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What You Need To Know About Photovoltaic Energy Systems And Solar Connectors

Although it is still not the leading or most popular choice of energy source, many families are now deciding to invest in solar panels to power their homes. Solar power systems at the moment can still be quite costly investments, but having and using them at home and even in other properties or infrastructures provides a lot of remarkable advantages.

Aside from the fact that sunlight, the main source of energy of solar power systems, is free, it is also plentiful and quite inexhaustible under any season or weather condition. In winter, each square meter of land still receives a fair amount of solar radiation. Even on a cloudy day, your solar panels can still receive and harness a good amount of sunlight. Another notable advantage of having and using this alternative type of power system is that solar energy is non-pollutant and, as such, it is a very environmentally friendly source of energy.

A solar power system is made up of different big and small parts or components. Aside from the PV panels and batteries and an inverter, different types of cables, connectors, lugs and switches are just some of its main parts.

Solar connectors are very important parts of a photovoltaic energy system. They are used to safely prevent misconnection among the other components. These connectors are especially designed to have a special locking mechanism that makes them highly suitable for the outdoor environment and they can only be separated by a special disconnection or unlocking tool.

When it comes to buying a new solar connector for building a solar panel or to replace an old one, you need to take note of the following:

Never interconnect or “cross-mate” connectors manufactured by different companies. This is never a recommended practice and it is one that is unsafe since joining connectors made from different manufacturers can cause burnt connections, arcing failures and structural fire.
Choose a connector that passes all NEC requirements.
Select a connector that is made of polycarbonate material for better impact and chemical resistance.
Every solar connector requires a cable coupler.
Only a specially designed disconnection and tightening tool can connect, adjust and disconnect the connectors.
Crimping the cable coupler is one of the most important parts and tasks of connecting the modules in a solar PV system. If this task is not done properly, resistance would significantly reduce the efficiency.

Solar power systems are valuable investments since they can really give your property years and years of free energy. But to protect your investment, you need to have some basic knowledge of the photovoltaic energy system and its vital parts and components.

Tips On How To Find A Trustworthy Manufacturer Of Quality Copper Lugs

For those not involved or too knowledgeable in the electrical and electro-mechanical industry, copper lugs and links are components used to safely and securely connect wires to a terminating object such as a battery or switchboard. Copper lugs and links are made of electro tins and are highly conductive and corrosion-resistant as well.

Because of the important role that copper lugs have in the electrical and electro-mechanical system of a particular property or infrastructure, it is essential that contractors and builders get these supplies from a reliable and trusted manufacturer. To make sure that you only get high quality copper lugs and other related supplies or products, follow the tips below when looking for and choosing a manufacturing company:

1. Ask for recommendations.

Ask your colleagues and other industry experts about a particular product they regularly use and,of course, from which manufacturer they get these products from. You will know that a particular manufacturing firm is the one you should also be dealing with when it is highly recommended by a lot of trade or industry experts. It is also clearly implied by this that the company has never given their customers subpar products and that they always satisfy their customers’ requests or demands.

2. Look for and choose a manufacturing company that has different certifications and recognitions.

Manufacturing companies that possess a lot of accreditation’s, certifications and recognition have clearly gone through a lot of inspections and evaluations and they have satisfactorily passed all the stringent requirements that were set on them. This means that before any product, such as the copper lugs and links you are looking for, is sold on the market, they passed strict quality control measures and they are safe to use and invest in.

3. Choose a manufacturing company that offers a wide range of products.

It would be better to initiate and build a good business relationship with a manufacturing company that carries and continues to introduce different kinds of products or supplies. This way, you don’t have to keep looking for, checking out and purchasing your needed supplies from different companies since you can just get all of these from one manufacturer that you already have a good working relationship with.

4. Select a manufacturer that also provides valued added services.

Many manufacturing firms also provided additional inspection and testing services and even with designing and producing some supplies that are only needed or required for a certain project. Look for such a manufacturing company that is very open and focused on giving their clients exceptional services.

The Advantages Of Using A Rubber Grommet

You always see them as the holes on your shower curtains and even on your rubber shoes. They are usually called eyelets but they are also known by another name: grommets.

