Elliot is SUPER excited about the Federal Signal promotion going
“Legends on the Line” is a social media series that
Mishaps are a part of life. No one is perfect
We’re seeing more women in construction these days as contractors
Every minute counts when a hurricane warning is issued, especially
The construction submittal process has typically moved at a snail’s
In the wake of rapid technological advancements, many healthcare facilities
Whether you’re working with construction designs, information requests, specifications or
As a construction manager, your No. 1 priority is the
Construction companies have long relied on manual processes to get
On May 20, Border States welcomed 17 people to our
“Legends on the Line” is a social media series that stretches
How to address construction workforce challenges is a hot topic
“Legends on the Line” is a social media series that
For utilities to deliver safe, affordable and reliable electricity to
First and foremost, when installing expanding rock anchors for foundations,
For years, Edward Flores listened to his friends talk about
Staying hydrated on the job site is very important, but
On your job site, you have expensive tools that can
The technological world is changing – fast. Whether seeking lighting
A crucial way of supporting your body’s natural processes when
The strength of concrete largely depends on the temperature at
NOTE: The following 12-step isolation procedure for live installations is
To better understand ANSI/ISEA 105 versus EN 388 for cut-resistant
The countless light fixtures that illuminate our world have different
A trusted one-stop shop Whether you’re on a construction crew,
Industrial data breaches are disruptive and costly, which is why
By working with experienced electrical engineering services professionals, a business
Worker safety is paramount, which is why industrial professionals should
In the dog days of summer, we get frequent reminders
If you work in the oil and gas industry, you
When Mother Nature hinders critical infrastructure, especially in the world
It may still be the dead of winter, but now
There are many hazards you and your fellow workers face
Proper inspection, cleaning and storage of respirators is important if
By owning the best standby generator or portable generator for
Access career happiness While attending Arizona State University, Naim Shamsid-Deen
As a contractor, once you’ve completed a job, you want
It’s crucial for crew leaders in blizzard-prone areas to wield
Tool, equipment and material theft is one of the major
As a contractor, you care about staying up-to-date on best
There have been many technological advances made for contractor crew
In addition to daytime operations, some construction companies burn the
As a contractor, it’s beneficial for you to wield strong
Rising over budget and falling behind schedule are among the
Contractor equipment goes through significant wear and tear, which is
Every business needs effective leaders to be successful, especially when
Managing a construction site is expensive. With multiple people, materials
It’s tough to find skilled construction workers these days, especially
David Harris is always running somewhere. The Border States Senior
Whether you’re delivering a safety talk, a how-to presentation or
Fostering a strong brand for your construction business is important
As a contractor, you want employees focused on the job
Your hard work is valued Keri Goode tried escargot when
Smartphones and tablets put limitless information and resources at our
Today’s contractor crews face increasing pressure to meet deadlines and
Some of Border States’ East Coast branches have temporarily closed so
Contractors are becoming more aware of the risks that come
When it comes to communicating risk to your workers and
There are usually multiple age groups on the average job
You need cash to run your business, otherwise you’d go
Keeping industrial motors running at peak performance is becoming increasingly
Clear communication is a general contractor’s key to improving safety,
Construction professionals have oftentimes approached project bidding by offering the
To implement effective security and surveillance technology at your facility,
Successful customers know that maximizing productivity and efficiency – all
When it comes to respecting arc flash boundaries, industrial professionals
Businesses are improving their inventory accuracy and reducing tracking time
The American National Standards Institute’s Dropped Objects Standard (ANSI 121)
A durable, portable gas detector is an efficient way for
This blog post addresses the specifics of how professionals make
Unplanned downtime caused by equipment failures costs manufacturers millions every
A variable frequency drive (VFD) controls the level of power
Many businesses have heard about saving money with light emitting
Professionals who need quick and easy access to products and
E-commerce is more than an online store. It’s a reflection
Power monitoring devices are vital to most production operations because
“Legends on the Line” is a blog series that stretches
Have you ever wondered how those enormous roadside transmission and
The following blog post was drafted in partnership with Sharper
The dangers of cheap FR clothing Flame-resistant (FR) gear is
When it comes to seeking actionable intelligence for facility maintenance,
Imagine a vehicle Wi-Fi router capable of uniting an entire
It’s imperative job site supervisors share toolbox talks on heat
“Legends on the Line” is a blog series that stretches
