Manufacturing Buying in: When OEMs expand through acquisition, it can be good for the acquired companies, distributors, and customers—except when it isn’t By Pan Demetrakakes, EA Special CorrespondentMore Than Motors EV-olution: Like it or not, the electric vehicle is poised for a takeover By the Electrical Apparatus staffMarketing Strong impressions: Big Ass Fans owns a striking brand, but how will the company handle its next corporate transition? By Bill O’Leary, EA Managing EditorMotors & Generators Motor voltage: nameplate rating vs. supply — Many factors come into play on the supply side that affect a motor’s efficiency. With trilingual summary. By Richard L. Nailen, EA Engineering EditorAccounting Money for growth: Where to get the funding for expansion, and how to make your company a better credit risk By William H. Wiersema, CPA, EA Contributing EditorSafety & Health OSHA Update: What’s new this year at the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration By Charlie Barks, EA Assistant EditorConventions & Trade Shows
- A “Record-Breaking” AHR 2018: HVACR event marks all-time highs for attendees, exhibits, companies, and countries By Selena Cotte and Matt Raebel
- Bright ideas in Las Vegas: The spotlight was on new technology at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show—until the power went out By Charlie Barks, EA Assistant Editor
Departments and Columns
Editor’s Comment In this issue: Innovation is the life blood of industry …Kevin Jones
Let’s Solve Your Problem In this issue:High versus low motor voltage … Full-load current for motors over 500 hp … Using air safely for cleaning machines … Class numbers for winding supplies … Performance of motors that are said to be duplicates …Edited by the EA staff
Associations, societies & government activities In this issue: A re-energized wind industry to meet in Chicago in May when American Wind Energy Association and Orchid Events LLC present Windpower 2018 … U.S. seen becoming a net energy exporter in report issued by the U.S. Energy Info ask for a national call to action for infrastructure modernization…. Edited by Kevin Jones
Business Briefs In this issue: Solcon USA partners with Premier Automation in newly renamed Solcon Solutions enterprise …A.O. Smith saw record sales in 2017… Emerson sales reflect “favorable global economic conditions” … Houghton International earns utility accreditation….Edited by Kevin Jones
Training briefs In this issue: Maintenance basics workshop being offered by TPC Trainco … Robotics training from ABB … Three-day industrial motors workshop in May from Integrated Power Services and Richard Love Associates Edited by Bill O’Leary
Engineering Education In this issue: Reports from American Society for Engineering Education and the National Science Foundation outline state of education… United Nations asks for more women in STEM Education … Arizona State University offers online degrees for Arab youth, in collaboration with the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation for Education, Knowledge and Human Development Authority … National Academy of Engineering elects 99 new members from Georgia Tech, University of Texas-Austin, Amazon and others .. Edited by Selena Cotte
Know Your Industry In this issue: the Electric Drive Transportation Association is a U.S. trade association that promotes battery, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and fuel cell electric drive technologies and infrastructure….by Charlie Barks
Utilities In this issue: Utility incentives now being extended to pumps. This article includes information about the following utilities and agencies: • Portland General Electric • York Electric Cooperative, Inc., • Mohave Electric Cooperative, • Marshall County REMC, White County REMC • Duke Energy, Baltimore Gas & Electric Co. • PEPCO, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency … Edited by Kevin Jones
Renewable Energy In this issue: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rescinds some Clean Air Act rules … NRG restructuring is moving forward … by the EA staff
Utilities In this issue: Blockchain’s potential for the electric utility industry, featuring Accenture Energy Consumer Services, Grid Singularity, Fortum, Rocky Mountain Institute, Energy Web Foundation, and Innogy. By Kevin Jones
Renewable Energy In this issue: …By Charlie Barks, EA Assistant Editor
Names & faces In this issue: … Edited by Bill O’Leary
Deaths In this issue: … Edited by Josh Hoff
Calendar briefs In every issue and updated on the web. See our online calendar for current offerings.
Puzzle In this issue: … The Editors
Direct and Current In this issue: … The Editors
And, in every issue: Classified Advertising (Equipment, jobs, businesses for sale, business opportunities and services), Advertising Index, and your favorite cartoons, Motorhead and Generatorhead (illustrated by Mark Ziemann) and Cy’s Super Service (illustrated by James Estes)!