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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Not only may the wiring of your older home be outdated, but the heavy electronic lifestyle we live today is a load too big for some of these homes to bear. From big screen televisions, to desktop computers and laptops, to home exercise equipment, and central air conditioning, these luxuries were not available in the pre-World War II era, so there was no need for a more advanced electrical system.

Because of the lack of appliance usage many years ago, there are also very few receptacles in older homes compared to newer homes. Another issue is that older homes typically have lower voltage systems that what is standard today. A 60- or 100-amp system used to suffice, but a 200-amp service has been typical for many years now. Not to mention the natural deterioration of materials such as wire insulation over time.

Between 2010 and 2014, United States fire departments responded to an average of 45,210 fires in the home involving an electrical failure or malfunction. They caused annual averages of 420 deaths, 1,370 injuries, and $1.4 billion in property damage.

To safeguard your longstanding home from these, and other, dangerous electrical shortcomings, here are a few things you can do:

• Have an electrician install more wall receptacles. Stringing together extension cords or having them run through doorways and under rugs is dangerous. You should have outlets installed every 12 feet or within 6 feet of any doorway to alleviate the need for extension cords.
• Update current wall receptacles. You may find damaged or loose outlets throughout your home, which can cause a fire. You may also come across outlets that only have two prongs instead of three. These need to be changed out for new ones.
• Update your service to a 200-amp panel. You don’t want to overload your system with modern appliance and electronic usage. An electrician can do a load calculation to determine your house’s service size if you’re not sure what you have.
• Make sure circuit breakers are working. If you have a smaller system and your circuit breakers aren’t working, then they won’t properly trip when your service is overloaded.
• Have GFCI outlets installed. It’s now required to have these preventive outlets installed in any potentially wet rooms, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and basements.
• Make sure you have copper wiring, not aluminum. While it’s rare, there are older homes that were built using aluminum wiring. This is very dangerous, as the aluminum connections can loosen over time, causing overheating and fires.

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When exam time comes, you need to be prepared, just as you would for any other test. Exams and licensing obligations vary from state to state, so double check the requirements near you.

Start studying as soon as possible. Once you’ve signed up to take the test, don’t waste any time before studying. Keep all the knowledge from your apprenticeship fresh in your memory. Don’t procrastinate.

Find the right environment materials. Make sure you have everything you need to study properly. This includes reviewing notes from class, reflecting on your experiences in the field, and buying study guides or practice books. You’ll also need a quiet space to study. Choose an environment with little to no distractions.

Learn the NEC. You have to know the National Electrical Code in order to pass. You should have a copy of the code and it should be your main source of information. It’s updated every few years so make sure you’re studying the most recent version.

Practice. You’re putting all of your knowledge into the test. Reading about the code is different than being asked test questions about the code. You want to be prepared from all angles and you should anticipate what some of the questions may look like. The test is typically timed so practicing will help you manage your time better.

Use a computer. Some exams are proctored through a computer system, not a written test. If you’re not familiar with using a computer, become familiar. You don’t want to be struggling with the technology when you get there. It will be distracting and time consuming.

Don’t stress. Walk into the exam confident. Get a good night’s sleep, make sure you’ve eaten properly, and stay hydrated. You want to feel good mentally and physically. Clearing your mind and body of stress will make for a better exam experience.

When you pass, many opportunities lay before you. You’ll have the potential to excel as a journeyman and work your way up if you focus and stay dedicated to the job. You can also further your career by taking additional classes or training.

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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.

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Safety has always been one of Nickle’s top priorities. On February 1, Nickle continued its record-breaking streak, reaching five years without a lost-time accident. We hosted a celebration later that month at Dover Downs. A new process was implemented this year to further the superiority of Nickle’s safety program called the Behavioral Observation Safety System. Electricians are encouraged to conduct analyses on the job site, observe the safe behaviors of others, and give feedback on their performance. Those BOSS cards are evaluated by Nickle’s Safety Committee to decide which ones provide the most value to the organization.

