Consulting-Specifying Engineer 2014 Electrical and Power Study

According to the data in this report, more engineers are researching new electrical and power systems and the challenges of incorporating energy efficient designs continue to climb. View seven key findings and access the full 2014 Electrical and Power Study.

By Amanda McLeman June 12, 2014

In April 2014, Consulting-Specifying Engineer surveyed audience members responsible for decisions related to the design of electrical or power systems within their organizations. The 2014 Electrical and Power study asked key questions on specifying electrical and power systems, including revenue, systems specified, key challenges, and important design factors.

Consulting-Specifying Engineer survey respondents identified the seven most important high-level findings impacting the electrical and power industries today:

  1. Specification involvement: More engineers are responsible for the research and evaluation of new electrical or power systems than in 2013 (69% of engineers are responsible for the research of new electrical or power systems and evaluating all options, up 9% from 2013).
  2. Systems specified: More than 80% of engineers responsible for decisions related to the design of electrical and/or power systems specify electrical distribution equipment, circuit breakers, fuses, cables, and wires.
  3. Design factors: 98% of engineers rank product quality at the top of their list when selecting one electrical or power system over another. Nine out of 10 engineers also said a manufacturer’s reputation, the technical advantage of the product, and service support is equally important.
  4. Specifications: 60% of engineering firms are consistently using open electrical or power system specifications in which engineering approval and/or explicit brand use is required.
  5. Building structures: Six in 10 engineers specify, design, or make product selections for office buildings and industrial or manufacturing facilities/warehouses.
  6. Electrical, power revenue: 64% of engineering firms specifying electrical or power systems for new or existing buildings are generating $5 million or less through these projects on an annual basis.
  7. Challenges: 58% of engineers agree that incorporating energy efficient designs in electrical or power systems is a common difficulty in their work, a 15% increase from 2013.

Access the full 2014 Electrical and Power Study report to view additional key trends and findings at www.csemag.com/2014ElectricalPower.


Author Bio: Amanda McLeman is the research director and project manager of awards programs for CFE Media and Technology.