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Reasons to Hire an Electrician

reasons to hire an electrician

Keeping a home in good condition is not something that happens by accident. There are a number of things that a homeowner will have to do in order to keep their home in good shape. The electrical system in a home is a very important part and will usually require a good bit of repair and maintenance. The more you are able to show the care that an electrical system needs, the better it will operate. The following are some of the reasons why hiring long beach electricians are homeowners’ best course of action.

They Can Find the Right Problem
The first reason to hire an electrician is that they will be able to find out what is going on with a home’s electrical system in no time. Taking the time to call in a professional will help to reduce the amount of damage that a home will have to take on. The more you are able to find out about an electrician and what they have to offer, the faster you will be able to make the right hire for the job you need to be done.

Adding on New Outlets
When the time comes to get a few new outlets added to a home, the homeowner will have to find the right electrician to get the work done. The professionals will be able to run the wire and get the new outlet installed in a hurry. The last thing that a homeowner needs to do is to try and get this type of work done on their own due to the danger that exists. Trying to do this alone will usually lead to problems and in some cases fire due to the wiring being hooked up the wrong way.

Finding Problems Before They Become a Big Issue
Another benefit that comes along with hiring an electrician is that they will be able to find out about smaller issues before it becomes a major problem. By letting an electrician inspect the system, a homeowner will be able to have the issues found addressed in a hurry and reduce the damage that is done. Be sure to research each of the electricians in an area to figure out which one is the best fit for the job that you need. The time that is invested in this will be more than worth it in the end.

Scheduled or preventive maintenance increases your home electric safety by multiple folds.
A professional electrician will be able to tell which components need to be replaced or repaired, or which components may fail in the near future. When your electrical maintenance schedule is managed by a professional electrician, you will ensure your building and equipment remain compliant and operational.

The money and time that an electrician can save a homeowner, is more than worth the trouble. Make sure that you take the time to research the price the electricians are charging.

[Also read: Electrical Safety for Manufacturers]
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5 Simple tricks for keeping Used diesel Generators Safe and Sound

5 simple tricks for keeping used diesel generators safe and sound

Keeping a used diesel generator in smooth working condition requires a lot more than a regular service after 6 months. From cleaning a carburetor to changing air and fuel filters, men of the tips are so straight forward, if neglected can trounce back by decreasing the life of your generator.

1. With government doing so many efforts to bring unperturbed electricity in most part of the nation, diesel generators are less used in homes relatively to previous times. As a result, the ethanol present on the diesel with its viscous property get gum up gradually on the carburetor. So, if your generator fluctuates between strokes or is not continuing any rotation, most probably your fuel is the problem and has jammed the carburetor. You can always find DIYs to remove a carburetor and clean every sub-part respectively. 50% of generators remain stuck due to a bad carburetor and bad fuel combustion.

2. Another problem that is related to fuel is the air and fuel filters. A constant check is required if your Air and fuel filters aren't performing. If your generator is unable to provide expected load or the rotation speed oscillate between threshold values. That can be the very reason, your air filter needs to be changed (but not the only reason). Changing an air filter is easy and if you have mechanical skills, you can do that by reading through the user manual provided with it. Please keep in mind, that you make all connections and nuts tight before starting the engine. Otherwise, the suction process will get affected.

[Also read: AC generator (alternator) construction and working.]

3. Do a Load Test: Load test not only signify many problems in your used diesel generator but also in the connections associated. So, making an authentic load test on the scale of precision and production can increase the shelf and operating life of the generator.

4. Replacing the lubricants: Just like vehicles, generators also need a constant cycle of lubricants. So, one needs to keep a check on lubricants. You can easily check the lubricants by the changed color to dark black.

5. If you have a high emitting used diesel generator (probably 10 years old), you will need to take extra precautions as excessive pollution can even be a health hazard factor not only for you but for the community as well. And also their loud combustion system is not too practical as compared to low-emission diesel engines of today. So, you need to install it with a sound absorbing shell.

As there are many other factors that may affect your used generator performance, but keeping an eye on these factors alone can increase generator performance and life comprehensively. I hope, you are already considering these factors and making prior solutions to it. Even, you can assign all this jobs to a private generator servicing company, which have specialized engineers to do this for an affordable amount. This will keep your hands from getting dirty and also will throughput better analysis and results.

