Direct & Current

While risk mitigation has always touched many aspects of electrical contracting work, the tools available for how contractors can navigate these risks have begun to evolve. Patabid CEO Melvin Newman returns for Part 2 of the Direct & Current podcast’s Site Current miniseries, this time to discuss the possibilities that AI presents in empowering electrical contractors to manage risk effectively...

The Direct & Current podcast presents its new Site Current miniseries, exploring how electrical contractors can get the most out of the technology trends and software solutions changing the construction landscape. For Site Current’s debut episode, we’re joined by Patabid CEO Melvin Newman to explore the ‘how’ and ‘why’ behind optimizing construction software selection based on project scale.

A recent survey commissioned by the Electricity Distributors Association (EDA) reveals 82% of Ontarians are satisfied with their local electricity service, and 89% trust their local electricity utility.  EDA president & CEO Teresa Sarkesian joined Electrical Business Magazine’s Anthony Capkun to help explain what these results mean for Ontario local distribution companies, their partners...

While EV chargers may look straightforward from the outside, keeping them reliable and available is no small task. As part of Electrical Business Magazine’s EV Supply Equipment Week—brought to you in partnership with test & measurement leader Fluke—we examine the maintenance and service practices that underpin a successful EVSE ecosystem.[ https://www.fluke.com/en-ca/product/electrical-testing...

While solar PV systems may appear simple from a distance, keeping them up and running takes more than just mounting panels and walking away. As part of Electrical Business Magazine’s Alternative Energies Theme Week—brought to you in partnership with test & measurement leader Fluke—we explore the Top 3 problem areas in solar PV installations: ground faults, PV modules, and inverters. Host Antho...

There’s no shortage of both information and misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic, so how do we separate the good from bad? The legitimate from the bogus? How do we keep safe our construction sites, and the employees work in them? We can all use the best advice possible during this crisis, so went straight to someone “in the know”— Tom Mackay, who recently joined the Electrical Contractors A...

At the end of April 2020, to varying degrees, we were just over one month into a national lockdown due to COVID-19. The economy was shutting down, yet electricians had been deemed “essential” in most jurisdictions and, by extension, their distributors. So I gathered together a panel of electrical distributors, from one coast to the other, to learn how the pandemic was affecting their operations an...

At the end of April 2020, to varying degrees, we were just over one month into a national lockdown due to COVID-19. The economy was shutting down, yet electricians had been deemed “essential” in most jurisdictions and, by extension, their distributors. So I gathered together a panel of electrical distributors, from one coast to the other, to learn how the pandemic was affecting their operations an...

In this episode of Direct & Current, Anthony Capkun interviews Michelle Branigan, CEO of Electricity Human Resources Canada, to learn more about EHRC’s research project, “Leadershift: Pathways to Gender Equity”. And some of the findings—in this day and age—are confounding. For example, almost 1 in every 5 men (18%) in this report believes it is easier for women to succeed in their workplace th...

The Canadian Solar Industries Association and Canadian Wind Energy Association amalgamated this year to become the Canadian Renewable Energy Association—a new national voice for the wind, solar and energy storage industries. Leading this new association is Robert Hornung, who served as president of CanWEA for 17 years. “I would say we have a keen interest in ensuring that our discussions and debat...

Want to hear inspiring stories from women who are breaking barriers in the construction industry? Tune into this episode of Direct & Current to learn about the Ontario Building and Construction Tradeswomen’s new Speakers’ Bureau. Host Anthony Capkun is joined by Kate Walsh to talk about this exciting initiative that connects organizations with skilled tradeswomen ready to share their experienc...