The New Fluke Ti9 Puts the Power of Thermal Imaging in the Hands of Electricians and Technicians

Fluke Corporation, the global leader in portable electronic test and measurement technology, introduces the Fluke® Ti9, a high-performance, affordable thermal imager that is ideal for troubleshooting electrical installations as well as electro-mechanical, process, and HVAC/R equipment. The Ti9 delivers Fluke rugged, reliable performance in an imager that is so affordable and easy to use that every electrician and technician can now put the power of thermal imaging to use.

About Fluke Founded in 1948, Fluke Corporation is the world leader in compact, professional electronic test tools. Fluke tools deliver the testing and troubleshooting capabilities that are critical to keep commerce and industry running smoothly. Fluke customers are technicians, engineers, electricians, metrologists and building diagnostic professionals who install, troubleshoot and manage industrial, electrical and electronic equipment and calibration processes for quality control and building restoration. In the past five years, Fluke tools won more than 50 industry awards, including Test and Measurement World Best in Test , Control Engineering Engineer's Choice and Plant Engineering Product of the Year . Fluke is a registered trademark of Fluke Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners. For more information, visit the Fluke website.Fluke SmartView® professional IR analysis and reporting software is included with the Ti9. The suite of tools for viewing, annotating, editing and analyzing infrared images enables users to edit images and generate customized professional reports in a few steps using its report wizard.A virtual demo of the Ti9 is available at www.fluke.com/ti9virtualdemo and full product information available at www.fluke.com/ti9 .The Ti9 is built to work in the harshest industrial environments. It has an IP54 rating for withstanding dust and water, and is designed to survive drops of up to two meters. The built-in cover and lens guard protects the lens when not in use.Follow Fluke on Facebook , Twitter , YouTube or LinkedIn .Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=1703322The thermal imager is easy to use, with an intuitive three-button menu that allows users to navigate with the push of a thumb. Simply point, focus, and shoot to capture an image.For more information: Leah Friberg Public Relations Manager (425) 446-5905 Email ContactThe Fluke Ti9 Thermal Imager comes complete with a 2GB SD memory card, multi-function memory card reader, rechargeable internal battery, AC charger/power supply, adjustable hand strap, soft carrying case, and a rugged hard carrying case.Pricing and Availability The Fluke Ti9 Thermal Imager is available now at a U.S. list price of $2,495.The Fluke Ti9 delivers crisp, clear images on a large widescreen full-VGA-color LCD display that allows technicians to get the full picture instantly. It features a thermal sensitivity of ≤ 0.20 °C at 30 °C target temperature (200 mK) to identify even small temperature differences that could indicate problems.

For more information: Leah Friberg Public Relations Manager (425) 446-5905 Email Contact

Young people get paid to prepare in summer jobs program

The students pepper electrician Francis Vigil with questions: Is being an electrician dangerous? Is it hard? How much does the job pay? What do apprentices do?

"They've got to be decent at math and they have to have a good work ethic," said Vigil, who is the training director for the Colorado Springs Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee, which trains the city's electricians.The class spends three hours each morning on school work, a mix of science, technology, engineering and math. After lunch, the students visit a different business each day. The employers range from AspenPointe, a behavioral health provider, to Sturman Industries, which designs electronic valves for engines, to Chico Basin Ranch, a working cattle ranch.Vigil said one student from the Industrial Revolution applied and was accepted as an apprentice - the union interviews 150 to 200 people a year and accepts only 10 to 20.Anthony Williams, a 19-year-old who wants to become a chef, said the job market is very tough for young people."It lets you talk with people and find out what they're looking for with employment," he said."If it could go through a full year, that would be amazing.""I was on the hunt for a job and there's none, really, or they're just minimum wage," the 21-year-old said. "This is like a one-stop shop. They really care about you and want you to succeed.""I wasn't really getting anywhere finding a job," he said. "I've applied for over 70, at least."The 4-year-old program is funded by the federal Workforce Investment Act. Students take an assessment test before and after the program and generally show improvements in their academic performance, said Jeanne Cotter, spokeswoman for the Pikes Peak Workforce Center."I think that young people get a lot out of it, tying academics to the real world," Cotter said.For instance, you need to know a fair amount of math to be an electrician.All in all, it's a pretty good summer job, said Tiffany Gavaldon.The Industrial Revolution program, he said, "answered my prayers."

