Muhammad Mukarram Technical Services L.L.C

Category Blog

Safety Features of Appliances

Whether it is electrical or electronic, all appliances come with cutting edge inbuilt safety standards. Safety features differ from one brand to another, but almost all brands follow certain general safety measures. This includes low resistance earth, to protect the user from getting a shock from electricity. Those electrical appliances without earth will have double insulation to avoid electrical shocks. Appliances like toasters, kettles and hair dryers come with different types of switch technologies that detect any fault in the appliances and cut the power supply automatically. Popular brands such as Electrolux and Whirlpool come with different type of child safety features. There are safety features that include dryers that have a latch on the inside door that protect children from being locked inside, and some ovens are equipped with locks on the outside of the door to prevent children from opening a lit oven.

In spite of all the safety built in features, one has to be cautious when using appliances. Never touch metal or stand in water while using electrical appliances. Check cords, outlets and switches of the appliances at regular intervals. Always turn off the electrical appliances and unplug them when not in use. Some of the most commonly used gas appliances are gas grills, fireplaces, vent free and vented gas logs, lights and more. All gas appliances must be kept in a properly ventilated space. The cooking surface of any gas must be keep free of dust and dirt to prevent dangerous clogging.

Though people are aware of all these safety features, they do not pay much attention. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has estimated that each year more than a thousand people get injured by electrical or gas appliances. This is mainly caused because people overlook safety features.

It is recommended to check for the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) seal of approval before purchasing any appliance. This is a confirmation that the appliances are tested for safety.

Source by Eric Morris

Pros and Cons of Plate Heat Exchangers

In 1923, Dr. Richard Sellingman invented the first plate heat exchanger, and forever revolutionised the process of indirect heat transfer. Now, these products can be found in many homes, commercial institutions and manufacturing plants of various industries. Their inherent design give them a distinct advantage over other types of heat exchangers, like shell and tube types, adiabatic wheel types, etc.

Advantages

Let’s take a look at the different advantages of plate heat exchangers that make them arguably the best devices for many heat transfer applications.

Compactness. They use thin sheets of metal to transfer heat from one liquid to another. These metal plates are lined with corrugations that give them a large surface area for a very small volume. This gives them a very small form factor as compared to other types of heat exchangers, saving valuable floor space that can be used for other purposes. It is possible for it to have the same thermal coefficient as that of a tubular type up to five times its size. This is particularly helpful in small homes, offices, and manufacturing plants that need all the space they can get.

High Thermal Efficiency. They operate at higher thermal efficiency than other heat exchangers due to the large surface area of the plates. The cooling and heating liquid spread over the plates, giving them more contact for heat transfer. The narrow chambers between each plate also seek to maximise the volume of fluid in contact with the metal plates.

Economical.  These exchangers are relatively simple and cheaper to produce than other types. Because of their size, they require less material to fabricate. They also give the highest thermal capacity for relatively low-cost. This makes them the most economic choice for heat transfer tasks.

Flexibility. They are very flexible in that they can be used in most applications with only minimal modifications. And if modifications are to be applied, they can be implemented with relative ease, negating the need to buy a new heat exchanger. They also work on a wide range of fluids and thus, make them compatible with a wide range of industrial applications.

Easy Installation and Maintenance.  They look relatively similar on the outside; this makes installation of new devices relatively easy as one would not worry about incompatible gasket sizes, varying input and output valves and pipes, etc. Given the right tools, these robust machines are also easy to dismantle and take apart. This makes cleaning and other maintenance tasks easier to perform.

Disadvantages

Leakage. Although the plates and gaskets in them are sealed tight, there is a greater potential for leakage than shell and tube types heat exchangers. But as long as you don’t run them outside of normal operating regions, one shouldn’t worry too much about this.

Temperature Difference.They work well with fluids with minimal to normal temperature differences. However, it does not work as well as a shell and tube type heat exchanger for fluids with huge differences in temperature.

In the end, the advantages of plate heat exchangers make them ideal for general heat transfer applications. The next time you need heat exchangers for your home, office, or industry plants, why not try getting a plate heat exchanger?

Source by Thesa Sambas

Aquarium Filters – The Pros and Cons of Each Filter

Having a good aquarium filter can make the difference between enjoying fish-keeping or not. Here are descriptions of the different kinds of aquarium filters available, what kind of tanks they are best for, and the overall pros and cons of each option.

Corner filters

These small clear plastic box filters have an airstone that pushes water up through layers of floss and charcoal. The box sits in the gravel in a corner of the tank. Sometimes they need to be weighted down to keep them from floating. They are very cheap, but not terribly efficient. While they do add some aeration to a tank, you are not going to clean up a dirty tank with this kind of filter.

