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Electrical Business Review: Specials Magazine
Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures are essential for electrical safety, but their complexity can be challenging, even for experienced electricians. Accurately identifying energy sources and isolation points is a crucial step in ensuring a safe work environment. Traditional methods—such as cork boards filled with diagrams, push pins tracking LOTO positions, and cumbersome logbooks—can be difficult to manage and may lead to inefficiencies. By modernizing these processes, organizations have an opportunity to enhance both safety and productivity, reducing the risk of human error and creating a more streamlined, reliable approach to energy isolation. That’s where autoLOTO comes in. It was founded with a mission to modernize and improve antiquated LOTO processes used in today’s large and dynamic operational environments by improving user accessibility, communication, and instant lifesaving information. From the very beginning, the company’s vision was clear: to eliminate human error in LOTO operations, enhance safety, and save lives. Today, the company’s smart mobile software and powerful digital twin technology prevent electrical incidents and near misses by alerting users to potential mistakes before they take action. In this way, it protects the end user, making them more efficient and accountable. “Every aspect of autoLOTO—from user-focused design to pricing strategy—has been developed with the goal of making the tool easy to adopt, ensuring widespread use and maximum impact in improving workplace safety,” says Daniel Furbush, president and CEO of autoLOTO. The Mobile Software That Thinks Ahead Understanding human behavior is key to preventing human error. autoLOTO’s development team studied human responses at the most fundamental level and adopted the OODA loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act)—a military decision-making framework used in high-stakes scenarios. Building on this insight, autoLOTO’s model requires operators to input their “intent” or “decision” into a mobile application before taking action. The application then uses a digital twin model of the facility to validate the decision in real time against multiple parameters, such as the operator’s location, equipment, and circuit breaker for the task. If all parameters align and return a binary “yes,” the operator is permitted to proceed. If any parameter returns a “no,” the system immediately issues an urgent warning and provides context on why the requested action is incorrect. All of this computation occurs within milliseconds as the autoLOTO system tracks the operator’s progress in real time, providing a remote backup that represents the combined knowledge of all subject matter experts on-site.
Glen and Danny Floreancig revolutionize industrial power solutions with Phoenix Phase Converters, delivering reliability and unmatched expertise. When it comes to industrial power solutions, few names resonate as strongly as Phoenix Phase Converters. Founded by the Floreancig brothers, the company has become synonymous with innovation and dependability, serving industries nationwide with its state-of-the-art phase conversion technology. A Legacy of Innovation Phoenix Phase Converters was born from a deep understanding of industrial needs. The Floreancigs, with their combined expertise in engineering and manufacturing, identified a gap in the market for reliable and cost-effective phase conversion systems. “We saw industries struggling with inefficient power setups,” says Glen. “Our goal was to create solutions that not only met but exceeded their expectations.” Its flagship products, such as the NL, NLA and PLTA Series Rotary Phase Converters, are designed to provide consistent, high-quality three-phase power from single-phase sources. These systems have become the gold standard for businesses operating CNC machines, pumps, compressors and more. Technological Advancements The Dual Zone Phase Converter is a prime example of Phoenix Phase Converters’ cutting-edge technology. Designed for applications requiring variable loads, it provides separate zones of power for efficient operation and enhanced reliability.
Top Integrated Electrical Switchgear Manufacturer - 2025
For supermarkets, convenience stores, and big-box retailers, space and cost efficiency are always a top priority. They seek compact, innovative solutions that maximize every square inch, allowing them to repurpose space for higher-profit activities. Custom Designed Controls® (CD) addresses this need by offering integrated switchgear solutions that help businesses reduce costs and maximize space. The founders’ deep expertise in electrical and control systems fuels the company’s ability to deliver fully integrated switchgear solutions, setting a new standard for electrical installation. Beginning with supermarkets, CD has now expanded into the fuel sector, following collaboration with a supermarket in North Carolina to manage its fuel kiosk electrical distribution. This need inspired the EFUEL® low voltage disconnect ESTOP product. This success enabled CD to reach more convenient stores across the nation (the EFUEL® is installed in over 250 C-Store locations per year). “Working with a diverse client base has helped us learn that the most effective approach is to save space and cut costs. This insight has driven us to design switchgear products that are easy to install and tested to UL standards, saving both time and resources,” says Mitchell Queen, Nation Sales Manager. The EWALL® is one of the products that has truly shaped CD Controls’ success. The integrated power and control system offers an incredible range of capabilities with limitless potential. The company sources electrical components from trusted vendors, ships them to the plant and installs them in custom cabinets to complete the system. What sets the EWALL® apart is its ability to double-stack panels, a costly and difficult feature with traditional “stick built” designs. It also offers temporary power solutions for the supermarket, retail, commercial, C-store, QSR and industrial sector.
