Jun
23
I think I’ve Picked My New Breaker Panel (Load Center) and Generator Interlock
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I interviewed three different local electricians recently about a home remodelling job that would require upgrading my home’s 100A service and panel.
One requirement that I had upfront was that I needed the new panel to have a generator interlock like my current panel does. Unfortunately two of the three electricians seemed to miss that requirement. And, the third didn’t have a very good proposal in my view.
So, off to do research and here is what I found:
Siemens now has a generator interlock that works with most of their indoor residential load centers. Here is their part number:ECSBPK03 and a link to it on the Lowe’s site.
Here is a photo of the panel itself: 
Here is the part number: G4040B1200CP As it turns out this is the “value pack” version of the copper bus panel part number G4040B1200CU. So for $10.00 more you get 6 20 Amp single breakers, a 30 Amp double and a 50 Amp double. I specifically need the 30 Amp so that makes the deal for me.
It is also interesting to note that the “list” price from Siemens on this panel is $1,641. That’s right One Thousand Four Hundred and Fifteen Dollars! Buy you and I can buy it at Lowes for $140!
(I assume that pricing is so that an electrician can sell it to a home owner at half of list price or something. They would still be making a large markup.)
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Jan
26
Solar Hot Water or Solar Electricity?
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Today’s post is about picking between a hot water solar collector and a photoelectric solar collector, and the decision points involved in doing it.
When deciding on what sort of solar collector to deploy we considered cost, efficiency, return on investment, convenience once the installation was complete, and impact on the appearance of our home.
First we considered the cost. We could put in a basic solar water heating system for a couple of thousand dollars by doing the work ourselves. A solar electric panel system would cost in the range of $2,000 for a small system self installed all the way up to $60,000 for a professionally set up system. But we discovered that in order to take advantage of the tax and utility company bonuses we would need to have set up by a licensed contractor.
Efficiency relates to how well the system changes the sun’s heat energy into functional energy for our home. In this area the solar water heater is much more successful, being able to convert about 90% of the sun’s rays into heat. Today’s solar electric systems range from 12 to 20% efficient.
The return on investment can depend a lot on how an installation is done. In our case we currently have a quite effective water heater so even if we did install a wonderful solar preheating system it still couldn’t save us that much money. (A water heater also requires a backup system in place anyway for non-sunny days.)
On the other hand we can surely use an inexpensive source of electricity and after the numerous incentives it seemed like we would be at break even for our electric roof in about four or five years.
As far as the convenience, both solar electric and solar hot water systems take a little ongoing maintenance. The hot water system would take more, especially in the summer time when they can overheat.
Since the south side of our house is the front of the house the appearance of a solar collector became an important concern for us. Neither type of system could be hidden, but we were more comfortable with flat panel collectors for this reason. If it had been on the back of our home we would have seriously considered vacuum tube hot water techniques.
When all the ideas were evaluated we decided that a large solar electric collector was right for us. I hope this article was at least somewhat helpful.
Learn the best way to evaluate and choose a solar power system by going to this Ann Arbor Michigan Solar Energy site at http://annarborsolar.org.
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Jul
1
I’m upgrading my service this year from a 100 Amp panel to a 200 Amp panel. For my new electric panel I have a couple specific customizations:
1. I want two quad boxes mounted below the panel with each box tied to one phase. I did this on my old box we installed in 1998 and it was very convenient this last month when one phase of our power dropped out after the wind storm. I was able to check quickly with a meter to determine the bad phase and then also measure across the lines so see the backfeeding when my well breaker was turned on. (The dead line measured about 95% but with a high impedance, so the CF bulbs would light but motors wouldn’t run.)
2. I want a whole house surge protector installed. (Haven’t decided what kind yet.)
3. I want a phase coupler installed for home automation signals.
4. I want the refrigerator line installed on one phase and the freezer installed on the other. (This balances the load when the generator is running. The only other big power draw is the well which pulls from both phases equally.)
