Archive for the 'Electrical' Category

Aug 28 2010

Are Generator Systems a Smart Investment?

Published by ShreveportDesigner under Electrical

When you are left without power it can be a very confusing time. You are left without the basic essentials that you are accustomed to on a daily basis. When this happens there is one thing you can count on. Having a generator system for your home is a great investment because your home is hit with a power outage you aren’t left in the dark.


When you are without power it can be very confusing. You are left scrambling for any and everything that can help you get back some sort of normalcy. Digging for flashlights and candles. Wondering if your home is even secure. Without power you are left with no backup alarm system and no clue on when the power will actually return. You are left hoping that your supplies last until the power is restored.


Having a hardwired generator system is a very wise investment. You are no long stuck lugging out your original gas generator. Having to drag out loads of extension cords from a dark cold garage. Your family is no longer forced to wear earplugs to block the noise from the gas generator. A hardwired generator system will turn on automatically when you lose power. Run efficiently as well as quietly and then automatically turn itself off when the power is eventually restored to you and your families home.


Being left in the dark is never good. So having a generator system is always a wise investment. A generator system can keep you and your family out the dark when you need it most.

Electrical Services


Raleigh Heating

No responses yet

Aug 19 2010

Understanding Price Trends of Circuit Breakers

Published by ShreveportDesigner under Electrical

Pricing trends in used circuit breakers have fluctuated a lot over the past 15 years, mostly due to the popularity of them online.  15 years ago, the only way to purchase breakers was through a local or regional supplier.  However, as more and more suppliers move their inventory online via their own websites or online auction sites such as eBay, there are many options for buying, and the prices continue to drop. 


In 1995 when I started my career as an electrical engineer the list price of a Square D KA36200 breaker was $1350.  Today, that list price is $1820!  A huge increase for sure, but the really interesting calculations come when comparing the price of a use done.  15 years ago there were only a couple of suppliers that sold used breakers and the average prices were around $400 for a used KA36200.  15 years later, the list price has gone up but the average cost on a used KA36200 has remained about the same.  The last time I purchased this breaker a few weeks ago the price was $470.  With many companies selling used breakers online now, the price has been driven down, and best of all used breakers are now easily available to everyone including end users.


So how are so many companies selling used breakers now?  The simple answer is high demand.  When a breaker fails at a factory, the factory is forced to make a decision.  Spend $1820 on a new breaker or buy a used one for $470.  The used breaker comes with the same warranty and has been inspected, repaired, and tested.  Given today’s difficult economic climate, it’s a no-brainer to buy the used breaker.  Since these parts are available online now, end users are capable of purchasing them whereas 15 years ago suppliers were very strict about who they sold to, and often had high minimum order policies.  Suppliers today sell to everyone and generally have no minimum order guidelines. 


One of the most common questions about used breakers is what type of reconditioning and repair process they go through.  I contacted one of the suppliers I work with to find out, and was surprised how strict the reconditioning process really is.  First, the breakers are completely cleaned and inspected.  The breakers are then completely repaired, and sent to a test area where the breaker is put through a series of tests to ensure that it operates correctly.  Once the breaker is fully functioning it is labeled as inspected and put on the shelf to sell and listed in their inventory.  Most suppliers have thousands of breakers in stock and can even supply large quantities.


Buying from an online auction like eBay is another option.  Often electricians have surplus inventory leftover from jobs and sell the parts in an auction format.  If there are breakers you have to replace often, this is a great resource and method to buy them as they are usually less expensive at auctions.


Another situation where you may be faced with buying used breakers is when you are replacing an old obsolete circuit breaker.  There’s been many times when I am called out to a business for an electrical problem and open their breaker panel to find breakers that are obsolete and have not been available for many years.  When this happens, there are only two options:  buy a used breaker or replace the entire panel with new breakers.  For most business owners the best solution is to buy a used breaker.  Replacing an entire panel can cost thousands of dollars in labor and parts, and lead to much longer downtime for the business.  For some businesses this is not a big deal, but for companies such as factories and manufacturing facilities, an hour of downtime can equal thousands of dollars in lost revenue and labor. 


