Electricity 101 – Page 9 – US Electrical Services Inc

Electric motors power everything from tiny electronics to massive industrial pumps. Yet, they all work on the same basic principles. Though AC motors seem ordinary, there are complex activities going on behind the scenes. AC Motors The simplest types of motors are three-phase AC motors. They convert a rotating magnetic field into mechanical rotation. The basic parts of an AC motor are the stator, rotor, bearings, drive shaft, and frame. The supply power is connected to coils of wire that are wrapped around laminated iron cores in the stator; the stationary part of the motor. When the coils of wire

Electrical Safety Electricity 101

March 25, 2017

From the Power Plant to your Hair Dryer – The Basics of Residential House Wiring

A modern convenience often taken for granted, electric power, can be found everywhere. To route electricity from the power station to your wall outlet requires many steps. Residential house wiring includes a variety of wiring and control devices to ensure safe and reliable service. Generation Electric power is produced by a generator. In a power plant, massive generators turn using turbines, which themselves rotate by steam or by flowing water. A hydroelectric dam uses falling water to turn a turbine, while a coal or nuclear plant boils water. The steam it produces feeds in through a turbine. The generated power

Electrical Equipment Electricity 101

March 21, 2017

Building Automation and Control Systems

Modern buildings, commercial spaces, and even homes increasingly implement advanced building automation and control technology to improve energy efficiency, user comfort, and extend the life cycles of equipment. Building Automation Basics At the core of any building automation system, or BAS, remains a central computing hub. This is where software processes the variety of signals it receives from connected sensors, switches, and user inputs. In a typical home, a Wi-Fi network connects devices wirelessly. Further, it will often connect them to the internet, allowing remote access from any web-connected device. In a commercial setting, more advanced industry-standard communication protocols, such

Electrical Safety Electricity 101

March 13, 2017

Tips on Commercial Electrical Wiring

Commercial buildings require special considerations when it comes to electrical wiring. Most commercial buildings do not have the luxury of a wooden frame to run wires through, so other wiring methods must be used. Some of those are discussed below. Conduit A common method of electrical wiring in a commercial setting is by use of conduit. Conduits can be made of a variety of materials including steel, aluminum, or PVC depending on the application. For underground conduit runs or conduit embedded in concrete slabs, PVC conduit is used, as it will not rust or corrode. PVC conduit can also be

Electrical Equipment Electricity 101

March 8, 2017

An Explanation of Photovoltaics

Photovoltaics employ solar panels to create energy. Solar power remains a rapidly growing field in the renewable energy sector. It has the potential to completely power our world and drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Photovoltaic Effect Originally discovered by Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel in 1839, the photovoltaic effect takes advantage of the tendency of certain materials to release electrons when exposed to sunlight. When a positive back plate and negative front conductors are placed on either side of a photoelectric material, free electrons travel from the back plate to the front conductors, hence generating electric current. This current is then captured

Electricity 101 Energy Savings

March 4, 2017

How to Save Energy with Advanced Lighting Control Systems

Advanced lighting control systems (ALCS) utilize electronic circuits with a programmable logic controller to automatically adjust lighting levels. Program a number of variables and light requirements to get the lighting just perfect. This helps in providing the right amount of light where and when it is needed, hence improving energy efficiency and savings. Advanced lighting control systems provide benefits like automatic scheduling and dimming. Turn lights off based on room occupancy and level of daylight. In so doing, the ALCS adjusts the light levels to match the requirements at any particular time. For example, when a room is empty, lights

Electrical Equipment Electricity 101

March 1, 2017

The Basics of Programmable Logic Controllers

Programmable logic controllers provide automatic control of processes so that very little human intervention is required. Yet, this results in a well-coordinated, repetitive process. These systems automatically start and shut down critical equipment in large and complex manufacturing processes. When in operation, programmable logic controllers ensure that all conditions are met before starting up a certain machine or process. In addition, the PLC continues monitoring the entire system using a variety of sensors. Consequently, this ensures that everything runs as programmed. The PLC will trip if it detects a malfunction or abnormality in any of the monitored parameters. The system

Electrical Equipment Electricity 101

February 25, 2017

Electrical Contractor Pre-Fab Strategies for Increased Profitability

A variety of ways exist to quickly and efficiently complete an electrical installation. One method involves using pre-made and pre-fabricated conduits, cables, panels, and devices. Pre-fab strategies cut down on repetitive labor costs and scrap material waste. Furthermore, pre-fabricated components are assembled in quality-controlled factories by highly trained technicians. This ensures that every device and termination is in working order and properly connected. These technicians work faster and cost less per hour than a journeyman electrician, therefore saving the contractor time and money. Custom Bundled Cables When pulling multiple wires into a conduit or tray system, wire organization can quickly

Electrical Safety Electricity 101

February 8, 2017

Common Electrical Problems with Lamps and Lighting Fixtures

Everyone has had electrical problems with lamps and lighting fixtures. Your favorite lamp may be flickering off and on. You’ve changed the bulb and that doesn’t fix the problem. Now what do you do? The answer can be as simple as replacing worn out light fixture wiring or it may be more complex than that. Flickering lights and frequent burning out Flickering lights occur due to loose connections or loose parts in the lighting fixtures as well as worn out contacts inside the fixture. Loose connections will affect a few lights on the circuit, while loose connections at the main

Electrical Safety Electricity 101

February 6, 2017

Identifying Common Electrical Problems at Home

Every electrical installation, whether at home or workplace, is bound to experience common electrical problems every now and then. The majority of these problems have noticeable symptoms and are easily identifiable by non-technical users. Others are complex and require qualified electricians. All electrical issues should be fixed as soon as possible before they become severe and can cause fires or accidents. While the consumer can see the symptoms, it is advisable to isolate the problem. Accomplish this by either turning off the faulty equipment or circuit and then hiring a qualified electrician. The consumer should never try to repair electrical