It’s imperative linemen and other electrical professionals take advantage of
Lighting up a job site or temporary work area becomes
“Legends on the Line” is a blog series that stretches
If you’re wondering how to recycle light bulbs, it’s actually
MOORHEAD, MN – When it comes to fighting muscular dystrophy,
“Electricity powers the world around us – from our smartphones,
Types of taps There are basically four types of taps
While many people automatically proceed with caution when
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao recently announced 10 sites
When accessing pipes, valves and fittings (PVF services and solutions)
These are the factors to consider when looking for the
Vegetation management is one of the largest ongoing operational costs
When managing critical assets in the world of transmission and
‘Grounding and Protection of Communication Sites’ On July 10, Border
Seven Border States employee-owners have been named to tED Magazine’s
“Legends on the Line” is a blog series that stretches
When it comes to knowing how to wear a disposable respirator
The annual Rockwell Automation on the Move (RAOTM) conference will take
FARGO, ND – On April 28, Border States employee-owners were
WEST COLUMBIA, SC – As part of the “Plug in
Delivering and installing prefab rough-in assemblies is quick and affordable
Border States and Ergodyne will hold a free webinar May 10 on
When seeking industrial valve maintenance training and certification, it’s important
“Legends on the Line” is a blog series that stretches
Sharper Shape, a global leader in automated drone services, has
When working at heights, tethering tools and equipment is a
FARGO, ND – On April 28, Border States employee-owners will
Border States has teamed up with Sharper Shape, a global
When facility operations managers experience network issues, it’s imperative they
When facility operation managers don’t have the budget to replace
Since aging electrical switchgear infrastructure is a threat to the
By having the right power quality measurement tools at their
On March 28, Border States held a “topping out” ceremony
If you’re someone with little or no automated external defibrillator
Since utilities rely so heavily on their assets operating efficiently,
If you’re a Facility Operations Manager who’s looking to meet
Whether you’re a Procurement Manager, Facility Operations Manager, Journeyman or
What is hand-arm vibration syndrome? When conducting an anti-vibration gloves
A retractable safety barrier is an incredibly effective tool for
When delivering quality products and services to market,
Working in electrical boxes jammed with wires can be challenging
When fighting the sun’s intense reflection on the job, it’s
Fog-resistant safety glasses are the perfect solution for workers required
This article walks through how to install power distribution connectors
Vibration analysis critical to operations When reliability and maintenance managers
It’s important to know how to recognize hypothermia and frostbite
The performance of utility pole aluminum brackets is critical, especially
While heat is generally the enemy of power system transmission
Heat is often an early symptom of equipment damage or
When power is needed across long distances and within hard-to-reach
Are you faced with challenges to reduce costs from your
You can’t control winter weather, but you can control your
Lex Silbernagel lives in Fargo, ND, but he has a
It’s tough to miss Jeff Harrison on the scenic trails
Internships should not only be practical and educational
Traditional operational and information systems are changing due to smart
Wood is an essential building material, and this post explains
Bitter cold temperatures can expose many so-called thermal winter work
Electrical panel inspection should be done by licensed electricians Electrical
Do more than stocking shelves Material management is a complex
Your skills are appreciated Cassie Bruns describes her life as
What is substation and distribution automation? Substation and distribution automation
It’s critical for electrical contractors to understand and keep up
Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) are a game-changer for utilities, and
There’s no cell reception near Rode Lewis’ ranch in Alpine,
For electric utilities, it’s no longer just a game of
The busyness and complexity of modern life has made peace
Your experience is valued Before joining Border States nearly four
As a power utility communications professional, you face many challenges
Have you ever wondered why GFCI outlet requirements exist? This
This fall, Border States teamed up with other businesses and
Drones are taking over inspection of the power grid. Equipped
When a snow-covered job site has the potential to impact
A large South Carolina solar farm was recently completed with
After his granddaughter survived a brain tumor, Robert “Mac” McKenzie
Specialized wire and cable reels are a must for the
“Veterans Day is a special day to honor all the
The idea of using drones for utilities has become a
After surviving a gas explosion, fleeing a war, losing her
Winter weather often makes it hard for outdoor workers to
When a recent snow storm damaged a portion of Big
Common construction problems can keep you from finishing a project
Employee-owners recently braved the cold so a Habitat for Humanity
Erosion from rising storm water can damage or weaken existing
To optimize safety and effectiveness when working with high-voltage power
Protect your assets Cyberattacks are not only a real threat
A good employer prioritizes safety every day of the year.
