EA February 2026
Utilities
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Grid Overload Mgmt and Resiliency
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Motor-failure analysis and motor replacement
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Reader profile: Taylor Powell, Industrial Motors Services
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Electric Avenue - Oil companies opening charging stations
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Know your industry - American Gas Association
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Electrical Manager
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Plant openings, closures
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Product Showcase
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ELECTRICAL APPARATUS | FEBRUARY 2026
EA Reader Profile
18 Living the Southern dream
How Taylor Powell is giving back and bringing a new voice to the electric motor industry
By Colin Gregory-Moores, EA Contributing Writer
Electric Avenue
20 Big Oil’s EV play
Major oil companies are investing in electric vehicle charging infrastructure to diversify revenue
y Maura Keller, EA Contributing Writer
Electrical Manager
22 Welcome to the scheduling party
Learning to treat hiring and purchasing decisions as forward-looking tactics
By Bill O’Leary, EA Contributing Writer
Facility Management
25 A bird’s-eye view of the modern grid
How the multi-functional Sierra Morena Tower near San Francisco points the way toward a data-driven future
By Charlie Barks, EA Managing Editor
Power Transmission & Distribution
29 Arc flash prevention
How low-voltage arc-resistant motor control centers can make for safer workplaces
By David Bredhold, EA Contributing Writer
Finance & The Workplace
33 Better daily metrics
A few useful revenue tracking tools — and guidance on implementing them
By William Wiersema, EA Finance Editor
Training
38 Upskilled ed
In Mississippi, grants from the Lowe’s Foundation are taking training for the skilled trades to the next level
By Avery Heeringa, EA Contributing Writer
Energy
39 Crude and unusual
Oil appears to be at the root of the conflict between the U.S. and Venezuela
By Charlie Barks, EA Managing Editor
Power Transmission & Distribution
41 Starter pack
The basics of specifying and applying medium-voltage motor starters
By David Bredhold, EA Contributing Writer
Pump It Up
42 A surge in pump industry acquisitions
Several factors contributed to a 17.5% increase in M&A activity from January to November 2025
By Kevin Jones, EA Senior Editor
ELECTRICAL APPARATUS | FEBRUARY 2026
Departments
04 The editor's comment
Electric utilities are at a critical point
05 Let's solve your problem
Answers to questions about inertia and the ‘synduction’ motor
06 Associations
Four major players among electric utility associations
10 Know your industry
The American Gas Association’s many services
12 Plant happenings
Volkswagen closes in Dresden but opens a plant in Spain
14 Calendar
Upcoming events on sales, facility management, and pumps
16 Names & faces
New faces at EASA, Benchmark Electronics, and Sojo Industries
24 Business
U.S. electric utilities are seeing strong growth
35 Utilities
Utilities are addressing the affordability issue
36 Product showcase
What’s new in machine components, use, and maintenance
44 Classified advertising
Your monthly marketplace for equipment, businesses, and more
44 Cy's Super Service
The electrical service industry’s most prominent curmudgeon
45 EA puzzle
A crossword puzzle based on EA’s December and January issues
47 Moe, Genny & friends
The surreal world of an anthropomorphized motor and generator
48 Direct & current
Manufacturer confidence grows, and Ohio gets new EV chargers
48 Advertising index
Who’s who—and who’s where—in this issue of Electrical Apparatus