wind power
Archived Posts from this Category
Archived Posts from this Category
A number of factors have contributed to tremendous changes in the economics of working as an independent mechanic. For nearly a century, being a mechanic has been a stable profession that could earn a decent wage. But now across the board, from automobile to heavy machinery to electric motor repair, it is becoming harder and harder to earn a living as a mechanic.
The industrial revolution changed the landscape of production. Around the world, machines proliferated, appearing in factories, on farms, at sea, and everywhere in between. All those machines had one thing in common, regardless of who made them, what they were for, or what they cost: they all broke down.
As a result, anybody who bought a machine had to have a way to fix it. A company that sold machinery all over the united states didn’t necessarily want to employ mechanics close to all their customers, so many of the machines were designed to be easy to repair. With simple, straightforward designs, they were intuitive to a person with a good mind, and many people did their own repair work.
When Henry Ford used an assembly line to speed up production and slash the price of an automobile, he not only revolutionized transportation, he created a need for a professional class of automobile mechanics all over the country. The cars were made with a working man’s mentality in mind, and they were made to be easy to work on and repair. But the proliferation of the automobile meant the proliferation of the service station.
For decades, what went on under the hood of an automobile was the province of the mechanics who worked in service stations. Those mechanics were generally men of little or no formal education. But they were good with their hands, and they understood machines. A hard-working mechanic could earn a good income; and being a mechanic was good, honest work.
Along with the automobile mechanic business, repair industries for all kinds of motors grew, especially during the 1950s as the suburbs were built. This period saw tremendous expansion of machines for the home. There were home appliances like washers and vacuums. Suburban homes had yards, so suburbanites needed a lawn mower.Small gasoline engines and electric motors in home appliances needing repair meant more jobs for the mechanically minded.
Now, however, those jobs are on the decline. Machines have become more complex, with computers playing a greater role in the operation of motors. These machines need specialized diagnostic tools. And because warranties get people to pay for future repairs up front but often require repairs to happen at brand-owned shops, there is even less opportunity these days for independent mechanics.
That means that independent mechanics are becoming an endangered species, but preserving this endangered species is in all of our interests. One day, we will all need a guy who knows how to fix things for electric motor repair, to patch up an older engine we cannot replace , or to double-check the work of a brand-store technician.
Maria is an electrical engineer who specializes in wind power system maintenance.
0 comments Sunday 05 Feb 2012 | Maria Sandstone | wind power
Wind turbines are just simple machines that are powered by wind. These machines use the force of moving air to rotate the blades. Some time back, these machines were used to produce energy that was used to grind and pump water. However, in the modern world they are used to convert wind power into electricity power.
The machines that were made in the ancient times can be converted by use of simple tools. It is important that the modernized machines are higher in technological advancement and are produced using very light materials and composite. Nevertheless, it is very easy to put up your own turbine at a reasonable affordable price. Nevertheless, you have to have some tips to help you accomplish this successfully.
The first thing you should do is to create a renewable energy system before you can start building the turbine. You should also acquire a battery that you will connect to the system. The turbine will in turn charge the battery which will convert the power to renewable energy. It is important to note that the stator of the turbine will determine the voltage amount of the battery.
The next point is to learn how the machines function and review your area’s suitability for such activities. The process of constructing this system will definitely take long and thus there is need to know how the machines work. Note that they only work when there is wind, which helps them to move and thus producing electricity.
Another thing is to consider assessing the available space that you have. In most cases, the units do not require a lot of space. You should also note that expert’s suggests that in order to avoid future conflicts, one is supposed to set aside more than a half acre for turbines that are up to three kilowatts. For machines that have more than three kilowatts, you should set aside an acre.
Once you have noted the space you require, you should think of how you will bet your hands on the other parts like the turbine parts and tower. Make sure that you have all the required parts including those that are not included in the kit. Moreover, the manual will assist you when you come to a part you do not fully understand.
