EA June 2025
What’s ahead for the industry!
Electrical Apparatus is the monthly magazine and virtual community for electromechanical professionals who design, specify, use, sell, operate, maintain and repair electrical equipment.
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ELECTRICAL APPARATUS | JUNE 2025
Training & Education
16 Where wranglers meet robots
Training challenges abound at a rodeo that’s said to be the largest of its kind
By Bill O’Leary, EA Contributing Writer
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EA Reader Profile
20 ‘You can do better’
How hard work enabled Mark Brehm to become a successful business owner
By Colin Gregory-Moores, EA Contributing Writer
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Energy
24 AI requires energy
For those of us confused by AI, it’s surprising that it can’t energize itself
By Charlie Barks, EA Managing Editor
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Conventions & Trade Shows
28 Getting technical in Nashville
Mastering the nuts and bolts of electromechanical service will stand front and center at this year’s EASA Convention in July
By Kevin Jones, EA Senior Editor
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36 Coming to America
The first Coiltech North America will present the latest in electrical manufacturing technology
By Charlie Barks, EA Managing Editor
Service & Sales Companies
39 The test specialists
A small but efficient outfit along Colorado’s Front Range shows what can be achieved with experience and adaptability
By Charlie Barks, EA Managing Editor
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Motors & Generators
43 Shreddin’ it
Maintaining the motors that run the ‘fast and violent’ machines that reduce automobiles to recyclable materials
By Chase Fell, EA Contributing Writer
Finance & The Workplace
48 The economics of reshoring
Given a methodical approach, bringing manufacturing back to the U.S. is feasible for some
By William H. Wiersema, CPA, EA Finance Editor
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Index of Articles
35 Our annual five-year index of feature articles, 2020-2024
By the Electrical Apparatus staff
Finance & The Workplace
42 Is a tax-free sale worth the gamble?
If you’re feeling lucky, you might consider selling your company under this Internal Revenue Code provision
By William H. Wiersema, CPA, EA Contributing Editor
Electric Avenue
52 To freeze or not to freeze
How states and municipalities are filling the gaps where federal EV funding has been withdrawn By Maura Keller, EA Contributing Writer
Plant Life
56 Cleaning the ‘air up there’
Transform air filters into a network to eliminate these dangers
By Bill O’Leary, EA Contributing Writer
Pump It Up
58 The pump’s past as prologue
Recent regulatory activity may point to a possible future for pumps
By Kevin Jones, EA Senior Editor
ELECTRICAL APPARATUS | JUNE 2025
Departments
04 The editor's comment
Heading into a busy summer​
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05 Let's solve your problem
Answers to questions about motor connections and starting
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06 Business
In financial reports, tariiffs lurk in the background
08 Calendar
Upcoming events about manufacturing, repair, energy, and HVAC
10 Associations
AEMT looks to the future with new codes of practice
12 Know Your Industry
American Gear Manufacturers Association keeps gears turning
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14 Plant happenings
Three plants open in the South as one closes in Ohio
20 Know your industry
The IFR - Just your friendly neighborhood robotics federation
26 Standards
New standards for manufacturing and cold-weather reliability
38 Utilities
The future of the electric utility industry
50 Product Showcase
What’s new in electronics and automation components
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53 Names & faces
Personnel changes at IPS, Energy Recovery, and NFPA
60 Classified advertising
Your monthly marketplace for equipment, businesses, and more
60 Cy's Super Service
The electrical service industry’s most prominent curmudgeon
61 EA puzzle
A word search puzzle based on this month’s cover article
63 Moe, Genny & friends
The surreal world of an anthropomorphized motor and generator
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64 Direct & current
Employees disengaged, and Apple and Meta fined in Europe
64 Advertising index
Who’s who—and who’s where—in this issue of Electrical Apparatus