Grommets have a lot of important uses. And there can be no denying the fact that they serve a lot of important purposes. In construction, manufacturing or production and other related industries, grommets are usually used to cover the rough and sharp edges of a hole in metal. This is done to protect another material as it is passed through this hole. For this particular type of application or process, a rubber grommet is usually used. When a wire must go through a hole in metal, a two-piece plastic grommet can be used. This type of grommet effectively and safely grips the wire and it is a very important accessory if you need to avoid pulling a power cord or wire at all cost.

Rubber grommets are also important parts in automotive applications. They are used to protect lines, wires and cables from chafing or grazing on rough surfaces. They can also effectively reduce vibration and are used to seal different important under-the-hood and body applications.

In general, rubber grommets are more commonly used to protect or cover holes and to protect cables or wires from sharp corners or edges. There are also many advantages of choosing to use rubber grommet over the other types of grommets. Below are some of them:

Rubber grommets are more weather-resistant.
They are also less affected by the negative effects of UV light and ozone.
They have high heat resistance.
This type of grommet is also more durable and tear-resistant.
It does not dry up, crack and come lose easily.
Rubber grommets are more resistant to phosphoric, hydrochloric, sulfuric and Saltpeter acid.
It can also handle bigger temperature spans than other types of grommets.
Rubber grommets are quicker and easier to install since they can be placed on one side only. It is not necessary to reach the opposite side of the installation to attach a lock nut.
It is the ideal grommet to use when space is restricted since it does not protrude and eat up a lot of space.
It is ergonomically better since you don’t have to manually screw them into place.
Rubber grommets are more economical and practical solutions.
When it is installed, the opening remains sealed until the membrane is pushed out. As such, there is no need to pay for and install any additional plug.

Organizing Cables And Wires With The Use of Cable Holders And Other Regular Items

Nobody likes seeing bunches of cables and wires lying around the floor. Whether you regularly see them in your home, in your room or in your office, they can really be nuisances. These unorganized pieces of cable and wire are not only unsightly,but they can also be possible causes of accidents and injuries.

You have several viable options to choose from when you finally want to organize all the cables and wires you see in your home or office. The first option would be to use binder clips, which you probably already have in your office or home,as quick and easy cable organizers.You simply attach the binder clip to the edge of a table or desk and slide the cord through one or both of the metal handles. This is a very handy cable or cord organizer, especially if you don’t want them falling off regularly from your desk to the floor.

You can look for some old plastic or gift cards and use them as an effective organizer for your cables and cords. Simply punch holes in a card using a puncher, making sure you put enough space between each hole. Insert the wire or cable in each hole then tape the card to your desk or a nearby wall so that they are always properly arranged and easy to hold or plug, if you will be using your computer or other equipment again.

Garbage bag twist ties can also make for a good recycled cable and wire holder or organizer. You can use them to keep the wires or cords together, if they are running in just one direction. These items are also great for tying up excess cord and keeping it from getting in your way.

If you have an old and unused CD spindle case, use it as your cable or wire organizer.
You can wrap or secure the extra cords that are not plugged in to anything in the spindle (the plastic piece sticking up in the middle of the case) of the CD case. The spindle will keep the cords from getting tangled and it can house many cords and wires.

Another easy and simple solution you should also consider would be to get some high quality cable holders. You can use different types of cable organizers or holders to outfit your home or office. You can invest in cable trays, wraps, ties, clips, clamps and fasteners that you can use to wrap around and organize all your messy cables and wires.

Important Considerations To Keep In Mind When Using Nylon Fasteners

One particular type of hardware that is slowly gaining popularity for its diversity and many uses and applications is nylon hardware. But before you start thinking of soft and cloth-like nylon fasteners, washers, nuts and screws, which shouldn’t even be classified as hardware, nylon hardware products are made of plastic materials. Some of the more commonly used products for nylon hardware include polyvinyl chloride or PVC, acetal and polypropylene.

This particular type of hardware offers several advantages to electronics manufacturers and other industries. One of the advantages of using it is that it has outstanding insulating properties and it is also highly resistant against corrosion. Nylon fasteners and other products are also now more popularly used in many electronic products and systems because they are approximately half the weight of aluminum but still provide good strength and excellent wear and tear resistance. Lastly, hardware products of nylon also have more appealing product design options. They can have lustrous, semi-glossy or dull finishes without compromising the quality of the product.