To highlight the importance of safety, a video was created that includes interviews with management and footage of electricians on the job. You can find the video on our website under the “Safety” tab, or visit the Youtube link here.

Nickle was also recognized by a number of organizations for its dedication to safety. The company received the Governor’s Safety Award for the fourth year in a row. The honor is co-sponsored by the Delaware Department of Labor and the Delaware Contractors Association. Nickle also received its ninth consecutive Associated Builders and Contractors Delaware STEP safety award. The STEP (Safety Training and Evaluation Process) program is designed to support ABC members with development and improvement of safety and training efforts. The awards are given in five levels based on the company’s safety program and this was the second year in a row Nickle received the top award at the Diamond level. Nickle was also given its third consecutive ABC Chesapeake Shores STEP safety award, also at the Diamond level.

Published at the end of October, Engineering News-Record Magazine named Nickle Electrical Companies in its annual Top 600 Specialty Contractors list at #426, jumping 31 spots from 2014. The list ranks specialty contractors by 2014 revenue. This is the second consecutive year Nickle has appeared on the famed list.

The Delaware Business Times, the newest publication being distributed by Today Media, published the 2015 Book of Lists. It’s the first time a business journal has delivered such a list since the Business Ledger went out of business in 2010 and it showcases the highest-performing companies in the market. Nickle Electrical was named No. 1 in the electrical contractors category.

Over the summer, Nickle worked with Delaware Digital to revamp the company website. The new site launched in mid-October. Before that, the website hadn’t had a makeover since 2010. The redesign has a sleek, scroll-based page with just enough information to pique the interest of both our residential and commercial customers. A convenient “get free estimate” button is available, along with an easy-to-fill-out contact form for any and all questions.

Training and continuing education is important for all employees. It provides them with the opportunity to expand their knowledge and learn more about the industry. In April, a conduit bending workshop was held. A number of foremen, mechanics, and project managers demonstrated several ways to bend conduit, both manually and with various machines. Attendees then practiced bending the conduit on their own.

This year, Nickle acquired a business license to perform work in New Jersey, expanding its resources geographically to offer commercial, industrial, residential, and service skills to better serve the East Coast. Nickle’s first project is a renovation to a veteran’s administration medical clinic in Marlton, NJ with Emory Hill.

Always a hit with employees are Nickle’s company-wide events. They’re a fun, relaxing way to spend time with co-workers and encourage camaraderie. For the second year in a row, Nickle and United Electric Supply hosted a Tool-B-Que with Klein Tools, Thomas & Betts, and Ideal Industries. Employees were invited to browse tools available for purchase while enjoying food and refreshments. One event was held at the Newark location and another at the Georgetown location over the summer season.

Another notable event, which is hosted every other year, was the Nickle Elite Dinner. A total of 65 employees were honored at a dinner party on November 6 at Dover Downs to recognize their long-time commitment to the company. Elite members are those who have been with Nickle for five years or more. The 65 employees of the Nickle Elite have worked a total of more than 680 years combined, equating to about 92 million man-hours committed to Nickle Electrical. Check out the video from the event here.

Other happenings included various crab feasts and Christmas luncheons, along with events that corresponded with Nickle’s community outreach.

That outreach included the 8^th annual Irish Eyes Milton St. Patrick’s Day Parade and 3^rd annual Lucky Leprechaun 5k in March. Proceeds from that event benefitted the Fire Department Training Program, Best Buddies Delaware, and Casa San Francisco. Vice President of Operations Jeromy Newton also coached the Nickle Electrical Smyrna-Clayton Little Lass team (girls aged 7-9) for the second year in a row. In April, Nickle was a sponsor for the Made Ya Look! Salon and Spa inaugural 5k. Proceeds from the event supported the Children’s Beach House in Lewes, DE, which is a non-profit organization that helps children with special needs reach their highest potential as functioning members of society. In July, Nickle employees and family members participated in the 7^th annual Delaware Hospice 5k, which Nickle has been a sponsor of since its inception. Proceeds benefit the non-profit organization that provides end-of-life education and support for patients and families. This fall, Nickle sponsored the Run 4 the House 5k for the fourth year in a row. The event raised funds for the Ronald McDonald House of Delaware to provide support and services to children and families receiving care at local hospitals. Another popular sponsorship is the Easter Seals Walk With Me Delmarva event. For the third year in a row, Nickle helped raise money for the non-profit organization, which provides services and education to people living with disabilities.