War leaves scars many can’t see or understand. It’s a
The sheer scope and complexity of material management is a
One small step for employee-owners, one giant leap for kids
At Border States, our Account Managers have a key goal
Fiber-optic cables are a truly impressive form of technology. These
Lockout-tagout saves lives When conducting equipment maintenance, unexpected energy activations
Check out the following steps on how to properly crimp
Woodhead® Watertite® wet-location products set the standard for
Smart. Driven. Unwavering. These three words served as pillars for
A time to mourn, a time to build Heroes are
Did you know you can buy less and increase employee
Smart sensors are the perfect way to gain visibility into
By installing the right yard and area LED lighting, your
The week of Sept. 11, Border States went back to
Electrical training that will get you home safely Safety is
Contractors know there are always two challenges with every retrofit:
Many modern conveniences are possible with Wi-Fi networking. Home automation
If you’re looking to reduce consumption, increase productivity, improve accountability
Border States has been named number 36 on Industrial Distribution’s
At Border States, we make sure our customers have the
Border States broke ground on a 120,000-square-foot corporate headquarters building
Material management should be simple, allowing businesses to focus on
Are you still using expensive high-intensity discharge (HID) technology to
Dave Ferguson doesn’t always hang from 110-foot buildings. But when
Material handling is a common cause of unproductive time on
Skin cancer often develops because of cell damage from long-term exposure
NOTE: This blog post was updated on June 11, 2018.
Border States appreciates family time The summit of Maine’s Cadillac
It may be summer, but Mark Lester can’t seem to
Did you know you can use your phone’s built-in camera
FASTAP™, available at Border States, provides a novel solution to
Motorists are seeing a historic Arizona tunnel in a new
Introducing part number synchronization As a storeroom attendant or manager,
Are you looking for an affordable, yet versatile LED high
When managing material for seasonal projects, it makes all the
Flammable safety cabinets are the key to properly storing flammable
Do you have the power to be the best electrician
You shouldn’t have to worry about transporting or managing materials
Whether you’re on an urban construction site, off-road in an
On most job sites, workers need access to specific groups
Your utility can add advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) value through
Much like general information technology platforms, industrial control systems are
There are various types of equipment used for wire-handling purposes.
There are a range of tools available that facilitate heavy
Deploying an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) system is a large
There’s no getting around it – rotating machinery is dangerous.
Work hard and have fun “Do what makes you happy.”
Border States will soon launch an exciting new video series
Legrand’s Ground Box revolutionizing outdoor accessibility It’s time to take
Everyone deserves to go to summer camp. That’s where Camp
Reduce consumption Research suggests that vending typically reduces overall consumption
Meet the Blade, one of Border States’ maintenance, repair and
The Border States app makes ordering and tracking easy If
June may be National Safety Month, but Border States prioritizes
Peace lives in the most curious places. A group of
Fiber optics are widely used in the communications industry, which
As a 31-year military veteran, Border States retiree John Dohm
By Kyle Christensen (LC), Border States Construction Market Specialist PHILADELPHIA,
May has been designated as Electrical Safety Month by Electrical
The world runs on electrical signals. Virtually every facet of
Falls from elevated heights are a commonplace risk in construction,
Falls are a dangerous—and common—occurrence in the workplace. According to
While preventing falls should be the number one priority for construction safety
LED lighting is the future for commercial and industrial buildings.
