Tag Electrical Fittings

Those who are not inclined towards electrical repairs or handyman work do not know what plugmold is. Technically, Plugmold is a product line under the Wiremold Company, which manufactures and designs wire and cable management solution. For handyman or electricians, plugmold is just a strip of outlets.

Many people might have seen a plugmold before but they do not know what is plugmold? and just perceived it as an ordinary outlets. What is plugmold? and the advantages of having one installed on your office or home will be discussed in this article.

What is plugmold? and its uses?

In residential use, plugmold is commonly found on the kitchen where it usually replaced conventional outlets that can disrupt the backsplash. Plugmolds can be mounted on that of the backsplash or just under the cabinets where it is hidden or out of sight. Some electricians install plugmolds on the bottom where the backsplash and the counter meet to hide the dangling cords.

Plugmolds are also known as plug strips or as referred to by the Code, multioutlet assemblies. In school, laboratories, and like locations, plugmolds are commonly installed to ease away from extension cords and to provide convenient plug outlets when it is needed. The set of outlets can be spaced quite close together, in regular intervals, and saves time compared to other installation methods. Computer rooms where several computers must be used at the same time use plugmolds as outlets. Plugmolds allow you to install 6 to 10 outlets in any place that you need them.

What is plugmold? Commercial and industrial use

Plugmolds can be used in electrical or appliance stores where plenty of outlets are needed. For example, a store has lamps that need to be plugged and turned on/off all at once to show to customers. Plugmolds can also be used in industrial applications. An example is a repair shop where several soldering tools are used. Plugmolds allow these tools to be turned on simultaneously without using extension wires or interruption. It saves time and serves as a convenient outlet for the employees.

While you do might not need an electrical permit to install plugmolds, you must still refer to the National Electrical Code or NEC. There you can research about what is plugmold? and what it says about Wiremold and multioutlet assemblies. While the NEC permits surface metal raceways or multioutlet assemblies, there are still limitations on how many appliances you can plugged on plugmolds. The number of appliances are affected by the ampere and voltage rating of the appliances, and the size of wire you used in your plugmolds’ assembly.

If you intend to install plugmolds or multioutlet assemblies on your homes, call a local electrician or refer to the installation guide. Plugmolds can also be bought in two sets: a self contained strip that are easy to install, and a hard wire strip which can be fed with wire mold metal surface raceways. The self-contained strip comes with a protective built-in circuit breaker to avoid overloading the circuit.

Source by EM August

Adhesive lined heat shrink tubing, commonly known as glue lined tubing, has all the advantages of traditional heat shrink but with one other important feature; a layer of thermoplastic adhesive. The tubing is made with a Polyolefin outer tubing coupled with a hot-melt adhesive inner lining. This layer of glue enables the tubing to offer a better seal and adhesion.

The different properties inherent in glue lined heat shrink tubing make it better suited to certain applications and environments than the standard tubing

Firstly, it is considerably thicker than normal heatshrink. Obviously this precludes it from being used in more precise applications, but means it offers a secure and more permanent method of insulating heavier cables.

Obviously this means it is far less flexible than the standard stuff, and because of this rigidity, it won’t coil with the wire like smaller standard heatshrink. Again, this reinforces its use in heavier electrical installations.

Glue lined heat shrink tubing lends itself well to certain environments and is widely used in marine applications. Because of its superior sealant properties, it is ideal for insulating and sealing electrical and mechanical components against water and moisture. It’s also ideal for effective moisture-resistant insulation of electrical connections and splices.

For instance, when repairing electrical equipment on a boat, a butt connector is often used. These connectors help maximise current flow and protect against corrosion but also use glue-lined tubing to seal out the water. And this sturdy tubing also has the added advantage of relieving some mechanical strain.

As well as the marine industry, adhesive lined heat shrink tubing is widely used in the automotive and electrical industries. Applications include general electrical insulation, mechanical protection and harness/cable bundling. The tubing can be supplied as a continuous product or can be cut into lengths and even printed.

Source by Rick Lees

Have you decided to buy a home of your choice? Then, accept the reliable services of a home inspection company having qualified home inspectors. Home inspection services help the potential buyers to ease out confusion and tension. While buying a home, it is necessary to consider the price, location and condition of the structure. These services guarantee a perfect buying for a long lasting investment.