Sponge filters

These are similar to corner filter, but there is no floss or charcoal or even a plastic box — all filtering is done through a sponge. Again, this is not a very efficient filter, but it does help. Sponge filters are used in fry and quarantine tanks because they create no strong currents, and they do clean up a tank a bit, and they provide some aeration. Fry may also enjoy nibbling algae off the sponge.

Undergravel filters

Undergravel may be the best choice for a standard community tank. You can also combine an undergravel filter with a exterior box filter for some extra clean water. The benefits are that undergravel filters are relatively cheap, they do a good job once they are established, and they do not create strong currents that some fish, like bettas or discus, will not like. These filters use biological and mechanical filtration by pulling the dirty water in the tank down through the gravel. The plastic aisles of the undergravel filter hold the gravel up so there is a small space at the bottom of the tank. This is where most of the debris is captured. The clean water is pushed up through two tubes on either side of the back of the aquarium and pushes the clean water out — fairly gently — through two window-shaped grates.

Undergravel filters use your aquarium’s gravel as the filtration media. While there is mechanical filtration, most of the action is happening via biological filtration in the gravel. So these filters may take a few days to show you clean water. There’s also no way to upgrade them aside from adding a powerhead, which is only going to add more pull. You will also need an air pump to run an undergravel filter. The stronger it is, the more filtration you will get.

External/hang on the side filters

These filters are boxes that do most of their work just outside of the tank. They hang on the side with an uptake tube that goes down into the tank. The dirty water is pulled up the intake tube and pushed through a series of sponges and usually a bag of activated carbon. This performs biological, mechanical and chemical filtration. The clean water is pushed out through a trough formation that spills into the tank.

These kind of filters do create a bit of current, especially if you have got a large tank. They can handle tanks up to 100 gallons, and if you had a larger tank than that (lucky you) you could just add a second filter. These kind of filters have to be cleaned about every week to two weeks by squeezing out the sponges until all the trapped particles are released. Sometimes small fish get caught or pulled up by the intake tube, but this only happens with very, very small fish. That said, do not use these kinds of filters in a fry tank. Otherwise, they do a pretty good job and are a very good filter for the money. They run about $20 for a 20 gallon tank. “Trickle” filters is similar technology.

Canister filters

These are the “big dogs” of the filter world. Unless you have a community tank that is over 50 gallons, using a canister filter is a bit like swatting a fly with a cannonball. The benefit to canister filters is that they do a very, very good job and you do not have to clean them more than once a month if that.

Some people “cheat” and buy canister filters made for tanks two or three or even four times the size of their aquarium and then (sometimes) they can get away with cleaning the filter less than once a year. If you have lots of extra money, but very little extra time, this is a viable trick for those of us who hate cleaning the fish tank (you still have to do water changes, though). The downside is that cleaning canister filters is a big deal and they are quite expensive ($75 to $300).

Source by Pamella Neely

The M-V Estonia Mystery and Tragedy

The M/V Estonia sank in the Baltic 1994. 852 persons drowned or which 502 were Swedes. It was the biggest accident in North Europe since the second world war. Evidently the accident was investigated by the authorities. It took them three years and three months.

The official cause of accident was that a bow door in the superstructure 2.5 meter above waterline was ripped open due to big waves. How then the ferry actually sank was not explained 1997. This lack of information disturbed survivors and relatives of victims. In 2005 the Swedish government decided that the outstanding question ‘how did the ferry sink?’ should finally be clarified by scientific research. Two consortia were given the task.

The SSPA consortia consisted of Swedes, Scotsmen and Dutchmen and was given $ 1 million. The German HSVA consortia was given $ 400,000. In 2008 the results were ready.

The SSPA consortia explained that when the bow door was ripped open, 2 000 tons/minute of water entered the superstructure and the ferry heeled 47 degrees in less than three minutes. Then the ship floated on the deck house for 20 minutes, then it capsized and floated upside down and then it sank during 20 minutes with stern first. Both model tests and computer simulations showed this. In the model tests SSPA had to release air from the hull via two valves, otherwise the ship would not sink. In computer simulations the air in the was apparently slowly compressed during 20 minutes, so that water could flow up into the hull and reduce buoyancy causing sinking. How this phenomenon actually took place, SSPA could not really explain. Capsized vessels floating upside down normally do not sink.

