Chainsaw Safety Equipment

Chainsaws are a valuable tool when properly maintained, used within their specifications, and the indivduals using them are propely educated. Safety shaould always be your top priority when using a chainsaw. Personal protective equipment is the first step in operating a chainsaw safely. Eye protection should always be worn when operating a chainsaw. The cutting action of a chainsaw always generates wood dust as well as wood chips. A full face shield is highly recommended. This will not only protect your eyes but your face and neck as well. At a minimum, you should at least be wearing an OSHA approved pair of safety glasses. If all you have is a pair of safety glasses, I recommend wrapping a bandana around your face from the nose down. This will offer some protection but also act as a filter to keep you from breathing in wood dust. Hearing protection is a must when operating a chainsaw. OSHA regulations state that an individual should not be exposed to 90 dB for more than an eight hour period. Chainsaw noise averages from 90-100 dB depending on make and model. There are many good ear muff-type protectors available today. If you use earplugs, make sure they are rated to the decibel level of noise that your chainsaw produces. Longsleeves and leather gloves are essential when using a chainsaw. Woodchips and debri can go anywhere once a chainsaw starts cutting. Don’t take anything for granted. One of the tricks that I use in the summer time is to use welding sleeves. Welding sleeves are used by welders when they have a short-sleeve shirt on. They are sleeves that fit over you arms and have an elastic on each end that holds them in place on your wrist and bicep. They can easily be removed when he job is done. No one wants to where a longsleeve shirt in the summer time. Welding sleeves offer you another alternative to keep safe. Blue jeans and a pair of leather chaps are the preferred equipment to keep your legs and feet safe.

Electrical Wiring – An Introduction

The wire inside a piece of machinery is usually called equipment wire. Wire is measured by its diameter. This measurement is known as the wire gauge. Wire gauge runs in reverse numerical order. In other words, the higher the gauge number, the smaller the wire diameter. Electrical wiring is governed by strict codes. Electrical codes began in the 1880’s at the same time the first extensive wiring was being done. In 1897, the National Fire Protection Association established the National Electric Code (NEC). The National Fire Protection Association was a group of Insurance companies that were concerned about the potential danger inherent in faulty electrical wiring. They had cause for concern. Early wire was bare or covered with cloth. There was little understanding of the need for insulation. The NEC is used in conjunction with local, country, and State codes that strictly control electrical wiring. The codes are concerned with proper size of wire and with insulation. Factors that are considered are the expected load, the frequency of modifications, and the nature of the environment where the wire is used. Homes have small loads, infrequent modifications and a very non-corrosive environment. Commercial establishments are usually in the middle. The load demands are sometimes higher, and modifications are not infrequent. The factory or industrial site has a very high demand. Modifications are frequent, and the environment is often highly unstable. Materials used in wire have varied over the years. Copper has always been the first choice because it is such a good conductor and is very flexible. In the 1960 to 1970’s, aluminum wire became popular due to the rising cost of copper. Insulation was usually rubber although rubber tended to corrode due to exposure to moisture and air. PVC compounds are now used most commonly as wire insulation. Insulation is made in different colors to identify wiring circuits in a system

What are Your Electrician Energy School Trade Options

Sometimes though, time and financial constraints make it difficult for some individuals to finish college. For those who can't be in college, finishing an electrician energy school trade program is a valid option. Vocational School Before you even think about electrician energy school trade possibilities, you should ask yourself first if vocational school is the right step for you. Just like colleges and universities, a trade school can also provide you with good employment opportunities after graduation. The main difference is that in trade schools, you get a lot of hands on practical skills training for a short period of time. This means that you can save on a lot of time and money that you normally have to spend for a regular college course. Job Opportunities There are of course, numerous trade programs to choose from. A program for electricians however, remains to be one of the most popular options. This is because the demand for electricians is high with options to work in the field of construction or maintenance. After finishing your electrician energy school trade program, you can work on electrical systems for buildings under construction or you can work on existing electrical systems. Although there are differences in compensation depending on the company and your experience, you might be able to earn as much as $15 per hour. Your electrician energy school trade option however need not be limited to electrical related courses. Our modern times have produced other sources of energy aside from electricity. Depending on your curriculum of choice, an electrician energy school trade course can offer you practical skills related to fossil fuel power, nuclear power and alternative energy sources. This means that aside from the electrical field, you might also have opportunities in the industrial scene depending on your specialization. Becoming an Electrician There are academic and personal requirements before you can become an electrician.