Instrumentation tray cable can be rated for 600 V or
Set aside time this May, Electrical Safety Month, to remember
Power and control tray cable comes in a variety of
Businesses and households wouldn’t have power if it weren’t for
Lost in the tapping process is the importance of hole
Alan Drew is the son of a power company executive
Linemen safety has changed quite a bit over the years.
In recognition and support of National Lineman Appreciation Day, Border
National Lineman Appreciation Day was introduced and quickly passed in
Guest Post: The son of a power company executive, 2008 International
Every work site contains hazards, and employees need to know how
U.S. District Court Judge Sam A. Lindsay of the Northern
It is important to understand the basic aspects of a
A November accident in Salt Lake City, Utah, should serve
Strong storms happen, whether thunderstorms in the summer or blizzards
Safety managers must thoroughly inspect equipment used by employees. Neglecting
On March 7, Border States teamed up with 18 key vendors
Lighting an indoor horticulture space is vastly different than lighting
According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, new home starts
Many consumers and businesses see internet access as a necessity
Cutting taps and forming taps produce threads that are interchangeable and
Electric motors are the workhorses of industrial machines. That’s why
Living United This past Thursday, March 16, United Way of Cass-Clay
Incentive Creating the right incentive program doesn’t have to be
Renewable Energy With every passing year, renewable energy usage grows
It is that time of year again, Daylight Saving Time,
Leviton’s new Dual Function AFCI/GFCI receptacle protects homeowners from the dangers of
The Internet of Things (IoT) is constantly expanding to create
The Internet of Things (IoT) is not only popular within
The shale boom that started nearly one decade ago has
According to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, ladders
Have you ever wanted to see the latest products from a
A Florida-based lighting company believes it has the perfect tool
Register Today for the Solutions and Technology Expo Don’t miss
In the oil and gas industries, embracing new technologies and
Conventional lighting just won’t cut it anymore in Sin City.
For a long time, fire resistant—or FR—clothing was the only
Downlights, or recessed lighting, are a key component for many
Lista International provides tips and tools to make sure your
Lighting Controls’ Role in Energy-efficient Buildings Interior and exterior fixtures
The next-generation of LED lighting may have just been discovered.
Torque is an important measurement for today’s machinery. Using the
Guest Post: Ligowave’s Bill Brown shares with us insights on
For workers completing their daily tasks in the construction, industrial
Converting existing fixtures to LED is popular topic among commercial
Have you ever wanted to see the latest products from a
Traditionally, Wi-Fi has been used as a best effort connection
A study released in October 2015 revealed that pedestrians feel
Safety is a continuous training cycle, from an employee’s first
There are many safety hazards in the construction industry, no
Halloween 2016 was filled with fun for our customers, employee-owners
Carbon Monoxide Alarms There are many myths associated with the
Customer Problem: Specifying, purchasing and installing an easily configurable Process
On September 13–15, nearly 650 exhibitors and thousands of visitors
Strong storms happen—hurricanes, thunderstorms, blizzards and more. High winds can
Knowing the difference between EPR and TR-XLP cables can be
There are countless safety measures employees working in a machine
As LED lights grow in popularity, they are increasingly proving
Recent studies have shown green construction in the U.S. is
Read more here: Workers at small Codelco copper mine to
Have you ever wanted to see the latest products from a
By Steve Parker, TE Connectivity When I talk with power
Developing an effective approach to warehouse storage is part science,
Border States Electric (BSE), a 100 percent employee-owned company, reached
While there are several Occupational Safety and Health Administration-established protocols
On March 17, 2016, the Department of Transportation announced a series
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), alloy
LED lighting is beginning to offer more to consumers than
We are seeing record high temperatures across the U.S., and
What is Recessed Lighting? Recessed lighting is a lighting fixture
In August 2015, astronauts aboard the International Space Station were
Following advisory committee meetings held in April of 2016, the
Given the rapid evolution of technology, it is surprising that
Fire safety is a top concern in the construction industry.