Although nylon hardware products such as fasteners and screws offer a lot of advantages, there are some important considerations you need to keep in mind with this particular type of hardware.

First, you cannot use nylon fasteners and other nylon-based products in engineering applications and processes. Nylon fasteners and related products are not durable and reliable items to be used in industries or sectors that require a high level of strength and resilience. As such, they cannot be used in the mining, highway, railroad and building construction industries.

Second, you can’t use them in in boating or marine products and applications. This is because of the fact that nylon is hygroscopic — it can easily absorb and attract water from the surrounding environment, such as air. When they get wet, they will swell and deteriorate at an alarmingly fast rate.

Third, you cannot expose nylon toextremely high temperatures. The continuous service temperature of nylon fasteners and other items should not exceed 121 degrees. As such, they cannot be used in the construction or as parts of ovens and other equipment or products that have to be heated when used.

Finally, you need to remember that nylon does not share the UV and chemical resistances of other types of plastic. This means that you cannot leave nylon out in the sun for too long or use them in places where they will receive prolonged and large amounts of sunlight. When they are exposed to the sun for a long time, they will also deteriorate quickly. The nylon fastener will also begin to turn yellow in color, become very brittle and gradually unsafe and unusable.

There are many advantages to using nylon fasteners and you just need to remember when and where they should be suitably used and placed.

A Look At The Different Types Of Thread Taps

People involved in the construction business would always have thread taps in their arsenal. But what are thread taps?

Thread taps are especially designed tools used to cut the female portion of a mating pair of metal fasteners. A die, on the other hand, is a tool used to cut the male portions. Basically, taps are used to cut nuts and dies are used to cut bolts. Taps are also used to cut threads into a hole, so that they will receive a bolt more effectively.

There are different types of thread taps that are used for a variety of reasons and purposes. Below are some of the most common types of thread taps and their basic description:

Straight flute taps. This particular type of tap is the most affordable and the simplest type of tap. This tap was designed to be used manually or by hand and the threads on this tap are straight, and as such, its surface appears to be ribbed or corrugated.
Gun taps.Gun taps have angular cutting faces on their ends and have straight flutes. This specific type of tap always provides a very close and exact cut since their angular cutting faces help to boost the pieces of material in front of the tap to ensure that they will not interfere when the tap is in use.
Spiral flute taps. These taps are usually used with machines and on aluminum and soft steel. When a spiral flute tap is used, the threading is deeper and more precise because itsshape permits the chips to be propelled out effectively and cleanly out of the hole.
Spiral pointed taps. This specific type of tap is specially designed to be used for high speed production. Spiral pointed taps only have one leading flute that is ground at an angle to the access of the tap. These taps are also akin to gun taps since they also propel chips in front of the tap so that the threading will not be affected.
Pipe taps. With this kind of tap, you can either use parallel or taper threads. Pipe taps can be used manually or by hand or with a machine. They are also smaller than the other common types of taps.
Long shank machine taps. These taps are used with machines and are longer in length than other regular types of taps.
Long shank machine taps. This particular type of tap is longer than the average type of tap. These taps also come in different sizes and types.
Machine NIB taps.This tap is regularly used in nut manufacture and is specifically designed to make sure that that the shape of nut threads always comes out perfect.

When Cable Clamps Come in Handy

If you’re looking for a solution that’ll keep your cables on lockdown, cable clamps are the way to go. You’ll basically be arresting your cables – imagine a prisoner handcuffed to the wall of his prison cell. You’ll always have the key to let him out but it’s a lot safer with him handcuffed to the wall. Cable clamps secure cables or tubing into place, on whatever surface you choose. After putting your cables into the clamp, you’ll use a screw, arrow clip, or push-in fastener to secure them. There are various types of cable clamps you can choose from – here are some details about the major ones.

Nylon Cable Clamps

Nylon cable clamps have the advantage of being resistant to corrosion. They’ll resist corrosion that would normally be caused by salt water, weak acids, gasoline, alcohol, oil, grease, and common solvents.

Push Lock Style Nylon Cable Clamps

These are a subset of nylon cable clamps and have the advantage of not requiring any additional hardware to secure your cables in place – no screw, arrow clip, or push-in fastener is necessary. They has a built in “lock” that secures your cables quickly and easily. They are also resistant to corrosion.

