J & P Electrical Company LLC

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Electrical Disconnects

There is so much to learn about the vast array of electrical components that are used in our everyday lives. One of the systems that is critical in electrical circuits is the disconnect switch. A disconnect switch is used to interrupt the power running to an electrical circuit or group of circuits. Disconnects provide safety in a wide variety of settings in which they are used. In commercial and residential applications disconnects are used to de-energize the circuit in order for it to be worked on safely. In order to be one hundred percent effective it must be installed and maintained properly. It also requires that safety procedures are followed and proper education is provided for those in charge of operating it.

In commercial use, disconnects are used for power distribution. Disconnect manages the distribution of power throughout the plant. If one area of the planet needs more electricity, disconnects allow the flow of electricity to be switched. This enables one area to have use of more electricity than another area. If a section of the plant needs maintenance, disconnects allow power to be shut down in that section and remain on in other areas. Disconnects are used for safety as well. If the power is needed to be shut down in the entire plant all at once disconnects are locked out. This also saves them from accidentally being turned on before the area is secure and ready.

Lockout systems are important because they prevent the system from being turned on without being ready. There are different times in which disconnects are used. One is in need of maintenance and one is in need of emergency. The lockout is so important in that reintroducing power or electricity into the circuit before the system is ready can be incredibly dangerous. In residential uses a lockout could be something as simple as a piece of tape holding the switch in the off position. For safety it is important that the person that turns disconnects off is the one to restart it. This leaves one person in charge of the electricity which provides an extra level of safety to the situation.

Although in residential uses disconnects are often manually controlled as in an on and off switch commercial uses may choose to operate disconnects with a key. This way it helps to confirm that the user is meaning to deactivate the switch. In some systems once the power is disconnected the system needs to completely restart once the switch is connected again.

There are many different disconnects available for sale for a number of different residential and commercial uses. Make sure when you purchase disconnects that you choose one that is rated for the application you will be using it for. Choosing disconnects that are over powered or under powered poses a safety risk. It is best to purchase exactly what you need to meet your requirements.

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. Contact us today at https://jpelectricalcompany.com for all of your bus plug, circuit breaker, switchboard, fuses, disconnects and more.

Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Transformers

It is important to properly install electrical components of all varieties. This is especially crucial with the installation of transformers. Below you will find some important tips on properly installing a transformer.

If you are installing a transformer outdoors it is important that you take precautions to keep the public safe as well as the transformer safe from outdoor elements. When picking a location for the transformer take into consideration a location that minimizes the ability of the transformer to become damaged from human and natural elements. Keep the transformer away from hazards that might fall on top of it or run into it. Minimize the risk by location the transformer in a safe environment.

Depending on the location of the outdoor transformer will depend on how the enclosure should be built. The building should be secure so that small fingers, hands and objects cannot get inserted in but that allow for proper ventilation.

If you have an extremely heavy transformer be sure that the ground on which it sit is firm. The area needs to support the unit without any shifting. Soil rich in clay should be avoided. It is recommended that the soil be sturdy enough to avoid any shifting or sinking of the transformer unit.

Indoor transformers have further considerations to keep in mind. If you have a heavy transformer the area needs to be located in a structurally sound space. You must ensure the structure has the integrity to withstand the weight of the transformer over a long period of time. Support beams and columns best support heavy weight well.

To keep the unit from overheating the proper ventilation is required. Never install a transformer up against the wall. The transformer will perform best if as much air as possible is allowed to surround the exterior of the unit. The goal is for the unit to remain the same temperature as the air that surrounds it.

The unit will be noisy. Be sure it is placed in an area with sound-absorbent materials on the wall. A location without too many people within the area would work well.

For both dry-type and liquid-filled transformers water and humidity can create problems for the unit. A location that is free of humidity and water are important for the wellbeing of the transformer. It should also be an area free of containments. Keep the space in a pollutant free environment as well. The location should also be easily accessed.

As you can see when it comes to the location of the transformer it is crucial. Without a perfect location, proper maintenance and adequate care your transformer will have unexpected performance issues. This can cost a lot to repair as well as cause major delays. This can all be avoided simply by locating the unit in a place that takes into the special location requirements necessary for transformer units.

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Understanding Electrical Components

Electrical equipment is a broad phrase used in the industry. The phrase is used to define machines that gain power from electricity. An entire set is created from a power switch, many various electrical components and an enclosure. Small parts such as switchboards, distribution boards and circuit breakers all work together to run each piece of electrical equipment. When we better understand the component used to create various electrical elements within our home or business we are better able to protect them.

Anything that requires electricity to run has the potential to burn out at any time. No one can guarantee that an electrical machines run time. The longevity of your equipment is dependent on the components that are working together to run your machine. One thing that can help to increase the life expectancy of electrical equipment is to install it properly. The directions that are sent with the product from a residential stove to a commercial fabricator are sent to protect your purchase. Improper installation is the number one cause for electrical equipment failure.

