Limit switches, as the name suggests, are precision switches that are designed to work as limiting devices. The switch is typically snap-action and designed to sense the presence, absence, or be triggered by an excess or lack of physical contact at the position where it is installed.

The flexibility and adaptability of limit switches to different tasks and environments has made them very popular as components of conveyor belt systems.

Industrial conveyor belts are considered to be amongst the greatest inventions for boosting production, as well as reducing time, costs and manpower requirements. They are commonly used in production, mining, assembly lines and just about every major industry or sector today.

They typically consist of a number of pulleys that rotate under a continuous belt. Some of these pulleys are powered and they drive the belt, keeping any material on top continuously moving towards its destination.

Conveyor belts can be broadly classified into two classes, which are:

These conveyors are used for transporting smaller volumes of material like packaged goods, or lighter materials like boxes.

These are heavy duty conveyor systems which are designed to carry heavier loads or bulky materials, like industrial and agricultural goods.

While conveyor belts can tremendously increase efficiency, they are prone to jamming from over-loading unless the correct safety measures are put in place. Limit switches help prevent this by measuring the height or number of individual products passing through the conveyor system. In case the switch senses an object that may cause an obstruction, it shuts the system down to prevent damage or spillage.

Depending on the environment and purpose, there are a variety of limit switches which can be used in conveyor systems:

There is really nothing more frustrating than putting toast in the toaster, walking away and coming back to what you think will be some warm toast only to discover the appliance wasn’t plugged in. When you have to share outlets in the kitchen, bedroom or living room, it is a lot of extra work. You can’t use this if you want to use that or you have to perform some acrobatic maneuvers to reach the one available outlet. Stop the frustration and call a California electrician to give you a hand. You can have new outlets installed so you aren’t forced to constantly plug and unplug appliances. The Electric Connection has a team of electricians that can help you.

Having new outlets installed by an electrician is something many homeowners are taking advantage of. One of the most common outlet additions is one or two installed halfway up the wall in the living room. With the trend in flat screen televisions and surround sound systems being hung directly on the wall, it eliminates the unsightly cords running down the wall. The mid-wall mounted outlet gives the room a much cleaner look. Adding additional outlets to the kitchen to accommodate all of your appliances will make meal prep a breeze and means you can have several helpers in the kitchen using various appliances at the same time!

You can also have additional light switches installed if that is your issue. Walking into a dark hallway when the light switch is at the opposite end can be hazardous. Having additional switches in rooms with two entries is a safety measure you will appreciate. You will be amazed at the difference a little electrical work can do to improve the functionality and safety of your home. Give The Electric Connection a call today and let our electricians help you make your home life a little easier.

Is it driving you crazy to charge all of your devices? Smart phones, tablets, digital music players, digital cameras and more have made many facets of life more convenient, but they come with their own complications and annoyances as well. For one thing, all those devices need their batteries charged, sometimes every day, and it can be quite a pain to keep track of all the cords and adapters. Fortunately, with a little DIY talent or the help of an electrician, you can install combo outlets in your walls with built-in USB ports, making it easier to charge your gadgets wherever you’re at home.

Out with the Old, in with the New

To install a USB outlet, you need to buy an outlet kit from your local hardware store or from an online retailer. You can find various options with two or four USB ports combined with one or two traditional power outlets. If you are comfortable doing simple electrical work, you can probably install the outlet yourself; otherwise, an electrician can do the work and have you up and running quickly.

If you are a DIYer, the first step is to turn off the power to the circuit you are working with. After you turn the switch off at the circuit breaker, make sure you test the outlet with a light or other appliance before you proceed to make sure it doesn't have any current. Next, you'll need to remove the old outlet with a screwdriver and disconnect the wiring. Then, simply connect your new outlet, carefully following the manufacturer instructions. It's extremely important that you reconnect all the wires properly, including the ground wire.

Convenience and Simplicity for Your Devices

Once the new outlet is wired up and screwed into the wall, flip the circuit back on and you should be good to go. Give the new USB outlet a test drive with your phone or tablet, and then sit back and enjoy the convenience and simplicity. Unfortunately, you still need to have an appropriate cord around to take advantage of the USB outlet, but at least you can do away with the cumbersome adapter. That frees up space, since adapters are often so bulky that they cover multiple outlets even though they only use one. Plus, the built-in USB ports limit the electrical current to whatever amount is required to charge the device.

You don't need combo outlets everywhere you have a plug, but if you put them in highly-traveled areas like the kitchen, office and bedroom, you will have easy access to their charging power whenever you need it. Those readers who enjoy perusing their phones in the bathroom can even put a combo outlet by the sink – just make sure you don't get water on your device!

Recharge Your Life with the Help of an Electrician

If you need any help installing or upgrading outlets in your home, call an expert electrician today.

An electric motor is a machine that uses the concept of conversion of energy and consequently converts electric to mechanical energy. The main parts that help propel the process are the rotor, stator, windings, air gap and commutator. The approximate efficiency of an electric motor is 70%-85% (extra energy is taken by the sound and heat emitted by it).

Whether for tasks as huge as building high rises, to ones as commonplace as warming food, electric motors play a significant role in our lives.

Electric motors, both large and small, can be used in a number of ways in residential and industrial applications.

Here are the general and specific requirements that need to be followed in order to install an electric motor: