INFO NO. 3
From the editor Remembering the Blackout of 2003 ▼ <strong>September</strong> 2006 // Volume 42 // Issue 8 ELECTRICAL BUSINESS is the magazine of the Canadian electrical industry. It reports on the news and publishes articles in a manner that is informative, knowledgeable and constructive. Editor Anthony Capkun - acapkun@clbmedia.ca Publisher Bill Begin - bbegin@clbmedia.ca EB Editorial Advisory Board Ron Bergeron • Maureen Bzowy • Debbie DeCaire Pierre Dowd • Erhard Hermann • Tim Jones Ted Olechna • Stephen Tatrallyay Art Director Svetlana Avrutin - savrutin@clbmedia.ca Production Manager Robert Russell - rrussell@clbmedia.ca Creative Director Einar Rice - erice@clbmedia.ca Manager, Production Lisa Drummond - ldrummond@clbmedia.ca S hortly before 4:11 p.m. on August 14, 2003, a series of power surges over a 12-second period triggered a cascade of shutdowns at more than 100 generating plants throughout Ontario and eight American states. The result was the biggest blackout in North American history: 61,800MW of power were lost to over 50 million people. Although three years have passed, many Ontarians won’t soon forget that day: the line-ups for gas, spending the evening by candlelight, or stocking up on water because you live above the third floor and there’s nothing to power the pumps that deliver tapwater to you. The situation took a short while to sort itself out but, despite calls for restraint (especially where water usage was concerned), some people still ignored the gravity of the situation: like the guy I saw washing his car and hosing it down just a day after the blackout. Thankfully, most people took notice, which is why “The Culture of Conservation” is so popular these days, especially with Ontario’s current provincial government. (These are the same folks who regularly warn us that we don’t have enough electricity and our comfortable livelihood is hanging by a thread, then shut down an important coal-fired generating station because they said they would... but I digress.) The important thing to remember in all this is that, for a long time, the fine notion of conserving energy and using energy-efficient products was just that—a fine notion—so most people didn’t pay it much mind. These days they do, and they’re willing to pay for it, and it goes beyond just installing a few CFLs. Consumers desire all kinds of products and systems that will help them save energy and, by extension, the environment. The three “Rs” of recycling were unheard of a generation ago, but now they’re commonplace. It’s the same with energy conservation: while some folks will never change their habits (like the guy washing his car), succeeding generations overwhelmingly will, and they’ll need experienced, savvy professionals to help them navigate the maze of energy conservation truths and propaganda. Strive to be one of them. Subscriber Customer Service Representative Kristen Schulz - kschulz@clbmedia.ca 240 Edward Street, Aurora, ON L4G 3S9 Tel: 905-727-0077 Fax: 905-727-0017 President Stuart Morrison Vice President, Media, Publishing Niel Hiscox Vice President, Finance/Corporate Development Kent Milford Vice President, Human Resources Susan Bishop Vice President, IT and Operations David Overall Director, Sales and Marketing Frank Shoniker Director, Editorial and Production Jackie Roth Director, Circulation James Zammit Director, Facility Management and Logistics Steve Dale Director, Human Resources Denise Desrosiers Director, IT Michael Cunningham Member, CLB Media Management Committee Nigel Bishop SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Canada: Single issue $7.00 • Ten issues: $35.00 (including tax) USA: $59.00 (US) and International: $75.00 (US) per year United States Second Class Postage Paid at Lewiston, NY (USPS-741-470) US POSTMASTER: send address changes to ELECTRICAL BUSINESS, P.O. Box 8145, Lewiston, NY 14092 The contents of <strong>Electrical</strong> <strong>Business</strong> are copyright by ©2006 CLB Media Inc. and may not be reproduced in whole or part without written consent. CLB Media Inc. disclaims any warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or currency of the contents of this publication and disclaims all liability in respect of the results of any action taken or not taken in reliance upon information in this publication. REPRINTS: Contact The Reprint Outsource at (877) 394-7350. PAP Registration No. 10774 Send address changes to: ELECTRICAL BUSINESS 240 Edward Street, Aurora, ON L4G 3S9 Return Postage Guaranteed Canada Post - Canadian Publications Mail Sales Products Agreement 40063602 ISSN 0013-4244 Printed in Canada Photo taken in co-operation with the folks at Digital Electric Inc. Photo by Paul Wright. FEATURES 8 <strong>Electrical</strong> schooling across Canada Check out the latest offerings in electrical courses/ programs from academic institutions across Canada, including a much-expanded Quebec section. 12 Calculating the ROI on training Most businesses view expenditures of any kind from a very simple perspective: What is our return on investment (ROI) As such, is it even possible to calculate the ROI on something as intangible as training You’d be surprised. 24 EB’s hand tool extravaganza One thing hasn’t changed since ancient man first learned to make tools: we need all kinds of instruments and implements to help us get the job done. The products featured in EB’s hand tool round-up will help you do just that. REGIONAL FOCUS 20 Atlantic Focus EB brings you power news from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia involving the tide and other renewable energy sources, as well as an update on N.B.’s existing homes energy efficiency upgrades program. ON THE COVER CONTENTS 14 The complex world of apprenticeship Everyone agrees we need to train the next generation of electrical professionals, but with government-mandated ratios and conflicting employer/employee attitudes getting in the way, who’s willing DEPARTMENTS 4 Industry News 5 Personalities 13 From the Legal Desk Are ‘pay-when-paid’ clauses valid 16 Meet the Players Magna Electric’s Kerry Heid 17 Calendar 22 Trucks for the Trade Follow-up to WeatherGuard Vehicle Solutions 30 Products 32 Library 33 Marketplace 34 Code File Wiring methods for non-metallic sheathed cable 34 Code Conundrum NEW! page 16 www. mag.com • SEPTEMBER 2006 • 3