The Craft Championship is a national competition that brings together the best skilled tradespeople to demonstrate their superior skills in the industry.

In August, Nickle hosted its first annual Craft Championships where seven third and fourth-year Apprentices competed in a written and hands-on skills test to determine who would move on to the state competition. The hands-on portion required the Apprentices to complete various residential panel and lighting wiring.

Andrew Antinora and third-year Apprentice Adrian Cosgrove came out on top and both competed at the state level against Apprentices from other local electrical contractors.

State winner Andrew Antinora said he was a little nervous going into the Nickle event. “I wasn’t totally sure what to expect but I was also eager to get on the tools and start the skills test,” he said. On his favorite part of the competition: “Just being around the whole Nickle crew and hanging out with friends and coworkers,” he said. “I also really enjoyed having my wife there to cheer me on.”

Along with the written test proctored by Director of Commercial Construction Randy Spencer, there were employees who volunteered as judges for the hands-on portion at Nickle’s event. Service Foreman Mike Frieze, Layout Foreman Luis Rivera, Service Foreman Ryan Wade, Safety Director Paul Woodland, and Estimator Dietrich Yontz scored the competitors on aspects such as following the provided drawings, using correct dimensions, overall appearance of the job, performing the job safely, and more. Foreman Mike Frieze, a 25-year Nickle Elite, competed in the State and National Craft Championship back in 2001. ABC Delaware President Ed Capodanno was present and he commended the organizers and competitors. “The competition went flawlessly,” he said. “I am happy to have been able to witness the craftsmanship and quality of work done by your apprentices.”

Nickle’s first annual event was put together by Chief Operating Officer Jeromy Newton, Project Manager Brandon Cale, Service Manager Jonathan Harrison, and Project Manager Kevin Woodland. “It was an exciting challenge organizing our first annual Nickle Craft Championship, and it made it truly worthwhile seeing how much our apprentices enjoyed the competition,” said Brandon Cale.

Andrew Antinora will compete in the 35th Annual National Craft Championship in Kissimmee, Florida in March 2024.

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1. How does your electrical panel work? The electrical panel is a major component when it comes to understanding how your home operates, so knowing its anatomy is important. The panel is usually mounted in a garage, basement, or a laundry room.

2. Yes, electrical wire colors do matter. Electrical wire colors probably don’t mean anything to the average homeowner, but those distinctions are actually very important and knowing the proper color coding is essential when performing electrical work. Each color serves a different purpose and you should be aware that all wires, no matter their function or color, can carry a current at some point so they should be handled carefully. 

3. Three-prong vs. two-prong outlet. Modern receptacles now have three slots for safety purposes. This wasn’t common practice many years ago so some older homes may have receptacles with only two slots, which calls for an upgrade. But why? What does that third slot do? Does it really improve safety? 

4. FAQs about electric fireplaces. Electric fireplaces are growing in popularity. They can make any room warm and inviting without the hassle of a traditional fireplace with a chimney, venting, and the upkeep. They can be decorative and provide a nice ambiance. 

5. What do electrical inspectors look for? Whether you’ve built a new home, are purchasing an older home, have done some do-it-yourself work, or you’re an electrician finishing up a job, an electrical inspection is necessary. Having a professional check for problems or defects could save your home or business from potential fires and could save you from shock or electrocution.

6. What’s included in a typical electrical O&M manual. Nickle, along with other contractors, create an Operation & Maintenance Manual for each of its commercial projects and a number of its large service projects. An O&M manual is almost always required for commercial projects stated in the specifications sent out per the contract. Some are more detailed than others depending on what the general contractor/construction manager requests. 

7. Why do my lights flicker? There are few things more annoying than flickering lights. It’s an issue many homeowners experience at one time or another and it should be addressed quickly. There may be a simple fix, but if there’s a serious underlying issue it can cause devastating damage. So what could cause a light to flicker?

8. Electrical safety statistics. Recent data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission shows that, on average, there are more than 400 electrocutions in the United States each year. Of these, about 180 are related to consumer products. 

9. ABC’s Construction Backlog Indicator, predicting future work. In 2008 Associated Builders and Contractors initiated the Construction Backlog Indicator (CBI) to suggest the amount of work to be performed by commercial and industrial contractors in the months ahead. The indicator focuses on United States commercial, institutional, industrial, and infrastructure construction industries. 

10. The ABCs of common electrical terms. When an electrician comes to your home communicating a sea of terms you don’t quite get, it’s hard to understand what your electrical problem actually is. Life would be much easier if you knew the definition of some of the most common electrical terms. Here is a simple list for your reference. 

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The list, published at the end of October, ranks specialty contractors by 2015 revenue. Other specialties include mechanical, demolition, concrete, masonry, and more. To accompany the Top 600, ENR published an article about the growing market, increased margins, and better acknowledgement of subcontractors on projects. This year’s Top 600 had a record total revenue of $100.43 billion in 2015, up 7.8% from last year.

Visit www.enr.construction.com for the complete Top 600 list.