If issues arise with one piece of equipment in particular be sure that you not only look at the piece of equipment to find fault but also the electrical circuit in which the piece is a part of. It is possible that nothing in fact is wrong with the machine itself but in the circuit in which it is plugged. This is a serious issue both in commercial and residential applications. When the wiring is not appropriate for the equipment potential hazards become a viable threat such as electrical fires.

Often times when a piece of equipment fails abruptly there is a simple explanation. Blown fuses from overloaded circuits tend to be a fairly common cause of equipment failure. Check the circuit breaker to see if this may be the reason for your issues. If the circuit breaker is not blown check to see if the equipment you are using as fuses that are directly installed to help with the internal circuit of the product. The simplest examples of internal fuses within electrical circuits are seen in automobiles or even Christmas lights. The product contains fuses for the protection of the internal circuit as well as the residential or commercial circuit that runs the electricity for the entire building.

With proper installation understanding circuit breakers there is a good chance the next time a piece of equipment fails you will be able to troubleshoot it on your own without having to call in help.

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.

Contact us today at https://jpelectricalcompany.com for all of your bus plug, circuit breaker, switchboard, fuses, disconnects and more.

Save Money With Reconditioned Electrical Components

All business owners are looking to cut costs while maintaining or improving service. This is the battle of all businesses big or small. The less you spend the more you profit and with profits come the ability to grow. One way that businesses attempt to cut costs is in purchasing electrical components for their operations. Reconditioned circuit breakers, transformers, bus ducts and plugs are just a few of the components that can be utilized to save money.

One of the things to look for when choosing an electrical company to purchase from is finding a company that works with not only reconditioned but new, used and obsolete components. It is crucial to be able to find replacement parts for the equipment in your plant when they are needed. Having to wait to locate components means down time for the machines that keep your manufacturing facility running which in turn means a loss of money for your business.

When purchasing reconditioned or refurbished electrical products such as circuit breakers it is important that they have been properly tested. Only do business with suppliers who sell quality reconditioned electrical distribution products. They should operate under strict quality guidelines.

Reconditioned products should be completely disassembled with each piece being meticulously cleaned and inspected. Refurbished products should then painted, reassembled and tested to ensure that they meet or exceed manufacturing UL standards. It is also important to find a company willing to stand behind their new, used and reconditioned products with at least a one year warranty in place.

When possible, before you purchase the industrial electrical component your business needs to replace talk to a customer service representative. With their assistance you will be able to find out a great deal about the reconditioning process their products have to go through before being sold.

It is important that the company you choose to work with is a supplier of a wide variety of electrical products. Find a company that works with all of the major manufacturers. This will make it easier on you when looking for replacement parts for more than one piece of equipment.

One stop shopping for new, used and obsolete electrical components is crucial. When one piece of equipment is down it affects the entire manufacturing flow. Having one place to go that can meet all of your needs for bus plugs, ducts, transformers, circuit breakers and more can mean all the difference in getting you back up and running fast.

Monday, October 27, 2014

Understanding Bus Ducts and Bus Plugs

When it comes to electrical equipment many of us non-electricians have no idea what a product is or what it does for us. Electrical components are a mystery. The mystery doesn’t ever come into question until an issue within the power system occurs and we non-electricians are left scrambling over what needs to be done. That is why we have decided over the next few months to give a brief overview into all the different areas within the electrical equipment industry, starting today with bus plug and duct systems.

In order to understand the basic purpose of bus plug and duct systems you need to know about how power can be delivered. In most buildings we are familiar with such as most commercial and residential settings power is sent through hard wires within the walls of the building. We gain access to the electricity through power outlets. It is pretty simple concept to understand.

This is not so true when looking at the electrical distribution needed within a manufacturing plant or other industrial settings. In facilities that operate with an open floor plan you will have a variety of machines throughout the building. Many times the machines need to be able to move to other areas within the facility to allow for other pieces of machinery to be used. Take for instance a fabricating plant. The same space on the floor will be used for a variety of tasks that need to be accomplished with a piece.

For power to be run to different areas of the facility while being able to accommodate different sized pieces of equipment bus duct and plugs are used. This allows the most freedom with plant layout and alleviates the need for stationary power supplies. In order to achieve power throughout the open floor plan ducts are installed throughout the facilities ceiling area.

Bus ducts can be ran wherever power is needed and are simple enough to add to if needed in the future. The power is transferred from the bus duct using a giant industrial electrical plug called a bus plug. Each bus plug connects to the overhead bus duct feeding electricity where it is needed. Bus duct and plug systems can be used for anything from overhead lighting to heavy machinery.

