wind power
Archived Posts from this Category
Archived Posts from this Category
Generators are pieces of machinery that create electricity. This creates independence from the municipal power grid. Depending on the size and type of generator the amount of energy produced can be tremendous. However, like all pieces of machinery they are prone to breakage and repairs are inevitable. Generator issues can be difficult to handle, but you must be able to keep your generator running and functional.
Generators, like most pieces of industrial machinery, have many different parts, and as a result generator repair must be conducted by a trained and licensed electrician who is qualified to work on your kind of generator. Knowing the basics of generator structure and function can help you be more conversant with the kinds of repairs that are frequently necessary.
Most generators used in commercial enterprises are alternators, which have both a rotating winding and a stationary winding. The rotating winding is exciting by direct current, while the stationary winding produces alternating current.
Because the rotating winder has greater movement, it is prone to greater wear and tear. The friction can contribute to wear and as a result, the rotating winder is the most commonly replaced item on a generator. There are a variety of connections and fittings that are connected to the rotating winding and those need to be checked frequently in order to prevent unexpected breakage.
The other winding, the stationary one, will also require regular maintenance and repair as it could develop stress fractures or breaks that could cause you to have to replace the entire part. The connectors and other pieces that connect the piece to the rest of the alternator are more prone to breakage and damage and will likely need replacing frequently. The two windings constitute the bulk of the generator and will cause most of your repairs.
Another common repair that is required for an alternating generator is a replacement of the brushes on the alternator. The brushes convey the current from the winding. There are some alternators that do not use brushes and those alternators carry current along the motor shaft.
The most important part of the generator repair process is finding an electrician that you trust that is competent enough to handle the repair that you need. In order to do this, you?ll need to find an electrician that is licensed and experienced in the type of generator you have. These electricians can help you with ongoing maintenance of the generator to minimize the need for future repair.
Generator repair is an essential part of owning and operating a generator and the best thing you can do is find a repairman you trust who can perform repairs and also do maintenance as needed. With regular maintenance and repair, you can extend the life and performance of your generator.
I’m an electrical engineer specializing in electric power system maintenance.
0 comments Monday 12 Mar 2012 | Maria Sandstone | wind power
Many large businesses rely on electric motors to keep their businesses running. These motors are used to create mechanical power from electronic power. This power can be used to power machinery or can be plugged into an existing power grid, reducing the need for commercially purchased power. These machines are best repaired by a licensed and qualified repair man, because they are too complex for an amateur to handle.
Electric motors come in different sizes and types, and the type you have is directly dependent on the purpose you use it for. All electric motors have the same basic operational principles and basic parts. They all have a rotor and a stator. The rotor moves while the stator remains still. Those two pieces form the backbone of the electric motor.
The nature of an electric motor is magnetic, in that both the rotor and the stator produce magnetic fields. These magnetic fields produce torque, a form of pressure, on the motor shaft, which then rotates. Although simple, that is a basic explanation of the mechanism of an electric motor.
Finding a reputable repairman for your motor can be a complex process. The most important part is making sure that the repairman you hire is licensed in electric motor repair. An internet search can help you find licensed repairman in your local area that can meet your immediate and ongoing needs.
After you’ve hired a repair service, you’ll want an immediate examination of your broken motor. This will give you an estimate regarding the amount of time and money the repair will take and you can get the motor repaired and working again as soon as possible.
Once you’ve completed the repair you should set up a schedule for regular maintenance of the electric motor. Electric motors, due to the high number of moving parts, require ongoing maintenance and repair in order to remain functional. Without a regular maintenance schedule, things could get missed and end up creating a major breakage which can result in expensive repairs.
The extra time that it costs to have the motor maintained is well worth it because you will likely save money later on repairs. When motors are maintained well they require less repairs because they have less areas of weakness. You can do more to cut your repair budget by engaging in proper maintenance of the motor than you can any other way.
Electric motor repair can be costly and inconvenient but it is a necessary part of electric motor ownership. Once the repair has been completed by a qualified and experienced repair man, you can reduce the expense and incidence of future repairs by engaging in proper maintenance of your electric motor.
I’m an electrical engineer specializing in wind power generators. Visit http://www.shermco.com to learn more.
0 comments Sunday 11 Mar 2012 | Maria Sandstone | wind power
Wind generators are basically a propeller which is then attached to a generator and produces power. Small wind generators are capable of producing small amounts of power. There are larger wind generators who are capable of powering huge amounts of power, enough to be used commercially.
Wind generators are basically wind turbines. They attach to generators and are then plugged into the electric grid and then contribute to the power of the local power grid. The amount of power that is generated by these wind turbines is hugely dependent on how many wind turbines there are and how much wind is generated in the area.
Wind generators come in a variety of different styles and designs. There are horizontal and vertical wind generators. The most frequently used design is the horizontal wind generator. The horizontal wind generators require that you face the wind generator into the wind. These have gear boxes attached which help increase the speed of the rotors spinning which adds more power to the generator.