Vigil said one student from the Industrial Revolution applied and was accepted as an apprentice - the union interviews 150 to 200 people a year and accepts only 10 to 20.

Electricians on strike

TWENTY Tyneside electricians and heating engineers were striking today in an escalating dispute over "bullying" claims.

In a statement Royal Mail said: "There are robust contingency plans in place aimed at ensuring no impact on our customers from planned industrial action.''He added: "The information is passed back. They want to know why you are idling in traffic, they want to know how long who stayed at the wholesalers to pick up stuff for a job. If they don't like the answer you can be disciplined."The Communications Workers Union formed a picket outside the Royal Mail centre in Gateshead this morning and will do again on Monday.Mr Dickson said that the engineers had tracking sensors in vans that allowed Romec to follow them from the moment they start the engine to clocking off time.It will be followed by a call out ban.CWU regional spokesman Frank Dickson said: "This is not about money. It's about the Big Brother attitude of management who have broken national agreements."

In a statement Royal Mail said: "There are robust contingency plans in place aimed at ensuring no impact on our customers from planned industrial action.''

Bringing power to the people

SPARKS may fly at a special event this week.

The talk, titled The Bringer of Electricity: Charles Hesterman Merz 1874-1940, will highlight the work of the Gateshead-born electrician.The talk on Wednesday begins at 2pm.Educated at Bootham School in York, and Armstrong College, Newcastle, he served his apprenticeship with the Newcastle Electric Supply Company. He was well known as the co-founder of the firm of consulting engineers, Merz and McLellan, established in 1902.He pioneered rail electrification, power stations and introduced the concept of a national grid at first locally and subsequently within the British Empire and beyond. He was known affectionately within the electricity industry as the Grid King.

The talk on Wednesday begins at 2pm.

Devastated family pays tribute to Dad; Outgoing family man had heart problems

Byline: EMMA KING

CAPTION(S):TRIBUTES have been paid to a dad-of-three who suddenly collapsed and died. It is understood that 43-year-old Mark Johnston died as a result of an enlarged heart - a problem he was unaware of.WITH HIS BOYS Mark with sons Liam, left, and Mark FAMILY MAN Mark Johnston, who collapsed and died, pictured with his daughter LeanneMark's funeral was held at West Road Crematorium on May 31."He was the first up on the dancefloor at a party. He lived life to the full. Nobody expected him to be taken from us at such a young age. I just can't believe he's gone. Life will never be the same.""Around Christmas time he decided to join the gym. It was something he'd wanted to do for a while and he really enjoyed it. I don't know if the exercise was what triggered his collapse.Mark, who was known by his friends as "Johnna" trained as an electrician after leaving school and worked for Newcastle City Council."He was so down to earth and straightforward. Mark would tell you it how it was. He was so friendly. He didn't have a bad bone in his body."But apparently you don't get any symptoms with an enlarged heart. Mark had been relatively healthy and he hadn't been unwell. That's why his death was so unexpected."The electrician passed away on May 22 at his mam's house in Walker, just round the corner from the house he shared with Dawn White, his partner of 21 years, and their three children."He was a popular man. He had a lot of friends who he went out drinking with often to the Crocketts Hotel, The Stack and The Jubilee in Walker.Dawn, who works as a cleaner at the Lightfoot Centre in Walker, said: "Mark was loud, boisterous, outgoing. He just loved having a laugh and a joke."He loved watching football and was a huge Newcastle United fan. He used to take our youngest son Liam to some games. He doted on his kids, Liam, 11, Mark, 14 and Leanne, 18.Dawn said: "Everyone has been devastated by his death. It feels like he's just gone away somewhere for a few days and I'm waiting for him to walk back through the door.