Home inspection companies are the best companion for first time home buyers. A qualified and experienced home inspector helps to minimize possible risks of unforeseen repair and associated costs. Present condition of the home including exteriors and interiors and its maintenance are included in the inspection.

The value of properties and house are determined by companies to produce a final report. Hence, take utmost care while choosing the right inspection company. You can consult with a prominent realtor in your area to collect details about reliable home inspectors. You can also get information through your friends and family members. Another best alternative is to browse the internet and search the yellow pages to choose a reliable inspection agency.

For the total inspection of all features of a home, it requires nearly two to four hours depending on the size and status of the building. An estimate of repairing works is also evaluated in the course of inspection. Normally, every factor related to the house such as foundation, electrical wiring, appliances, porch, garage, windows, doors, chimneys, heating and cooling systems, plumbing and fittings and related accessories are considered under inspection. Also, it uncovers problems such as water leaks, second-rate workmanship, designs, structural destruction due to insects or termites, moisture issues and use of poor quality building materials.

A complete report is provided after the home inspection detailing about the recommendations and supportive descriptions with diagrams and illustrations. A truly qualified home inspector submits unbiased report about a home/property for making a wise decision whether to invest in a particular home. Some inspectors even bring specialized tools, equipments and other materials to do an impartial evaluation. Competitive buyers can accompany the inspection to rectify queries regarding property ownership and maintenance details to conserve the home in good condition.

So before purchasing a home, it is wise to have it checked with a professional home inspector. This helps to obtain an accurate and clear idea about the strength and weakness of the building and make a better negotiation with the owner.

Source by Sooraj Surendran

Many people do not realize membrane switch technology made it possible for companies to develop more convenient gadgets. You will find that computer keyboards, microwaves and similar devices work on the same technology. Likewise, if you plan to transform your business operations and production, consider trying the said solution. Learning more about the technology and its capabilities should help you realize its value.

Overview

To put it simply, membrane switches use thin layers of switches or buttons. Instead of the bulky button functions, these switches are easier to control. One example is the switch panel found in microwave ovens. The flat panel or keyboard makes it easier to operate the microwave. You can easily press buttons for turning off, on, or heating. Another advantage of a this is its flexible design. Product engineers can do different designs and functions. You can customize the flat panel according to your needs and preferences. The design of the switch provides a more convenient way to finish tasks.

The membrane switch panel has three layers. The top layer is the access part of the keyboard. This makes up the front panel where you can see the keyboard labels. Each label corresponds to a button function. The next layer, the spacer layer, separates the top and bottom layers. It also prevents direct contact and electrical problems between the two players. The back layer features conductive stripes. These translate the command from the keyboard panel to the internal system of the device. When you touch a switch or function on the panel, you push the front and spacer layer. You also push the back layer to close the circuit.

Edge over Other Switches

Membrane switches offers a softer feel compared to mechanical switches. As the switch is more sensitive, users can easily change functions or shift switches. You can change operations and complete tasks without exerting much effort. The switch is also leak and water proof. This makes the technology ideal for businesses operating with harmful components in harsh environments.

Membrane switch manufacturers did not just focus on business equipment. These days, more people use assistive technology using this. The technology has been instrumental in assisting individuals with physical, cognitive, and visual disabilities. You can also find membrane switches in other devices like remote controls, air conditioners, and television. Membrane switches also have a low profile, are easy to clean, and lessen sealing difficulty.

Present-Day Switches

Depending on your needs and preferences, you can find manufacturers customizing devices and other equipment with membrane technology. Talk to the product engineer for special configurations on the machine and keyboard panel. Find a manufacturer with tailoring services. Overhauling your operations and devices with membrane technology can be one of the best investments you can do. Examine the past works or contracts of the provider. This should give you an idea on their level of service. Search for customer reviews and ratings to ensure nothing can go wrong.

Source by Isaac Bishop

Restoring a classic car can be a scary topic for some people. There are a lot of different types of work that goes into a classic car restoration and most people are not skilled at all of them. When you break the process down into the types of repairs that go into your classic car restoration, it’s easier to come to grips with what you really can or can’t do yourself.