Vertical wind generators, on the other hand, have the distinct advantage of not needing direct access to windy places. This means that they can be placed almost anywhere, including on the top of a building. Unfortunately, because it receives less wind, the vertical wind generators produce less power.
In some areas, there is enough wind and open space to allow for wind generators to be abundant, producing enough power to cover a large portion of the electricity grid in that area. This requires that the open land have a lot of wind blowing across it. Because of these stringent requirements, there aren’t that many places that are able to use wind generators as the bulk of their power options.
Wind generators are more frequently used to help offset smaller amounts of energy usage, such as the amount of power required to power a single household or business. There are small wind generators that are designed for that purpose and can be added to homes or businesses fairly easily.
Some areas have sufficient wind access to allow for a large wind farm, which consists of a field of wind generators that are all plugged into generators and from there into the electric grid of the area. These turbines produce a large quantity of energy and allow for less dependence on traditional energy sources.
Wind generators are a good source of alternative energy, which can reduce the energy requirements of a business or town. There are different types of wind generators, which are suited to different types of wind areas. The amount of energy produced from these wind generators vary based on the type and amount of wind generators.
I’m an electrical engineer specializing in wind farm maintenance. You may also be interested in reading more information about motor repair associations.
0 comments Friday 09 Mar 2012 | Maria Sandstone | wind power
Switchgear refers to the set of fuses and switches that are required in order to shut down electrical equipment. It is an essential part of any electrical system because in order to have a safe electrical system, you need an effective switchgear setup that allows you to remotely shut down the electrical equipment in the event of an emergency.
Although switchgear panels have been in use since the early days of electricity, the technology has advanced substantially over the years. Until fairly recently, the switchgear systems required a manual shutdown, which involved sending someone to turn the switches off. This can be dangerous if there is an emergency underway, and the delay implied in that situation is unacceptable in an emergency.
The switchgear must be insulated in order to perform adequately. In smaller systems, this is achieved by having the switchgear in a fenced in area outdoors. This requires a large open air space and this will only work in small systems. Because this is not feasible for all systems, however, there are several alternative insulation options available.
For some time oil was a common insulator, but the danger presented by an oil spill, especially given the proximity to electrical systems has led to the gradual move away from oil insulation in switchgear technology. Oil insulation works by shooting some vaporized oil through the electric arc to extinguish it. Again, this method is effective but is rarely implemented lately due to the risk of oil spills.
Gas insulators are safe and effective, but they are also expensive due to the special gas required to have gas powered switchgear. The circuit breaker stretches the electrical arc using magnetic fields and when it gets stretched enough the gas will be able to break the connection.
Vacuum insulation is a more cost effective but still safe solution. The electrical arc in this case is not elongated; rather it is compressed and the vacuum insulation is able to sever the connection without trouble. However, this system will not work in high voltage situations, because the vacuum insulation isn’t stable enough to work with higher voltages.
Another option is a compressed air insulated system. In this system the air elongates the electrical arc until it is unable to sustain itself and extinguishes itself. This is a simple system and effective in many voltage arrangements. This is obviously not at all the same as the open air system discussed earlier.
Switchgear is a necessary safety device for any electrical system.
I’m an electrical engineer specializing in circuit breaker repair. Visit http://www.shermco.com to learn more.
0 comments Thursday 08 Mar 2012 | Maria Sandstone | wind power
For centuries, humankind has benefited from using electricity to run the various appliances at home. Since the discovery of electricity, most work has been simplified and continues to be so. The large percentage of gadgets that continue to pop up these days require energy to run and electricity is the main player here. Think of wind turbines for the home.
Although there are numerous sources of energy, you need to give a thought to this energy source.
With wind being free, this is among the cheapest sources of electricity. All you need is the initial installation costs and you are good to go. The devices do not require constant maintenance like other sources; once a year is usually enough. The high bills that are mostly associated with grid power are avoided and you can even go ahead and use the energy without worry.
Grid electricity normally takes large areas to put up. But a mast just needs a very small space for its base. You have the freedom to choose the size that fits your taste or space. Thanks to wind energy, beautiful trees that are normally cut down when grid power lines pass through will be saved. And you know what, you home will appear more beautiful with a mast by its side.
Another major benefit is that you can take advantage of the gushes or storms that hit in your area at particular times or seasons. You get to gain by saving the energy in batteries and using it when the weather is relatively calm. If your location is inundated constantly by power blackouts, then this is the right solution for you. And this guarantees that the power spikes or surges will not ruin your electronics again.
Another reason is that it provides an environmentally friendly energy. Conserving the resources of the earth is what every country is urging its people to do. By using this renewable energy method, you will have played your part in reducing the greenhouse gases emissions. You will have ensured that the generations to come will find a good home in this world.
In case you live in remote or mountainous location where there is no grid power, this is the right answer for you. In some countries, you can further get more from it by selling it to the national grid. There is no limit as to how much kilowatts you can generate. It all depends on the size and the capability of the mast. In a nut shell, you should seriously consider wind turbines for the home.
For more information, read; Advantages of Wind Energy, and How to Build a Windmill.
0 comments Thursday 01 Mar 2012 | Zane Michaels | wind power