WITH HIS BOYS Mark with sons Liam, left, and Mark FAMILY MAN Mark Johnston, who collapsed and died, pictured with his daughter Leanne

Fluke Introduces Low Voltage, Indoor IR Window

Fluke Corporation, the global leader in portable electronic test and measurement technology, introduces the CLV IR Window, an affordable 3-inch indoor IR window that allows electricians to perform NFPA 70E compliant infrared inspections without opening panel doors or powering down equipment. The CLV, the latest in the series of Fluke IR windows, allows infrared measurements on equipment up to 600 V in industrial, plant, power generation, hospital, petrochemical and commercial building environments.

All Fluke IR Windows are supplied complete, assembled and ready for installation. Each carton contains an installation CD with an installation video, self-adhesive drilling template, security access key and warranty statement.Pricing and Availability The U.S. list price for the Fluke CLV IR Window is $225. For more information, visit the Fluke IR Windows website.The UL 50V and 1558-certified CLV features CLIRVU® technology, which provides clear, unobstructed visual and IR inspections. The Kwik Twist cover magnetically sticks to the panel when removed and the window's identification plate provides unique, onsite numbering for rapid location confirmation and faster repairs.Fluke IR Windows also make NFPA 70E compliance easier because measurements can be taken much more quickly and easily -- as well as more frequently -- without compromising worker safety.Follow Fluke on Facebook , Twitter , YouTube or LinkedIn .Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=1647233Fluke Thermography Fluke offers a full range of thermal imagers for industrial/electrical, process and building diagnostic applications. For more on Fluke thermal imaging products, contact Fluke Corporation, P.O. Box 9090, Everett, WA USA 98206-9090, call 800-760-4523, fax 763-551-0038, e-mail thermography@fluke.com , or visit http://www.fluke.com/thermography . Also visit the Fluke Thermography blog at www.thermal-imaging-blog.com , on Twitter and on Facebook .About Fluke Founded in 1948, Fluke Corporation is the world leader in compact, professional electronic test tools. Fluke tools deliver the testing and troubleshooting capabilities that are critical to keep commerce and industry running smoothly. Fluke customers are technicians, engineers, electricians, metrologists and building diagnostic professionals who install, troubleshoot and manage industrial, electrical and electronic equipment and calibration processes for quality control and building restoration. In the past five years, Fluke tools have won more than 50 industry awards, including Test and Measurement World Best in Test , Control Engineering Engineer's Choice and Plant Engineering Product of the Year . Fluke is a registered trademark of Fluke Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners. For more information, visit the Fluke website.For more information: Leah Friberg Public Relations Manager (425) 446-5905 Email Contact

For more information: Leah Friberg Public Relations Manager (425) 446-5905 Email Contact

Celebration for golden charity pair

A COUPLE who raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for Chernobyl victims have celebrated their golden wedding.

The pair became an item within days and married at Woodhouse Church, Sheepridge, on June 17, 1961, after David had completed his national service in Germany.CAPTION(S):* HAPPY ANNIVERSARY: David and Marjorie Heaton, of Lindley, and, far left, on their wedding day in 1961 (JH160611Gheaton-01)David, an electrician, had come to rewire the mill when he met Marjorie who worked there winding electric motors.David said: "We work together - that's the main thing. We do lots together rather than separately."The couple, who have two children, nine grandchildren and five great grandchildren, met at Brook and Woodhouse Motors in Lockwood.The couple say their common interests and views have kept them happy for over 50 years.David and Marjorie Heaton, both 74, from Lindley, marked 50 years of marriage with family and friends at the Durker Roods Hotel, Meltham.David continued his role as an electrician for the Post Office and eventually became director of Romec, which managed building and engineering services for Royal Mail.

* HAPPY ANNIVERSARY: David and Marjorie Heaton, of Lindley, and, far left, on their wedding day in 1961 (JH160611Gheaton-01)

Subcontractors grow tired of waiting on delayed job payments

Good Work Network Executive Director Phyllis Cassidy unsheathed a double-edged sword last week at a small business forum at Xavier University. Cassidy, whose nonprofit helps minority and women-owned firms, said small subcontractors are "bearing the working capital load" of federally funded projects, which often receive credit for bolstering the local economy.

