Electrical Industry Roundup: Automation, Smart Homes, and the Future of Skilled Trades

Chariho Electrical Technology Students Explore Careers in Industrial Automation: Students from the Chariho Career and Technical Center's Electrical Technology class visited ProSystems Integration, an automation company in Westerly, to learn about career opportunities on the industrial side of the electrical field. The tour, led by ProSystems' president and a Chariho alumnus, showcased the various systems and machines the company develops, from medical tubing equipment to control systems for major brands like Hershey Chocolate and Krispy Kreme. The visit aimed to expose students to the less-seen industrial automation sector of the electrical industry, highlighting the growing demand for tech-savvy young talent.

Siemens Simplifies Migration to New Control System: Level Automation, a Swedish company specializing in electrical and automation cabinets, successfully migrated from the Simatic S7-1200 to the new-generation Simatic S7-1200 G2 control system from Siemens. The transition, which was expected to be complex, was completed in just two minutes thanks to a new migration tool in Siemens' TIA Portal. The upgrade makes Level Automation's systems ready for the upcoming NIS2 directive on cybersecurity. The new Simatic S7-1200 G2 is certified according to the IEC 62443 cybersecurity standard, is more powerful, and has a more compact design.

Post Electric Expands into Home Automation: Post Electric, a licensed electrical contractor in Southwest Missouri, has expanded its residential services to include home automation and smart technology integration. The company is responding to a growing demand from homeowners to modernize their electrical systems, especially in homes built before 1990. The new services include whole-home electrical assessments, panel upgrades, and the integration of smart devices like lighting controls, thermostats, and security systems.

Wago Enters the Smart Home Market with Matter-Enabled Products: German electrical engineering manufacturer Wago has introduced its first Matter-enabled products, aiming to bridge the gap between consumer electronics and professional building installations. In an interview, Strategic Product Manager Manfred Lehmann explained that the new "WAGO Home Automation" line is designed to empower electricians in the residential construction sector. The company is initially launching eight products, including flush-mounted actuators, and is committed to the Thread communication standard for its smart home devices.

AI's Impact on Jobs: What a New Report Reveals: A recent report from Planera, a construction scheduling platform, indicates that while many manual labor jobs are at high risk of automation, skilled trades like electricians are relatively safe. The report, which analyzed over 55 manual professions, found that electricians have only a 14% automation risk. The demand for electricians is expected to grow, with over 80,000 new positions projected nationally by 2026, driven by an aging infrastructure, the rise of electric vehicles, and the energy transition. The report highlights the irony that the very AI data centers driving automation fears require electricians for their construction and maintenance.

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