By Spencer Cutright

Let’s face it: no summer vacation is complete without plenty of pictures. With the invention of the “selfie stick” and apps like Instagram and Snapchat, taking pictures has never been so user friendly, and photography has never been more prevalent than it is today.

However, this would not be possible if flash photography had never been invented. It’s hard to believe, but flash wasn’t always as common or safe as it is today. Here is a brief look at the history of flash photography.

Flash photography originally began as an unsafe and incredibly intricate device known as the flash lamp, which was invented in 1899. Photographers would fill a pan with flash powder, which was then ignited, leading to a small explosion that produced a quick flash. The flash lamp is known for being very unsafe, and many photographers who used it were either killed or injured in the process.

Around the 1930s, flash bulbs replaced flash powder. Oxygen-filled bulbs were electricity ignited, producing a quick bright flash. However, the bulbs could only be used once, and they were often too hot to handle right after the flash.

Thirty years after the flash bulb, the cheaper and more efficient electronic flash was invented. Electronic flashers are often attached to a camera and produce an instantaneous and very bright flash through a flash tube when a picture is taken.

Found on camera phones as early as 2000, LED flash uses high current LEDs to produce a quick flash when a picture is taken. LED flash makes flash photography efficient and miniaturized.

So next time you pull out our camera or smartphone to capture a special moment this summer, keep in mind all the inventors who made modern photography possible.  The future of photography is certainly bright with many possibilities ahead.

A beautiful deck is something that should be enjoyed long after the sun goes down—which is why it’s important to have the right kind of deck lighting! From a purely functional point of view, deck lighting serves three purposes:

But when it comes to the right type of lighting for your home, deck lighting can do so much more! The key is to design a lighting system that performs all three of the above tasks while enhancing the look and feel of your deck. Rather than flooding the deck with simulated sunlight, integrate accent lighting with posts, railings, stair risers, and other elements to create an inviting after-dark atmosphere.

Low-voltage deck lights – the most common types of deck lights, low-voltage lights are a safer alternative to line-voltage, posing almost no risk of electric shock. Electrical connections with low voltage lights are simpler, requiring neither a permit nor a license to install.

Disadvantages of low-voltage deck lights are that they require a transformer, and unless they are divided into more than one run of wiring, they share the same 12V of power—which, if you have a lot of lights, can reduce the brightness.

Line-voltage deck lights – line voltage deck lights are brighter, but their installation is more strictly enforced. All connections must be made in an approved electrical box, and any cables run in the open must be enclosed in a proper conduit. Line-voltage deck lighting must be installed by a licensed electrician.

Solar-powered deck lights – because solar deck lights require no electrical connections, timers, or switches, you won’t need to drill routing holes, run wires, or make connections to install them. What you will need, of course, is steady sunshine—usually six hours per day, according to manufacturers. Sunlight charges the lights’ batteries, which mean they are typically limited to post-cap features, although lanterns, string lights, and recessed solar lights are available.

The solar batteries will need to be replaced every 500 charges or so, but fortunately doing so is fairly easy.

Once you’ve decided which type of deck lighting you want, it’s time to choose how you want that lighting installed. An ideal deck lighting design makes use of all three styles of lights: post-cap, side-mount, and recessed lights.

The largest and most prominent fixtures in the accent deck lighting category, post-cap lights sit at the top of your deck posts, usually at the top and bottom of staircases and at intermediate posts along the perimeter of the deck. Post-cap lights are available in a variety of colors and styles to match your deck, and most manufacturers make dummy post-caps, which are unlit and allow for some space between light sources.

Side-mount deck lights can be installed on the side of posts instead of the top. Side-mount lights can be beneficial if your posts come to eye level when guests are sitting down, as post-cap lights could shine light directly into peoples’ eyes.

Recessed deck lights are the perfect example of how to accent a deck without overlighting it. Recessed deck lights are installed in holes drilled in the stairs or the floor of your deck to provide lighting while being almost perfectly hidden during the day.

Incandescent Deck Lighting – incandescent bulbs are widely available in several different shapes and wattages, and because they are relatively inexpensive, replacement is quick and easy. They cast a softer, warmer glow than LEDs, but consume more energy, making them less efficient and shortening their lives.

LED Deck Lighting – because of the complex housing and circuitry involved, LED lights tend to be more expensive than incandescent lights. They tend to be more than worth the cost however, with vastly improved lifespans (10,000 to 100,000 hours) and high efficiency with almost no heat production. The trade-off is that unless mirrors or reflective surfaces are used, the light output is focused narrowly in only one direction and can be harsh on the eyes in contrast with a dark backyard.

The right type of lighting can make all the difference for your deck. For outdoor lighting installation in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, DC, call Kolb Electric today!

Electrical fires can be extremely destructive and uncontainable, once they break out. An electrical fault and severe sparking in the electrical installations in one part of your property can easily spread to the other areas very quickly. This means the destruction caused can be extremely high and the fire can pose a threat to the people living or working on your property as well.

When you get the electrical system on your property installed by credible professionals, you can rest assured that there will be no problems and that they will be quite safe. However, if you live on an older property that also has old wiring, it can deteriorate or get damaged over time, and can prove to be extremely dangerous. This is why you should make it a point to conduct routine checks on all the electrical installations in your home.

Most electrical companies also design preventive electrical maintenance contracts based on your specific needs; they will visit your property at pre-decided intervals and conduct thorough checks on all the electrical fittings and installations. This helps identify potential & existing problems beforehand and these can be fixed before they pose a major hazard.

