Electrical Contractor

TECHNOLOGY BY JIM ROMEO

Market demand

According to Transparency Market
Research’s 2015 outlook for wiring and
cabling, power transmission and tele-
communication will lead demand.
“The demand for wire and cables
and subsequently wire and cable mate-
rials market is dependent on the growth
of power generation and transmission,
industrial development, telecommuni-
cation reach extension and commercial
and residential infrastructure growth,”
the outlook states. “At present, all the
applications sectors of wire and cables
are exhibiting steady growth, particu-
larly in the Asia-Pacific region, which
augurs well the wire and cable materials
market growth outlook.”
Within various industries, low-voltage
LED installations should be strong.

“I believe low-voltage LED lighting
will see a huge technological jump in the
coming years,” said Rich Galgano, CEO of
Windy City Wire, Bolingbrook, Ill. “This
low-voltage lighting may be powered by
something as simple as Category 5 or 6
eight-wire cable. We also believe you
will begin to see low-voltage electrified
ceiling grids, which will have the ability
to power the low-voltage devices that
reside in that grid, basically acting as a
huge power supply.”
“Increased use of and technologi-
cal advance of LED lighting may mean
more requirements for category-type
cable,” said David Brender, national
program manager for the Copper
Development Association (CDA). “Cer-
tain ballasts for dimmable LEDs require
not only standard branch-circuit wiring
but two No. 26 wires for the dimming
function. As these types of ballasts
become more common, an increased
use of category cable is expected in
higher-end homes.”
“Demand for the fiber optic cable
manufacturing industry has surged as
downstream customers upgraded infra-
structure that was delayed during the
recession,” according to an IBISWorld
report on fiber optic cable manufactur-
ing in the United States. “In addition, the
industry will continue to surge forward
at light speed over the next five years.
Wireless carriers will expand their fiber
optic cable networks at higher rates as
more carriers upgrade their networks
and consumers increasingly demand
high-speed internet on their mobile
phones, necessitating more fiber optic
cable purchases.”

Aluminum is the new copper?

For many different wiring and cabling markets, materials could change. For example, to reduce cost, aluminum wiring may replace copper.

While copper has long been a leading metal—not just in wire and cable manufacturing but also for the production of many industrial products—its cost and weight have steadily driven manufacturers to consider the merits of aluminum.

According to the Aluminum Association, it takes only 1 pound of aluminum to equal the current-carrying capacity of 2 pounds of copper, making it an attractive material for utilities, builders and others.

In spite of this, Brender still believes copper should remain a first choice for wiring and cabling conduit material.

“When considering reduced maintenance cost and increased reliability, copper provides the lowest cost from a life-cycle perspective,” he said. “Copper is the most energy-efficient and reliable conductor, so it will play a vital role in energy efficiency for the future.”

Other factors

Installation methods will always be subject to change as better innovations allow for more efficient and effective wiring and cabling installation.

Dallas-based wireway products supplier Connectrac believes builders are eager for more efficient installations. It commissioned construction cost information supplier RSMeans to compare its wireway products to traditional drilling and trenching. RSMeans concluded that it saved 50 percent in installation costs. Improving cabling connectors and blocks will expedite better installation.

Cabling installation is also bolstered by wire packaging innovations such as Southwire’s CoilPAK.

Roxtec, a Swedish manufacturer, markets its conduit connection and penetration products with the appeal of timesaving installation and better overall cabling routing.

Codes and standards may influence wiring and cabling, as well.

“We may see increased adoption or tighter requirements for limited voltage drop in circuits, for example,” Brender said. “California and New York already mandate a 5 percent voltage drop maximum—which the National Electrical Code does not. LEED requirements may be another factor. I would be aware of, and watch for, any changes in the energy requirements of new construction.”

Well Wired
Growing demand for wiring and cabling installation

DEMAND FOR WIRING AND CABLING is expected to grow in the months and years ahead. Low-voltage applications for light-emitting diode (LED) technology and fiber optic cabling within the power-generation and telecommunications industries will help drive this market. However, to stay competitive and compliant with environmental regulations, electrical contractors (ECs) should be aware of construction trends and builder needs and seek innovation and efficiencies for wiring and cabling installation.