Snap Lock Style Nylon Cable Clamps

Another subset of nylon cable clamps, these make installation even easier, allowing you to position your wires perfectly before clamping. Another benefit is they can easily be removed and reused. As with the other nylon cable clamps, they’re resistant to corrosion.

Stainless Steel Cable Clamps

These are heavier duty cable clamps that you should use if your wiring is in an outdoor or harsh environment. The smooth edges of these stainless steel cable clamps will not damage the insulation of your cables. Make sure to pay attention to the quality of the stainless steel used to construct these cable clamps. It should be 304 stainless steel, which is corrosion resistant. Also, pay attention to what the clamps are coated with, if anything. What you’re looking for is it to be coated with polyolefin, which will give it flexibility in low temperatures and make it ideal for handling the electricity flowing through your wires. And as an added bonus, you can eat off of them – they’re FDA approved for food contact.

Hose Clamps

This unique clamp uses a double row of teeth to secure hoses in place – think two alligators kissing. As the name implies, they are only for hoses so this isn’t a solution for your cables or tubing. Hose clamps make it very easy to position the hose before actually clamping it in place. They’re reusable, tough, lightweight, and resistant to corrosion. For hoses, these are what you want.
Those are the major types of cable clamps, as well as a bonus unadvertised hose clamp. Use the benefits listed above to decide which cable clamps are best for your purposes. Consider the location where you’ll use the clamps, the need for reuse if you have any, and how secure you want the clamps to be.

Things to Avoid When Installing Metal Grommets into Your Marketing Material

Metal Grommets You just received the large canvas marketing poster you ordered. Boy, does it look nice. Pat your self on the back. You researched and hired a top notch graphic designer. Your printer hit it out of the park. And the marketing message you poured your heart and soul into is shiny and ready for the world to see. All that’s left is to hang it somewhere where the world can see it. The most effective way to hang your marketing brilliance is with metal grommets. And no. A metal grommet is not a giant robot muppet you hire to hold your poster – as awesome as that would be. Metal grommets are circular rings you can install at the corners of your poster so it will hang taught without interfering with your poster’s message. While it seems like a simple task to install circular rings into canvas, there are some things you should avoid. After all, why screw up perfection now?

Don’t Buy Grommets

Huh? Well yes, you need to buy grommets – of course, silly. But you shouldn’t buy only grommets. You need to buy a kit with your grommets. Grommets can also be called eyelets, so keep an eye out for “eyelets” on the packaging as well. The eyelet kit or grommet kit you purchase will include the necessary tools for installation.

Avoid Department Stores

Don’t go to any old department store to buy your grommets. You’ll end up with cheap tools that will make your life more difficult. Instead, visit hardware stores or other professional tool businesses and buy your kit there. The higher end professional grommet kits include extra helpful tools, including a hole cutter to cut the perfect-sized hole in your poster.

Eye-balling

Don’t “eye-ball it”. Ever. Period. Even if you’re on your fourth grommet and feeling confident. Alignment and centering is key or you’ll end up with weird bends and dents in your canvas when you go to hang it. You want it to be flat – dynamic. Always use a ruler – or similar tool – to measure the distance from the edge to each grommet. Place the grommet on the canvas, measure, and use a pencil to trace the inside circle of the grommet. Or if you went the VIP route and got yourself a hole cutter, you can use it instead of tracing.

Scissors

This isn’t 3rd grade art class. Put those green-handled scissors a way. This is way too important. Invest in an X-acto knife and, instead of cutting around the circle, cut an “X” inside the circle and just push the grommet through it. This ensures your grommet will fit perfectly. If you choose to cut the circle out instead and cut too big or too small, you’ll be surprised just how unprofessional it’ll make your canvas look around the grommet. Cut at your own risk.

So there you have it – those are the top things you should avoid when installing grommets. With them in mind, follow your installation guide and hang up that awesome message of yours.

The Basics of Bushings for Wire Protection

wire protection Bushings are used to protect both wires and the machines and surfaces that they pass through. To protect wires, bushings insulate openings for the wires to pass through so they won’t be damaged in any way. This insulation also prevents short circuits and damage to machinery by keeping wires separated from each other. High voltage passing through the wires can cause such damage.

There are many different types of bushings that can be used to protect wires, which can cause confusion unless you have years of experience dealing with bushings. So, here’s some general information about the various types of bushings.

