The electrical industry recently recognised the outstanding skills of six contracting firms at the 2007 NECA ACT Excellence Awards held at the Hyatt in September. [ + ]

Swiss copper and fibre-optic cabling solutions manufacturer Reichle & De-Massari (R&M) has expanded into Australaisia with a Sydney-based team to cover Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. R&M is a provider of cabling systems and components for commercial enterprises, governments and homes. [ + ]

Scientists at Durham University in the UK are researching cheaper ways of harnessing the sun to increase the economic viability of solar energy and reduce reliance on fossil fuel energy. [ + ]

Fujitsu has secured a US$1.5 billion contract from Flag Telecom, owned by India's Reliance Communications, to lay 50,000 km of its global IP network expansion. [ + ]

A recent report from Total Environment Centre (TEC) claims that a roll-out of ‘smart’ electricity meters could save 19.4 million tonnes of greenhouse emissions. TEC is a resource and support base for environmentalists that lobbies and campaigns local, state and federal government to protect the local environment. [ + ]

According to a recent report by US researcher Global Industry Analysts Inc, the worldwide lighting industry for industrial, commercial, residential and public lighting will exceed US$94 billion by 2010. [ + ]

Powercor Australia was a recent Victorian winner of the ‘Minister’s Awards for Excellence for Employers of Australian Apprentices’. The awards recognise employers who demonstrate commitment, innovation and outstanding achievement in the training of Australian apprentices. Australian Apprenticeships are an Australian government initiative. [ + ]

An employer has been convicted and charged $300,000 for an employee who died while changing a light bulb. [ + ]

UK company Thorn Lighting is leading a project to develop organic light-emitting diode (OLED) materials and efficient device structures for large area lighting applications. [ + ]

The South Australia NECA Excellence Awards and Apprentice Awards were held at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Friday 24 August, with ten of the state's leading contractors and three top electrical and communications apprentices recognised for their outstanding achievements. The Leader of the Opposition, Martin Hamilton-Smith MP, set the tone at the event with his ideas about making it easier for businesses to develop, succeed and achieve excellence. [ + ]

According to a recent Standards Australia media release, the new edition of the AS/NZS 3000 Wiring Rules is expected to be released in the final quarter of 2007. [ + ]

The Universal Powerline Association (UPA), an international organisation focused on global standards for high-speed Powerline applications, recently hosted its fourth UPA Plug Test event in the UK for new multimedia Powerline products. [ + ]

T5 fluorescent technology has become the designer's choice for general office lighting where energy efficiency, light control and aesthetics are important. [ + ]

Standards Australia announced new rules relating to the installation of thermal insulation and halogen downlights which should help reduce the incidence of house fires. [ + ]

WorkSafe has issued a reminder to workplaces that residual current devices (RCDs) need to be fitted to electrical circuits wherever hand-held electrical tools are to be used. [ + ]