"I think it's very, very common for subcontractors to get bullied around," Wolfe said. "The more money the general contractor has, the more often their payment provisions in their contract are going to be stricter."Cassidy wasn't referring specifically to the standard legal principle known as "pay when paid," which allows general contractors to wait for payments from developers, including public entities, before compensating subcontractors. But one of her clients, Colmex Construction CEO Angelica Rivera, said "pay when paid" is part of the reason she no longer works as a subcontractor.But sophisticated construction firms increasingly favor "pay if paid" contracts that punt developers' credit risks to subcontractors, Wolfe said."Are you going to decide the hours in which (subcontractors) can work? The number of staffers they can have?" Thomas asked. "We go back to things that have hindered the growth of the city of New Orleans for generations, which is the payolas and the idea that you are going to do this work and my cousin is going to work for you."Still, small contractors are increasingly seeking expensive loans of less than $35,000 to make payroll, said Cassidy, who estimates the loans are fulfilling only about 50 percent of the firms' working capital needs. A government-funded "draw pool" to guarantee subcontractor payments makes more sense than multiple loans being taken out on a given project, she said.Risks taken by subcontractors are no greater than their portions of projects, while general contractors assume total responsibility, said Rob Wooderson, president of Gibbs Construction, the prime contractor on recent jobs such as the new exterior of the Superdome and Hynes Middle School in Lakeview.The experience points to what Wolfe considers a fundamental societal problem, which he says is bigger than New Orleans and the construction industry: access to justice."Pay when paid" does not absolve general contractors of their debts, said Scott Wolfe, a New Orleans-based construction attorney who represents contractors of all sizes in four states. Louisiana courts usually require general contractors to pay within a reasonable amount of time, Wolfe said, but that can vary case by case.Wolfe said "pay when paid" is critical to most general contractors' financial viability and the success of projects. Without it, he said, "You would need Wal-Mart to build every project."Pearlina Thomas, area manager for the Louisiana Associated General Contractors, said she is hearing similar suggestions to wipe out "pay when paid," which she said could open the door to abusive government meddling.Wooderson, however, summarized his feelings about "pay if paid" in three words: "Capricious, unfair, arbitrary.""You are financing the project for whoever the ultimate owner is because you've done the work already," Cole said.He added: "That's just the way it is.""The smallest guy on the totem pole is floating the deal," said Cassidy, drawing applause. "There's something wrong with that."Everyone agrees that payment delays have been a problem, but not everyone concurs on a solution, or with the notion that the weakest members of the construction community are shouldering more than their share of the burden.Cassidy was referring to months-long payment delays that commonly occur when state and local governments struggle to adhere to strict administrative guidelines attached to federal dollars. Inevitably, the burden falls to plumbers, electricians and other tradesmen and women, said Jerry Cole, owner of Cole Construction, a concrete pouring company."Say (the subcontractor) gave me a $100,000 price and we thought it was fair and reasonable, yet it costs $150,000 to do the work," Wooderson said. "If he chooses to walk away, guess who puts up the extra 50 (thousand)?"The government should require general contractors to pay from a line of credit just as it requires bonding capacity, Rivera said. That's how the New Orleans Neighborhood Development Collaborative pays contractors, including Rivera, to work on a federal homebuilding project in which the NONDC is acting as a nonprofit developer, she said."You have people who aren't getting paid because of a misapplication of funds," Wolfe said. "Then you have other people getting paid because people are just taking advantage of the positions they are in."General contractors should instead pressure public entities by preparing to stop work if necessary, even if it results in work delays, Wooderson said. Some government contracts don't even include payment time frames because officials simply can't predict when funds will be available, he said.Rivera's experience suggests that the subcontractor's chances of going unpaid increase with the complexity of the contract. One of her first contracts was to provide framing services under a subcontractor on a Housing Authority of New Orleans project three years ago. The out-of-state subcontractor stiffed Rivera on $3,000 and left town, she said. That's a relatively small amount and not nearly enough to make litigation worthwhile."We have to pay our employees weekly," Rivera said. "They don't have to pay us until they get paid."