An accounting of your skills can help you decide how much work you can do yourself, and how much of the restoration work you should get done by a professional.

Your classic car restoration can be broken down into a few repair categories.

• Knowing your car,
• Mechanical repairs
• Electrical repairs
• Interior or upholstery work
• Sheet metal or rust repair
• Surface preparation and refinishing
• Auto body and painting
• Trim or molding repair and refinishing

Some of these categories are self explanatory. Allow me to clarify the ones that aren’t so obvious.

Knowing your car

Cars have always been available with options like sport trim packages, air conditioning, V8, 6 cylinder, or 4 cylinder engines, and the list goes on. As the car gets on in years, some of these options get removed from the vehicle, replaced with something substandard, or never replaced at all. Option codes and shop manuals are generally available for most American classic cars that detail this information.

Mechanical repairs

This covers a lot of what makes up a car and would be most of the moving parts. You’ll find the engine and transmission will need rebuilding, as well as all the regular maintenance repairs like brakes and suspension, and rebuilding components parts like starters, water pumps, and generators. Other components that rarely get considered are the under dash parts like heater or vent controls, window parts inside the doors, hinges, and latches. I’m only touching on the subject, but you get the idea.

Electrical repairs

Electrical can be the scariest of them all. On an old vehicle the sheathing on the wiring can be dry rotted, and cracked and brittle creating the risk of an electrical short. Switches wear out and even fall apart. On some vehicle where these parts are impossible to find, you’ll need to be creative and improvise by using parts from another vehicle make.

Interior or upholstery work

Cloth, vinyl, leather, threading, and stuffing or padding materials all dry rot over time and need to be replaced. Colors fade really bad as well.

Sheet metal or rust repair

Any metal made with iron will rust, even aluminum will oxidize and even disintegrate under the right conditions. The body sheet metal will need to be replaced or patched. This means knowing how to work with sheet metal, how to weld, and even how to shape metal.

Surface preparation and refinishing

Other than the exterior of the car body, there is a lot of sheet metal surface that will need to be stripped of old paint and surface rust, then prepared so it won’t rust anymore, then painted again. This includes the car frame, suspension parts, differential, fasteners and more.

Auto body and painting

Aside from the sheet metal work the exterior of the car body will need to be smoothed and painted. This is an enormous amount of work which is why it can be so expensive.

Trim or molding repair and refinishing

Classic car trim and molding was made mostly from metals. There are steel chrome plated parts, chrome plated pot metal parts, aluminum, stainless steel and even brass or copper. until recently, some parts can’t be fixed and re-plated, pot metal is on of those. In extreme cases, you’ll need to weld new metal into your trim or moldings, grind and sand them down, polish them and get them ready for re-plating.

That’s a lot to know how to do.

Luckily there are some really good how-to DVD’s available that cover all these topics. Even still you might want to specialize in only 2 or 3 of these skills, and get a professional to do the others.

Learning how to do something like this can be entertaining. Even you if you don’t plan on doing some of this work yourself, you’ll want to know how the work is done so you can recognize a job well done.

Source by Carl M King

Silver is a metal commonly used in many electronics and microelectronic applications including hybrid electronics, microelectronic components and membrane switches. Silver is a very attractive metal to use because it has good conductivity, durability and relatively low costs. It is much less susceptible to oxidation than bare copper and in fact silver oxide is actually more conductive than the silver itself. It has been used in polymer thick film membrane switches for over 30 years. Silver based conductive compositions are usually screen printed to form the conductive traces in membrane switches.

One of the problems associated with silver is a phenomenon known as dendrite growth or silver migration. Silver migration is the ionic movement of metal, usually between two conductive traces where an electric potential exists. Given enough movement, the migration will cause a short between two traces and render the electronic device useless. Because silver has a free ion it tends to be more active than other metals, thus more susceptible to the dendrite growth.

Silver migration will occur if there is moisture present between two traces with a potential. The rate of migration depends on the amount of moisture, the temperature and the voltage. Silver migration can be created in a test lab by applying a droplet of water between traces with a voltage potential. The migration will happen within seconds.