Lighting professionals are throwing a few interesting words around the
Prioritizing the safety of workers is a difficult task. While
Border States Electric offers customized wire services to help you
Another Independence Day is upon us and as we pause
Many workers in the construction industry do not realize there is
Workers in all industries know all too well the dangers
Summer is in full swing, and with the season’s rain, there’s
Restaurants, storefronts, retailers and small offices have good reason to
Keeping Safety a Value It’s important to highlight real life
The best method to dry your hands after washing them
As energy efficiency becomes a larger global priority, consumers have
According to the National Centers for Environmental Information, last June
The federal government is in the midst of renewing an
All those who serve in the Guard and Reserve give
Have you ever wanted to see the latest products from a
Linemen work with thousands of volts of electricity, keeping the
Near the end of March 2016, the U.S. Occupational Safety
Every May, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) kicks
Everyone has those days where they get tired at work and stop
Raising awareness about electrical hazards is the key to reducing
Border States appreciates all that our linemen do, and we
National Lineman Appreciation Day was Monday, April 18, but here
April 18 was National Lineman Appreciation Day. A national day
In honor of National Lineman Appreciation Day, Border States donated
April 18 is National Lineman Appreciation Day. This national day
In November 2015, Acuity Brands announced the release of its new ByteLights Technology,
In December 2015, the Energy-Efficient Commercial Buildings Tax Deduction (otherwise
The U.S. Department of Energy recently unveiled a new proposal for general
Developed by The Prysmian Group, the world’s largest manufacturer of
Prysmian’s Low Voltage AIRGUARD™ Power Cable is designed to withstand
Border States Electric is now the exclusive distributor in our
It may sound counter-intuitive, but utility companies want their customers
The lighting industry is rapidly evolving, and traditional product life
Removing contaminants and repairing damage to a worker’s flame resistant
Installing energy-efficient products in your home may seem like an
According to EHS Today, 90 percent of injuries to the eye are
//play.vidyard.com/m_Ykb6e9DQ6uyf_2aVV4Tw.js?v=3.1.1&type=lightbox Surge Protective Devices, or SPDs, are designed to protect
Electricians are aware of the risks of forgoing surge protection
Every day, industrial workers who work with electricity are at
KANSAS CITY, Missouri – John Born, Leviton Regional Sales Manager,
In an attempt to guard their homes from various risks,
While it’s no secret flashlights are a necessary tool to maintain
In early February, the American National Standards Institute approved a
When it comes to odor detection, it seems nothing can
According to the a report from Grand View Research Inc.,
Spectra Energy Corporation extended the New Jersey–New York pipeline using
Safe work sites are the results of clear communication, employee
Winter can bring dangerous conditions for construction workers. Hail and snow
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) established new safety standards for
Due to the Internet of Things (IoT) and evolving wireless
Have you ever wanted to see the latest products before
Many cities around the world have switched their streetlights to
Another year has passed, and we look to 2016 with
Technology for traditional lamps has slowed, and with it, so
Traditional lamps and lighting are in the midst of a
For a construction or utility business working in dangerous environments,
The convergence of your business network and the plant floor
The U.S. Department of Energy has published an annual report
Electrical standards are an important component of any workplace, not
Within the construction industry, motion sensors are growing in popularity
Businesses are always looking for ways to cut costs, and
Construction sites can be dangerous places to work. According to
Advancements in 3-D technology are changing the way construction companies
Like many other energy-efficient standards, solar energy is growing at
Even trained professionals make errors when testing electricity, and those
One of the toughest tasks you may face as a
Rotating equipment encompasses many different types of machinery, including electrical
The No. 1 objection I get to LED lighting is