Aside from this, it’s also important that you be wary and conduct some basic checks on all the electrical installations. Here are some signs you should look out for:

If you find that a particular circuit breaker trips once in a while, it may just be an indication that you have plugged in too many electrical appliances and devices all at once into that particular circuit. However, if you find yourself resetting the circuit breaker too often, it’s crucial that you don’t ignore it.

The circuit breaker is built specifically to alert you when something is wrong with the system; this is why you should call in a skilled electrician and get it checked without delay. The constant tripping could be an indication of a much bigger problem.

If you hear buzzing sounds or notice sparking in an electrical outlet or if you detect a burning odour emanating from the outlets, that’s a very strong warning that something’s wrong with it, and that it needs to be replaced as soon as possible. Not only will the electrician check the outlet, but will also check and update the wiring connected to it.

If you experience an electrical shock while operating any appliance or device in your home, it’s an indication that there is electrical current leaking at some point. This could be caused by faulty wiring or even a grounding fault. The electrician will use special testing devices to see where the problem lies and will fix it quickly and efficiently.

Sometimes a light bulb might flicker because it hasn’t been fitted correctly in its socket. However, there are times when this problem is caused due to a loose circuit or loose wiring. It’s the same with other electrical outlets that don’t function as they should.

Today, many property owners opt for home automation systems. This is the “Internet of Things” and the manner in which various appliances, devices, and installations in your home are networked together; it provides you efficient control over various aspects of your home.

In terms of simple appliance control and lighting, this concept has been around for decades. It’s only in the recent years that there has been a sea change in this technology and you can now opt for systems that allow you complete control of your home from any remote location. Using home automation, you are able to control how a particular device will react, and why and when it should react.

Once the system has been installed, you only need to set the schedule. The rest of it is all automated and will be based on your personal preferences. This is why home automation can alert you about the events that you may want to immediately be aware of, such as unexpected access to your home, water leaks etc. All you have to do is grab your Android device or iPhone or any other remote control and alter the settings in your home. If this isn’t convenience, what is?

Let’s take a closer look at what the benefits of home automation systems are:

You are able to automate and control almost every single appliance and device in your home, regardless of where you are. You don’t really have to worry about getting up from your comfortable couch to dim the lights, draw the curtains or adjust the temperature of the room you are in, or in any other room of your house. You would be able to adjust the temperature in all the rooms in your house, just with the touch of a button on your phone.

Your CCTV cameras can be connected to the automation systems and in case there is any trespasser on your property, you would be immediately alerted to it. Your water sensors could be connected as well and you would immediately know if there was a leak, even if you aren’t at home; this gives you the chance to react and safeguard your home very effectively.

Home automation can help you switch on and off lights and sprinklers etc. when you want to, even when you aren’t actually at home. You can also switch on the air conditioning or water heater a few minutes before you are slated to reach home, and that helps save energy too as you wouldn’t have to keep the hot water system running all day. This kind of functionality helps you save on your utility bills.

When you have a home automation system installed on your property, you know you are using the latest technology. While the working of these systems is quite complex, the systems themselves are very user-friendly and this makes for a fun experience. You will find yourself impressing your guests with the various features of the system and enjoy using the automated systems.

If you are considering getting home automation products installed on your property, you would need to hire the services of a skilled and knowledgeable electrical company that will be able to understand your requirements and provide custom solutions. We at AllRound Electrical can provide you the solutions you need at extremely cost-effective pricing. Our experts will work closely with you and provide applications such as automated:

In addition to home automation, we can handle all other electrical requirements you may have. For more information, simply speak with the experts at AllRound Electrical and take their advice on various aspects of home automation installation solutions. The number to call is – 1300 169 263. You can also write to us at this email address.

Thanks for reading,1300 169 263

5-pin SPDT (single pole, double throw) automotive relay.

Relays are essentially two parts in one package. The first part is an inductive coil (pins 85 and 86). This coil is the “trigger” function of the relay. By applying both a positive (+) and ground (-) to the contacts, current passes through the coil. When current passes through the coil, a magnetic field is generated and moves the switch (the arrow in the diagram). This is where the second part of the relay comes into play.

The second part of the relay is the “switch.” The switch has three interface contacts—common, normally closed, and normally open. “Normally” refers to the state of the relay not being energized.

While relays can be used for virtually any task, there are some very useful, simple applications for adding LED lighting to a vehicle. Please note that this wiring only pertains to the relay—not the wires in the vehicle. Before interfacing with a wire in a vehicle, always ensure you test the wire with a digital multimeter first to confirm circuit function.

Positive Switching

Positive switching is used for applications where the “trigger” for your switch or circuit is positive. This could be an ignition, brake, or reverse light wire for example.  This could be used for applications such as off-road light bars, work lights, additional brake lights, and other exterior lighting.

Negative Switching

Negative switching is used for applications where the “trigger” for your switch or circuit is negative. Negative triggers are often found in door, hatch, and trunk triggers as well as many interior switches. This could be used for applications such as footwell lighting, truck bed lighting, under-hood lighting, and other interior lighting.

Switch Activated With Ignition Override

This is useful for applications where you want to turn your light on or off with a switch but only want the light to remain on when the car is running or key is in the “ignition” position. The main advantage to this is—even if the switch is left on—the light (or output circuit) will shut off when the key is turned off so that the battery will not be run down.

For technical questions, don’t hesitate to call us toll free at 866-590-3533. Our customer service and technical support teams are available from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. CDT Monday-Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. CDT on Friday.