Snap Bushings

Snap bushings take raw-edged holes and convert them to smooth insulated holes. They are used to insulate and protect cables, utility lines, and tubes among other things. They’re very easy to install as the bushing snaps together with only pressure from your fingers.

Thin Panel Bushings

Thin panel bushings are actually a subset of snap bushings. They snap together just like snap bushings. The only major difference is that they’re designed specifically for – you guessed it – thin panels. If you need to pass wires, cables, utility lines, or anything else through a panel that is less than half a millimeter thick, then these are the bushings you should go with.

Universal Bushings

Universal bushings have an added feature. They include flexible “shutters” for wires to pass through. These shutters act to absorb any vibration caused by machinery attached or adjacent to the bushing. They also cushion whatever passes through the bushing. At the same time, they still insulate and protect both the machinery / surface and the wire, cable, line, tube, or whatever is passing through the surface via the bushing.

Threaded Bushings

Threaded bushings take raw-edged threaded pipe ends and convert them to smooth insulated holes. In every other way, they are the same as snap bushings.

Smooth Bore Bushings

These bushings, similar to threaded bushings, convert threaded holes to smooth insulated holes. Their primary function is to eliminate sharp edges. So if you know your wires will be passing through material with very sharp edges, consider these bushings. They also include an extra internal layer of insulation and absorb vibration while cushioning and insulating whatever passes through it.

Liquid Tight Bushings

These bushings should only be used in situations where you need to create a liquid tight seal around what will be passing through the bushing. They are simple to install and weather resistant.
Those are the major categories of bushings. They all share one main purpose – protecting what passes through them and protecting the surface that is being passed through. They do this by creating smooth surfaces, eliminating sharp edges, absorbing vibration, preventing short circuits, and providing cushion. Depending on what surface you’ll be installing the bushing on – it’s size, type, etc. – you’ll need to choose the appropriate bushing type. With the information above, you can now do that confidently.

How You Can Use Rubber Bumpers for Your Wiring Needs

Rubber bumpers don’t directly interact with any wiring you’ll be installing or working with. However, they do have an affect on the wiring. They can be used in one of two ways. They can either be use to plug holes, preventing air, water, and anything else from getting through – this will keep your wires safe from the elements and prevent any malfunctions. They can also be used as feet for equipment to stand on – your equipment will then be stable and will have less chance of affecting your wiring. There are several types of rubber bumpers out there. Here’s an overview of a few of the major types.

Push-in Rubber Bumpers

Push-in bumpers come in various shapes. The one you need depends on the size of the hole you need to plug. You want to make sure the hole is air tight so be sure to choose the right one – or just buy a set so you have a variety. There are thick cone-shaped push-in rubber bumpers for larger holes. There are rubber bumpers that have a thin protrusion to fit through a smaller hole with a wide top to cover the entire hole. These push-in bumpers can also be used as feet.

Rubber Pocket Bumpers

Rubber pocket bumpers are called pocket bumpers because well, they have a pocket in the center of them. They come in various sizes from very small to very large. The larger sizes are larger and thicker than any other bumper and are meant to plug larger holes. The smaller sized rubber pocket bumpers are for thinner surfaces. All sizes dampen vibrations. Finally, rubber pocket bumpers are perfect for using as feet to secure various pieces of equipment. They’re thick, sturdy, and will keep your equipment from sliding or moving.

Adhesive Backed Bumpers

Adhesive backed bumpers allow for the easiest installation. All you need to do is peel off the back and press it into place. There are no holes to drill and no screws to screw. They’re also very versatile. They can stick to a wide variety of surfaces: aluminum, ceramic, formica, glass, painted surfaces, polyethylene, polypropylene, vinyl, and steel. Even better, they won’t leave marks on any of those surfaces when removed. Just make sure to thoroughly clean the surface before you place the bumper on the surface – this will ensure it sticks the way it is designed to.

Snap-in Bumpers

While snap-in bumpers are not as easy to install as adhesive backed bumpers, they’re still very easy and provide better hold than all of the other bumpers. Once snapped into the surface, it will have a snug, secure fit. Like adhesive backed bumpers, they won’t leave any marks. They also provide extremely strong support.

Those are the major types of rubber bumpers. With a variety to choose from, just make sure to pick the best one for your unique situation.