As you can see, used breakers have maintained their affordability, become more popular and more readily available over the past 15 years.  As more and more people use them, they will only gain in popularity and hopefully maintain their low price.  At the time of writing this article, there are 12 companies online that offer the KA36200 Square D breakers, all of them for about the same price.  Before you order online, check to make sure the used breaker you’re buying has been reconditioned and comes with a warranty.  Buying reconditioned parts will ensure they last just as long as a new one.

While there are many online suppliers of used breakers I’ve found that Southland Electrical has a large selection and good customer service for used breakers. No matter who you buy from, make sure you buy from a reputable supplier, and only buy fully reconditioned and tested breakers. If buying from an online auction, make sure the seller offers a return policy in the event that the breaker does not function properly.

No responses yet

Aug 06 2010

Why You Need a Licensed Electrician

Published by ShreveportDesigner under Electrical

For electrical projects, large and small, it is imperative that a licensed electrician be called upon. In most states, hiring an electrical worker with a license is, in fact, the law. Shoddy electrical work may cause death, damage and destruction to property. It’s important not to mess around with this miraculous yet potentially hazardous product.


An electrician who is licensed has had to go through extensive training. Apprentice training programs are a common way that these professionals acquire their knowledge. An apprenticeship typically lasts four years and is a combination of class time and working under the tutelage of a seasoned professional electrician who has had extensive experience. Some timeframe estimates state that 2,000 on the job hours and nearly 150 classroom study hours are required in order to complete the apprenticeship.


Many apprentices begin with classroom study and then venture into the field with some knowledge under their tool belt. Some of the things that they learn include reading blueprints, theory and history of electrics, math, building codes and safety measures. They will learn to measure, connect wires, test outlets and switches and how to install conduit. Even after becoming certified and licensed, these professionals must continue to upgrade their education throughout their career. Electrical work is constantly changing its parameters as new methodology occurs in the field. In some states, a bachelor’s degree will dub these pros “master electricians.”


In addition to the formal training, education and experience, a certain type of aptitude is required. Not just every man or woman on the street is able to pull off this job with competence. The proper person for the job should be adept at mathematics, mechanics and have good fine motor coordination. They must be physically fit, agile and not be color blind. Many wires are color coded and a color blind pro may blow up a few electrical systems, in error.


There are many areas of employment where these professionals can put their skills to work. They may work in factories, businesses, homes or during the construction of any and all of these facilities. Some focus on installation while others choose to concentrate on maintenance and repair. Many prefer to do both and work in a variety of settings. Because building codes are different for commercial structures and residential buildings, one or the other may be preferred. Electrical engineers are those professionals who not only understand the complexities of this industry but draw and design blueprints, as well.


While these professionals make good salaries and are always able to find a job, there are some hardships and risks associated with it. Electric shock, falls from high places, cuts and abrasions may occur during their duties. They must be strong enough to lift heavy objects and maneuver their bodies into uncomfortable physical positioning for extended time periods. Safety and first aid know-how is a must, as is keeping one’s body healthy through good nutrition and flexibility and strength enhancing exercises.
An untrained, inexperienced electrician can cause injury to him or herself, the structure they are working on and the inhabitants of the buildings. It is crucial to call on a licensed professional for this complex and important line of work.

Hiring a skilled and experienced electrician can make a world of difference in solving electrical issues in the home or office. For more information, visit http://www.excelelectricsouthflorida.com.

No responses yet

Jun 16 2010

Recondition Your NiCad Batteries – Don’t Throw Them Out

Published by ShreveportDesigner under Electrical

How about saving your Nickel Cadmium Batteries or NiCad batteries as they are called, instead of disposing of them. How many of these batteries get thrown out each day I could not guess. If people learned that they could be restored back to life, they would hold on to them. Think of the money you could save reconditioning them instead of buying expensive replacements.


As a little background info, NiCad batteries have what is called memory effect. This is a condition that will cause these batteries to lose their ability to hold a charge. When a battery is charged and partially discharged, the battery will remember the partial capacity charge. This is caused by the build up of crystalline deposits on the cell plates which will lower the voltage of the cells and increase resistance.


You are actually able to reset or reverse this memory effect and repair your battery. To do this process only requires some inexpensive basic tools found locally. Being these batteries can cost up to $100.00 you would be saving yourself some big money. You can check eBay or other sites and find refurbished batteries but they will eventually do the same thing.