5. I want a double spot saved up near the top for the future solar panel incoming power breaker.
I think that is it for now.
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Jun
16
Ann Arbor Electrician Needed
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I am in need of an electrician to do a service update on a Scio Township home. (Scio Township is just West of Ann Arbor.)
The home was build in 1966 and has a 100 Amp service. I’ve been told we need to upgrade to a 200 Amps service and load center for a couple of home improvement projects we have planned.
I’m hoping to barter some for the labor costs with an electrician who is looking looking for more business.
Here are two videos of the home:
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Jun
1
electrician – Electrical Courses Can Provide You With Countless Employment Opportunities
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Electrical Courses Can Provide You With Countless Employment Opportunities
Day-by-day, humans are becoming more and more dependent on electricity. New technological innovations bring more and more electrical appliances. It will not be wrong to say that humans will go back to their Stone Age, without electricity. In such a situation an electrician can have a Read more
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May
27
electrician – Importance Of Using A Licensed Electrician: Don’t Take Shortcuts In Home Improvements
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Importance Of Using A Licensed Electrician: Don’t Take Shortcuts In Home Improvements
There are a great many ways that you can save money by doing home improvements. You may be able to patch holes, replace flooring, hang wallpaper, paint, and replace the cabinets and many other projects that will save mega money. One area that you should avoid trying to Read more
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May
21
SO YOU NEED A NEW REFRIGERATOR, THE DARNED THING ISN’T COOLING SUFFICIENTLY TO PROTECT YOUR FOOD.
MAYBE NOT :
Before we Begin:
1-Is the receptacle hot and is the plug plugged in well. Either a meter or a lamp plugged into the same receptacle will determine if it is hot. Pull the plug from the receptacle
and check it for scorch, brown burn marks, or rough arc on the connecting prongs.
2-Check the inside of the freezer and cooling compartment and determine if the food is not permitting air flow through the vents for the evaporator fan. This has embarrassed many homeowners. An intake vent at the bottom of the freezing compartment and a vent into the cooling compartment must be free to allow air circulation.
3-Pull the toe plate (front bottom at floor level) and check the condenser coil for lint and foreign matter stopping the air flow under the refrigerator. Air must circulate.
4-Do the door seals really seal or are they broken or cracked.
5-Is the back panel of the inside of the refrigerator or freezing compartment iced. There may be frost on this back panel indicating a frozen evaporator coil.
Now we Begin:
5- The evaporator coil and fan (in a two compartment refrigerator) will be located in the rear of the freezer compartment. Remove all food from the freezer. Remove the racks and the ice maker if applicable. The ice maker is held in place by three tie points. Normally one is under the tray and two above. Either a Phillips #2 screw or ¼ or 5/16 nut driver will be needed.
The evaporator compartment is hidden by a back panel inside the refrigerator. This can be opened by removing the screws securing it. Is the evaporator coil frozen solid? Is the small circulating fan running? Often the circulating fan will be frozen in place with ice on the coil. If so free it and check that the fan operates. This fan can be unplugged and a continuity check made through the two motor leads to determine the condition of the fan motor. An inexpensive meter for $10 or more is all that is needed. Air over the coil keeps the evaporator coil free of ice and circulates the cold air into the cooling compartment. If the fan is bad, replace it, defrost the coil and resume the operation of the unit. This is normally all that is necessary.
Refrigerators (as with air conditioners) have two coils involved in the refrigeration process. Air must circulate over both of these coils for the unit to operate and cool. One
In these tests remember that air must pass over both coils to create a lower temperature.
Listen for the compressor. When the thermostat is lowered below the temperature present in the refrigerator the compressor should start and run until the temperature of the thermostat is satisfied. Often the sound you will hear is the fan that blows air across the condenser coil under the refrigerator.