This system allows for flexibility in manufacturing. It allows large industrial plants the ability to change the amount of power, electricity, to different areas within a large open space. With this type of system there is no need to hard wiring so as the plant grows or equipment needs increase the power system can change and grow with the need.

That is really all there is to bus ducts and plugs. For options in new, reconditioned or obsolete bus plugs are sure to check for an electrical equipment distributor online today.

Added Benefits Of Using Bus Plugs and Bus Ducts

When it comes to many pieces of electrical equipment there are questions that surround what each component offers to the bigger picture. Take for instance bus ducts and bus plugs; how many people could pin point what this exact component within the electrical equipment puzzle?

This line of questioning often comes from personnel working within a commercial facility, office work space or processing company where pipes and wire are used to distribute electrical power within the building. Often times bus ducts and bus plugs are used in spaces other that large open manufacturing centers. Here are some facilities that distribute power using bus plugs and bus ducts throughout their work place environment.

One such place that bus plugs and bus ducts are used to distribute power is a fabricating facility. A bus duct is used to distribute power throughout the open areas of the plant. The bus duct helps ease the use of machinery that needs to be moved around often. Depending on the product that is being manufactured the distribution of power can be rearranged to fit the need at that moment without worry about where the electricity is coming from.

You can easily add too or change up the bus plugs in use to accommodate different machines with varied amp requirements. It is possible that at any given moment you can have twenty plus bus plugs on the bus duct. It is simple to add additional bus ducts to accommodate more bus plugs thus more equipment to be powered.

A system using bus ducts and bus plugs is one of the most efficient manners in which to provide power to a manufacturing setting. Bus plugs provide power to process and production equipment as well as to power and lighting panels. Using bus ducts allows a lot of power to be spread across a larger area where the power requirements often change. This happens in many manufacturing facilities where the power to run one piece of equipment in a space is different that another piece of equipment that also needs to be run within that space. Different power requirements at different times within the same space are issues that are prevented when manufacturing plants use bus ducts.

Commercial facilities and offices are powered through fixed units of electricity through pipe and wire. These facilities rarely require a change in the amount of electricity within a certain area. If you are looking to add flexibility to your manufacturing facilities power capabilities look into adding a bud duct and bus plug system.

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Factors When Choosing An Electrical Circuit Breaker

Every home and business has an electrical circuit breaker. Many of us have no idea what the circuit breaker really does or how it works. A breaker is a unit that is installed that protects your circuits from becoming overloaded essentially causing a short which could create an unsafe situation. By design, when the breaker becomes aware of a disruption in the system it breaks the electrical current flow thus protecting the rest of the circuit.

Commercial and residential electrical circuit breakers are purchased based on a number of essential factors including the vast abundance of different designs that they are sold in. Other factors to weigh before you buy a circuit breaker include the voltage load, the mounting style and the unit’s trip style.

Voltage Load

This is a fairly obvious feature to figure out. Commercial and industrial settings need higher voltage circuit breakers then a residential environment. This is because of the amount of electricity that will be flowing through the circuit. Larger equipment requires a higher amount of electricity therefore requiring a higher voltage breaker. It is crucial when buying or selling circuit breakers that you understand what purpose the breaker is serving. Installing a circuit that is either too big or too small can end up being detrimental.

Low Voltage Circuit Breakers: Consider this style of breaker for most residential applications. This circuit takes a load up to 1000 volts without issue.

Medium Voltage Circuit Breakers: Consider this style breaker for commercial office buildings or residential uses when using high voltage tools. A home wood working shop is the perfect example of a residential environment that needs more than a low voltage circuit. A medium voltage breaker is good for circuits between 1000 to 72,000 volts.

High Voltage Circuit Breakers: For any use that requires more than 72,000 amps of voltage this is the breaker you need. This is what is needed for industrial and commercial applications that use large pieces of equipment for manufacturing.

Mounting Style

The manner in which a circuit breaker is mounted is also another consideration for which purchasers choose the correct mechanism for their need. Two main styles include fixed mounting and removable mounting. Draw out mounted breakers are used for medium voltage breakers. Bolt on and plug in electrical circuit breakers are also options that can be obtained from companies that sell electrical equipment and supplies.

Trip Unit Type

When you are purchasing a circuit breaker you need to also take into consideration the unit’s trip type. There are a few main types including magnetic, thermal, thermal magnetic and magnetic hydraulic trip units. Another consideration is the temperature operating range in which the circuit breaker operates. You want to purchase a breaker that operates at different temperature ranges.

It is important to take into consideration all of the essentials pieces of purchasing a circuit breaker before installing one in your home or business. The electrical component will prevent accidental electrical issues from occurring down the road. Overworking a circuit can cause shortages that will cause fuses to continually blow. This is only one disruption that can occur if a circuit is overloaded.