Tuesday, June 29, 2010

KERS used in F1 racing

Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) is a very unique and a debated addition to F1 racing. As most people watching F1 have already known that it's sort of a speed boost and gives an increase in the speed for a few moments. It gives a speed boost of exactly 6.6 seconds giving a total of 82hp during that period. So where is the energy to give the boost coming from?

It is coming from the Kinetic Energy lost during the braking of an F1 car. The wasted Kinetic Energy is transferred from the rear end of the wheel to a battery or super-capacitor and when fully charged, can be used for that speed boost.

Flywheel KERS

The KERS is exemplified in complex high end systems such as the Zytek, Flybrid, Torotrak and Xtrac used in F1. The concept of transferring the vehicle’s kinetic energy using Flywheel energy storage was postulated by physicist Richard Feynman in the 1950s. The Xtrac & Flybrid are both licensees of Torotrak's technologies, which employ a small and sophisticated ancillary gearbox incorporating a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The FIA has defined the amount of energy recovery for the 2009 season as 400kJ per lap which translates to 6.6 seconds of 82hp speed boost. The transfer of power to a battery is the electronic KERS system. There is a mechanical KERS system also which uses a flywheel to store the wasted kinetic energy instead of a battery.

Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (KERS) were used for the motor sport Formula One's 2009 season, and under development for road vehicles. However, KERS has been abandoned for the 2010 Formula One season. The Formula One Teams that used Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems in the 2009 season are Ferrari, Renault, BMW and McLaren. One of the main reasons that not all cars use KERS is because it adds an extra 25 kilograms of weight, while not adding to the total car weight, it does incur a penalty particularly seen in the qualifying rounds, as it raises the car's center of gravity, and reduces the amount of ballast that is available to balance the car so that it is more predictable when turning. FIA rules also limit the exploitation of the system. Eventually, during the season, Renault and BMW stopped using the system. Williams is developing a flywheel-KERS system. The concept of transferring the vehicle’s kinetic energy using Flywheel energy storage was postulated by physicist Richard Feynman in the 1950s and is exemplified in complex high end systems such as the Zytek, Flybrid, Torotrak and Xtrac used in F1 and simple, easily manufactured and integrated differential based systems such as the Cambridge Passenger/Commercial Vehicle Kinetic Energy Recovery System (CPC-KERS).

Xtrac and Flybrid are both licensees of Torotrak's technologies, which employ a small and sophisticated ancillary gearbox incorporating a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CPC-KERS is similar as it also forms part of the driveline assembly. However, the whole mechanism including the flywheel sits entirely in the vehicle’s hub (looking like a drum brake). In the CPC-KERS, a differential replaces the CVT and transfers torque between the flywheel, drive wheel and road wheel.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

How to Install a Sub Panel

Sometimes the main electrical panel of a home can become too full. In such instances, continuing to add additional circuitry is not advisable, or worse yet not allowed by law. Instead, it will be necessary to install a sub panel that can handle the additional circuitry. While many homeowners will rightfully turn to electrical professionals to install the sub panel, others will attempt the installation themselves. The choice is ultimately likely to be driven by state law. In any case, the installed sub panel will be required to meet established electrical standards. These steps will guide you through the installation process.

Preparing to Mount the Sub Panel

Step 1
Decide how to approach the job. Planning is an essential step in this process. Failure to plan it out thoughtfully and fully could result in a sub panel that doesn't work properly or doesn't meet the established procedures.

Step 2
Refer to state established electrical standards. In some states, a job like this may require the services of a professional in the electrical field. In any case, it is important to know the minimum standards to which the sub panel must work.

Step 3
Make certain that you have all of the materials, equipment and tools necessary to do the job. It may be virtually impossible to stop mid-stream in order to purchase additional items.

Step 4
Set up good lighting in the area where the sub panel is to be installed. It is imperative that you are able to see the smallest details of the wiring and circuitry. If necessary, set up additional lamps to ensure proper lighting. However, be certain that they are set up in a manner that will not impede the installation process.

Step 5
Determine exactly where to install the sub panel. While many will install it in the same general area as the original panel, that is not always necessary.

Step 6
Get the new sub panel ready for mounting. In most instances, it is recommended that you remove any covers, doors or partitions that might obstruct the installation of the sub panel.

Step 7
Mount a backboard of plywood for the sub panel if one doesn't already exist. A mounting board may already be in place if you are mounting the sub panel in the same area as the original panel. However, that may not be the case if you are mounting the sub panel in a different place. Mounting board requirements may be established by state standards in some instances. However, in most cases, one need only follow standard electrical practices.

Installing the Sub Panel

Step 1
Mount the sub panel within the area marked for that purpose. Use the installation instructions provided with the sub panel or provided by the retailer where the materials were purchased. Be sure to use mounting materials that are sufficiently strong to hold the new panel in place securely. Also be certain to use enough screws to hold the panel into place properly. Four to eight screws are standard.

Step 2
Install the breaker panel for the sub panel and connect it to the main panel. Be sure to follow all appropriate electrical standards.

