Table of contents September 2020
FEATURED ARTICLES
Fast Forward
10 Becoming a cyborg
In labor-intensive jobs, robotic arms and systems are only one solution for worker relief. Robotic wear is the next frontier.
By Selena Cotte, EA Managing Editor
Pump It Up
14 Smart water management
With pumps having been improved nearly to their limit, pump manufacturers and users are looking to water systems for further efficiency gains
By Kevin Jones, EA Senior Editor
Motors & Generators
16 What makes a ‘new’ motor new?
It usually comes down to a revamped product line or an innovative material or operating principle
By Richard L. Nailen, EA Engineering Editor
A look at the many factors that determine the length of a winding insulation’s life
With trilingual summary
By Richard L. Nailen, EA Engineering Editor
New Products
20 This fall’s innovative products
A roundup of what’s new in the marketplace
By the Electrical Apparatus staff
Say It Right
25 Say what you mean
Why motor specification writers need to familiarize themselves with standard terminology
By Richard L. Nailen, EA Engineering Editor
Automation
27 The robotic arms race
As activity in the fast-expanding robotics space accelerates, various players are scrambling to seize control of the soon-tobe aftermarket
By David Miller, EA Associate Editor
More Than Accounting
39 Business recovery from Covid-19
Some sectors have done well during the crisis, while others face an uncertain future
By William H. Wiersema, CPA, EA Contributing Editor
Plant Life
42 The age of customization
Customers expect to make choices about what they buy, and manufacturers have more ways than ever to accommodate them
By Selena Cotte, EA Managing Editor
DEPARTMENTS
04 The editor’s comment
Creativity counts in science, too
Questions about motor starting, testing, and operating conditions
06 Business
Acquisitions for Pittsburgh Electrical Insulation, Motion Industries
08 Associations, societies & government activities
Associations are offering extensive Covid-19 resources
12 Speaking of . . .
Corpus Christi agrees to clean up its water act
13 Calendar
Virtual events on energy, manufacturing, and robotics
18 OEMs on the move
Tiny homes in Colorado, and an Irish plant faces backlash
19 In case you missed it
Recent developments in right to repair, 3D printing, and more
24 Training & education
4-H leads in teaching kids the electrical basics
43 Clean power
Data management plays a growing role in renewable profitability
44 Utilities
Distributed energy storage is among the top utility trends
45 Names & faces
Changes in the ranks of El Paso Electric and Maritime Electric
46 Know your industry
NIBS is a government liaison for the building sciences
47 Classified advertising
Your monthly marketplace for equipment, businesses, and more
47 Cy’s Super Service
The electrical service industry’s most prominent curmudgeon
49 EA puzzle
A crossword puzzle based on EA’s July and August issues
51 Moe, Genny & friends
The surreal world of an anthropomorphized motor and generator
52 Direct & current
Renewables gain traction, and Warren Buffett buys an energy stake
52 Advertising index
Who’s who—and who’s where—in this issue of Electrical Apparatus