Membrane switches that are exposed to high humidity or moisture conditions are more likely to experience silver migration. I am personally aware of a major silver migration field failure issue that occurred in a microwave oven. This was back in the early 1980’s and the application was stove top microwave oven. Boiling water on the stove created the moisture conditions. Additionally the configuration of the assembly made this particularly susceptible to moisture collection. The “pig tail” was crimped to the main body of the membrane switch, which actually formed natural collection points for moisture. A simple design change actually eliminated the crimps and the field failure dropped to near zero.

The following are some common techniques used to reduce or eliminate silver migration.

1. There are several new polymer thick film pastes available that contain palladium, which has been demonstrated to significantly reduce (but not eliminate) the tendency of silver to migrate. Cost and performance may be a trade off with these pastes.
2. Protecting the traces with a carbon coating or dielectric can be effective if the proper material is adequately applied. Some materials tend to be porous and are susceptible to small “air gaps” that allow moisture to penetrate.
3. Increasing the conductor spacing between traces that have a voltage potential will decrease the likelihood of silver migration.
4. Keeping moisture from penetrating the membrane switch can be effective in preventing migration. There are several methods and materials available that can effectively seal a membrane switch from its environment.

Silver migration is a potential problem that needs to be addressed in the design and manufacturing process.

Source by Mark Ester

Dry risers are the vertical mains fitted into staircase enclosures or other appropriate positions, with outlet valves on every floor and inlets fitted at ground level to enable the fire brigade to connect supply of water in case of fire in the building. The only function of the dry risers is that they provide a ready made means of distributing substantial amount of water to stub out or prevent the spread of fire.

Where dry riser should be installed?

Riser should be installed in the building where any floor is higher than 18 meters above ground level. On the other hand, buildings where there are floors higher than 60 meters above ground level, wet risers are used.

The number and disposition of dry rising mains should be such that:

1. One is provided for every 900 square meters of floor area at each level other than ground floor of the building

2. Rising mains are not more than 60 meters apart in a horizontal direction of the building

3. No part of any floor area is more than 60 meters from a landing valve measure along a route appropriate for hose lines.

Design Consideration for Dry Riser:

1. In dry riser pipe work and fittings should be of Galvani wrought steel and pipe work should be joined by screwing

2. Changes in pipe’s direction should be made with standard bends rather than elbows

3. Dry riser should have a nominal bore of 100 millimeter where only one outlet is provided on each floor. If two outlets are provided on any level on any one riser the main should have a nominal bore of 150 millimeter

4. Each riser should be provided with a 25 millimeter drain valve at the lowest point of the pipe work. When drain valve is not in use, it should be strapped and padlocked

5. An appropriate automatic air release valve should be fitted at the highest point in each rising main to allow the pressurised air in the pipe to discharge when water is pumped in.

Electrical Earth:

Dry riser should be electrically earthed and bond those joints which do not provide electrical continuity. These considerations are very important and need proper concentration at the time of installation. There are many professional companies in UK which are providing quality services for dry riser servicing, installation and maintenance.

Source by Muhammad Azam Gohar

Spending time in a comfortable holiday home can be extremely relaxing and refreshing. Moreover, if you can stay at a beautiful vacation home without overstretching your budget, there is nothing like it. This article explains how you can achieve a harmonious balance between the two. Follow these three simple tips to get your dream holiday home within your budget.

Do your research

Research is very important if you want to get a beautiful vacation house within budget. Since actually going out into the field and doing a survey from the ground up would take a lot of time, the Internet is a good place to start. You will find several tourist sites, social media pages and discussion blogs where tourists review and rate various aspects of their holiday homes. This will give you a fair idea of which features of a vacation home appeal the most to visitors. In this way, you will know which aspects of the house should be high on your priority list. You will also get to know the areas and neighborhoods where the most beautiful homes are available.

The research will also show various agents and property knowledgeable dealers with insight into the market and know whom you can approach with your query.