Step 3
Pull one or more sub feed cables from the main panel and reroute them to the sub panel as desired. Be certain to keep in mind the sizes and lengths of the cables, keeping everything within acceptable electrical standards.

Step 4
Install new sub feeds to the new panel through the breaker in the same way that any device might be attached to the main panel.

Step 5
Connect the branch circuits to the sub panel following standard electrical standards.

Step 6
Complete any additional wiring changes necessary, whether they are new wires being connected for the first time or old ones that are being rerouted from the main panel.

Step 7
Test to make sure that everything is working properly. If not, call in a electrician rather than risk burning out either panel.

Step 8
Get the final electrical work inspected according to state standards.


videosofelectrical.blogspot.com

How to Install an Electrical Panel

Installing an electrical panel is dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. This is a job for a professional electrician. A mistake with this project could cause serious injury or death to you and your family. Electrical codes vary, but many require that a journeyman or master electrician handle the installation.

Step 1.
Hire a journeyman electrician. Your local community paper may have contractors who advertise regularly. Ask around to see if you know anyone who has used an electrician and was happy with the work. Or you can try an online locater service. Regardless of the way you choose to get started, be sure to have multiple contractors come to your home and bid on the job.

Step 2
Ensure that whoever you hire is a licensed journeyman or master electrician. Don't take his word for it. Check credentials, references and the Better Business Bureau. Check your local and state codes to see if you need a permit.

Step 3
Decide whether you also want him to do the wiring or just install the panel. This can make a big difference in the cost and the amount of time it takes to complete the job. Be prepared to answer questions. He will probably ask if you are installing a new panel or replacing an old one.

Step 4
Make a list of what you need connected to the panel. Things to consider are rooms, appliances, central air conditioner and furnace. You should also determine what voltage/current is running to your home.

Step 5
Secure a written contract. Make certain you understand how long the job should take and get an estimate of the cost. Ask about any contingencies that could come up.

videosofelectrical.blogspot.com

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

The AUTOCAD Electrical Advantage

The Logical Choice for Electrical Controls Design AutoCAD® Electrical is AutoCAD® software for controls designers, purpose-built to create and modify electrical control systems. Automated tasks and comprehensive symbol libraries help to increase productivity, reduce errors, and provide accurate information to manufacturing.

Stay ahead of the competition with AutoCAD Electrical software, which offers significant productivity gains over AutoCAD software by automating many of the complex tasks associated with creating accurate, industry-standard electrical control systems.

Increase Productivity

When engineers create electrical control systems using software not specifically built for electrical design tasks, they must often find manual work arounds to get the job done—wasting valuable design time and limiting productivity. Since AutoCAD Electrical software is AutoCAD for controls designers, it contains many features and benefits that enable users to dramatically increase design efficiency, while maintaining a smooth integration with the familiar AutoCAD environment. A recent study shows up to an 80 percent increase in productivity when moving to AutoCAD Electrical from AutoCAD. AutoCAD Electrical helps manufacturers get their products to market faster with lower costs.

Reduce Errors and Comply with Industry Standards

As engineers create electrical controls designs using generic tools, it is easy to introduce errors and design
inconsistencies. The ability to virtually eliminate errors before they reach the shop floor can provide a distinct competitive advantage. AutoCAD Electrical includes automatic error-checking capabilities that help designers perform real-time diagnostics to catch problems before the build phase of a project.

In addition to reducing errors, AutoCAD Electrical helps companies compete in the global marketplace by offering support for regional and international standards. With more than 350,000 components from the industry’s most popular vendors—including more than 3,000 intelligent PLC I/O modules— AutoCAD Electrical provides a comprehensive library of manufacturer content, enabling users to produce consistent, standards-based designs.

Manage Design Data

Once the design is complete, it is important to share accurate design and part information with manufacturing.
Creating crucial parts lists, BOMs, and from/to wire lists using software that is not built specifically for these tasks can waste valuable time and resources. AutoCAD Electrical includes robust automated reporting tools so the design data being shared with downstream users is correct and current.

In addition, AutoCAD Electrical is tightly integrated with Autodesk Data Management applications, which
enables the efficient and secure exchange of design data and promotes earlier collaboration between design and manufacturing workgroups.

Facilitate Collaboration

AutoCAD Electrical enables both electrical and mechanical teams to work collaboratively by making it easy to share the electrical design intent for cables and conductors directly with team members using Autodesk® Inventor® software, adding valuable electrical controls design data to the digital prototype.

Users can also publish DWF™ files directly from AutoCAD Electrical and securely collaborate on 2d and 3d designs with customers, suppliers, and others outside the group. Different workgroups can manage and track all components of a digital prototype with the free† Autodesk® Design Review software—the all-digital way to review, measure, mark up, and track changes to designs—enabling better reuse of critical design data, management of BOMs, and collaboration with other teams and partners.

Now Is the Time

Want to get unparalleled productivity from your controls design process? Then now is the time to move to AutoCAD Electrical and get wired today.


Friday, June 4, 2010

Electrical Engineers always remain updated wih latest Technologies.