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11 of the Best Universities for Electrical Engineers

11 of the Best Universities for Electrical Engineers

Electrical engineering applies to the study and application of electricity, electronics and electromagnetism. It is the most sought after choice under the engineering umbrella owing to the fact that it is among the fastest growing fields of engineering and technology. Moreover, it is an interesting branch of study as it involves understanding and learning computers, electrical, electronics and communication subjects.

Job opportunities abound in this field and you can be an electrical engineer and take up challenging tasks such as designing and developing efficient electrical machinery, generating electricity, guiding and organizing processes involved in manufacturing, installation, construction, support and maintenance, documentation and testing of electrical machinery, distribution and transmission of electrical energy and telecommunication too.

Doing an electrical engineering program from one of the best schools across the world adds unparalleled value to the degree and the chances of getting well placed in the industry are extremely high. More of these institutes require you to write standardized tests like GRE. Given below are some of the best universities for the study of electrical engineering:

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT): is one of the top universities in the world to offer electric engineering undergraduate and graduate programs. The college’s teaching methodology integrates the power of engineering, the thrill of discovery and the rigor of science such that their students are capable of changing the world.

2. Stanford University: offers multiple programs in electrical engineering and is ranked among the top schools in the world. The alumni from this university hold prestigious top positions in the industry. With over 60 staff and 1000 undergraduate, doctoral and masters’ students, the electrical engineering department is the largest in the Engineering Section of Stanford.

3. Harvard University: offers a myriad choice of programs under electrical engineering which are all closely linked to the research efforts in Applied Physics, Applied Mathematics, Bioengineering and Computer Science. Collaborators and faculty are among the best and strive hard to educate future engineers who can connect ideas to integrate technological innovations into daily lives and create applications that can have a positive impact in the world.

4. University of California, Berkeley (UCB): offers multiple programs for electrical engineering in the undergraduate and graduate levels. The college boasts of more than 120 faculty members, nearly 2500 undergraduate and graduate students and is one of the top universities attracting students and researchers from across the world. The college has a robust tradition of collaboration across organizations and disciplines, very close ties to industries, and a very supportive culture.

5. National University of Singapore (NUS): is the largest department in the Engineering section of NUS. It has more than 100 faculty members and 200 staff in the teaching, technical support, research and administrative support sections. NUS offers electrical engineering programs in the undergraduate and graduate levels and attracts learners from all over the world.

6. Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich): located in Switzerland, the students from this school are much sought after by industry due to their practical approach and broad fundamental knowledge. ETH Zurich trains its students to occupy responsible positions and function as critical members of the society. The studying methodology is flexible allowing students to optimize learning by offering the highest standards of programs.

7. University of Cambridge: offers many programs for undergraduate, graduate and research students. The college comprises of the best faculty, students and staff from across the world. The institute promises to impart such quality education to its students that not only they top academics but also deliver implementable results to society.

8. Nanyang Technological University (NTU): has 33,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students doing multiple Engineering programs including electrical engineering. The college’s broad-based educational approach taught by top-notch faculty and an enviable list of eminent global partners make it an extremely attractive college for students from all over the world.

9. University of Oxford: admits undergraduate, graduate and research students in the engineering department. The teaching methodologies combine a practical approach, close ties with the industry and focused academics to ensure all students are highly sought after both in the profession and elsewhere.

10. Imperial College London: The electrical engineering department of the Imperial College London aims to deliver high-quality teaching and globally competitive research. The college looks at educating future engineers as a key role and the students from this college are highly valued by the global industry.

11. California Institute of Technology (Caltech): combines research and education to ensure its students acquire knowledge for the betterment and benefit of society. The institute attacks the most fundamental and challenging problems in technology in an interdisciplinary collegial atmosphere all the time educating outstanding students to become creative members of the society.

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Electrical Safety for Manufacturers

electrical safety tips for manufacturers

In a manufacturing setting, safety procedures are of the essence to maintain a functional work environment. Without proper safety measures in place, there’s a significant risk of electrocution and other electricity-based injuries.