Building your own machine might be fun especially when you do it without expert help. You will also save a lot that you would have paid for these services. However, you should note that when doing these activities, you are supposed to have good instructions to make sure that you do not mess. Such instructions can be obtained from a good expert.
In addition, speak to your neighbors about the whole idea and get there reviews. They should offer some suggestions and ideas while you are planning this construction. These discussions are a good way of educating the neighbors and the whole community in general about the advantages of using clean and renewable wind power. Also note that your machine should be tall to reach above walls, trees and other obstacles which might limit your machine from accessing the breeze.
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0 comments Saturday 04 Feb 2012 | Alan Jones | wind power
Wind is one of the most widely available sources of renewable, sustainable energy on the planet. Wind is everywhere, and small scale wind power generation causes little environmental damage. The main obstacle to widespread proliferation of wind power as a considerable part of our overall power production is the cause associated with collecting it. A good wind generator is the key to successfully using wind power.
Using wind to generate power is simple. A windmill is erected high enough that the propeller at its top is above obstacles. Wind blowing across the propeller turns it, which turns a turbine, which drives a generator. The power output of a good generator is approximately 2,300 kilowatt-hours per year.
On a small scale, wind generators are used to provide supplemental power in much the same way that smaller-scale solar panel installations are used. These are especially popular on farms and in rural-industrial areas where wind is plentiful and consistent. Much larger-scale installations, called wind farms, are also rising in popularity.
The largest onshore wind farm in the world boasts 627 turbines, generating enough power for 250,000 households. It was built between 2008 and 2009, with a total construction cost of over $1 billion, on a site near Roscoe, TX.
Off-shore, the world’s largest wind farm is 7 miles off the English coast. This massive wind farm was beset by financial problems and changed hands multiple times before construction even began. Finally completed in 2010 at a cost of about $1.4 billion, it covers 13.5 miles of sea and pipes about 300 MW of power under water to a power station in Kent, England.
Even with its obvious advantages, wind power does receive its share of criticism. Much of that criticism has to do with its cost-effectiveness, given the unreliable nature of the wind itself. Windmills require consistent wind at high velocity in order to produce power, but wind is inconsistent enough in the natural world that it is used as a metaphor for unreliability in literature. Winds change from day to day and from year to year. Consequently, wind power projects are usually unjustifiable financially without government subsidies.
Ironically, wind production is also sometimes criticized for being environmentally unfriendly. This is because large-scale wind farms take up an enormous amount of space. Rural areas with high average wind velocities are often home to birds, who can be killed in the spinning blades. Recently, an Oregon company’s application to kill golden eagles to make way for a massive wind farm has drawn strong criticism from animal rights activists.
Still, most people would argue that all power production has some cost and that a wind generator in the right location holds the promise of producing clean energy for a long time. Large-scale wind farms are on the rise, and there is no reason to expect that to change. On a smaller scale, those who care about the environment, and those who just want to be free from the energy grid, will continue to look to wind power as an option as well.
Maria is an electrical engineer who specializes in electrical safety testing.
0 comments Friday 03 Feb 2012 | Maria Sandstone | wind power
During the winter months, when heavy winds and freezing temperatures test the electrical infrastructure, power outages are more common. This is especially true in rural areas, where power lines sometimes have to travel long distances, where they are threatened by snow accumulation and tree branches. Today, the use of electrical redundancy systems, remote-controlled switchgear, and high tech alarm systems helps to minimize the length and severity of weather-related blackouts.
Power outages should also be planned for in the home. When high winds, rainstorms, or substantial snow are in the forecast, the risk of a weather-related power outage increases. Paying attention to the weather forecasts can help you to prepare for these outages, keeping household electronics – and especially computers – safe from damage.
Severe power outages can last more than a day, especially in rural areas. If the blackout is caused by bad weather outside, it can quickly become very uncomfortable inside as well. Thinking ahead can help to minimize that discomfort. You will be much better off if you have food you can prepare without power, blankets or firewood to keep you warm, and light sources, such as flashlights or camp lanterns.