He added: "That's just the way it is."

Unkindest cuts of all

CUTTING corners is a potentially dangerous practice whatever home improvements or repairs you need to arrange. When it comes to electrical work, many homeowners are taking a huge risk by not checking that the person doing the job is a qualified and registered electrician.

The ESC is encouraging householders to make their homes safer by installing RCDs - residual current devices - which instantaneously cut off the current when there is an electrical malfunction. They are potential life-savers especially when using mowersand hedge trimmersMore than 50 per cent of those questioned were unaware that there was any kind of regulation relating to common electrical jobs around the home, such as fitting a new power shower, adding new sockets or installing garden lights.

The ESC is encouraging householders to make their homes safer by installing RCDs - residual current devices - which instantaneously cut off the current when there is an electrical malfunction. They are potential life-savers especially when using mowersand hedge trimmers

Time to get real; Your shout

MAY I ask if anyone saw on the BBC News, a striking woman teacher of the NUT who commented: "Do you really want a 68-year-old teacher teaching your children?'' This shows how out of touch these pampered people are.

It's time all civil servants had a reality check and realised we are all sick to death of funding their early retirement schemes and that they too should not be able to draw upon their pensions until they reach the legal retirement age.LINDA, Tyne and Wear The Evening Chronicle reserves the right to edit readers' letters

LINDA, Tyne and Wear The Evening Chronicle reserves the right to edit readers' letters

It's a Living: Airfield maintenance electrician at Will Rogers World

Jim True is responsible for ensuring thousands of people safely arrive in Oklahoma City every day. And that they leave the same way.

"When I started working here, I told them it wasn't their airfield anymore; it was mine," he said. "I spent part of my second honeymoon out here ... coming in every morning to turn the lights off and going out every night to turn them back on. So that should tell you something about how I feel about my job.""If you make a mistake around here, you don't get to tell anyone about it," he said. "Because you're dead."The airfield operations are fed by two power sources through OG&E, which normally provide self-redundancy, able to switch from one to the other as necessary.The airfield's generator is a 350,000-watt monster producing 2,400 single-line volt output. Depending on the weather and time of day - a night blizzard, for example - the maximum system load for the day would be about the equivalent of powering a small town such as Meeker."Now expand the power consumption and the voltages of that scenario by miles," he said. "It seems very simple with one wire in and one wire out, but when you take it to that scale it can get very confusing very quickly."When asked about accidentally zapping himself at work, True laughed."And then there's the cost," he said. "A lot of the lamps we use are specially made and run as high as $60 apiece. We running about 1,500-1,800 taxiway lights, about 300 runway lights, 288 guide signs with a minimum of three lamps per sign."With plenty of light to guide them."What we do out here is quite a bit different than what your typical electrician might deal with," he said. "I'd estimate there's about half a million feet of wire out there that I've replaced myself."And if something happens to the computer system operating the generators, the system default is designed to turn on all the lights instead of going dark. Better to be too safe, True said.True, who lives in Shawnee about 40 miles away, is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. He's made the trip from home to work in about 30 minutes - "Just don't tell the cops that," True said.Take tracing out a burned circuit, for example, one of his most dreaded tasks. When True tries to explain the complexity of the problem to someone unfamiliar with the job, he suggests imagining what it takes to find a burned-out Christmas tree light bulb, painstakingly replacing each light one by one until the string finally comes back on.True is the airfield maintenance electrician, one of two men responsible for all the runways, taxiways and outlying buildings at Will Rogers World Airport. When a traveler is waiting for a flight to arrive at the terminal, looking out over the airfield at all the bright blue markers and spotlights that guide planes to the ground, he or she is actually appreciating True's work.The airport is working on upgrading much of its infrastructure to sustainable, energy-efficient materials. The blue taxiway luminaries, for example, are being converted to LEDs, light- emitting diodes, which are better at producing bright light in that part of the spectrum than traditional incandescent lamps. And less electricity means less wear on the lines and generators, which means greater safety for travelers.