The HSVA consortia produced a completely different scenario. Much less water entered the superstructure according the HSVA research and the vessel suddenly heeled >30 degrees but then the heel was reduced to 40 degrees after about 30 minutes, and then ventilation openings in the side 8 meters above waterline were submerged and the hull was flooded. Thus the ship sank without capsizing. If the ventilation openings actually existed and were open, HSVA could not confirm. They must have been there, otherwise the ship would not sink.

In October 2008 the Swedish government announced in the Parliament that both consortia had confirmed the official cause of accident and had explained the sinking and that the case was finally closed. The research had provided valuable information to improve safety at sea.

However, the case is still not closed. In Estonia the investigation goes on led by chief prosecutor Margus Kurm. Crew members have told a completely different story to him. The vessel was leaking below waterline, the crew was standing to their knees in water in the engine room below waterline. They started bilge pumps to pump the engine room dry. As soon as the ferry heeled, they escaped to open deck to survive. The Kurm report is awaited early 2009. Maybe there will more scientific research to explain the sinking?

Source by Anders Bjorkman

5 Tips to Increase The Life of Your Split Air Conditioner

We often call professionals that provide industrial electronic repair to get our appliances repaired and our split air conditioner is one of them. Every year thousands of people call to inquire about the electronic parts and services regarding their split AC. Global warming is on a new high and long gone are those days when winters actually used to be long. This has ultimately made us more dependent on our beloved split ACs and the pressure on these sophisticated electronic appliances has all the more increased.

Split Air Conditioner Tips

To ensure the smooth functioning of your split AC you need to take care of its proper maintenance. By following the points given below one can easily add a few more years to their split AC.

1. The filter is a quintessential part of an AC and must be changed every month or after every two months depending upon the use. As the name implies, the air filter filters out the air and separates dirt and pollutants from it. Changing the air filter periodically will ensure that the air you are breathing when the AC is switched on is void of any pollutants. Moreover, it lowers maintenance cost significantly.

2. Just like the filter, AC’s compressor is another important part. It helps to compress low pressure and low volume gas into a high pressure and high temperature gas that’s needed by the AC for its functioning. It also helps to remove vapour from the evaporator so as to maintain a low boiling point. Cleaning the compressor on a regular basis will give you cool and refreshing air for a long period of time.

3. While passing through the air conditioning system the air also passes through the evaporator coil. This coil absorbs all the heat from the air so as to provide cold, fresh air in the space. If you are getting warm air from your AC, there is a high probability that your AC’s evaporator coil might not be functioning properly. Replacing this coil with a new one can certainly improve air flow and its circulation in the home.

4. All air conditioning systems use some sort of refrigerant as a part of their machinery so as to absorb excess heat and contribute in the supply of cold air in the house. However, at some point of time in its life your AC might experience a refrigerant leak. Hence, a reliable company that provides industrial electronic repair solutions regarding air conditioners should be called-in immediately to repair that part.

5. Proper air conditioning maintenance must include regular cleaning of all those air ducts from which the AC is able to provide fresh, cold air. In an air conditioning system, air ducts are generally spread throughout the house so as to keep the entire area cool and pleasant. Hence, the ductwork present in the AC must be cleaned on a regular basis so as to remove all sorts of dust and dirt present on air ducts.

Maintenance cost of both – window and split air conditioner is generally the same, hence it does not matter which AC you use as maintenance is vital for both of them.

Source by Geoff Child

Electrical Safety in Your Home

Electrical fires are one of the most widespread causes of damage to homes. Overloaded outlets, faulty wiring, inferior-quality electrical appliances are easy fire-starters in any modern house. Unfortunately, home security systems do not protect against all such hazards. By following a few of these simple rules and adopting them into your daily habits, you can save yourself much of the danger of having to deal with an electrical fire in your family’s home.

Lighting:

– Always use the right light bulbs.

– Always check and use the correct wattage.

– Screw the bulbs in securely, as loose bulbs can produce short circuits and/or sparks.

– Turn off and even unplug any light fixture before changing the bulb.

Appliances:

– Be certain that all electrical appliances in the house have the correct fuse.

– Check for the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) label on all appliances – as this product safety testing organization is well-trusted source.

– Unplug appliances that are rarely used, and keep the cords out of reach of water, children, and pets.

– Unplug small appliances such as coffeemakers, toasters, etc. after use and put them away instead of leaving them to clutter up the counter.

– Unplug all appliances before cleaning them.

– Unplug any appliance that gives even a tiny shock.

– Never put clothes or other flammable items on top of warm appliances.

– Keep all appliances far from sinks, bathtubs, etc.

– Make sure all nonessential appliances are turned off and/or unplugged before going to bed.

Cords and Wires:

– Do not run extension cords under the carpet, as you will never be able check to see that they are in good working condition. Heat under the carpet can also easily cause fire.

– Check for scorch marks on sockets and plugs.

– Use plastic plugs on all unused outlets or use cover plates.

– Never carry or unplug an object by its cord.

– Replace frayed or brittle cords immediately. Do not use the appliance until the cord has been replaced.

– Do not remove the third prong from a three-pronged plug.

– Use Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) to protect yourself from shock.

– Extension cords are not meant to be permanent wiring solutions.

– Never let furniture sit on top of cables and wires.

– Never overload outlets with cords. Never jam a plug into an outlet when they do not fit securely.

Further Safety Tips:

– Do not touch a person who has been shocked, as the shock can be spread through contact.

– Use fire extinguishers or baking soda for electrical fires. Never use water.

– Do not attempt electrical repairs without the proper experience.

– Be familiar with the fuse boxes and circuit breakers of your house, and know how to operate them.

– Teach your children about electrical safety.

Electricity is an unquestionable and indispensable part of our lives. From alarm clocks to televisions, from computers to toasters, the modern house is full of potential fire-starters. Be well aware of the possible hazards in your home and keep your family safe from electrical fires.

Source by Ben Crenshaw

Vinyl Fencing Presents an Easier to Maintain Alternative to Wooden Fencing

You’ve heard that wood fencing is great for looks and vinyl picket fencing is great for maintenance. They are both similar on your wallet, with vinyl coming in a bit lower than inexpensive wood. So, how do you choose?

Wood fencing, no matter how well treated, will tend to deteriorate. If it is left in its natural state it will need cleaning and if it’s painted it will need touch ups every few years. If you don’t have a Tom Sawyer gang to whitewash you’ll need to take this into account for the total cost of ownership. Vinyl fencing has a longer maintenance free life. This is especially nice if you’re installing a vinyl picket fence. Pickets make a fence challenging to paint or clean! You have multiple colors to choose from in vinyl. Vinyl fencing can typically be power washed and doesn’t succumb to the elements and insects. There aren’t any termites that have developed a taste for vinyl!

Vinyl fencing installation is also a bit easier than wood fencing installation. Both wood and vinyl fencing can be do it yourself or installed by a contractor. Vinyl fencing is lighter and also smoother. It is straight by design so getting a level installation is easier than when dealing with the natural variations found in wood.

Before installing any fencing make sure you check your local building code. Do you need a permit? Are there any special requirements for fence placement? Are there any underground utilities you need to avoid? Do you want to set the posts is concrete? Once those questions are answered you can proceed to the installation checklist. Do you have the right tool to dig the holes? Do you have a plumb line to ensure a straight fence and a level to ensure that the height is consistent?

Once you start with your vinyl fencing, have a timeline for completion. Good fences make good neighbors and no one likes to live with or next to a constant construction zone. Unless you live in the south, you’ll be installing during the spring to fall time frame (ground is not frozen) so you’ll have longer daylight hours for your work. Try to pick a few days when the weather is pleasant. Digging holes in the pouring rain is difficult and getting a straight / level fence is nearly impossible. Mark your fence outline and the postholes first. Next, dig the postholes and test a few sections for alignment. You’ll want to do this especially if you plan on setting the posts with concrete!

Take pictures along the way. They are a good way to document that you complied with local ordinances and also an easy way to share your home improvement with friends and family out of town. Your new vinyl fencing is an investment, but it will pay off in curb appeal and functionality. You’ll be able to enjoy a fenced yard for yourselves, children and pets and it will be a lovely addition to the neighborhood.

Source by Evan Dayvies

Different Types of Water Tank Storage

Are you decided in getting a water tank for your home? If you are, then have you decided on which tank construction material you will choose? There are different materials available in the market today, and if you picked the wrong material in your home then you might have unexpected water contamination and immediate repairs. But don’t worry because here is your basic guide in choosing the right type of water storage.

The old fashioned type of water storage tank is the concrete water tank. This is entirely made of concrete which is also the primary material used in building establishments and houses. This is durable, fire resistant and chemical resistant and is often used in farms and in rural communities. The concrete tank is known for decades but it is still said to be one of the safest and effective types of water storage.

Another type of water tank is the steel storage tank. It is made of steel and is durable and heavy. One problem of this type of material is that it is prone to rusting. A very good solution is to apply safe and non-toxic coatings so that there will be no instances of rusting. Another problem is the inflexibility of the material when the air pressure of the climate changes. It could result to damage or tank explosion.

The last type of tank is the plastic water reservoir. It is the cheapest tank among other storage tanks, and is flexible, lightweight and safer unlike steel vessels. But a problem with this type is its vulnerability to heat. Once the temperature rises, it will be prone to melting and the plastic liquid can easily be mixed with the water contained inside.

Choose the best water tank for you according to your budget and your climate needs. Get your ideal water tank so you will have fewer worries in the future.

Source by Ed Purvis

Air Conditioners Service To Increase Efficiency

Air conditioners service is very important to ensure a longer life for the system. Through proper maintenance and regular service, you could always rely on the system during the summers when they are needed the most. Many users of AC never bother about their servicing and as a result have to replace their system very early. Though they are very tough and could sustain most of the abuse for a longer period of time, its life can be extended through better maintenance. Besides, through proper air conditioners service, you could also ensure better efficiency of the system.

Thermostat

Thermostat is the heart of it. Thermostats can detect the temperatures and help in providing the required cooling to your home. It is the main part in an air conditioner which will automatically switch on and off the system when the required temperature settings are reached. Even a small problem in the thermostat could lead to major problems in it. While air conditioner servicing, the technicians will inspect the thermostat and evaluate its condition.

If you have signed annual maintenance for it’s repair service contract, the technicians will regularly conduct inspection of your thermostats to check its efficiency. One of the most common problems of the thermostats is the poor performance of battery that leads to reduction in the efficiency of the system. This in fact will increase your energy bills.

Battery Leakage

Air conditioners service will enable you to timely detect the leakage in the battery. Leakage of battery will directly affect the system. This may even lead to complete replacement of the system as a whole. Regular and routine repair service will ensure the early detection of such leakage and save your system from adverse effects.

Many of them require yearly replacement of batteries to ensure efficient running of the system. Air conditioners service provider will be able to guide you in this. They will send the technicians who through their years of experience and expertise will advise you on the right time for replacement of batteries. When batteries are not replaced on the right time, it may lead to more consumption of energy and your system efficiency is greatly affected. AC repair services will ensure that all the major parts of the system are in good condition and thereby ensure better efficiency of the system.

Filter to be Cleaned

The AC filters have to be cleaned on a regular basis. It can be easily done at home by you or you could always get it done by the service provider. If the filter collects lot of dust, there is more pressure on the system and thereby it reduces their efficiency. The running efficiency of the system is directly related to your energy bills. To save on your energy bills, always make sure to have regular service.

Air conditioners service repair has to be done only by authorized technicians. It involves a lot of technicalities that only trained professional will be aware of. So it’s always better to get air conditioners service done by them.

Source by Angie Rios

Cable Tray – A Safe And Dependable Solution

Nowadays, the problem of short circuits or electrical shocks in wiring systems become too common, which may create a big risk for the man and material of your industry. So, if you don’t want to face such problem, then you have to choose a safe and dependable alternative to an open-wiring system. For this, no option is better than the use of a cable tray that is specially designed to provide an outstanding dependability for the control and communication data system. It is one of the best solutions in terms of cost, space-saving, dependability, reliability, adaptability, maintenance, and safety because of its rigid structure and corrosion-resistant nature.

It consists of trays, supports, fittings, and other necessary material, which is easily available at a reasonable price than any other of its type. Moreover, it is very easy to install, which in result save your installation and high labor cost. One of the major advantages of using cable tray systems for the protection of the open wiring system is that it can easily adapt changes with new needs and technology. The flexibility it provides is the primary reason behind its rising popularity. It allows you to easily modify, add or remove cables from a tray, in order to meet the needs of an industrial requirement. Due to its outstanding or protective design, it prevents any dust particle or chemical to get inside the cable tray and protect your wiring system from getting damaged.

It may not come in contact with the fire easily, so, that the chances of short circuits or fire accidents may reduce. So, you cannot deny a fact that it has now become the important part of almost every commercial as well as industrial sector. It offers an economical or effective solution to the problem of high voltage power lines, power distribution cables, sensitive control wiring, telecommunication or optical wiring and many other problems of the wiring system. There are so many of its types such as Electrical, Cable, Perforated, Stainless Steel, Mild Steel, Galvanized, PVC Cable Tray and so on.

Don’t be confused, because its selection of totally depends on its application in any industry. When comparing it to the conduit system, then it is less expensive and more effective as well. In a nutshell, you can say, it is the right decision for the safety of your wiring system, and you should install it at your workplace. You can totally depend on it for the safety of your wiring system.

Source by Nitin Pratap Singh