Electricity 101 – Page 7 – US Electrical Services Inc

It is important to know the basic information about workplace electrical risks and prevention, especially if you are working in the electrical field. Every year, there are about 1000 accidents at work involving electrical shocks or burns. You must be able to identity workplace electrical risks and know how to avoid hazards which can lead to serious injury, property damage and even death. Here are some common workplace electrical risks and some tips on how to avoid them. Workplace Electrical Risks Here are some of the most common workplace electrical risks: Faulty Equipment: Equipment that isn’t working properly can cause

Electrical Equipment Electricity 101

June 27, 2017

Is It Safe to Use Reconditioned Electrical Equipment?

In these modern times, where a lot of stress is put on the importance of recycling and saving resources, one may wonder if it’s wise to use reconditioned electrical equipment. After all, it is a great way to save money and use materials that would otherwise be thrown out. But one also must consider safety which is key when you are thinking about any kind of electrical materials. Well, that truth is, there are some times when it is safe to use reconditioned electrical equipment, and other instances when it is not. Read on to find out the best ways

Electricity 101 Energy Savings

June 24, 2017

Reducing Commercial Electricity Costs for HVAC Systems

The commercial electricity for HVAC systems accounts for about 50 percent of a building’s total energy consumption. Being one of the major energy costs in a manufacturing facility, it dominates the building’s peak electricity demand. As such, improving the system’s efficiency, in order to cut energy costs, should be every facility manager’s priority. The energy consumption depends on the climate, comfort preferences, building design, insulation, the timing of use, the size of the HVAC system, heat generated by electrical equipment, and other site-specific factors. Building owners and businesses can reduce their energy costs by combining several measures that increase an

Electricity 101 Energy Supply

June 20, 2017

Understanding Photovoltaic Technology, Applications and Benefits

Photovoltaic cells consist of materials that convert light energy into electricity. The cells are usually comprised of several layers of silicon or other light sensitive inorganic or organic materials. When light energy strikes the material, it frees up the electrons and sets them up in motion that produces electricity. This is the essence of photovoltaic technology. A free electron, which is a negative charge, leaves a deficiency in the atom which now becomes positively charged. As the negative charges move within the cell, some of them neutralize the positively charged particles. As this happens, more electrons are released as long

Electricity 101 Energy Savings

June 16, 2017

How to Live Off the Grid on a Budget

People everywhere are talking about how to live off the grid. This lifestyle not only reduces your carbon footprint, but it also enables you to be more independent. You don’t have to worry about huge utility bills anymore. And no more reliance on fossil fuels. Some homeowners have found good ways to live partially off the grid, but most do have to rely in part on water, gas or electricity from the city where they live. However, these days, it’s entirely possible to live completely off the grid by digging a well on your property for water, installing a septic

Electricity 101 Energy Supply

June 12, 2017

Selling Energy Storage to Existing Customers

A growing number of Photovoltaic (PV) owners are turning to energy storage as a way of managing the electrical power for their homes and businesses. The battery storage, in particular, is emerging as a popular item in the renewable energy mix. Pairing this with PVs or other renewable sources helps customers to own complete energy systems and become partly or fully self-reliant. A typical combination of solar and battery power enables a customer to reduce their grid consumption by about 80 percent. However, this may vary according to location, individual consumption, time of use, as well as the size of

Electrical Safety Electricity 101

June 7, 2017

Choosing the Right Electrical Safety Gear

On any job site, having the right electrical safety gear is essential. For electrical projects, there are often special considerations, as some tasks can have unique hazards that require special gear. Eye Protection Eye injuries are serious and for most electricians are a daily hazard. Having, and using, the right eye protection can make all the difference. Safety glasses are the bare minimum for any job site. Make sure that safety glasses have side-shields and the ANSI Z87.1 stamp. This means that they are designed and rated to provide an approved minimum protection from blunt impacts. They can also feature

Electrical Equipment Electricity 101

May 31, 2017

Building Automation Networking Solutions

There are numerous wiring systems for building automation networking. These include power lines, USB, Ethernet, fiber and others. Wired and wireless networks such as those for data are very common. These utilize UTP cables, fiber cables, Ethernet switches, wireless access points, and others in LAN and optional WAN configurations. LANs interconnect the various devices in a building or office while WAN enables communication between different buildings and other resources such as Cloud, remote control devices or rooms. This allows facility managers to monitor and control the systems remotely using mobile or desktop devices over the internet. While the devices and

Electrical Safety Electricity 101

May 24, 2017

Basic AC Motor Troubleshooting

When ac motors stop working, it is often essential to fix the problem as quickly as possible. With these basic tips, a qualified electrician should be able to diagnose most common issues. Check out these ac motor troubleshooting tips below. Safety Concerns When troubleshooting a motor, it is vital to take the proper safety precautions. Before opening the control panels or motor splice boxes, be certain that the power feed has been disconnected. You should lock and tag out the breaker or disconnect switch for added safety. Always use a multimeter to check that there is no voltage on exposed

Electricity 101 Energy Supply

May 17, 2017

Do Fuel Cells Have a Future as an Energy Source?

The concept of fuel cells as an energy source is credited to a chemist, William Grove. He demonstrated in 1839 that electric current could be produced by an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen over a platinum catalyst. Thereafter, many alternate forms of the technology emerged for producing electricity from various materials and catalysts. History of Fuel Cells During the OPEC oil embargoes of the 1970s, many governments and consumers became more concerned about energy efficiency and environmental awareness. Not surprisingly, fuel cell technology as an alternate energy source grabbed the headlines. Government entities began sponsoring the development of FCEV