"When I started working here, I told them it wasn't their airfield anymore; it was mine," he said. "I spent part of my second honeymoon out here ... coming in every morning to turn the lights off and going out every night to turn them back on. So that should tell you something about how I feel about my job."

Fluke Introduces 434/PWR Power Quality Analyzer

Fluke® Corporation, the global leader in portable electronic test and measurement technology, introduces the Fluke 434/PWR power analyzer for easy energy analysis. The instrument helps electricians, field service engineers and maintenance technicians uncover energy waste in commercial and factory buildings as well as in equipment and machines.

AutoTrend gives quick insight into changes over time. With a single push of a button, the System Monitor gives an overview of power system performance. It also checks that incoming power complies with standard limits or custom specifications. Trend analysis is made easier by automatic scaling of the vertical axis, so the waveforms can always be shown on a full display.Load studies and energy assessments The 434/PWR is a complete three-phase troubleshooting tool that measures virtually every power system parameter: voltage, current, frequency, power, energy consumption, cos φ or power factor, unbalance and harmonics and inter-harmonics. The instrument captures events like dips and swells, interruptions and rapid voltage changes based upon ½ cycle rms values. Two groups of four channels simultaneously measure voltage and current on all three phases and neutral. The 434/PWR meets 600 V CAT IV, 1000 V CAT III safety standards required for measurements at service entrance.A logging function allows users to customize measurement selections and provides analysis to find intermittent problems or relate power quality issues to other phenomena/events. The logger provides detailed and user-configurable long-term recording. It gives MIN, MAX and AVG readings of up to 100 parameters on all four phases. Averaging time can be selected down to 0.5 seconds (or 1 minute for one day's recording, 10 minutes for one week, 30 minutes for one month or more).The instrument measures harmonic distortion caused by electronic loads, and analyzes reliability problems by capturing voltage dips and swells from load switching. A full-color display uses industry-standard, user-selectable color coding to correlate measurements with actual wiring. It logs incoming data with a unique AutoTrend function that highlights changes of data over time. The data can then be analyzed with Fluke's Power Log software, which is included with the 434/PWR.For information on Fluke tools and applications, or to find the location of your nearest distributor, contact Fluke Corporation, P.O. Box 9090, Everett, WA USA 98206, call (800) 44-FLUKE (800-443-5853), fax (425) 446-5116, e-mail fluke-info@fluke.com or visit the Fluke Web site at http://www.fluke.com .Extensive data analysis The 434/PWR can perform extensive data analysis. Cursors and zoom can be used "live" while taking the measurements, or "offline" on stored measurement data. The stored measurements can also be transferred to Power Log software.Pricing and Availability The Fluke 434/PWR model has a U.S. list price of $5,343 and is available for order now. For more information about Fluke power quality tools, visit: www.fluke.com/pq.The 434/PWR can be used to conduct energy consumption studies and electrical load analysis, and to perform power quality logging and analysis surveys. The power analyzer can also help technicians demonstrate the benefits of efficiency improvements by testing energy consumption.About Fluke Founded in 1948, Fluke Corporation is the world leader in compact, professional electronic test tools. Fluke tools deliver the testing and troubleshooting capabilities that are critical to keep commerce and industry running smoothly. Fluke customers are technicians, engineers, electricians, metrologists and building diagnostic professionals who install, troubleshoot and manage industrial, electrical and electronic equipment and calibration processes for quality control and building restoration. In the past five years, Fluke tools won more than 50 industry awards, including Test and Measurement World Best in Test , Control Engineering Engineer's Choice and Plant Engineering Product of the Year . Fluke is a registered trademark of Fluke Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.Designed to quickly view recorded data, the built-in Power Log software displays all recorded parameters on interactive trends. Users can generate professional-looking, customized reports using the report generator, or copy and paste images into reports manually.For more information: Leah Friberg Public Relations Manager (425) 446-5905 Email ContactFollow Fluke on Facebook , Twitter , YouTube or LinkedIn .

