Crimp connectors are typically used to terminate stranded wire. A well-engineered and well-executed crimp is designed to be gas-tight, which prevents oxygen and moisture from reaching the metals (which are often different metals) and causing corrosion. Wire crimping is typically a three step process that needs suitable connector and suitable crimping tool: In the first →
I have written about fluorescent lights technology and fire dangers related to fluorescent lights. I had earlier covered the problems related to starter, bad tube and ballast overheating. Now there is another risk to consider: most fluorescent lamps powered from 230V AC have a filtering capacitor on power input between live and neutral. This is →
Christmas lights can be a beautiful sight to behold. Stringing lights around your home can be a real safety hazard if you’re not careful. For outdoors use the lights you need to have lights that are designed to be used outdoors. The lights made for outdoors used can withstand the outdoors conditions – meaning possibly →
A switching-mode power supply (SMPS) is an electronic power supply that incorporates a switching regulator to convert electrical power efficiently. Switching regulators are used as replacements for linear regulators when higher efficiency, smaller size or lighter weight are required. The main advantage of the switching power supply is greater efficiency than linear regulators. The downside of →
The powerCON is an electrical connector manufactured by Neutrik for connecting mains power to equipment in a small space (smaller than IEC connector commonly used on PCs). Neutrik powerCON 20 A is a locking 3 conductor equipment AC connector with contacts for line, neutral and pre-mating ground contact. It is a rugged solution that has →
Live music and related events needs lots of electrical power to run the audio, video and light systems. Energy is a big costs for a festival. Besides the cost of the electricity itself, there are typically considerable cost of getting enough electricity for a large event and distributing that electricity where it is needed using →
Managing energy demand spikes with seasonal forecasts of heatwaves and cold spells https://horizon-magazine.eu/article/managing-energy-demand-spikes-seasonal-forecasts-heatwaves-and-cold-spells_en.html The impact of heavy droughts, heatwaves and cold spells on energy demand and supplies would be lessened with seasonal climate forecasts that allow energy companies to better predict spikes in usage ahead of time, researchers say. Researchers already have the ability to →
https://spectrum.ieee.org/energywise/energy/nuclear/a-double-first-in-china-for-advanced-nuclear-reactors The most advanced commercial reactor designs from Europe and the United States just delivered their first megawatt-hours in China. Both projects were years behind schedule. On Thursday, 29 June, a 1,400-MW EPR designed in France and Germany synced up to the grid at the Taishan nuclear power plant. The next day the U.S.-designed 1,117-MW →
Biltema sold this ground fault interrupter (RCD / GFCI) device few years ago (does not seem to sell anymore). It is designed to be connected to 230V AC 50 Hz electrical outlet. The information on the back of the device tells that this will trip at 30 mA leakage current. The symbol tells that this →
http://www.worldwatch.org/node/4803 For the first time, scientists have produced a photovoltaic (PV) cell with a conversion efficiency of 40.7 percent, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) reported. The breakthrough cell was developed using a structure called a “multi-junction solar cell.” The technology may allow for lower PV system installation costs ($3 per watt) and lower electricity →