Other donations and sponsorships Nickle was involved with include the Del Tech Alumni & Friends 5k, Apple-Scrapple Festival, Children’s Beach House 5k, AHEPA Olympic 5k, Health South 5k, many sporting clay shoots for location organizations, Middletown High School football team, St. George’s High School bowling team, Beast of the East wrestling tournament, Middletown High School wrestling, Atlantic General Hospital annual Penguin Swim, National Association of Women in Construction Block Kids event, ACE mentoring program, Lewes Library, AIA Golf Classic, Biggs Museum Gala, Toys for Tots, Chester River Half Marathon, University of Delaware, and a number of golf outings for organizations such as Bayhealth, Chester River Hospital, Boys & Girls Club, ABC Chesapeake Shores, ABC Delaware, little Sisters of the Poor, Delaware Hospice, and more.

One of the most popular fundraising events that Nickle participates in is the Delaware Mud Run. Six teams ran the three-mile muddy course on September 20 to support the Leukemia Research Foundation of Delaware. In total, all teams–Bandits, Dobbinsville River Rats, GI Janes, Muddstaches, Shockers, and Wirenuts–raised $6,480. Nickle participated with others from the Associated Builders and Contractors Delaware Chapter, organized by the ABCares Committee.

This year, Nickle Electrical was presented with four Excellence in Construction Awards: two from the Associated Builders and Contractors Delaware Chapter, one from the Associated Builders and Contractors Chesapeake Shores Chapter, and one from the Delaware Contractors Association.

The Optical Science Center for Applied Research project was a new 28,090-square-foot lab built on the Delaware State University campus in Dover, DE. The project won an excellence award from the ABC Delaware Chapter. The new 20,000-square-foot performing arts center at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center in Ocean City, MD also won an excellence award from the ABC Delaware Chapter and another from the ABC Chesapeake Shores Chapter. The Kalmar Nyckel Foundation’s new Copeland Maritime Center totals 21,360-square-feet. This project won an excellence award from DCA. Nickle now holds a total of 35 Excellence in Construction awards.

While these projects won awards for their spectacular construction, there were many other notable projects completed by Nickle’s electricians this year, including University of Delaware Harrington Hall, Swiss Dale Farms solar project, University of Maryland Medical System, Navient Star Building fit-out, Health South Rehab of New Castle County, and a number of remodels and retrofits at various Wawa locations across the Delmarva Peninsula.

If you’d like to keep up with Nickle news throughout the year, please e-mail Laura at lmassimini@nickle.email to receive the quarterly newsletter. You can also visit our website and subscribe to our e-mail list. Feel free to follow any of our social media accounts as well.

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There are many elements that make up your home’s electrical system. Even if one component is faulty, it can cause a series of problems, threatening the safety of you, your loved ones, and your home. Even if electrical problems are subtle, that doesn’t mean they’re not serious. Don’t put off an inspection or wait to call for help. Especially if you live in an older home, your electrical wiring will be outdated and may need more work than that in a new home. If you’re experiencing any of the issues below, do not ignore them. Call a certified electrician right away to solve the problem.

Flickering or dimming lights. This could be caused by a poor connection or faulty wiring. You may notice it especially when a large appliance, like the heater or air conditioner, kicks on. Or even if you turn on the microwave. It’s also possible that there is damage to the wiring of the fixture.

Buzzing or sparking outlets. If this is happening, there is probably some loose wiring in the circuit box. The outlet should be repaired or replaced immediately. Sparks and strange noises are an obvious sign that something is wrong. A single spark could cause a major fire.