Surges can occur when power goes on or off, and they can damage electronic equipment that is plugged directly into an outlet. Surges are especially likely when power is restored, as soon is a blackout starts it is a good idea to unplug as many electronics and appliances as possible. Delicate electronics, such as personal computers, should always be plugged into a surge protector. When bad weather comes, they should be turned off any time they’re not in use.
Power outages are often caused by severe conditions that also have wider effects. In the Midwest, for example, a power outage could result from tornadoes. It could result from feet of accumulated snow or a severe deep freeze in the North. In California it could be an earthquake. In Florida, it could be a hurricane. Wherever you live, preparing for a prolonged lack of power is part of making sure you are ready for a real emergency.
Including your neighbors in your plan is important. A group of people working together is much better equipped to endure any hardship. Creating a neighborhood plan in addition to a household plan means assigning responsibilities, designating a meeting place, and finding out who is best able to deal with various aspects of an emergency. For example, knowing that one neighbor is a nurse and that another is in construction can save valuable time if you need CPR for a family member or help moving a tree branch.
And although it is unlikely that the worst will happen, preparing for an emergency makes dealing with an inconvenience much easier. When the power goes out on a cold winter’s day, all the blankets, firewood, easy-to-prepare food, and activities that you’ve planned might even make the experience fun.
The power company will be working hard to restore power. Alarms will have alerted them to the problem. They will have used remote switchgear to turn power off around it. Their emergency response teams will be out on the line, battling the weather to get your lights back on. If you’re prepared, you can sit by your fire sipping hot chocolate and playing cards while they work.
Maria is an electrical engineer who specializes in switchgear repair.
0 comments Wednesday 01 Feb 2012 | Maria Sandstone | wind power
There may be several reasons why you’re reading this article on switchgear. You might be doing a school report on the electrical system. You might be a science fan and want to know more about how our electrical system works. You could also be a gearhead and rap fan who was looking for like minded females and came upon this article instead. Whatever your reasons are for reading this article, it should illuminate those who are in the dark about how our electrical system works. (Get it? Geez. Tough crowd) Get educated about a crucial part of any electrical system, from your house to your grandmother’s retirement complex.
Switchgears? Is That One of Those 80′s Transformers Robots?
A switchgear is a mixture of fuses, boxes, circuit breakers and other equipment that separates itself from the main structure. This main structure could be your house, school or a more expansive system, such as that of your city or nearest mall.
Switchgears are used to stop electricity so that construction on the system can be done by workers. It can also right any bad electrical currents. Functioning switchgears are needed if the rest of the electrical system is to operate properly as they are the reason that workers are able to complete their job without exposing themselves to electricity.
The Evolution of Switchgears
In the days before Call of Duty and Google, switchgears were handled by an item called a knife switch. A knife switch was composed of a lever which was put into an opening called a jaw. Electricity started flowing when the lever went into the jaw.
When electrical voltages got too high to be handled by human workers, switchgears were made so that they were enclosed by metal and operated electrically. Nowadays, most switchgears are insulated by either gas or vacuum.
Insulation of Switchgears
In the beginning of electricity’s history, switchgears were insulated by oil, which served to contain and control the electrical current. This method came to be replaced by gas, vacuum or air insulation. Air insulation is used to blow out the current. In some instances, compressed air and the current is put into a sealed chamber. The compressed air then snuffs out the current.
Gas insulated switchgears relies on a magnetic field and its own properties to snuff out currents. Electrical currents in vacuum insulated gears are quenched when it gets too cold to retain its chemical markers, such as plasma.
‘Hopefully, you’ve gained a bit of knowledge in your long Internet search for switchgears, electricity or random information. You may not think switchgears are as important as your next game of Grand Theft Auto, but without them, electrical workers couldn’t do their jobs without the possible risk of electrocution. Plus, you’d be walking over those humongous structures on the way to school, instead of gazing at their elephantine size outside of town. It’s better that way.
Maria is an electrical engineer who specializes in electrical safety training.
0 comments Tuesday 10 Jan 2012 | Maria Sandstone | wind power