It may be necessary to pull the unit from the wall and remove the black (normally cardboard or plastic) panel by removing the either ¼ or 5/16 hex screws. Feeling the compressor vibrate should enable one to determine if the compressor is running. One can normally hear the compressor and it will be warm to the touch. The smaller of the tubes leaving the compressor will be warm to hot.
If the condenser coil is under the refrigerator, there will be a small electric fan that pulls air across the coil when the compressor is running. It will be visible from the rear, inside the compartment exposed by removing the panel. This fan must run for the unit to operate. At this point check the coils for obstructions. Many times lint and other matter will block the air flow across the coils disallowing a good air flow. Air must circulate freely.
If this fan is not working, check the continuity of the wiring with an ohm meter and rotate the fan blade by hand to determine if a bad bearing in the motor has frozen. Disconnect refrigerator by unplugging the cord from the wall. The leads for the fan can be disconnected and continuity checked. No Continuity – bad motor. Frozen Bearing – bad motor. This motor is a sealed and self lubricated. A replacement will be available at any refrigeration supply house for $15 or so. I normally get supplies at First Choice.
Check out my website http://www.baldeagletraders.com I carry many tools needed for appliance repair.
Eddie
About The Author
Eddie Ellison – I am an electrician by trade,but have been involved in many types of construction and appliance maintance for most of my life. I am now retired, but have stayed involved in all of these activities on a part time basis.
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May
20
Get Prepared Before The Electrician Arrives
When you contract the services of an electrician, it is important to be prepared. First, it is important to be prepared in the sense that you have done your research and have made sure that you have received several estimates for your project. You should get at least three different estimates from experienced, licensed Read more
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May
19
electrician – Points To Mark When Searching For A Good Electrician
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Points To Mark When Searching For A Good Electrician
Are you searching for a sure-handed craftsman to cover electrical tasks at your home or business concern? All too often the search will make you wonder if any expert tradesmen even live on! You may not want to continue trying and try to complete the piece of work yourself, but here are three necessary qualities Read more
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May
18
electrician – YouTube – Former electrician grabs ‘Russia’s Richest’ crown
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If you are looking for ways to learn how to become an electrician there are a lot of ways to do that, but the main one of them is electrician training. There is no matter how you will get all of the skills and qualifications that you need to become a successful electrician. Training is very important in any field you choose, because you will be able to know the basics of electrician in this training.
Most of the people think that the work that electricians do every day is a lot easier, but they do not have in mind that the electrical power can kill and all of the people, who use it risk their lives every day. It is not so easy that you think it is, there are lots of danger involve, so you need to be very careful when selecting this profession. If some of the electrician do not manage top get their job done properly there is a serious risk for all of the people, who have the application installed in their property. You need to do your job in the best possible way and keep in mind you do it in a right way.
That is one of the reasons, why all of the companies that employ electricians require serious experience and good level of skills and qualifications. If you attend an electrician training course you will not be experienced, but know all of the basics of that trade. After that you will have to find a job, where you will be able to practice all of the things that you have learned. That is very important if you are looking to find a good job. Training will definitely help you to become an expert in this field and you will be able to get the good job, if you know the basics and other things to be an electrician.
All over the world there is a good chance for all of the people, who have attended special electrician training course, but one of the most important things is that you will have to get a lot of experience in that trade, because that is very important for both your life and your customer’s life. If you manage to become a good electrician you will be able to find high paid job and you will become a very good electrician for sure. However, even with the certification of completion, people who are dedicated must consider getting the license as it holds more of credibility than the certification.
When the license is got, rest end is to finding secure job in that field. Electricians have the high rate of the workers and good pay rate as well. All of training courses may surely be helpful to the new electrician when setting foot on their job site. They may continue to learn all new things daily and find simpler methods to complete the projects, however all basic knowledge required being successful electrician is taught & practiced in a electrician training course.
James Copper is a writer for http://www.electrician-courses-in.co.uk where you can find information on electrician courses.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Copper
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