For more information: Leah Friberg Public Relations Manager (425) 446-5905 Email Contact

Angie's List Says Know Your State Licensing

Although navigating the ins and outs of finding a licensed contractor can be tricky, it is essential to take your time to do your research: Granting an electrical novice access to your home's AC/DC currents could end in a smoky ruin.

In Maryland, a license is required for any home improvement work as well as any asbestos and lead abatement work. However, general construction contractors do not require a license. Typically, general construction contractors oversee or provide materials for the renovation, but don't perform the work themselves. The individuals actually working on your home improvements should, however, be licensed. Maryland HVACR contractors must also be licensed, with the "R" standing for refrigeration -- a slight variation from just the HVAC requirements in D.C. and Virginia.In the nation's capital, a license is required for any work contract exceeding $300 in cost. In addition, if you're having trouble with asbestos poisoning and/or a flighty fridge, you want to make sure your contractor is licensed to properly deal with that too. Angie's List has trusted consumer reviews in more than 500 service categories. Visit Angie's List for information on highly rated service providers in the Washington, D.C. area.Media contact: Cheryl Reed cherylr@angieslist.com 317-396-9134 Angie's List 1030 E. Washington Street Indianapolis, Indiana 46202If you decide to gather estimates from different companies in two or more of the states, it's important to know the laws governing contractors in each one.Here's the breakdown on basic qualifications for contracting work in the three different states:In Virginia , a contractor who performs any work over $1,000 must be licensed by the state. Licensing also is required for individuals and businesses working with asbestos and lead abatement as well as gas fitting.

Media contact: Cheryl Reed cherylr@angieslist.com 317-396-9134 Angie's List 1030 E. Washington Street Indianapolis, Indiana 46202

Worldwide Hand Surgery Tour Brings Innovative Procedure to U.S

New Hope for Wrist Patients at the Curtis National Hand Center

Wrist fractures count for one-sixth of all fractures seen in U.S. emergency rooms. One of the most commonly broken wrist bones is the scaphoid bone at the base of the thumb. For many patients, poor circulation at the injury site prevents the bones from healing. Over time, the impaired healing process can lead to arthritis and loss of wrist function."Transferring not only the bone, but the bone and cartilage on the same blood vessel may be the most exciting new development in our field," said Dr. Higgins. "Keith is the first person in the U.S. to have this procedure and can uniquely compare his current outcome to the other wrist where he underwent conventional procedure.""This technique is great news for patients with previously unresolved problems such as end stage Kienbock's disease and non unions. Our clinical and experimental results thus far are extraordinarily promising," Dr. Higgins said. "Wrist patients have new hope for what had been previously hopeless to many."BALTIMORE, Aug. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Dr. James Higgins, Chief of Union Memorial Hospital's Curtis National Hand Center, was honored by the American Society of Reconstructive Microsurgery with the prestigious Godina Traveling Fellowship last year. After completing a clinical and research tour of hand centers worldwide, he applied his knowledge gained to a procedure never performed in the U.S. before. He returned function to a patient's wrist, using parts taken from his knee.Dr. Higgins and his team dissected a wafer thin piece of cartilage-bearing bone from the patient's own knee and shaped it to fit exactly into the gap created in the wrist bones by the damage ligaments. Dr. Higgins then transferred the bone with its own small blood vessels and its own cartilage into Keith's joint to solidly fuse the unstable wrist segment. The procedure preserves the cartilage surface and promotes greater opportunity for a healthy wrist motion.(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110812/DC51713)"At only six weeks out it already felt better than my left hand," Keith said. "The strength in my right hand is already up to where the other hand is, so it's promising. Very promising."As an electrician, Keith Brown put very strenuous demands on his hands and wrists, resulting in chronic ligament tears and disassociation of the tiny carpal bones in his wrist joint. In 2008 he underwent a conventional ligament reconstruction surgery to the left wrist, but it did little to alleviate his constant pain. When he sustained the same injury to his right wrist, he discussed his options with Dr. Higgins and agreed this innovative new procedure could be the solution.