Electrical Engineering is a very interesting field which can provide a very good career and challenging practical things to learn during the entire life of an Individual, but it depends on the interest of particular person, because electrical though being an evergreen field in terms of career, is also one of the hardest field to study and understand.

Electrical engineers have a very difficult job and their jobs require that they receive a a lot of education that deals with electronics, electricity, and electromagnetism. They spend a few years in college pursuing this difficult degree to go into a very competitive, high tech field. Usually, they spend their time in college taking classes that have to do with mathematics, physics, computer science, and various other topics that deal specifically with electrical engineering. Master’s degrees are also available in the engineering field, and, while those with a BA degree make a great deal of money as electrical engineers.

The technology that brings electricity into our homes and the technology that has developed the global positioning system is what these engineers are working with. Not only do they design these technologies, but they also work to make them better, they test them, and even deploy them, as well.

Before we get into more details related to this job, you need to understand that what you learn in college might not be accurate to the actual site working condition. That is why it is so important not to rely on theory too much; one thing that fresh graduates fail to understand. This is where only experience can take over/charge to solve any problem that occurs at site.

Electrical engineering is an exciting job and the engineers work on the cutting edge of technology all the time. They are always working to make technology better and are finding ways to improve the technology that already exists as well.

Electrical Engineers Job prospects:

Some of them work in labs, developing and testing new technologies. Others work in offices dealing with clients and helping them with their technology. Yet others work in industrial plants and help manage the technology that is already in place.

There is a different between electrical engineers and electronic engineers. While the two may sound the same, there are great differences between the two. An electrical engineer will deal with electricity and electrical things on a large scale, where electronic engineers will deal with smaller electronics such as cell phones and computers and the components that are inside them.

Electrical engineering has a very broad job base and you can choose from any number of jobs. The education in this job prepares them to work in various different related fields. A good thing of this work is it can provide you with a a lot of job opportunities, and usually is different with each other. If you want to get involve in electrical engineering, you need to remember that the training and the job take a great deal of dedication and hard work.

Some food for thought, electrical engineers must possess a high self-confident and strong character in order to go further in this challenging career. Many have fallen and change their job, so make sure you are well prepared to face the challenge in front of you.

Dare to be an Electrical Engineer and you will have a very good life ahead !

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Circuit Breakers used in our Homes.

Circuit breakers are an electric switch automatically operated and designed to guard an electrical circuit from damage. Harm will occur to an circuit or circuit breaker when there is an overload of electricity or short-circuit.

The essential function of commercial circuit breakers or circuit current sensor is to sense a fault condition. If there is one fault, the breakers discontinue the electrical flow. Made of varying sizes, industrial breakers will be reset manually or automatically to resume normal operation.

Breakers can be a small device to guard one household appliance or big switchgear fashioned to shield high voltage circuits that supply a complete city. There are three varieties of circuit breakers based mostly on their voltage.

A low-voltage breaker is made for circuits at 1000 volts or lower. The molded circuit breaker is one of the foremost commonly used low-voltage air circuit current sensor. This is the breaker used typically in houses, certain industrial uses and small businesses.

Types of low-voltage circuit breakers include the Miniature Circuit Breaker or MCB, and Molded Case Circuit Breaker or MCCB. The MCBs are for applications with electrical power rate not exceeding 100A. They'll be used as thermal or thermal-magnetic operations.

Low-voltage breakers are mounted into draw-out enclosures to permit removal and interchange without dismantling switchgear. The big low-voltage molded case and power breakers have electric motor operators to open and shut them using remote control.

Medium-voltage circuit breakers are for uses requiring voltage of higher than 1,000 however no more than 2000. They can be used indoor or outdoor. For indoor function, a circuit breaker is employed along with enclosed switchgear lineup. For outside application, a circuit breaker is employed as an individual component installed in substation.

There are 3 kinds of medium-voltage breakers. These are vacuum circuit breaker, air circuit breaker and SF6 circuit breaker. A vacuum circuit current sensor is used for electrical volts of 3000 A. it's used to interrupt the electric flow by creating and extinguishing the arc in a vacuum container.

Air circuit breaker is for uses of 10,000 A. It's often used for major power distribution in massive industrial plants to have straightforward and convenient maintenance. SF6 circuit breakers quench the arc in a container stuffed with sulfur hexafluoride gases.

Medium-voltage breakers will be connected into a circuit by bolted connections to bus bars or cables, in particular in switchyards found in most outdoors. These breakers, which are lined-up in switchgear, are made with draw-out construction. This construction is useful in removing the breaker while not interrupting the power circuit connections.

High-voltage circuit breakers are used if the electric voltage is 72,500 or higher as set by the International Electro-technical Commission. The basic characteristic in the majority of the 3 types of circuit breakers is their solenoid function.

High-voltage circuit current sensors are used to protect and control electrical power transmission networks. They are built with current sensing protecting relays maneuvered through electrical transformers. They're categorized in line with the tool used to extinguish the arc, that consists of the air blast, minimum oil, bulk oil, vacuum and SF6.