Electrical Supply

Green Technology for the Home



The use of green technology can be effective in reducing the amount of energy used for inside the home and outside the home. Using green technologies can reduce all types of energy use. The benefit is not only for the homeowner or business owner, it is also a benefit for the environment. We may never know the full impact of using green technologies, but there will be no argument that everything we do will be a benefit to the environment.

REDUCE ELECTRICITY USE
Using natural lighting and when artificial lighting is used, energy efficient bulbs can be used. Using insulated curtains to help keep heat or cold out, depending on the weather conditions will help control temperatures. Solar panels can be used to reduce electrical use. Low energy use appliances will reduce the energy used in a home. Lights that are motion sensitive only turn on when needed.

REDUCE WATER USE
Low water use toilets and showers heads will reduce water in a home. Specially designed irrigation systems will water when it is needed and has sensors that can tell when the ground is already wet, like after a rain and won’t turn on. Motion sensitive faucets turn off automatically when not in use.

REDUCED HEATING AND COOLING USE
Homes that are adequately insulated will be able to maintain a more constant temperature with less assistance from a heater or cooler. Energy efficient heaters and cooler run more efficiently and use less energy. The design of the home can reduce the heat and cold that comes from the outside. Special windowpanes can keep heat and cooling use down as well. Landscaping can allow the sun to hit the home in the winter and provide shade in the summer. Using sealants and weather stripping will reduce heat and cooling loss from inside the home.

Often when a business or individual decides to have less impact on the environment and reduce the use of non-renewable resources like electricity and water, they end up saving money. Energy costs money to use, so when green technologies are used successfully, bills start to drop. The costs of green technologies often pay for themselves in a short period of time.
For electrical and lighting supplies to make your home more efficient and use the latest in green technologies go to the Electric Market Place. They have a wide range of products available for the electrical contractor and the do-it-yourselfer.

Energy Saving Light Bulbs



A lot of companies and people are choosing energy saving light bulbs for their lighting. They may cost more initially, but the savings should offset the cost. The question is if energy saving light bulbs are really worth the added cost. This comes up more frequently as companies are looking for ways to cut back on expenses.

Energy saving light bulbs are compact fluorescent light bulbs. There are many advantages to using these light bulbs. They actually do save money over the life of the bulb. It is a small amount, so it might not show up on the electric bill, but it is occurring. In addition to the savings in electricity, energy savings light bulbs also save in the cost of replacing light bulbs more frequently.

Another benefit of using energy saving light bulbs, is that most of the energy used is used to produce light. With traditional light bulbs, most of the energy is used to produce heat. This can also have an affect on the energy that is used to cool a room, depending on the size of the room and the amount of lighting.

The savings from using energy saving light bulbs go beyond the savings for the user; there is savings for the environment. Since fewer bulbs are needed, fewer resources are needed to produce the light bulbs. This can have a large impact on the environment. In addition, if every home changed just one light bulb to an energy saving light bulb, it can save as much as 90 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. Taking 7.5 million cars off the road would have the same results.

If the initial cost of changing over all the light bulbs in a home or office seems overwhelming, it can be done as the light bulbs burn out.Some things to consider when changing light bulbs to compact fluorescent light bulbs is that some of them may have a high pitched “buzz” to them. Some people are more sensitive to this than others. This is less likely with name brand energy saving light bulbs. Also, some energy saving light bulbs may interfere with electronics that are located close to the light bulb. When a compact fluorescent light bulb breaks, clean up is regulated by hazardous cleanup guidelines due to the mercury in the bulb. Be sure to read the box label completely before using energy saving light bulbs.

Contractors who need lighting supplies go to the Electrical Marketplace. They have a variety of light bulbs that can be purchased including energy saving bulbs. Electrical Marketplace is a company for contractors and the do-it-yourself consumer to find whatever they need for their project. Contact an expert at Electrical Marketplace today.

Do-It-Yourself Electrical Wiring Tips



Electrical wiring is not something you should enter into without thought and knowledge. Safety should be on the top of list of education when it comes to wiring. Electrical wiring, when it is done wrong can cause shocks, fires, and blown circuits. You will also need to see what the local codes are for the project you are doing so that you will be in compliance for any expected or unexpected inspections. Know when you are over your head and contact a licensed electrical contractor.

When you feel confident that this is a do-it-yourself project that you can handle, here are some helpful tips when doing your own wiring.

* Educate yourself on all aspects of the project with information from reputable websites, videos, and printed material.
* Go to local free workshops at building supply centers to learn the right and safe way to do wiring.
* Before starting any electrical wiring project, turn off ALL electricity to the location. Don’t just do the breaker that you think controls all the electricity to the area you will be working on.
* Use quality material for the wiring. Wiring and other material needed should be durable.
* Have a reference book or printed out material to refer to. With the electricity off, if you don’t have access to the Internet with your phone, you will not be able to get more information.
* Have all tools needed or that you think you may need ahead of time. If you don’t have a tool, see about renting the tool instead of buying it.
* Use the space along pipes to get wiring from point A to point B.
* When wiring fixtures, do it on the ground, and then attach the fixture and wires. You will need to estimate accurately how much wire that you need.