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Every year the company continues to sharpen its focus on all safety-related policies and procedures, ensuring each employee is sent home unharmed at the end of the day. Initiatives such as the Behavioral-Based Safety Program, Safety Shadow Program, Safety Committee, and others are key components to reaching this goal each year.

Safety runs through the veins of Nickle employees. They live and breathe it on the job sites every day. Their dedication and commitment cannot be disputed. We’re looking forward to another safe year.

For more information about Nickle’s safety principles, processes, and training, please visit our safety page and check out the video.

Nickle Safety … It’s How We’re Wired.

The post 6 years and going strong appeared first on Nickle Electrical Companies.

Your meter will be checked to make sure the install is secure and there are no defects or rust affecting the box. Since it’s located outside, it’s important to check for the presence of water.

An inspector will look for unprotected wires in the business or residence, along with damaged or frayed wires outsides. He or she will also check to make sure the correctly type of wire is used. For example, underground cables are different than the cables typically run within a house.

The electrical panel will be examined carefully. Breakers are designed to prevent currents from reaching unsafe levels. The electrician or inspector will make sure the breakers are properly sized for the current they will be holding, possible corrosion, or the potential for overheating. He or she will want to make sure the box isn’t overloaded.

Junction boxes also need to be accessible and visible, not buried beneath insulation and drywall. They all must have covers as well.

Ground fault circuit interrupters are typically placed in areas where there might be water, such as bathrooms, kitchens, garages, and basements. They are designed to shut off when overloaded and prevent electrocution. An inspector will make sure they’re wired correctly and will test them to make sure they’re working properly.

In addition to testing the GFCIs, regular outlets around the home or business will be tested and inspected to make sure there isn’t any unsafe wiring or loose switch plates. Outlets should also be properly spaced throughout the home to avoid use of dangerous extension cords.

All wiring will also be checked for proper grounding back to the electrical panel. Electrical current naturally flows to the ground, so it’s safer to have it flow through the ground wire than through another source, such as your body.

If for some reason a structure doesn’t pass an inspection, it’s important to call a licensed electrician right away to fix the issues.

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The list, published at the end of October, ranks specialty contractors by 2014 revenue. Other specialties include mechanical, demolition, concrete, masonry, and more. To accompany the Top 600, ENR published an article about the steadily improving market for subcontractors and specialty contractors. This year’s Top 600 had a record total revenue of $93.20 billion in 2014, up 5.6% from last year. It beat out 2008’s revenue of $87.07 billion, before the recession began.

Visit www.enr.construction.com for the complete Top 600 list

The post Nickle jumps 31 places on ENR Magazine’s Top 600 Specialty Contractor list appeared first on Nickle Electrical Companies.

On October 28, at the Delaware Contractors Association‘s Annual Dinner, one of Nickle Electrical’s project was recognized for outstanding craftsmanship. The Kalmar Nyckel Foundation project was given an Excellence in Construction award for work performed on the project. Congratulations to Project Manager Brandon Cale, Foreman Kevin Woodland, and all field personnel who helped make this project a success.

The original Kalmar Nyckel was built in Amsterdam in 1625. She was purchased in 1629 to serve as a warship for the Swedish navy and was eventually sold to a private merchant in 1651. She is well-known for being the flagship for the 1638 expedition that founded the colony of New Sweden, which established the first permanent European settlement in present-day Wilmington, Delaware. Stories about her sinking aren’t conclusive, but it’s been told that the Kalmar Nyckel sank in the North Sea fighting for the Dutch in a war against the English in 1652. The current Kalmar Nyckel was constructed in Wilmington and launched on the Christina River in 1997.

The Kalmar Nyckel Foundation is a non-profit educational organization that offers a broad array of sea- and land-based learning and recreational experiences. The ship serves as a floating classroom for the foundation’s award-winning educational programs, which promote Delaware’s maritime and colonial history.

This new building was a design-build project for Nickle Electrical, a method where design and construction phases overlap to reduce the risk to the owner and reduce delivery time. Blake & Vaughan Engineering, Inc. gave Nickle approval and stamps for design. Architecture firm Bernardon also gave the Nickle team architectural background to design the electrical work. In total, the design-build process took about three years, from the concept phase, through design, until the plans were agreed on.

A building on the site was demolished before Nickle Electrical employees came on board. Boots were on the ground in 2012 and Nickle began electrical work at the beginning of 2014. The first floor of the building is dedicated to the ship, excluding the lobby. There are areas committed to making improvements or repairs to the ship, such as carpentry, sanding, finishing, and rope making. The second floor has a scale model of the deck of the boat, along with classrooms, model ship collections, and a balcony to look over the dock and Christina River. The third floor serves as offices for staff and volunteers. The building totals 21,360-square-feet.

Nickle electricians rewired the shipyard’s dock for better functionality, more access points for the Kalmar Nyckel, and upgraded panels and lighting. The dock is 311-feet long, 10-feet wide, and connects to a 735-square-foot deck via a bridge and tower on the dock.

Because this was a design-build project, there was a substantial amount of planning on the front end than normal. Because of this, construction ran smoothly and heavy manpower was never needed. There was plenty of time to successfully manage the job and perform high-quality work.

