Australia achieve 100% renewable energy by 2020?
The Zero Carbon Australia 2020 Project is a detailed and costed blueprint for a transition to a zero-emissions economy in 10 years using proven, commercialised technology. Its purpose is to show the Australian public and decision-makers that reaching a zero-emissions economy is ready to be implemented and only awaits government sign-off. It aims to initiate urgent efforts to mitigate the risks posed by global warming and to describe the infrastructure and resources required to reduce Australia’s carbon emissions to zero in the medium term. Read more »