AC and DC Electric Motors



Dc motors come in two general types. They can have brushes or be brushless. AC motors, as well, come in two different types. They can be two phase or three phase. The differences in DC and AC motors are sometimes subtle, but these differences are what make one types better for a certain use.

Direct current or DC electric motors work for situations where speed needs to be controlled. DC motors have a stable and continuous current. DC motors were the first and earliest motors used. They were found, however, to not be as good at producing power over long lengths. Electric companies found using DC motors to generate electric did not work because the power was lost as the electric was transmitted. Brush DC motors use rings that conduct the current and form the magnetic drive that powers the rotor. Brushless DC motors use a switch to produce the magnetic drive that powers the rotor. Direct current motors are often found in appliances around the home.



Alternating current or AC electric motors are used differently based on what type of AC motor it is. Single phase AC motors are known as general purpose motors. They work well in many different situations. These AC motors work great for systems that are hard to start because they need a lot of power up front. Three phase, also called polyphase, AC motors are usually found in industrial settings. These motors also have high starting power built transmit lower levels of overall power. AC power gets its name from the fact that it alternates in power. The amount of power given off by an AC motor is determined by the amount of power needed to operate the system.

DC and AC electric motors are found everywhere from the home to the car to industrial plants. Motors are important to everyday life. Dc motors were introduced and caused a great revolution in the way many things are done. When AC motors came on the market the way motors were looked at changed because of their amazing starting power potential. DC motors and AC motors are different in many ways, but they still both are usede to power the world.

Function of Circuit Breaker Panels



As a homeowner, you should be familiar with the location of your circuit breaker panel. In most homes, the circuit breaker box is located in the laundry area or basement. Sometimes the circuit breaker box is located on the outside of the home. In larger homes, there may be multiple circuit breaker panels, including the main panel and additional sub-panels. The circuit breaker panel box is usually gray in color and is mounted on a wall. If you open the panel doors, you will see several different circuit breakers. Each of these breakers controls the power input and output of each appliance in your home. The main breaker controls power to the entire home, and will shut off power to the entire home.

A circuit breaker box houses the main and individual circuits for appliances in your home. Circuits serve to protect the home in the case of current overload. If an overload of power occurs, because of faulty electrical wiring or a multitude of other reasons, the breaker will trip causing power to be shut off, either to individual appliances or to the entire house.

Most homeowners have experienced a tripped circuit breaker at one time or another. If you are unable to get power to a particular appliance, chances are the breaker was tripped. Because this is common, especially in older homes, it is important to label each circuit in the circuit breaker panel. To label the circuits, you can check by switching off each circuit to determine what power source each is linked to. Labeling each circuit in the circuit breaker box can make it much easier and less frustrating in the future.

Understand how the circuit works



This consists of understanding the operation of all the components that are used in the circuit. This could include such components as: push buttons, contactors, various types of switches, relays, sensors, motors, etc. Electrical circuits typically control or operate mechanical systems and components. You also need to understand how these mechanical aspects of the equipment operate to carry out the work. You need to be able to determine how the circuit works under normal conditions and what effect changing one of the circuit inputs has on the circuit operation. For example, what happens to the overall circuit operation when a push button is pressed; which relays energize, which lights illuminate, does the pump start or stop, etc. You also need to be able to determine what effect a faulty component may have on the circuit operation.

ELECTRICAL SERVICES



SUPERVISION OF SITE ERECTION
The supervision of site erection requires a suitably qualified person to be on site to provide day-to-day direction and checking of the site work. This may be done from either an independent site office or from an office provided on site by others.

SUPERVISION OF COMMISSIONING /PRE-COMMISSIONING
The supervision of commissioning / pre-commissioning requires a suitably qualified person to be on site to provide day-to-day direction and checking of the site work. This may be done from either an independent site office or from an office provided on site by others.

SITE ACCEPTANCE TESTING
Site acceptance testing involves the testing and proving of the installation on site, installed and connected as an operational system. Check lists and sign-off sheets need to be prepared in advance. Prior negotiation is required to determine rectification action for defects. Site operations need to be co-ordinated around the site acceptance testing.

REPORTING AND INSPECTION
Reporting and inspection services are generally short term engagements which require a visit to site for a specific purpose. For example, a customer may be considering the possible refurbishment of used switchgear and may ask for a detailed inspection and report. As another example, there may be a customer who is considering expansion. An inspection is made of the customer's systema and a report is provided on the possibilities.

SITE PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Site electrical project management services are available for the control and co-ordination of a project. This includes trade co-ordination, day-to-day management, reports, cost control, scheduling, team structure, organisation, environmental and safety programmes, milestones and goals.