This process is not limited to NiCad batteries at all, you can recondition lead acid and most rechargeable batteries. You could help out your family and friends and save them money too. In fact if you are adventurous you could make some extra money by getting the word out that you could save people money by restoring their batteries for a small fee.

Do you want to learn more about restoring or reconditioning old batteries that you thought were dead and were going to throw away? There is a way to do this and to discover how go to Restore Rechargeable Batteries.

No responses yet

Jun 13 2010

Exactly What to Incorporate in a Contract When Employing an Electrical Contractor in Your City

Published by ShreveportDesigner under Electrical

The piece of paper, or contract, explaining work that should be performed, detailing the assignment, and pricing, setting a price for the project, is a legal contract, binding to all people that sign it. Under no circumstances sign any document you haven’t read carefully, or that contains only vague references to crucial aspects of the project. When the contract has been agreed upon, the service provider isn’t lawfully bound to promises not included in the agreement. Should you not have an understanding of something in the agreement, ask for clarification and request that a revision be made to the agreement. If still in doubt, discuss the matter with a reputable lawyer.


The Agreement Should Include:




  • Names and physical addresses of both parties involved (yourself and the Electrician). Be sure that the Electrician’s firm, if there is one, is the same one referred to in the contract, and that the contract includes the firm’s full title, address, telephone number, and the name of the firm’s official rep. The physical address of the project site also needs to be included.
  • A detailed description of the project, including plans and drawings, when applicable, as well as specific supplies to be used..
  • All required building permits must be mentioned, as well as who will be responsible for obtaining and purchasing them.
  • Notation that the Electrical contractor will cleanup the construction site at the end of each workday, and remove debris, and that all debris shall be removed by the Electrician at the completion of the project..
  • A declaration of all warranties, with an explanation as to what is covered, and for the length of time..
  • A statement of the Electrician’s public liability and property damage insurance coverage..
  • Starting and completion dates; penalties, if any. It is also smart to get in writing the number of days each week the Electrician plans to work on your project. The reason being some Electricians take on several jobs simultaneously, dividing their time between them..
  • Project cost and terms of payment..
  • Any other information, terms, or promises, vital to the project..


Despite the fact that most Toronto Electricians are honest and fair, you can never be too cautious. Remember, verbal assurances are worthless; obtain everything in writing! Never accept “progression” clauses in the contract that need payments at particular times, regardless of level of work completed.


Click Here For more Information on Toronto Electricians

Author Bio

No responses yet

Jun 08 2010

You Ever Think About How Batteries Work?

Published by ShreveportDesigner under Electrical

We use batteries almost daily in one form or another. They could be your car battery, rechargeable batteries in electronic devices or dry cell batteries. What we may not do is consider how do batteries work. What is it about them that gives them power?


Those C, D and AA batteries are called dry cell because they use a paste made up of powdered chemicals. The Alkaline type use an alkaline electrolyte. The voltage which range from 1.5 to 9 volts is dependant on the number of cells and the metal used for the electrodes. The battery creates a chemical reaction which produces the electrical current.


Rechargeable batteries have a reversible chemical property. When the battery is charged again after it goes dead, it is allowed to reverse itself to hold a charge again. This is a pretty basic explanation on how these work.


What makes lithium batteries so popular? They are much lighter than other types of rechargeable batteries. The electrodes are made from highly reactive lithium and carbon and can store a lot of energy. By comparison a lithium battery might store 100 watt-hours per kilogram where a lead acid battery might store 25 watt-hours.


The downside to lithium batteries is that they have a life span of about 2 or 3 years whether you use them or not. They are sensitive to high temperatures which can shorten their life. You should not allow the battery to fully discharge because it may ruin them. At the extreme, there have been some rare instances of lithium batteries bursting into flames.

You want to learn more about batteries and how you can recondition them? Check out this web site Restore Rechargeable Batteries.

No responses yet

May 20 2010

Residential Electrician – Know What One Can Do For You

Published by ShreveportDesigner under Electrical

There are some household chores that most homeowners cannot do on their own. If you have encountered a job that could be dangerous for you to do, it may call for a qualified professional. Consider the tasks that a residential electrician can usually do for you.