SOURCE Union Memorial Hospital

The Benefits Of Hiring A Skilled Electrician In Atlanta

Facing electrical issues is a common thing, but not something which doesn�t require immediate attention! The need to find professional electricians in Atlanta is on the rise these days. Beyond anything else, Atlanta based electricians are reputed for their courtesy and versatility. They possess methodical knowledge about their tools and appliances � at times even better than the manufacturers themselves!

Today, all of the top electricians in Atlanta have their own websites. You can easily locate one in your area by �google-ing� it. Not only do these professional electricians work individually but also provide contractor services to anyone in need.Based in Atlanta, McCall Enterprises Inc., offers its electrical repair services to all those who wish to hire a professional electrician in Atlanta. Call now to get your electrical repair jobs done by a skilled electrician professionally!� Expertise par excellenceElectricians in Atlanta are highly skilled in terms of restoring dysfunctional equipment and fixing any electrical issues. The best part is that they use environment friendly equipment. They have the capability to work on everything from loose wires, burnt fuses, worn out and dangling wires that cause black outs and can ever fix important residential and commercial electrical equipment. Some of the major advantages of taking on the services of a professional electrician in Atlanta are:Now, fixing a previously wrecked cable line, the aftermath of renovation or setting up a plush home theater system is just a call away. Mostly, top class and registered Electricians Atlanta offer the functionality of a help desk. Such help desks operate day and night with mobile services where the professionals move about localities day and night and can reach your doorstep within minutes!� After installation support� Timely completion of the electrical repair taskThese professional electricians Atlanta receive intense training and carry years of experience in their line of work. They have the skills required to install new cable lines in under construction structures and upgrade the existing material. The best part is that they adhere to all necessary safety standards, for which reason they only make use of the best electrical equipment in the industry.Being accessible 24x7 make them a safe bet as it guarantees that you can acquire their help in case of an emergency. Dealing with a short circuit or breached alarm is child's play for these versatile electronic masterminds. There are many instances where these professionals have shown a lot of versatility and ingenuity while helping in emergency evacuations around incidences of flooding and power failure. The referrals they receive from thousands of satisfied customers are enough to verify their credibility.� Usage of industry approved equipment and materials� 24x7 online and offline accessibility

Based in Atlanta, McCall Enterprises Inc., offers its electrical repair services to all those who wish to hire a professional electrician in Atlanta. Call now to get your electrical repair jobs done by a skilled electrician professionally!

Dextre, Space Electrician: Canadian Robot Repairs Components on the Space Station

Dextre, the Canadian Space Agency's robotic handyman aboard the International Space Station (ISS), has successfully replaced a faulty circuit-breaker box on the orbiting lab. The robot swapped the failed component for a fresh one, thereby restoring part of the orbiting lab's backup electrical systems. The maneuver marks the first time Dextre replaces defective equipment on the Station.

Established in 1989, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) coordinates all civil, space-related policies and programs on behalf of the Government of Canada. CSA directs its resources and activities through four key thrusts: Earth Observation, Space Science and Exploration, Satellite Communications, and Space Awareness and Learning. By leveraging international cooperation, the CSA generates world-class scientific research and industrial development for the benefit of humanity.Contacts: Media Relations Canadian Space Agency (450) 926-4370 www.asc-csa.gc.caAbout the CSAWhile the robotic handyman remains on-call for duty if any issues arise, Dextre also has a full list of scheduled tasks. Later this week, the Canadian-built robot will relocate two small storage pallets from their current location the robot's workbench to the Express Logistics Carrier 4 on the ISS. One of the pallets carries the equipment for the Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM), Dextre's first research and development project to test the technologies and techniques necessary to refuel satellites in flight.Canadarm2 supported Dextre during the entire operation, which took place on August 28-29. Dextre was operated from the ground by robotics flight controllers at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, and supported by several teams of engineers both in Houston and at the Canadian Space Agency's headquarters in Saint-Hubert, Quebec.

Contacts: Media Relations Canadian Space Agency (450) 926-4370 www.asc-csa.gc.ca