Industrial Training Online

Online Industrial Training teaches students how to organize manufacturing resources and processes to produce an efficient and safe working environment. Depending on the size and scope of the manufacturer, the duties of an Industrial Manager can include product quality control, employee management, plant scheduling, care and maintenance of equipment, inventorying, and inter-departmental coordination. Although there are no standard industrial training requirements to be an Industrial Manager, a college degree and industrial certification are highly regarded. Online studies may focus on electronics, manufacturing, warehouse operations, inventory management, materials, Six Sigma certification, and more. By studying online, you can earn 100 percent of the Industrial Training credits needed for a college degree such as an Associate of Science (AS) in Engineering Technology, a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Industrial Management, a BS in Industrial Technology, or a Master of Science (MS) in Engineering Management, to name a few.

Lithium-ion Batteries - The Way Of The Future

Technology has come alomg way since the early days of cordless tools. Larger voltages have resulted in more power and longer run times from batteries have helped the tools become popular among tradesmen. One of the only knocks against cordless tools has been the weight. The average 18 volt cordless drill has weighed up to six pounds in the past. The tool manufacturers have listened to the tradesman who want more power, more run time, and a lighter tool. The development of lithium-ion batteries for the cordless tool industry addresses all three of these consumer needs. Lithium-ion batteries offer a reduction in cordless battery weight of 25-40 % and a total tool weight of up to 25 %. In the past, many of the NiCad and NiMH batteries had to extend up into the handle of tools such as cordless drills, reciprocating saws, and circular saws. This all translated into more overall weight for the battery and tool. With the development of lithium-iom technology, manufacturers can pack more power in a battery pack that is the same size/weight as the NiCad or NiMH or fit the same power as the NiCad or NiMH in a smaller battery pack. Lithium-ion batteries can also deliver more run time per charge than NiCad.The highest capacity for lithium-ion batteries is 3.0 Ah. This represents a 25 percent increase of the NiCad at 2.4 Ah. The NiMH highest rated capacity is 3.5 Ah. The lithium-ion may not deliver a better run time than the NiMH, but the lithium-ion battery will deliver better total performance over the life of the battery than NiCad and NiMH.The results are plainly seen in the the power delivery curve over the cycle life of the lithium-ion battery. The power delivery curve is steady compared to the older technology. This helps power delivery remain constant over the life of the charge. We all know what happens to a cordless tool when the battery starts to wind down. It loses much of its power.The power loss at the end of the charge is drastically reduced in lithium-ion

Photovoltaic Systems - Clean Electricity From the Sun

Solar panels can be installed on rooftops or any area that receives a lot of sunshine. The solar panels consist of a photovoltaic system that converts the energy of the sun into electricity. The word Photovoltaic is a conjuction of the old Greek word "Photon" meaning light and Volt, the force that makes electrons move Photovoltaic systems have existed since the 1950s but only in recent years has the technology matured to the point of making it a viable alternative to power utilities. Indeed, most solar systems do not replace the utility company instead they work in conjunction with it to produce extra electricity that can be fed back into the grid. One of the main problems with solar power is storing it for use during non-daylight hours. Batteries can be used but they are expensive and have a limited life span. As an alternative, excess solar electricity can be fed back to the power utility company for a credit, and then power can be drawn when needed. In a sense, the utility company becomes the storage device. Most municipalities have legislation requiring power utility companies to accept electricity produced by solar panels or wind turbines. This system benefits everyone "there is less dependency on fossil fuel power plants" and electricity costs are reduced for owners of photovoltaic systems. This is called net-metering, the specifics depend on your location and utility company. A disadvantage of these grid connected systems is that there invertors disconnect in case of a power faillure. This is a quite logical demand from the utility companies point of view. Their engineers have to know for sure that the grid they are working on is really dead. But from our point of view it can be a nuicance. The solution is a grid connected system with battery backup. Photovoltaic cells produce electricity by using specially treated materials such as silicon that convert light into power.