Avoiding electrical fires is usually as simple as making sure that the wires in your home are up-to-date. Leaving broken or particularly old wires around may invite disaster, so get a residential electrician to come out to make the proper repairs or changes to them as soon as possible. Some electricians will even check out the rest of your home’s wires for free when you call them out for a repair of other issues.


Making improvements to your house can be great, but not when they are dangerous for most people to do. If you want to do upgrades that deal with electrical appliances, you should find a reputable specialist to help. There are plenty of solutions that can help you become more energy-efficient, but they should usually be installed by professionals. You may also consider installing products like alarms and motion sensors, or even need simpler tasks done, like putting coach lights. Either way, if you want it done right the first time without posing a risk to you or your family, call a specialist.


Some homeowners get tired of looking at the same lighting in their residence, and want a change. Others need to update their older home. Before you make the switch from track lighting to recessed lights, or other similar changes, find out how a qualified residential electrician can help you. Changes in lighting styles can transform your house from basic to sophisticated, but they can also be dangerous too implement. It would be a shame to get injured or break other electrical appliances while making home improvements, but you can avoid such issues by calling a professional company.


You may not need the services of a residential electrician often, but hiring one occasionally to get things done the right way can be a good idea. You should also have one come out to inspect your house when you buy a new one, or before you sell it, just to make sure it is safe and up to code. You should quickly find that the price you will pay for an experienced specialist is often well worth the security of having the job done well.

On Long Island residential electrician services by New York Electric Company are the best. From single-family homes to high-rise condominium complexes, they are the area’s most trusted master electricians. To know more, visit http://nyelectriccompany.com

No responses yet

May 16 2010

Understanding Electrical Test Equipment

Published by ShreveportDesigner under Electrical

For many decades now, electric devices have become an integral part of our life. We need them for fulfilling various daily tasks. The use of these machines has made our life easier to a greater extent. Most importantly, it reduces the time that one has to devote on a particular endeavour. One of the most popular industrial goods in this regard is called the electrical test equipments.


This convenient electric unit not only enhances the effectiveness of daily activities but also makes life easy. The increased usage of these electric testers has also increased the dangers associated with these machines. Nowadays, many fatal cases are being reported because of the inaccuracy of these test equipments used in home and office premises. Hence, the need of electric verifying devices, further increases.


The market is flooded with a great deal of checking devices which can examine various electric gadgets. By making use of these apparatuses, you can check the competency and durability of the electric gadgets. By making use of the right testing apparatuses, the operating order and the quality of electric devices could be assured. The use of testing devices assures the proper functioning of portable or electronic domestic devices. Transportable device testing makes sure that the electric gadgets are appropriate for future usage. Due to the usual pat test, the easy to use electric devices are maintained in an appropriate way and, in turn, decrease the preservation overheads of each landlord or an organization.


Electronic testing apparatuses may be sub-categorized in different ways depending upon the industry making use of the device. Few most common ones are backplane testers, burn-in testing devices, automated testing device and battery testers. Check out some facts associated with burn-in test appliances and automated test machines.


Burn-in Testing Devices:


They function with the help of temperatures and power cycling to analyse power chips and boards; and voltages. Every finishing gadget having a semi-conductor gadget has to undergo the burn-in testing. This assures the production quality of the electric devices.


Automated Testing Devices:


It is one of the most advanced electric test apparatuses. Usually, it uses computer to measure and testing a specific type of industrial unit. This kind of device is highly expensive and, moreover, it calls for a technical know-how while programming and setting up the stages. It is highly popular in testing components incorporating interconnections, verifications and printed circuit boards.


Besides these testing devices, there are other test machines easily available in the market.

For any help on pat testers, check out the info available online; these will help you learn to find the pat test equipment!

No responses yet

Apr 28 2010

High Voltage Power Supplies – Selectivity

Published by ShreveportDesigner under Electrical

High voltage power supplies are no longer limited to the static units that once delivered a single output without the capability for variation. They are now versatile pieces of equipment that can deliver the multiple outputs that are needed for the many pieces of equipment that can be used in a single location. One benefit of multiple output capacities has been the option of powering multiple pieces of equipment with a single power supply. This has allowed single power supplies to serve as a replacement unit for power supplies on multiple pieces of equipment. This and other factors can prove these selectable power units to be cost effective money savers in some situations.


