Intelligent Power Today Magazine

News and Trends

Counterfeiting Kills

Each year, the counterfeiting of well-known brands and products continues to rise, creating an even more threatening problem. Such well-known counterfeited brands, including consumer safety and critical electrical products, are estimated to be five to seven percent of world trade. The International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition (IACC) estimates that the counterfeiting of distinguished brands costs industries $600 billion each year worldwide and may result in as many as 750,000 lost jobs every year in the United States.

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Buyer's Guide

News & Trends

2024 CE Code Training - Better Understanding of the Rules

CE Code training is intended to do a lot more than instruct about what changes have taken place since the last time Canada issued a national electrical code. We are producing a series of courses across Canada by one of Canada’s leading experts on the 2024 Edition of Canada’s Electrical...

Featured

Advanced protection against electromagnetic exposures and electric arc

HAZARDS AROUND While working live in the energized grid, presence of voltage around the workers requires special attention. However, live-line (live working) techniques are widely applied for decades, several accidents in the past prove that the level of safety must be improved to minimize...

State of Industry

Illuminating Decisions: EPRI Lights the Way for Modern Lighting Adoption

Facility managers and operators understand the critical role lighting plays in their daily operations. Accounting for roughly 30% of a commercial building's energy load, lighting significantly impacts energy consumption and associated maintenance costs. However, focusing solely on the...

Building Automation Training

Life Safety & Security Systems: Balancing Sensitivity for Optimal Safety

Life Safety & Security Systems: Balancing Sensitivity for Optimal Safety

Automated life safety systems, seamlessly integrated within a building automation system (BAS), promise vast improvements in emergency detection and response. However, achieving optimal safety depends on striking the right balance of sensitivity within these systems. An overly sensitive system risks flooding operators with a barrage of false alarms, potentially leading to complacency and a dangerous "cry wolf" scenario where genuine incidents go unnoticed. On the other hand, an under-tuned system may fail to detect genuine threats in a timely manner, jeopardizing occupant safety and hindering effective emergency response. This article dives into strategies for finding the ideal level of sensitivity and best practices for maximizing the effectiveness of automated life safety systems within a BAS.

The Cost of False Alarms

Frequent false alarms generated by automated life safety systems have several detrimental effects. A persistent stream of false positives can desensitize...

Communications

Building Automation Systems and Occupant Experience

Modern buildings are increasingly focusing on occupant well-being, recognizing the link between a comfortable environment and occupant satisfaction, productivity, and overall health. Building Automation Systems (BAS) play a crucial role in achieving this goal, offering a range of features that...

Energy

Powering Efficiency: BAS and the Pursuit of Sustainable Buildings

Building Automation Systems (BAS) have revolutionized how buildings operate, transforming them from static structures into dynamic environments that can adapt to changing needs. One of the most compelling applications of BAS lies in its ability to optimize energy consumption, contributing...

HVAC

Legacy Systems: Strategies for Integrating Outdated HVAC Equipment into Modern BAS

Building automation offers powerful tools for streamlining HVAC operations, optimizing efficiency, and improving comfort. However, a significant challenge arises when dealing with legacy systems - older HVAC equipment from various generations that might lack the native compatibility necessary for...