Ask the Electrician: Arc Flash – What It Is, Why It Happens and How to Prevent It
You have probably seen warning labels about arc flashes on electrical equipment, but do you know what an arc flash actually is? An arc flash is when electric current leaves its intended path rather than flowing along the intended conductive path. “Arc” is used to describe electricity moving through the air between two points. Have you ever gotten a shock when you touched a light switch or a doorknob – that is an arc. Lightning is an arc too, just on a significantly larger and more dangerous scale. When dealing with high-energy...
Interstate Electrical Services Earns 2022 ABC ‘Excellence in Construction’ Awards
Interstate Electrical Services Corporation announced it has received Excellence in Construction Merit Awards from the Massachusetts, New Hampshire/Vermont, and Rhode Island chapters of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) for its outstanding work providing electrical contracting services for Maine Medical Center in Scarborough, ME. Maine Medical Center (MMC) is a Level 1 Trauma Center and the state’s largest medical center. To meet the needs of its growing patient population, MMC sought to expand its healthcare resources as well as its physical footprint.The new $59M, 108,000-square-foot, three-story medical office building houses the neurology,...
Interstate Designs Electrical System for First Ever Archimedes
Hanover Pond Dam in Meriden, Connecticut is generating power again for the first time in decades, using an ancient technology never before used in the U.S. Meriden is home to the first Archimedes hydro-generation screw in the country. Interstate designed and built the electrical elements of the project. From concept, to a drafting design, to a final design approved with the City of Meriden – Interstate provided electrical design and installation on the project. The end result is a 220 kilowatt generation system that sends its electricity right back to the...
Ask the Electrician: Preventative Maintenance
There are several critical tasks that we recommend all commercial property owners complete on a regular basis, regardless of the building being at full capacity. The top two priorities are the fire alarm systems and emergency lighting systems, as these are invaluable in the case of an emergency. Frequency of fire alarm inspection may be mandated on a town by town basis, but if not, we suggest quarterly. Also on a quarterly basis, we recommend testing the generator and Automatic Transfer Switch (also called an ATS) to ensure it is...
Interstate Uses Prefabrication Production on Maine Medical Project
Interstate Electrical Services announced that its prefabricated production technologies are being used in the construction of Maine Medical Center’s brand-new building on its campus in Scarborough, Maine. Upwards of 50% of the electrical content for the project is being pre-built at Interstate’s 100,000sf operations center in Tewksbury and delivered to the job site on an as needed basis. Using just-in-time-delivery, Interstate streamlines the building process developing prefab packages that include power panels, in-wall outlets and switches. All components undergo quality checks and are UL-certified before being packaged in reusable crates for...
Ask the Electrician: Infrared Testing Assures Power Reliability
Ensuring that your commercial building runs safely and without power outages can be hard work, but upholding preventative maintenance is imperative. Start with an infrared scan of your electrical system to ensure that you aren’t blind to an accident that’s waiting to happen. Understanding infrared scanning—and how to get the most of it—will help you meet the requirements established by the National Fire Protection Association for a predictive maintenance program that’s performed on a routine basis. A Hidden Problem Infrared scanning will give you an inside look at your building’s electrical system—the...
Ask the Electrician: How the Electrical Industry has Transformed Over the Past Few Decades
The construction industry has seen countless changes over the years, especially in the last decade or two. The electrical industry is no different. We’ve seen technology transform the way we work, at almost every level of the company. The tools we use today have streamlined everything from the bidding process to the planning process, to coordinating with other subcontractors, to wrapping up the project when the building is complete. Advanced software and hardware have enabled companies like Interstate to move to a lean construction model that incorporates prefabrication and extensive...
Ask the Electrician: Power Surges
You might not be aware of this, but the power your business receives from the power company is probably not as “clean” as you think. By clean power, I am not referring to wind, solar or other forms of renewable energy. I am talking about surges, lags and spikes in power coming in from the street. Street power is only guaranteed at plus or minus 10%. When you’re dealing with 480 volts, that’s a variation of 48 volts, and that’s drastic. That can potentially damage motors on rooftop units, the air...
Interstate Electrical Services Launches First Registered Apprentice Program for Manufacturing Assemblers in Massachusetts
A Range of Industries Rely on Manufacturing Assembly Skills, But Workers Are Scarce Interstate Electrical Services Corp. today introduced the first apprenticeship program in Massachusetts specifically designed for manufacturing assemblers. Interstate’s Team Assembler Electrical Apprentice Program expands opportunities for workers in the state to learn in-demand skills while being paid. Participants who complete the Team Assembler Electrical Apprentice Program will earn an Assembler Certificate, which will be registered with the state. The one-year apprentice program requires 2,000 on the job hours and 150 classroom hours. Up to 30 apprentices are expected to...
Interstate Electrical Services Hosts Massachusetts Secretary of Labor, Rosalin Acosta
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker recently proclaimed, "Massachusetts Apprentice Week." Massachusetts Secretary of Labor Rosalin Acosta presented the governor’s proclamation to Jim Alibrandi, president of Interstate Electrical Services, during visit to the company’s 100,000 square foot UL-certified Operations Center in Tewksbury Mass. The proclamation recognizes the value of apprenticeships, noting that Massachusetts employers “have found it increasingly difficult to meet talent needs for a variety of skilled positions” and that “registered apprenticeships are a critical tool to close this skills gap.” Acosta said that overcoming the unfounded stigma sometimes associated with trade school...