Now Trending: Electronic Face Masks

With face masks being all the rage, these days, manufacturers and hobbyists are discovering ways to innovate them; from air filtration to language translation, the possibilities are endless. Face mask requirements brought forth by the COVID-19 pandemic have caused N95 and other nano-particle filter masks to be in high demand. As individuals, businesses, and governments worldwide have pledged support toward the mask mandates, “mask up” has become the new norm. Novel consumer goods created by electrical engineers have been in-line with social trends; market deadlines bring them to life.

First on the list is LG’s revolutionary wearable air purifier mask. A UV case is included, which sanitizes the mask between use. The patented respiratory sensor and dual fans allow for clean, filtered air to enter the lungs with normal breathing patterns.

Vita Innovations created VitalMask, a biometric monitoring mask. The 3D-printed mask places sensors around the earlobes, nose, and mouth to monitor body temperature, heartbeat, blood oxygen levels, and respiration rate.

A homemade electronic face mask features LED lighting to mimic mouth motions while speaking. Inventor Tyler Glaiel was interviewed by BBC in June about his mask, which addresses a common issue that is missing in the more advanced medical devices: the ability to see when a user is talking.

The C-FACE, made by Donut Robotics, is a face mask that translates Japanese into eight other languages. Taisuke Ono, chief executive of Donut Robotics, explained, “We worked hard for years to develop a robot and we have used that technology to create a product that responds to how well the coronavirus has reshaped society.”

In response to the ever-present face mask societal mandates, many businesses and individuals are banking on this new electronic trend to catch on.

Want to learn more about the electronic face masks infiltrating the consumer market? Check out the original article from All About Circuits for an in-depth look. J&P Electrical supplies contractors and individuals with top-quality electrical components. While these innovative face masks are not yet mainstream, we can help with most other electrical component questions, issues, or sales.

 

 

J&P Electrical is a full-service electrical equipment company. At J&P, we supply contractors, end-users, and supply houses with new surplus, quality reconditioned, and obsolete electrical equipment. We also purchase a wide range of electrical equipment such as bus plugs, ducts, panel switches, substations, and transformers. Call us at 877-844-5514 or visit us at https://www.jpelectricalcompany.com.

 

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

Report Suggests Need for Improved Electrical Shock Safety Training

According to a safety report by Littelfuse, electrical workers who were trained on safety practices weren’t necessarily aware of how to avoid injury or death from electrical shock. The Chicago-based circuit protection manufacturer surveyed 575 electrical workers across an assortment of industries. Technicians, design and project engineers, maintenance electricians, electrical contractors, and safety, plant, and purchasing managers participated in the survey.

Over 90 percent of surveyed employees were provided with safety equipment training if they work with or near equipment voltage up to 500 volts (V.) Most of the workers (62 percent) who said they believe it is safe to work with 500V experienced electrical shock by more than 220V while working. 

“If a worker cannot distinguish a safe working voltage from a hazardous condition, then their safety training failed. It is also probable that any pertinent safety practices the worker has retained are ineffective when they are unable to read a hazardous situation,” Littelfuse wrote.

Many electrical workers who went through electrical safety training use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as gloves, to work on live equipment. The Littelfuse report stated, “If a worker believes they do not need to de-energize equipment if they wear PPE, then their safety training has failed.” Moreover, many facilities are required to send their electrical gloves to be tested by a laboratory; many do not, according to surveyed employees.

Facilities should be providing more than PPE to employees in order to prevent electrical shock. According to the Littelfuse report, “PPE is the least-effective preventative measure and responsible for many injuries and fatalities due to its human-based practices. GFCI protection, which is a much more effective preventative measure as it nearly eliminates the hazard, saves lives because it does not require human involvement for it to work. Its out-of-sight-out-of-mind practice requires zero energy from the workers to guarantee their safety.” Yet the National Electric Code does not require GFCI protection for circumstances as it does PPE.

For your electrical equipment and service needs, contact J&P Electrical. We can answer questions about safety and offer products to ensure your employees are protected. For further reading, check out the report by Littelfuse.

 

J&P Electrical is a full-service electrical equipment company. At J&P, we supply contractors, end-users, and supply houses with new surplus, quality reconditioned, and obsolete electrical equipment. We also purchase a wide range of electrical equipment, such as bus plugs, ducts, panel switches, substations, and transformers. Call us at 877-844-5514 or visit us at https://www.jpelectricalcompany.com.

 

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.