CXO INSIGHTS
Green Hydrogen Fabrication Prepared for Gigawatt Scale
Dr. Sebastian Neubert, Operations Officer H2 Projects New Energy Business, Siemens Energy AG
Driving Innovations in the Agile World of Technology
Geoffrey Goetz, executive director of mobile applications development, JPMorgan Chase & Co. ( NYSE: JPM )
Technical Expertise in the World of Electrical Energy
Endrit Fiku, Director Of Electrical Standards, Distribution Control And Integration Engineering, National Grid, A British Multinational Electricity And Gas Utility Organization
Handheld Applications in Power Grid Construction
Stephen King, Director of Information Technology, Irby Construction Company
Tech Strategy Alignment for AEC Firms By Dustin Burns
Dustin Burns, Senior Vice President, Technology & Business Solutions, McCownGordon Construction
IN FOCUS
Revolutionizing Safety: The New Era of Lockout Tagout Mobile Automation
Lockout Tagout Mobile Automation (Lockout/Tagout - LOTO) is revolutionizing workplace safety by streamlining the lockout/tagout process through advanced mobile technology.
The Shift towards Smarter Electrical Power Control Manufacturing
The manufacturing of electrical custom-designed power controls is at a turning point, influenced by market changes, innovation, and the demand for sustainable energy solutions.
EDITORIAL
Innovations Powering the Future of the Electrical Industry
The electrical industry is undergoing a major transformation, and innovation is taking a front seat. As businesses and communities push for smarter, more energy-efficient solutions, the industry is responding with groundbreaking technologies that redefine how electrical systems are designed, operated and maintained. From automation-driven safety protocols to custom power solutions and high-performance energy conversion, the sector is witnessing a surge of intelligent advancements. In this edition of Electrical Business Review, we take a closer look at the latest developments shaping the industry and how companies leverage cuttingedge technology to stay ahead. One of the most impactful innovations in recent years is the rise of lockout/ tagout mobile automation software. Traditionally, ensuring worker safety during equipment maintenance meant manually logging locks and tags—a process prone to delays, human error and compliance challenges. With the transition from paper-based tracking to digital automation, companies are streamlining safety protocols while significantly reducing downtime. Workers can manage lockout/tagout procedures from their mobile devices, ensuring that no step is missed and that safety compliance is seamlessly integrated into daily operations. This technology-driven approach enhances worker protection and provides companies with comprehensive reporting capabilities, guaranteeing easy regulatory adherence. Beyond safety, companies are also rethinking how they manage power. The growing demand for custom-designed power control solutions signals a departure from one-size-fits-all systems. Off-the-shelf solutions often fall short in industries where energy efficiency and reliability are paramount. Tailored power control systems allow businesses to optimize energy consumption, improve system reliability and scale their power infrastructure as their needs evolve. Whether integrating renewable energy sources or enhancing industrial efficiency, custom solutions offer the precision and flexibility required to meet modern energy demands. Companies can design systems that maximize performance while minimizing waste by working with expert engineers. The development of advanced three-phase converters has also taken the industry by storm. Converting single-phase power into three-phase energy has long been essential for running heavy-duty machinery, but today’s converters do far more than bridge the gap. Engineered for peak efficiency, modern threephase converters minimize energy loss, reduce operational costs and extend equipment lifespan. From intelligent safety automation to tailored power solutions and nextgeneration energy conversion, the electrical landscape is headed toward a future powered by more efficient systems. We hope this edition of Electrical Business Review helps you find the right partner for your business requirements.