Trial the vacation house first

At first glance, every house will look like the perfect investment. However, do not get fooled. Photographers and editors work meticulously by choosing camera angles, lighting and even photo editing tools when publishing photographs of holiday homes in travel magazines and brochures. Take the sensible route and visit the house several times before settling on it. The house should be comfortable and exciting enough to make you want to visit the place regularly and to commit to it long-term. Remember that once you have made the investment, it will be difficult to offload the property, and you may not have the time to do that. Make sure that you are comfortable with the location, amenities, neighborhood, scenery, and structure of the house before making the purchase.

New houses last longer

The design of vacation houses is to be beautiful and aesthetic. However, not all of this beauty comes without effort. A lot of effort goes into the upkeep and maintenance of the house. If you want to avoid this hassle, in the end, opt for a newer property since an older house will pose more frequent maintenance issues.

Moreover, if you plan to rent out your property, you will need to make frequent repairs and upgrades to keep your property hot on the property market. This involves making plumbing and electrical repairs, upgrading the fittings, landscaping the lawns, and regular maintenance. Be prepared to invest the time and money into this effort to continue to enjoy the benefits of your holiday home.

A beautiful vacation home comes with its own set of expenses but does not necessarily have to cost an arm and a leg. Being ready with the correct information and realistic expectations, you can certainly find the holiday home for the price you are willing to pay.

Source by Moona Sharief

There are several places in your car to install your car amps. You can usually be mounted with just 4 screws. The screws you use will depend on what you are screwing into, wood, metal, etc. You do want to mount your car amp at least 3 feet away from your receiver though to eliminate the chance of receiving any interference in your receiver. Making sure your stereo equipment is securely mounted can help eliminate shorts and other problems with your stereo.

So where do you want to install your car amps?

1) Under the front seat

Mounting an amplifier under the front seat can be a safe and secure for your car amplifier. Another advantage of installing your amp under the front seat is that you can run much shorter patch cables to your amp. It is also nice because it will be out of the way.

An obvious disadvantage of mounting a car amplifier under a seat is that you will have to remove the seat to install the amp. Sometimes removing the seat can deactivate the air bag SRS system in your car. As with any time you work on a cars electrical system you will want to make sure to connect the cars negative battery terminal. Another disadvantage of mounting your car amps under the front seat is that only smaller amps will fit under the seat.

2) In the trunk or hatch of your car

A common place to install your car amps is in the trunk or hatch. The advantage of mounting amplifiers in the trunk is you have much more space in the trunk for larger amps. It is also closer to your sub and rear speakers. The trunk is also can be a good place to conceal your amps so you can keep them safe from unwanted eyes.

The disadvantage of installing your amp in the trunk is that you have to run longer RCA cables and usually longer power wires. Having longer power wires usually means you need a thicker wire. Be sure to research to make sure you use the right size cable for your amps. Another disadvantage of mounting your amp is that it can get in the way when it is mounted in the trunk.

One thing you want to keep in mind is that car amps can produce lots of heat. This is one thing you will want to consider when choosing where to mount your amp. The amps cooling fins will need some space to disperse the heat. Giving the amps a couple of inches is enough space to help keep your amp cool. Never mount your amp upside down. This will make the heat radiate back up into the amplifier making it very hot. Make sure you also leave adequate room for the wires coming out of the amp as well.

If you are mounting car amps on a vehicle floor or panel you will want to make sure you know exactly what is on the other side of the panel you are screwing or drilling into. You do not want to screw into a brake or gas line, or even into your gas tank.

A lot of times you can install your car amps on the back or top of your subwoofer box. This can be very convenient if you take your car amps and subwoofers out of your trunk or hatch to make room for other items on a regular basis. Before starting your install is to make a plan before you start. Never rush your install giving yourself plenty of time to install your car amps and subwoofers.

Source by Nathan S Rees

With the impact of the modernization and changing need of the society, there is a curving trend of the high-rise buildings in India. The objective is not only restricted to the residential purpose but extended to the business, communities, and even services. From the last decade, there is a tremendous growth in the real estate industry and now the fully occupied high-rise or multiplex buildings can be witnessed in urban cities of India.

The buildings above 15 meters are called as high-rise buildings that are in the form of malls, hospital, apartments, and multiplexes. Unfortunately, some major accidents had taken place in such buildings which are whistleblowers to stand for the accident-free environment. To ensure safety, the Government has provided provision to armour with the latest Right to Information rules. There are also amendments in the factories act 1948 that prescribes provisions related to the hazardous process. Accordingly, all types of high-rise buildings should have Fire Clearance Certificate or FIRE NOC.