Non-working outlet. First, check to see if a circuit is blown or the breaker is tripped. The solution here would simply be to reset the breaker. If that’s not the case, there could be loose or damaged wiring causing a break in the connection.

Popping lightbulbs. This problem means that’s is a bad connection and is a serious safety hazard.

Frequent tripped breakers. It’s one thing if you trip the breaker once in a blue moon. But if you notice it happening on a regular basis, there could be too much power on the circuit. One thing that may trigger this issue is by plugging too many things into the same outlet. If you don’t think you’re overloading the circuit, it could be a problem with the wiring.

Hot outlet or plate covers. It’s normal for them to be warm to the touch, but they shouldn’t be scorching hot. This definitely indicates a wiring problem that should be addressed immediately.

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120-volt – Typical voltage for lights and small appliances in a home.

240-volt – Typical voltage for running large appliances in a home.

Alternating Current – Flow of electrical current that reverses direction in a circuit.

Amperage – The amount of electrical charge that passes through a circuit.

Breaker – Automatic switching device that disconnects power to a circuit when the current exceeds a certain level. It clips on to one or two live busbars in a panel box and passes to the circuit wire(s) attached to it.

Busbar – Piece of rigid metal within a panel or fusebox that distributes electricity to various circuits.

Cable – A set of wires usually encased in a protective sheath.

Circuit – Intended path of current between points of differing voltage; each loop that a current makes (through a light, for instance) is a circuit.

Current – Movement of electricity in a wire or other conductor, measured in amps.

Device – An item that doesn’t consume significant electricity itself, but interrupts or passes it on (such as a switch or receptacle).

Dimmer – A switch to dim lights by altering voltage.

Direct Current – Electrons moving in the same direction along a conductor.

Energy – Amount of power consumed or produced during a certain amount of time.

Fixture – A non-portable electrically-produced light assembly.

Fuse – A safety device that interrupts current to its circuit by melting when there is an overload.

Fusebox – Similar to a panel, it’s a main source of the circuits in a home.

Generator – A device that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.

GFI or GFCI – Stands for ground-fault interrupter or ground-fault circuit interrupter. It’s a device that prevents electrocution by sensing the difference in the amount of electricity flowing in and out and trips the circuit before causing a fire or injuries.

Ground – It refers to a connectedness to the earth. The ground wire carries a large flow that will then cause the breaker or circuit to trip.

Junction Box – A box for making connections.

Neutral – The wires of a circuit that carry current back from a light or appliance.

Open or Open Circuit – Occurs when a circuit is broken by a broken wire or open switch that interrupts the flow of current through the circuit.

Outlet – Any point along a circuit where a light or appliance receives its final connections to the hot and neutral of the circuit. It could be a receptacle for a cord to plug into (such as a lamp) or a box where an item using the electricity is wired (such as a ceiling fan).

Overload – When the normal operation of a circuit has carried too much flow so the wires get too hot and unsafe so the breaker will trip.

Panel – The panel or breaker box is the large metal box containing breakers for circuits. The main or service panel is the central source of power for the home coming from the power company.

Receptacle – Serves as the outlet for lights or appliances to connect to a circuit by a cord with a plug on the end (such as a lamp).

Relay – Coil switch that uses a small current to control a larger current.

Short or Short Circuit – When one part of a circuit comes in contact with another part of the same circuit, redirecting the flow of current from its intended path.

Socket – The part of a light fixture that receives the bulb.

Switch – Device that opens or closes electrical pathways in a circuit (such as turning off a light).

Three-Way Switch – A system where lights are controllable from more than one location by two or more switches (such as a switch at the top and bottom of the stairs that control the same light).

Volt – Unit of electrical pressure that causes current to flow in a circuit.

Voltage – Force generated to cause flow in a circuit.

Watt – Unit of measure indicating electrical power applied in a circuit.

Wattage – Rate of electricity energy used by lights or appliances; or the maximum watts the device is designed to deliver or control.

Wire – The bendable metal for carrying electric current.

Can you think of any other electrical terms we could define for you?

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