The push for ‘greener’ electricity through more sophisticated electrical technologies has, in many cases, increased the negative consequences of harmonics on our electrical infrastructure. Electronic ballasts for lighting, switchmode power supplies for PCs and variable speed drives for motor controls are becoming ubiquitous in our homes and workplace. But while they’re improving our energy efficiency, they’re also making the electricity supply dirty.

In today’s economy, many look at the bottom line more than usual and don’t do anything unless it’s mission critical. When we cut costs, we also decrease expenses, but to what end? Training seems to be one of the first things companies eliminate without thinking about the outcome. But why is training and development so important? Why can’t people learn the way that many of us did - by the school of hard knocks?

The 2007 Wiring Rules introduced a number of installation directives for halogen downlights because of the high incidence of fires directly attributable to the extreme heat output from them igniting nearby combustible materials. One of these directives is to leave considerable clearance around them from all materials, including insulation. But this introduces the problem of potentially compromising a home’s thermal efficiency. How do electrical contractors deal with this conundrum?

There are literally hundreds of power quality measurements that can be taken on electrical systems and equipment. Predictive maintenance measurements and power consumption measurements can help electrical contractors uncover hidden costs for their end-user customers, protect their equipment from damaging conditions, reduce their unscheduled downtime and improve the system’s overall performance.

Technology developed by CSIRO has the potential to help building owners worldwide dramatically reduce their energy consumption and costs, improve tenant comfort and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Under OHS legislation, employers have a statutory duty to secure the health, safety and welfare of employees and third persons working at or near their workplace.

Homewares retailer IKEA decided to ‘fraction-monitor’ power consumption in all of its stores globally to reduce its carbon footprint and future-proof its Australian stores from the impending Emission Trading Scheme requirements. To do this, IKEA selected Schneider Electric Compact NSX circuit breakers to replace the existing breakers in every store across Australia, starting with the IKEA Richmond store in Victoria.

Following the release of the federal government's 'Keep Australia Working' report, NECA has voiced its support for the government's views and objectives.

The implications of the Fair Work Act on contractor relationships.

A large Swiss merchant bank and global wealth-management company relocated its Australian head office into Chifley Tower in the Sydney CBD as part of an expansion program of its Australian financial and investment services and to meet the growing demand for their expertise in the region. Incorporated in the move was a significant upgrade to its IT infrastructure.

Part 1 - Defining independent contractor relationships. The use of independent contractors is a common business practice around the country, often perceived as a flexible and low-risk alternative to engaging employees. But many of the obligations and duties owed to employees under Industrial Relations and OHS legislation extend to independent contractors as well.

Philips called for action at the global climate change forum to ensure that renovation of existing infrastructure and buildings in cities is accelerated in the battle against climate change.

The challenges confronting the IT infrastructure industry, brought on by the current economical climate, require a fresh approach to successfully deal with them.

Research from a university in the United States has identified a means to extract electricity from trees that could be put to good use in a number of applications in the future.

World-leading and four-time-Academy-Award-winning visual effects company Weta Digital, based in Wellington, New Zealand, provides full digital production services for feature films from all over the world.