A workplace electrical safety procedure should never be without these steps:
  • Test every circuit and outlet in the workspace regularly.
    Regular checks will ensure that accidents are prevented before they happen. This will also increase efficiency over time within the workspace. Every broken outlet or circuit will be identified quicker and repaired faster with regular checks than if concerns were addressed solely based on reporting.
  • Remind workers of rules regarding protective clothing.
    This sounds basic, but over time it becomes easier for workers (of all levels) to treat protective clothing recommendations casually. Establish a standard regarding protective clothing and stick to it. Risk doesn’t lessen with time or comfort level with one’s surroundings.
  • Enforce “safety space” between outlets and other entities.
    In rushed production times, it’s easy for equipment (and people) to be crammed into small spaces. This can lead to increased accidents and electrical hazard. Establish recommended boundaries around sources of power, from simple outlets to entire generators. Even a square made with tape on the floor can potentially save a life.
  • Display and teach safety plans.
    Ideally, everyone working in the manufacturing space will know the safety plan in case of an electrical emergency. Distribute and discuss safety procedures, and consider displaying the procedure if regulations allow. This goes hand in hand with the next rule of electrical safety.
  • Repair mechanical failures early and promptly.
    Along with emergency safety plans, all workers should be educated on how to address mechanical failure in an effective way. Management should also do their best to address these concerns as rapidly as possible. By establishing this system of trust, potential electrical safety concerns will be addressed before becoming actual hazards.
  • Employ experts (or certified personnel) for the right task.
    Corners can occasionally be cut in times of high production or in managing large numbers of personnel. But as each of these risk factors increase, it becomes even more important to only assign staff with the proper certification to handle certain tasks. Only staff with the proper knowledge should be handling hazardous chemicals or repairing machines after potential electrical damage. The risk of injury in a person with less than complete certification is just too great.
What electrical safety tips would you add to this list? What have you found to be effective in your company? Add your own electrical safety tips in the comments section of this post.


Author: Sara Thompson blogs about industrial construction and electrical topics and has been writing for the Web since 2007. This article was written with help from Storee Construction Co. in Springfield, MO. Connect with Storee on Twitter @Storeeconstruct.
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Diesel Power Generator and Power Plant

Diesel Generator:

A diesel power generator uses the combination of a diesel engine and an electric generator for the generation of electricity. Diesel generators are generally used in cases of emergency when the power supply from the grid is unavailable and where continuous power supply is important, such as hospitals, airports, large industries, movie theatres etc. They can also be used at places where the power grid is not available. A diesel generator set may be enclosed in a sound attenuated enclosure along with the control circuits and circuit breakers. They are also referred as a diesel genset (short form for generator set). They are compact in size and, hence, can be located wherever required. Diesel generators are available in a wide range of ratings and sizes, from few kVA up to few thousands kVA. Portable diesel generators may come with ratings between 8 to 30 kVA (single phase) and can be used in homes, small offices etc. Larger generators up to about 2500 kVA (three phase) are also available which may be required in industries, airports etc.
diesel power generator

How a diesel generator works?

A diesel generator set employs a Compression-Ignition (CI) diesel engine as the prime mover of an electric generator. Obviously, the primary fuel for a diesel generator is diesel. The shaft of the engine is coupled to the shaft of an electric generator (alternator). The diesel engine drives the coupled generator which then generates electrical power. When a conductor moves in a magnetic field, an emf is induced within the conductor. This principle is used to generate electricity in any electric generator. Learn more: how an electric generator (alternator) works.

Use of diesel generator in power plants

Diesel generators are widely used in most thermal and nuclear power stations as an emergency backup power source for the station’s critical auxiliary equipment such as cooling pumps, fans, hydraulic units, battery chargers, etc. For example, during a power interruption in a nuclear power plant, it is very necessary to keep the continuous power supply for reactor cooling pumps. There are backup battery banks to keep a continuous supply of the critical equipment. Diesel generators supply the battery chargers and also other auxiliary needs. In hydropower plants, diesel generators may be used to provide emergency power to the spillway gates which are used to prevent the water from flowing from the top of the dam in flood conditions. Diesel generators are also required in the switchyards. Circuit breakers, protective relays, transformers and communication system that is used to control these devices, all require a backup power source in case of power failure.

Diesel Power Plant

There are many parts of the world where, using diesel generators is the only viable option for providing electrical power to the local population reliably. This is generally due to the geometrical conditions that do not allow the power grid to reach such areas or isolated communities. In such cases, two or more diesel generators operated in parallel are used to provide a reliable power supply to the local population. A diesel power plant has more than two generators that operate in parallel. For the parallel operation, the generators are electrically connected in synchronization (matching voltage, frequency and phase). A diesel power plant may or may not be connected to the main power grid.
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