Every day, thousands of electrical workers across the country begin their day with a job briefing. In theory, these briefings represent a critical safety checkpoint, a moment for crews to pause, assess hazards, and plan their work before beginning hazardous tasks. In practice, many job briefings have become something far less valuable: a paperwork exercise. The evolution of job briefings …
I sat down for my NETA Level 4 exam and immediately realized I was in trouble. The first question, I didn’t know the answer. The second, totally clueless. After working through nearly twenty questions, I finally found one I could confidently answer. That is not a great feeling when you are supposed to be operating at the highest level in …
The energy sector has entered an era defined by speed, scale, and continuous delivery. Data centers, renewables, and grid modernization programs demand faster project cycles and higher utilization of field resources. In response, business models have shifted toward volume-driven delivery, aggressive schedules, and increasingly distributed responsibility. However, many project management practices—particularly those governing field execution—remain rooted in legacy delivery models …
The rapid expansion of AI-driven data center construction has introduced new challenges to an already demanding electrical testing and commissioning industry. Data centers are being built at an unprecedented speed and scale, driven by the growth of artificial intelligence workloads, cloud computing, and global demand for uninterrupted digital services. Accelerated schedules, dense electrical infrastructure, and heightened performance expectations now place …
It is often observed that discontinuities exist between factory acceptance and field commissioning tests of power transformers. Ideally, the two test sessions are well-coordinated, allowing measurements captured at the transformer manufacturer to be easily replicated once the transformer is prepared for service. No two transformers are identical, and if segments of a transformer’s history are unavailable, those responsible cannot make …
With electromechanical and solid-state protective relays now obsolete and nearing the end of life, upgrading to microprocessor counterparts is paramount for the reliability of power systems. Microprocessor relays provide advanced communication, monitoring, and automation capabilities along with all basic protection and control platforms. Raising awareness among customers about the importance of a relay upgrade is vital in the overall contribution …
Medium- and high-voltage cables are among the most vital electrical assets in modern power systems, delivering electricity to millions of households year-round. Yet, when it comes to diagnostic testing during commissioning or maintenance, many cables remain untouched with modern diagnostic tools.[1] Dielectric frequency response (DFR), a well-known diagnostic technique in the transformer and oil-filled cable industries, measures dielectric losses …
The bolted pressure switch (BPS) once occupied a central role in 480-V distribution systems across industrial, commercial, and institutional facilities. Known for its rugged construction and ability to withstand high fault currents, the BPS was a workhorse of mid-20th-century, low-voltage power distribution. By using spring-driven mechanical force to bolt contacts together, the BPS ensured a low-impedance path for current flow, …
The electric power sector’s workforce is older than that of most industries and is grappling with a crisis that has been building for over a decade and has now reached a critical point. UNFOLDING CRISIS IN THE ENERGY WORKFORCE An aging workforce, combined with surging energy demand driven by EV charging infrastructure, massive data center growth, the expansion of renewable …
Many companies in our industry are struggling with staffing projects that require qualified workers to meet industry needs as well as individual company growth initiatives. Let’s first explore why it seems more difficult to find employees to execute our projects, then dive into the process necessary to develop those employees into qualified workers. Statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor …