Utilizing Low Energy Bulbs at Home

These days, the most common energy saving lighting devices are compact fluorescent lamps which are also referred to as CFL's. These lighting types have been touted to be among the best and most affordable low energy bulbs for homes and offices. Although some still question the effectiveness and long-term benefit of these types of lighting devices, many however are giving it positive reviews and say that CFL's and other energy-efficient lighting devices are a step in the right direction. According to green lighting advocates, the standard light bulbs consume large amounts of energy because these turn energy into heat rather than light. CFL's on the other hand work in the same manner as their early fluorescent cousins, wherein the electric current makes its way through gas in a tube and its tube coating glows brightly. These low energy bulbs truly utilize lesser energy, remain cool to the touch, and generate the same amount of light as traditional lighting devices. According to green advocates, if only all of us use just one energy saving light bulb in our homes, we could save as much as 1-million buses full of CO2 emissions, and if each household uses just three energy saving bulbs at home, they would be able to generate extra energy to run our nation's street lights for a year. Wouldn't that be great for the environment, as well as to the economy?

Consumers today need not fret anymore or find any excuses not to use energy saving light bulbs. It's a fact that these home-lighting devices last longer than standard home lighting devices, as long as 6 to 15 years depending on the wattage type and lighting product you purchase. Consumers are also given the opportunity to save as much as of 75% of the energy you would use with traditional incandescent or old-school fluorescent lighting. In addition, the latest array of low-energy light bulbs manufactured and sold today are no longer really big ones, as these are usually slightly smaller than their standard lighting equivalents. These low energy lighting equipments also come with attractive designs and classic shapes. The wide variety of compact fluorescent lighting and energy saving bulbs sold these days is also equipped with domestic dimmer switches to enable users to increase the light or reduce it by using a conventional light switch. Consumer welfare advocates also note that the energy-efficient home lighting devices sold today are much safer to use especially in confined areas, and also generate very little heat as compared to the standard lighting devices. These devices are also considered safe to use in areas where children are present and do not easily spark or burn up.

AC and DC Electric Motors

Dc motors come in two general types. They can have brushes or be brushless. AC motors, as well, come in two different types. They can be two phase or three phase. The differences in DC and AC motors are sometimes subtle, but these differences are what make one types better for a certain use.

Direct current or DC electric motors work for situations where speed needs to be controlled. DC motors have a stable and continuous current. DC motors were the first and earliest motors used. They were found, however, to not be as good at producing power over long lengths. Electric companies found using DC motors to generate electric did not work because the power was lost as the electric was transmitted. Brush DC motors use rings that conduct the current and form the magnetic drive that powers the rotor. Brushless DC motors use a switch to produce the magnetic drive that powers the rotor. Direct current motors are often found in appliances around the home.

Alternating current or AC electric motors are used differently based on what type of AC motor it is. Single phase AC motors are known as general purpose motors. They work well in many different situations. These AC motors work great for systems that are hard to start because they need a lot of power up front. Three phase, also called polyphase, AC motors are usually found in industrial settings. These motors also have high starting power built transmit lower levels of overall power. AC power gets its name from the fact that it alternates in power. The amount of power given off by an AC motor is determined by the amount of power needed to operate the system.

DC and AC electric motors are found everywhere from the home to the car to industrial plants. Motors are important to everyday life. Dc motors were introduced and caused a great revolution in the way many things are done. When AC motors came on the market the way motors were looked at changed because of their amazing starting power potential. DC motors and AC motors are different in many ways, but they still both are usede to power the world.

Function of Circuit Breaker Panels

As a homeowner, you should be familiar with the location of your circuit breaker panel. In most homes, the circuit breaker box is located in the laundry area or basement. Sometimes the circuit breaker box is located on the outside of the home. In larger homes, there may be multiple circuit breaker panels, including the main panel and additional sub-panels. The circuit breaker panel box is usually gray in color and is mounted on a wall. If you open the panel doors, you will see several different circuit breakers. Each of these breakers controls the power input and output of each appliance in your home. The main breaker controls power to the entire home, and will shut off power to the entire home.

A circuit breaker box houses the main and individual circuits for appliances in your home. Circuits serve to protect the home in the case of current overload. If an overload of power occurs, because of faulty electrical wiring or a multitude of other reasons, the breaker will trip causing power to be shut off, either to individual appliances or to the entire house.

Most homeowners have experienced a tripped circuit breaker at one time or another. If you are unable to get power to a particular appliance, chances are the breaker was tripped. Because this is common, especially in older homes, it is important to label each circuit in the circuit breaker panel. To label the circuits, you can check by switching off each circuit to determine what power source each is linked to. Labeling each circuit in the circuit breaker box can make it much easier and less frustrating in the future.

Function of Fuse Boxes

Fuse boxes serve the same purpose as circuit breaker boxes. The fuse controls the electrical current from appliances within a home. Fuse boxes are outdated by modern standards. The advantage to having circuit breakers in a home is that instead of replacing a fuse each time it is used, circuit breakers can be easily reset. It can be frustrating, expensive and time consuming to have to replace a fuse every time it is used.

According to government estimate, faulty electrical wiring each year causes approximately forty thousand house fires. Like circuit breakers, fuses are used to prevent fires and electrocutions by interrupting electrical currents in the case of a power overload. When a fuse blows or a circuit breaker trips, it is important for you to locate the source of the problem.

One of the most common causes of blown fuses is power overload. For instance, if you have lights that seem to stop working frequently, you may have too many items connected to a single power source. In other cases, blown fuses may represent more serious problems. Sometimes an appliance may have a short circuit; it could even mean a short circuit in the home’s internal wiring. In either case, it is best to have a professional electrician evaluate the fuse box and wiring to prevent serious house fires.

As you would in a circuit breaker panel, you should also label each fuse in the fuse box. Labeling each fuse can make it easier to replace the one in need by accurately locating the blown fuse and which appliance it serves. You can identify a blown fuse by first turning off everything on the circuit. Identify fuses that are melted, cracked or have frayed wires. When replacing a fuse, keep everything turned off to prevent electrocution.

Secrets of Home Made Energy Exposed!

Have you heard of home made energy? Many scientists believe that it is going to be the new wave of technology in the future. Despite the existence of home made energy solutions, many people still do not believe in them and continue to get strangled by utility companies. In order to preserve our planet, it is becoming clear that we need to take steps of conserve the Earth and not use up all our natural resources.

1. What Is The State Of Home Made Energy Today?

Electricity companies have long been making a lot of money by providing electric power to households. The government is not doing enough to communicate the importance of energy, oil and natural gas conservation to its people. Of course, they may also have reasons not to do so. If every household were to convert to using home made energy, utility companies would go out of business and this would greatly affect the economy.

Inventors and scientists have already made discoveries of wind turbines, solar power generators and electric cars etc., but these inventions have been very minimally exposed to the public.

2. What Has The Home Made Energy Guide Taught Me?

The ideas written in this guide have made me understand the importance of homemade energy and changed my lifestyle totally. Today, I am able to generate my own power at home using the wind turbines and solar power generators that I have built on my own with the plans inside this guide. My electricity bill has also gone down more than 80%, and today I can live comfortably without having to worry about expensive electrical bills.

3. Why Use Home Made Energy?

Studies have shown that natural resources on our planet are diminishing much faster than we can find new ways to make them. If this situation carries on, our land will soon run out of natural resources and this would be a disaster for everyone.

How to Estimate Home Appliance Energy Use

There's a very simple way to figure out how much energy your home appliances are using. I'm not a math genius, and I can

accurately determine how much energy each appliance in my home is using.

The formula is:

(Wattage × Hours Used Per Day ÷ 1000 = Daily Kilowatt-hour (kWh) consumption(1 kilowatt (kW) = 1,000 Watts)

Determine the annual energy consumption by estimating how many days per year you use the appliance. Then, you can figure the annual cost by multiplying the kWh by using your local utility's kWh rate.

Here's an example of something you may use frequently - a personal computer and monitor.

(120 + 150 Watts × 4 hours/day × 365 days/year) ÷ 1000 = 394 kWh × 8.5 cents/kWh = $33.51/year

Adjust the numbers to what you use. If you don't know the exact figures, make an estimate.

Many appliances have the wattage stamped somewhere on the unit itself. It may be on a metal plate along with the
manufacturer's serial number. If you can't find the wattage, you may find the amount of amps the unit consumes. If you find the amp consumption, multiply it by the voltage used by the appliance. For most household items, it's 120 volts.

However, your electric stove and dryer are usually rated at 240 volts.

Beware of a condition known as "phantom load." This is when appliances continue to use electricity even when they're turned
off. Some common examples are your VCR, TV, stereo, computer, and many kitchen appliances.

You can prevent phantom load by either unplugging the appliance from the wall socket, or you can plug it into a power strip.

Turn off the power strip when you're done using the appliance. This will save some money on your energy bill every year.

Here's some typical wattage ratings for common household appliances:

Coffee maker = 900–1200

Clothes washer = 350–500

Clothes dryer = 1800–5000

Dishwasher = 1200–2400 (using the drying feature greatly increases energy consumption)

Clothes iron = 1000–1800

Microwave oven = 750–1100

Radio (stereo) = 70–400

Refrigerator (frost-free, 16 cubic feet) = 725

Televisions (color)

o 19" = 65–110

o 27" = 113

o 36" = 133

o 53"-61" Projection = 170

o Flat screen = 120

VCR/DVD = 17–21 / 20–25

Vacuum cleaner = 1000–1440

Water heater (40 gallon) = 4500–5500

Now that you know how to calculate energy consumption of common appliances in your home, it's easier to figure out which ones you want to keep turned off as much as possible to save energy.

Understand how the circuit works

This consists of understanding the operation of all the components that are used in the circuit. This could include such components as: push buttons, contactors, various types of switches, relays, sensors, motors, etc. Electrical circuits typically control or operate mechanical systems and components. You also need to understand how these mechanical aspects of the equipment operate to carry out the work. You need to be able to determine how the circuit works under normal conditions and what effect changing one of the circuit inputs has on the circuit operation. For example, what happens to the overall circuit operation when a push button is pressed; which relays energize, which lights illuminate, does the pump start or stop, etc. You also need to be able to determine what effect a faulty component may have on the circuit operation.