At some point transformation of electric energy from distribution voltage to utilization voltage must occur — either proximate to structures on the exterior (where they can present an eyesore to ambience and ‘campus feeling’) or within a building if the architect will design an interior space where switchgear can be operated safely.
Since 1993 we have advocated safety and sustainability of either type of installation in the National Electrical Code. Today we review relevant code requirements respecting relatively new requirements for the education industry’s green agenda.
Graph Neural Networks 2023: (“Boosting short-term electric load forecasting”) introduced visibility graph neural networks for forecasting in high-voltage/medium-voltage substations. This approach uses graph theory to model complex grid interactions, improving accuracy over traditional methods.
Ahead of the April close date for comments on the Second Draft of the 2026 revision of the NEC we examine thought trends on the following:
How does “high voltage” differ among electrotechnology professionals? Signaling and control systems workers have a much lower criteria than a merchant utility lineman than a campus bulk distribution engineer. In other words, “high voltage” is generally understood in practice and essential for worker safety. Labeling counts.
What is the origin of the apparent “confusion’ about high voltage in the IEEE, IEC, NFPA and TIA electrical safety catalogs? Is the distinction functionally acceptable — i.e. a term of art understood well enough in practice?
How can the 2026 NEC be improved for engineers, electricians and inspectors? There has been some considerable re-organization of low, medium and high voltage concepts in the 2023. It usually takes at least two NEC revision cycles for workable code to stabilize. Since education communities purchase and distribute higher voltage power on large campuses; how can power purchasing and customer distribution system best practice be improved?
Standards Michigan, spun-off in 2016 from the original University of Michigan Business & Finance Operation, has peppered NFPA 70 technical committees writing the 2016-2026 National Electric Code with proposals to reduce the size of building premise feeder infrastructure; accommodating the improvements made in illumination and rotating machinery energy conservation since the 1980’s (variable frequency drives, LED lighting, controls, etc.)
These proposals are routinely voted down in 12-20 member committees representing manufacturers (primarily) though local inspection authorities are complicit in overbuilding electric services because they “bill by the service panel ampere rating”. In other words, when a municipality can charge a higher inspection fee for a 1200 ampere panel, what incentive is there to support changes to the NEC that takes that inspection fee down to 400 amperes?
The energy conservation that would result from the acceptance of our proposals into the NEC are related to the following: reduced step down transformer sizes, reduced wire and conduit sizes, reduced panelboard sizes, reduced electric room cooling systems — including the HVAC cooling systems and the ceiling plenum sheet metal carrying the waste heat away. Up to 20 percent energy savings is in play here and all the experts around the table know it. So much for the economic footprint of the largest non-residential building construction market in the United States — about $120 billion annually.
The market incumbents are complicit in ignoring energy conservation opportunity. To paraphrase one of Mike Anthony’s colleagues representing electrical equipment manufacturers:
“You’re right Mike, but I am getting paid to vote against you.”
For decades, application of National Electrical Code (NEC) rules for sizing services, feeders and branch circuits has resulted in unused capacity in almost all occupancy classes. US Department of Energy data compiled in 1999 indicates average load on building transformers between 10 and 25 percent. More recent data gathered by the educational facilities industry has verified this claim. Recognizing that aggressive energy codes are driving energy consumption lower, and that larger than necessary transformers create larger than necessary flash hazard, the 2014 NEC will provide an exception in Section 220.12 that will permit designers to reduce transformer kVA ratings and all related components of the power delivery system. This is a conservative, incremental step in the direction of reduced load density that is limited to lighting systems. More study of feeder and branch circuit loading is necessary to inform discussion about circuit design methods in future revisions of the NEC.
Ernest Renan (1823-1892) was a French philosopher, historian, and scholar of religion. He is best known for his work on nationalism and the relationship between language, culture, and identity. The language of technology– and the catalog of codes, standards, guidelines, recommended practices and government regulations rest upon a common understanding of how things can and should work separately. The essay is widely cited:
In our domain we routinely see technical agreement and disagreement among stakeholders resolved, or left unresolved because of definitions — even when discussion is conducted in English. We keep the topic of language (Tamil (மொழி) — since it is one of the most widely spoken languages on earth) on our aperiodic Language colloquia. See our CALENDAR for the next online meeting; open to everyone.
English and French are the two most prominent diplomatic languages, especially in historical and international contexts. They have long been the primary languages of diplomacy due to their widespread use in international organizations and historical influence.
English: Dominates in modern diplomacy, international law, and global organizations. It is the working language in many international forums, including the United Nations, NATO, and the Commonwealth of Nations.
French: Traditionally known as the “language of diplomacy,” French was the dominant diplomatic language until the 20th century. It remains a significant language in international relations, particularly within the United Nations, the European Union, and many African nations.
While other languages like Spanish, Arabic, Russian, and Chinese are also used in diplomatic contexts and are official languages of the United Nations, English and French are the most universally recognized and utilized in diplomatic settings.
“The Tower of Babel” 1563 | Pieter Bruegel the Elder
Widely accepted definitions (sometimes “terms of art”) are critical in building codes because they ensure clarity, consistency, and precision in communication among architects, engineers, contractors, and regulators. Ambiguity or misinterpretation of terms like “load-bearing capacity,” “fire resistance,” “egress” or “grounding and bonding” could lead to design flaws, construction errors, or inadequate safety measures, risking lives and property.
“Standardized” definitions — by nature unstable — create a shared language that transcends local practices or jargon, enabling uniform application and enforcement across jurisdictions. Today at the usual hour we explore the nature and the status of the operational language that supports our raison d’êtreof making educational settlements safer, simpler, lower-cost and longer-lasting.
Metrology is the scientific discipline that deals with measurement, including both the theoretical and practical aspects of measurement. It is a broad field that encompasses many different areas, including length, mass, time, temperature, and electrical and optical measurements. The goal of metrology is to establish a system of measurement that is accurate, reliable, and consistent. This involves the development of standards and calibration methods that enable precise and traceable measurements to be made.
The International System of Units is the most widely used system of units today and is based on a set of seven base units, which are defined in terms of physical constants or other fundamental quantities. Another important aspect of metrology is the development and use of measurement instruments and techniques. These instruments and techniques must be designed to minimize errors and uncertainties in measurements, and they must be calibrated against recognized standards to ensure accuracy and traceability.
Metrology also involves the development of statistical methods for analyzing and interpreting measurement data. These methods are used to quantify the uncertainty associated with measurement results and to determine the reliability of those results.
This year’s Annual Fashion Show features 171 looks from 42 designers. Collections and single-submission garments were chosen by a panel of industry critics and jurors. The pieces include evening wear, market-ready, universal design and more. https://t.co/3shpSI9LdV
The School of Fashion had the pleasure of hosting students from Streetsboro Middle School. Students got the chance to gain a better understanding of fashion, design and knitwear by participating in a variety of educational activities.
New update alert! The 2022 update to the Trademark Assignment Dataset is now available online. Find 1.29 million trademark assignments, involving 2.28 million unique trademark properties issued by the USPTO between March 1952 and January 2023: https://t.co/njrDAbSpwBpic.twitter.com/GkAXrHoQ9T
