ATS Electric, Inc. - Electrical Contractor & Electrical Service - Electricians

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We were recently e-mailed a set of preliminary plans for a rather large remodel of an office/production facility for which our client needed a budget proposal right away. Providing budgets for projects before the electrical system is designed is one of our specialties. We work with many clients, architects and engineers from the beginning of the project development process to ensure that the end user gets the best value for their investment and projects stay within budget. Over the years, we have taken information from our estimating system and developed an extensive unit-price spreadsheet for this purpose.

In this instance, our estimating department was able to evaluate the plan and return a detailed budget back to our client within 30 minutes, alleviating a great deal of stress from them. Our track record shows that our accuracy and ability to actually build these types of projects within these original budgets, after the final design is completed, is well over 95%. Our clients depend on our many years of experience to help them through this process and help them look even more professional to their clients.

On the summertime Alaska fishing trip that I wrote about in a previous issue, there was a particular day that I learned some lessons that are very valuable in these times of economic stress. One day, we headed out into the open ocean to get to an island to fill out our limit on halibut. We were in a 25-ft. boat, with swells topping out over 15 feet. Most of the time the only thing visible was the wall of ocean water surrounding our boat, which was pretty unnerving for someone not experienced at ocean fishing. We rarely had a clear view of our destination, even though it was a large island right in front of us. We also could only see our sister boat about every third time we crested a swell, even though she was only a hundred yards off of our port side.

Whether you are a business owner or employee, the swells of our current times can block your view of your final destination. This is a time to further develop your vision of your future so that it is clear in your mind, and you can stay on course even if all you can actually see around you is danger.

Also, even if you can't readily recognize it, you are not alone. There are some in the same position and others who have been through it before. Seek out a trusted confidant or mentor to share your concerns with during these difficult times and they can help you stay the course toward your goals. Thanks go out to my friends at ESSCO Wholesale Electric for sponsoring such a wonderful and perspective-building experience.

-- Rob Sutton, President

The 1999 electrical code was the first to require arc fault circuit-interrupting devices for bedrooms of new homes. These special breakers monitor the circuit running in your walls, and they trip if any electrical arc forms that lasts longer than .13 seconds, thus protecting sleeping residents from fire hazards.

The new 2008 code, which will be adopted by cities shortly, require that these breakers be on all circuits in homes that are not already protected by a ground fault circuit-interrupting device, such as kitchen, bathroom and outside receptacles that are designed to protect homeowners form shock hazards. The new code will also require these breakers to not only protect the circuit to the receptacles, but also any device or appliance plugged in to the receptacles.

What will this mean for you? If you buy a home built under the new code next year, you may have a fan or other motorized appliance that seems to function just fine, but continually trips a breaker. This is a sign that an arc is forming in the appliance that could be dangerous, and the appliance should be replaced, as 50% of all house fires start, not in the main wiring but in devices and appliances plugged into the wiring.

Dave,

Your guys did a fantastic and safe job on the nighttime shutdown and modification of the main electrical equipment at Apria Healthcare. Awesome job!

Paul Jackson
Safety Director
Layton Interiors and Healthcare Division