Typically, electricians will install 120-volt outlets. They supply enough electricity for lights and small appliances in buildings such as a house, commercial high-rise, school, or library. But at the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation, electricians installed a special transformer to support multiple three-phase, 240-volt outlets. These outlets can power larger appliances or numerous appliances at once.

A special electric—also known as traction—elevator was installed within the building instead of a standard hydraulic elevator. Electric elevators are lifted by ropes that pass over a wheel, which is attached to an electric motor. The counter weight offsets the weight of the elevator and its occupants so the motor doesn’t have to move as much weight. This makes the elevator much more efficient.

At the beginning of the project, electricians had to do some digging on site. Since the project is located on a shipyard near the river, there was potential for contaminated soils. Twice per week for about a month, Nickle had to call in environmental consultants Brightfields, Inc. to oversee the soil and groundwater remediation to satisfy the Delaware Department of Natural Resources requirements for safe construction.

On the second floor of the building, there is a full-scale model of the deck of the Kalmar Nyckel, along with its masts, so there are sloped, vaulted ceilings that were difficult to work with. Lifts were brought in and proper safety precautions were taken to reach those heights.

Working on the new dock was also a challenge and very out of the ordinary for Nickle. Because it’s on the Christina River, electricians had to wear life vests at all times in case someone had a misstep—a very interesting uniform for an electrician. The dock is only 10-feet wide, making a very small work space, and to reach the 30-foot light poles on the dock, a boom lift was used.

This project exudes excellence. The job required patience, consistency, dependability, and thoughtfulness. Thanks to the hard work and dedication from the entire Nickle team, the project came in on time and under budget, two of the most important factors on a construction site. The ship now has a proper place to dock and receive repairs, and visitors from all over have a great facility to learn about Delaware’s colonial and maritime history. From the unique and modern design-build process to the special challenges Nickle conquered, the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation is worthy of this award-winning recognition.

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In preparation for a new year, regular maintenance should be conducted on various aspects of your home and even at work. This includes checking the batteries in your smoke detectors, organizing the clutter that’s piled up over the past year, and changing furnace filters. There’s also a lesser known preventive maintenance assessment that’s just as important for home and business owners – infrared testing.

Infrared testing evaluates the health of your building or residence. It can detect electrical problems before they cause serious complications and can prevent devastating and costly damage. According to the American Red Cross, more than $7 billion in property damage is caused by house fires each year and an average of seven people die every day from them.

An experienced electrical professional should conduct this test on an annual or bi-annual basis, so why not make it part of your New Year’s resolution?

It can be performed in all divisions of construction – residential, commercial, industrial – and on various equipment such as motors, panels and breakers, power lines, sub-stations, in-floor heating, uninterruptible power supply systems, transformers, pumps, and more.

For more information on infrared testing or to schedule service, please call Nickle at 302-453-4000, fill out our contact form, or email info@nickle.email.

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These are informal meetings between supervisors and employees with topics ranging from new safety procedures, dangers of a specific hazard, accident trends, job-specific requirements, equipment-specific conditions, and more. Often, an overview of the topic is read, employees fill out a short quiz, and then there is an open discussion. But sometimes these talks can seem redundant or boring, resulting in disinterested employees who may miss a vital safety tip. So here are a few ways to have an effective Toolbox Talk.

Make sure employees are focused and engaged. There are a number of factors that can contribute to a disinterested employee. Maybe they’re tired, bored, or think they already know everything about the topic at hand. To keep them focused you can lighten the mood by giving out positive feedback or thanking them for participating (gratitude goes a long way). Supervisors can also engage employees by following the second tip below.

Make the topics relevant and organized. If the safety topic is unrelated to what the employees are doing, they’re going to feel lost or detached. Employees want to hear about topics personal to them – something related to the job they’re currently working on or a piece of equipment they’ve been using recently. If it’s relevant, they’re more apt to listen and keep the topic in mind while working. It’s also important to stay organized. Most Toolbox Talks are conducted in 15 minutes or less. There may be a lot of information to cover in that small time frame so if the supervisor is unorganized then the topic becomes confusing and goes in one ear and out the other. If the supervisor doesn’t feel comfortable going over all information related to a topic during one talk, they can try breaking it up.

Open the floor for questions and discussion. Asking if anyone has any questions and opening the floor for discussion is a good way to keep employees engaged. You want to make sure every employee understands the information before they begin the work day.

Encourage participation. Make sure employees feel comfortable speaking in front of everyone. Let them know that there’s no such thing as a stupid question when it comes to safety. It’s better to gather more information than not have enough during these talks. If people really are too shy to participate in front of a group of people, encourage them to see the supervisor after the talk for a short one-on-one session.

Give examples. Everyone learns in different ways. While some employees might be fine with just reading about the topic, others might relate better if an example is given or a situation is acted out. For example, if your topic covers rigging, the supervisor could give a real life example of the proper way to rig a piece of equipment and tell a story about an improper way a piece of equipment was rigged and what the consequences were.

Provide rewards/incentives. To ensure contribution, supervisors could base incentives on participation. Many contractors log attendance and keep track of who is present during Toolbox Talks. Once a reward is attached to the activity, participation and attention is likely to increase.

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