Episodi
-
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 Currentâs debut episode, weâre joined by Patabid CEO Melvin Newman to explore the âhowâ and âwhyâ 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 Magazineâs Anthony Capkun to help explain what these results mean for Ontario local distribution companies, their partners and customers.
Sarkesian explains why this high level of trust matters, particularly as Ontario utilities prepare for the next decade of electrification. She highlights how electrical contractors, engineers, and manufacturers can support utilities in maintaining reliability, building customer confidence, and delivering on the promise of a more digital, flexible grid.
The discussion also explores how local distribution companies are working to keep costs manageable while embracing new technologies, from distributed energy resources to artificial intelligence. Sarkesian shares how utilities are deepening ties with their communities, engaging in two-way conversations, and building partnerships that will be essential for modernizing Ontarioâs power system.
Finally, she highlights the education and networking opportunities at EDIST 2026âEDAâs flagship conferenceâwhere utilities and industry partners connect to shape the future of the grid.
-
Episodi mancanti?
-
While EV chargers may look straightforward from the outside, keeping them reliable and available is no small task.
As part of Electrical Business Magazineâs EV Supply Equipment Weekâbrought to you in partnership with test & measurement leader Flukeâwe examine the maintenance and service practices that underpin a successful EVSE ecosystem.[https://www.fluke.com/en-ca/product/electrical-testing/emobility/fev150]
Host Anthony Capkun and his guest, Fluke technology director Theo Brillhart, talk about the real-world challenges facing charging infrastructure, such as communications failures, software updates and vandalism.
Brillhart explains why interoperability standards matter, what âsuccess ratesâ at charging stations really mean, and how certified technicians and standards-traceable tools play a critical role in uptime.
He also highlights the importance of separating warranties from maintenance agreements, structuring strong service-level contracts, and aligning operators with service providers to ensure reliable charging access.
From routine maintenance tasks like filter cleaning, ground fault checks, and calibration, to proactive approaches that anticipate higher charging rates and evolving standards, this discussion offers practical guidance for operators, contractors, and technicians alike.
Whether youâre maintaining existing stations or planning the next generation of EVSE, Brillhartâs insights point the way toward a more futureproofed EV charging ecosystem.
-
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 Magazineâs Alternative Energies Theme Weekâbrought to you in partnership with test & measurement leader Flukeâwe explore the Top 3 problem areas in solar PV installations: ground faults, PV modules, and inverters.
Host Anthony Capkun sits down with Will White, Flukeâs senior applications specialist and a long-time solar pro, to dig into common causes, telltale signs, and diagnostic approaches for identifying and resolving performance issues in the field.
From wire management best practices and insulation resistance testing to IV curve tracing, aerial thermography, and the soon-to-launch GFL 1500 ground fault locator, White shares practical tips for installers and maintenance techs alike. He also dives into inverter diagnostics, power quality concerns, and data communication issues that often crop up in large-scale systems.
Whether youâre building new or troubleshooting existing PV systems, this conversation provides expert advice for keeping your solar arrays safe, efficient, and producing power.
-
Thereâs 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 âin the knowââ Tom Mackay, who recently joined the Electrical Contractors Association of Ontario as Health & Safety Director.
He is a Canadian Registered Safety Professional and National Construction Safety Officer. Tom has also held the position of Director of Health, Safety & Environment at a high-voltage electrical construction company, and worked at the Ministry of Labour as an Occupational Health & Safety Inspector and as a Provincial Offences Officer.
Tom joins Electrical Business Magazineâs Anthony Capkun for a discussion about COVID-19, where we talk about facts and myths about the novel coronavirus andâperhaps most importantlyâbest practices for contractors that shows their due diligence in keeping their teams as safe as possible on the job.
NOTE: The COVID-19 situation continue to evolve rapidly. Information changes almost daily. The content of this conversation should not be relied upon or construed as legal advice.
-
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 âessentialâ 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 and their ability to serve their customers.
My panelists included: Cliff Backman, Franklin Empire; Elaine Gerrie, Gerrie Electric; Greg Stephenson, Bartle & Gibson; Jason Taylor, Graybar Canada; Mathieu Legris, Electrimat; Michael Gross, Wesco; Roger Little, Rexel Canada (Nedco, Westburne, Rexel Atlantic); Tim Horsman, E.B. Horsman & Son; Tim MacDonald, Ideal Supply.
This is Part 1 of 2 of that discussion. In Part 2, I ask my panelists what pandemic-related changes, lessons learned, and the like will persist when the crisis eventually passes, and we get to our NEW normal.
-
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 âessentialâ 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 and their ability to serve their customers.
My panelists included: Cliff Backman, Franklin Empire; Elaine Gerrie, Gerrie Electric; Greg Stephenson, Bartle & Gibson; Jason Taylor, Graybar Canada; Mathieu Legris, Electrimat; Michael Gross, Wesco; Roger Little, Rexel Canada (Nedco, Westburne, Rexel Atlantic); Tim Horsman, E.B. Horsman & Son; Tim MacDonald, Ideal Supply.
This is Part 2 of 2 of that discussion. In Part 1, I ask my panelists how the pandemic was affecting their operations and their ability to serve their customers.
-
In this episode of Direct & Current, Anthony Capkun interviews Michelle Branigan, CEO of Electricity Human Resources Canada, to learn more about EHRCâs research project, âLeadershift: Pathways to Gender Equityâ.
And some of the findingsâin this day and ageâare confounding.
For example, almost 1 in every 5 men (18%) in this report believes it is easier for women to succeed in their workplace than it is for them, while 3 of every 4 women (75%) believe they have a harder time.
âI do think that some of the findings in the Leadershift report will be a big surprise to those reading it,â admits Michelle Branigan, EHRCâs CEO, âBut I do think itâs going to be a little bit of a wake-up call for some leaders in the sector.â
CLICK PLAY and letâs untangle those pathways to gender equity.
-
The Canadian Solar Industries Association and Canadian Wind Energy Association amalgamated this year to become the Canadian Renewable Energy Associationâa 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.
âI would say we have a keen interest in ensuring that our discussions and debates around energy are fact-based, because we want to ensure that the decisions that we are taking are well-informed decisions going forward,â Robert says.
In this episode of Direct & Current, Robert joins Anthony Capkun to not only talk about CanREAâs vision and goals, but to dig deeper and answer questions like: Is there a distinction between renewable energies and green energies? (Yes, in fact) What was the rationale for adding energy storage to CanREAâs equation? What, exactly, does our energy future look like?
âItâs not our intention as an association to attack any other forms of generation... we will compare different forms of generation on a facts basis in terms of various attributes that they have, but the reality is we are going to need a lot of different approaches to deal with targets like those identified in the Paris accord,â Robert explains.
-
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 Tradeswomenâs new Speakersâ 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 experiences. From electricians and carpenters to boilermakers and beyond, these women are passionate about inspiring the next generation of tradespeople.
Discover how the Speakersâ Bureau is helping to change perceptions about women in the skilled trades and providing a platform for these remarkable individuals to share their journeys. Whether youâre a student, educator, business leader or event planner, youâll want to know more about OBCTâs Speakersâ Bureau.
