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lettersPlug-n-play not meantto replace electriciansI was very interested in your editorialregarding plug-n-play inthe electrical installation industry(EBMag February 2010, “Is electricityever plug-n-play?”). The term‘plug-n-play’ is also being banteredabout in the heavy industrial installationindustry.Technically, it pertains to thesame type of technology—namely,end devices with ‘plug-in’ receptaclesand connecting cables withpre-terminated connectors. Theintention is to reduce expensiveinstallation/termination hours inthe field with far less costly hoursin a shop where the receptacles andconnectors would be installed.Make theSwitchThe savings from the use of theplug-n-play in the field instead ofthe typical cable glands and terminalstrips would more than pay for theinstallation of the receptacles and connectorsin a controlled shopenvironment. This new plug-n-playtechnology is not meant to removeelectrical work from trained electricians,but to move the work to moreeconomical locations.I agree that this move to moreefficient termination procedures (suchas that being touted in the solarindustry) should not be seen as anopportunity to move work away fromproperly trained electricians who areresponsible for the proper installationof the equipment.While policing the Average Joehomeowner electrician is an ongoingissue with the local inspectiondepartments, it should not hinder theongoing effort to make electricalinstallations as efficient as possible.George Morlidge, Chief Electrical EngineerSubject Matter Expert, Codes andInstallations, Fluor Canada Ltd.BeforeAfterElectricity demandselectrical workersJust read your Editor’s article re. Can-SIA—great job! There are too manybackyarders and salesmen just tryingto get product out there and installedcheaply. The solar industry, if anything,needs higher standards than normalelectrical work because it can be moredangerous—big battery banks, a powersource that’s not easily turned off (thesun!), working on roofs, etc.Erhard Hermann ME, RECBoyd Solar Corp.Venture_EB_May09.indd 1Energy Saving Retrofit SolutionsMake the switch from old standard probe start metal halide toVenture’s greener, more efficient Uni-Form ® pulse start systemsand save energy and money! For example, replace standard1000-watt systems with Venture’s 875-watt systems and saveup to 155 system watts per luminaire!• More Maintained Lumens• Better Lamp Life• Huge Energy SavingsCall and ask how Venture can assist with your retrofit solution so you can start saving today!800-265-2690THE SYSTEMS APPROACH:BALLASTRONIX ®VENTURE LIGHTING BALLASTS ANDLAMPSBallastronix and Venture Lighting products are available from electrical and lighting distributorsacross Canada. Contact your local sales agent. Visit our website to find an agent near you.VentureLighting.com/Canada© 2009 Venture Lighting International VLC-0004A6-04095/4/09 3:56:24 PMUPDATEIn our Marchissue, we ran astory onMillenniumWater, site of the2010 Olympicand ParalympicVillage, whichemploys astrategic, I/Odrivenenergy-reduction plan. It issituated in the Southeast False Creekdevelopment—a reclaimed industrialbrownfield—and the developers wereseeking Leadership in Energy andEnvironmental (LEED) Goldcertification.In February 2010, the SoutheastFalse Creek development area wascertified LEED ND Stage 2 Platinumfrom the U.S. Green Building Council(USGBC, www.usgbc.org). Meantime,all Millennium Water residentialbuildings earned LEED Goldcertification from the Canada GreenBuilding Council (CaGBC, www.cagbc.org). Congratulations!16 • April 2010 • www.EBMag.com