As I mentioned in a previous post, if recent trends continue this could end up being a lousy Christmas shopping season. Data released over the past two days make this outlook even more likely and point to the increased likelihood of further retrenchment in consumer spending during the fourth quarter. According to yesterday's GDP release, consumer spending fell at the…
Daylight savings time ends this weekend, so while you change your clocks to enjoy an extra hour of sleep, make sure that you also change the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms. Regular testing of these important life safety devices is recommended by the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA). Most alarms installed today have a life span of…
The complexity of financial instruments (credit default swaps, commercial paper, etc.) makes understanding the current economic situation very difficult for all but the most highly-versed financial professional. However, the sheer size and scope of the global banking industry contribute to the inability in appreciating the consequences of the ongoing credit crisis. During the second quarter of 2008, data from the…
Recently, the Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI) released an article announcing the publication of a white paper prepared by its SEMI PV Group. This group supports SEMI members "serving the crystalline and thin film photovoltaic (PV) supply chains." In describing the "Perfect Industry," the paper rightly looks to standards (along with materials and process innovation and productivity improvements) as…
Since April 22, 2008, the Department of Energy (DOE) has been working in concert with the Department of Defense (DOD) on "Operation Change Out." This joint effort aims to replace standard incandescent lamps in military housing with compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). Just last week, some of the results have been released, and thus far 359,268 CFLs have been repleaced in…
Despite my already having undergone several parathyroid gland tests, the endocrinologist still couldnt figure out why the calcium levels in my blood are high, so she told me it was time for an MRI scan I hope you arent claustrophobic. Well, its not every day that you get to be a crash test dummy for a NEMA product …
On October 23, 2008, NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association) hosted a U.S. Department of Energy E-Forum on Smart Grid. The title of the E-Forum was Smart Grid What is the Value Proposition for Consumers? I had the opportunity to attend this excellent web-based seminar. The meeting announcement and the seminar presentations can be viewed from the Smart Grid page…
It was only a few months ago analysts were talking about the possibility of $200/barrel crude oil and $5 to $6/gallon gasoline. Oh, how things have changed in such a short amount of time. Expectations for global demand across the entire complex of commodities have been ratcheted down significantly in response to the credit market crisis and the very real…
Interestingly enough, we all tend to put things off until the last minute. Individuals do this, companies do this and even nations do this.There are two CANENA developed standards that have been published for more than 18 months. To date however, no products have been evaluated to these new standards.Those companies that presently manufacture certain Industrial Control Equipment to UL…
In the recent ElectroIndustry article [September 2008 Issue, "International Standards: A Look Back to the Future"] there is a highlight of an important distinction between GFCIs and RCDs. However the explanation – "…each technology can ultimately comply with the basic requirements in both North American and IEC product standards,…" – is not entirely accurate. Sticking with the basic differential current…