What Is FIRE NOC or Fire Clarification Certificate?

FIRE NOC or Fire clearance certificate is a No Objection Certificate indicating that the building is designed as per the norms and regulations that a high-rise building must have to avoid any hazardous accidents. It is issued by the Fire department of the respective state before the building construction. The Building authority applies to the FIRE NOC before the construction with enclosing the appropriate building plan. The building plan should have complete details, including structure, a design of the staircase, electrical power supply, lift design, open space, Fire exit, raw material, design and additionally it should have provision for:

1. Fire safety measures, Fire extinguishers and Fire evacuation measures that are going to be incorporated in the building.

2. Minimizing the spread and intensity of Fire within the building and any other building.

3. Controlling the generation or spread of smoke to the possible extent.

4. The implementation of the device that can detect the Fire and can warn the occupants or user.

5. Immediate access to the device to control the rising Fire.

6. The design should be designed by the registered architect.

FIRE NOC for Hospitals:

The government provided complete instruction in ‘part 4’ of the National Building code of India-2005, “Fire and life safety” for the Fire prevention and Fire safety of the hospital building. A hospital building plan should inculcate the following Hospital Engineering Service Provision for the Fire precaution as per the NABH (National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers).

NABH provisions for the Fire precautions in the Hospital:

• There must be an approval for the installation of the Firefighting devices.

• Easy access to the control room location.

• Control panel needs to get connected with Fire detection or alarm system.

• Availability of the Pump rooms including electrical as well as the diesel room.

• Arrangements for filing Fire Tenders.

• In case of emergency, there must be a 4-way Fire inlet.

• Forced Ventilation

• Easy access to Fire Resistant tanks

• Fire Drill should be performed.

• Proper availability of yard hydrants and landing hydrants and should be on strategic location.

• 2 ways Fire heads.

• Hose Reels and Landing Hydrants

• Wet Riser system

• First Aid equipment should be in working condition.

• There should be a provision of an escape route and emergency exit.

• An automatic device for the smoke or heat detectors.

• Fire alarm system and Fire extinguishers

Regulations as per National Building Code 2005:

1. All high- rise building must have Fire NOC as per the zoning regulations of the respective jurisdiction.

2. The Road should be more than 12 meters wide especially hydraulic platform and the turntable ladder.

3. Entrance size should not be less than 6 meters or 5 meters.

4. Minimum 40% of the users or occupants should be trained to perform the proper operations of the Fire safety devices or evacuation system.

5. There should be proper open space and emergency exit stairs on the external wall of the building in addition to the regular stairs.

6. It should be enclosed with smoke-stop-swing-doors of two-hour Fire resistance on the exit to the lobby.

How to Apply for a Fire Clearance Certificate:

The preformatted application form along with the business plan and documents have to submit to the FIRE Service Department of the respective state. The application should be properly sealed and signed by the authorized civil engineer or authority. It should include complete site address and the all above-mentioned provisions in the business plan as well as documents. Nowadays, many states are accepting online application forms but the enclosures will be the same. The process of issuing Fire NOC is exempted from the fees.

Documents Required:

1. 2 sets of building plans authorized by the Building Authority.

2. Model of the building.

3. Complete drawing of the building and surroundings.

4. Complete building plan with the above mentioned mandatory details.

5. The checklist should be certified by the authority.

Time Period Required for Issuing of FIRE NOC:

If the application is properly filled up with the accurate business plan, it normally takes 4 weeks to issue the Fire Clearance Certificate from the Fire Service Department.

Does Fire NOC Have Validity?

Under Rule 35, Fire NOC is valid for 5 years for residential buildings and 3 years for the nonresidential buildings.

It is highly recommended for all users to strictly follow provisions and procedures not only in the paper but practically. Fire safety and precaution is one of the important factors which are concerning everyone in the hospital industry. The main aim of the Fire safety design is to ensure the life safety, continue functioning and proper protection.

Note: List of documents and process may vary as per the state norms.

Source by K Gangele