When dealing with selectable high voltage power supplies today you may immediately notice that advances in hardware and software technology have resulted in multiple varieties of selectable units. The primary variety is a hardware option. These units require manual switching, but do offer a selection of different outputs from a single device. The other option is one that has come about from the combination of computer technology with power supply technology. The results are high voltage power supplies that can be controlled using a computer. Many of these devices also have the capacity to receive, store and execute programs. These units offer a vastly greater potential than only that though.


Some applications may prove better suited for manually switched devices. Among the benefits that are commonly noted among these varieties of selectable units is that the switch is physical and visible. This alone remains welcoming among a number of people that work with this class of equipment! Having a piece of equipment that the workers can not use is basically worthless. A piece of equipment that is intuitive and simple is something that can save money and time by preventing mistakes and streamlining the training process. Similarly the sparsity of the technology inside the devices may prove them to be better suited for some applications.


Programmable units can allow selection from a remote location. Some can also allow for programmed switching. Each of these options has obvious benefits. In situations where it is impractical to have individuals go and manually switch a supply to another output these units can make that happen at the command of someone sitting at a computer terminal in a safe and comfortable office. Similarly with programming these units are able to maintain a timed or triggered schedule when individuals are not even in the area or monitoring the work that is going on. In still other units there are monitoring capabilities that can allow you or specific software to analyze the performance of the power supplies. These capabilities can result in better optimization of practices and can also be helpful in predicting maintenance needs.


Each capacity may not be present in each unit. Similarly some units may offer all of the significant features that were mentioned here including a combination of a physical switch and remote switching capability. Determining the needs of your application is a good start to ensuring that you get the equipment that is just right and not much more.

If you are looking for High Voltage Power supplies then visit our site you can get High Voltage Power supplies on cheap rates from us.

No responses yet

Nov 24 2009

How to Find the Best Portable Generator

Published by ShreveportDesigner under Electrical

The best portable generators are fueled by gasoline or diesel fuel and include 120-volt power outlets like the ones in the walls of your home. What makes portable generators so great is they provide everyone safe, clean, portable power when your are disaster or outdoor situations like camping. Generators are extremely useful machines, particularly after the loss of electricity in the wake of a storm or other unforeseen circumstance. Usually you’ll notice that generators will come in some basic types: portable or standby. Another great reason to get a generator is they run on anything from regular gasoline, propane, diesel and use a small portable engine to generate electricity.

Portable generators are good for your favorite outdoor recreational activities tailgating, picnicking, camping, and hunting. To power a generator it is the same as any other kind of generator they use propane, diesel or sometime natural gas. What makes a generator special aside from standby generators is that if there’s a loss of electricity in the wake of a storm they can be used as power generation. A few things to remember is that a generator can last up to two full days without any more gas to power it. But one thing to remember is that generators are loud and produce anywhere up to 80 db. in sound plus some parks don’t allow these noisy generators in there parks. Some companies like Honda product a small generator that’s around 45 db for power.

What you should know about price is that with a generator the price is usually starting around $130 dollars and works it way up for the high end to $2,500 dollars on some models, there’s always a fit for whatever kind of generator you want but you should know that some can get pricey. Some of the best portable generators and high quality are the Yamaha’s and Honda generators that can fit any of your power needs. It’s important to remember what you want to mainly use it for before purchasing it so size does matter. Our recommendation is to look for portable generators that are sturdy and also priced well.

There are two types of generators are available: portable generators and permanently installed home generator systems. You want to be particular to find a store that offers you the best bang for your dollar but that also offers a good and reliable at the voltage that you need. To do this simply figure out the total wattage of everything that could possibly be hooked up to the generator and add it together. If you get stuck usually your home appliances will have the wattage posted on the back or bottom. Portable generators are very useful tools but require safe handling in order to prevent serious injury or even death. So please use caution if it’s your first time using one.

Want to find out more about Best Portable Generator, then visit the portable generator site on how to choose the best Portable Diesel Generator for your needs.

No responses yet

Next »