mashen's electrical blog

2011-10-16T19:33:00.002-05:00

CHANGE AMERICA NOW!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1U1Jzdghjk&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

2011-10-16T19:29:00.002-05:00

2011-10-16T19:21:00.003-05:00

PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS AND TELL THEM TO VOTE YES AND GET THE KEYSTONE PIPELINE MOVING!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xh_kyO8L_MQ

Jobs that we can count on and get America Moving Again!

Bringing American Jobs Home to America

2011-09-19T20:58:00.002-05:00

Bringing American Jobs Home to America

First just let me say I am no economy expert! But I know how to keep things simple. Our economy issues are really quite simple. To improve our economy we need three things.

1. We need jobs!
Now I know most of you are saying and producing jobs is simple?
Yes it is if we just try it. We need long term jobs. Jobs that produce economic security for the American People. Short term jobs are fine and yes our infrastructure needs improvement so I do not totally fault the President for this approach. The approach goes awry when he looks short term and uses our tax dollars when we are essentially broke to produce jobs for those he owed his first election to.
2. Less Regulation!
If politicians really wanted to create jobs they would encourage businesses this President has not done that. He has hurt job creation by creating 75 new laws (with much more pending) that crippled our major industries and sectors of employment. With new long term jobs for American workers the economy picks up automatically just look at China they produce over 1 million new jobs each year. China currently has the best economy in the world. The also have the least regulations on their businesses. So to create more jobs we need less regulation. In the construction industry regulation has killed home builders which in turn kills other market sectors. Hey how about trying something new lees regualtion on American businesses and more on foreign imports.
3. We need Cheap Energy
For China or any other country to produce jobs, they need energy. America has an abundance of energy resources that environmentalist will not let us use due to excessive regulation. If America was allowed to drill for oil and gas, mine coal, and build new refineries, and clean coal technologies we could produce all the energy for business at cheaper rates than current.

So you are saying you do not know what you are talking about! Well, good mining, drilling and refining jobs could put thousands to work in temporary and long term good paying jobs taking those off extended unemployment benefits. Along with new nuclear, and coal generation plants energy prices would come down. This is all in contrast to wind generators that were built in China again stimulating their economy. Now I have no problem in alternative energy I think if we take away all subsidies from oil, coal, wind, solar generating companies, take away their tax breaks and make them all pay one flat tax along with all Americans this could really get our economy and the jobs rolling.

If we couple this along with requiring that all goods and services that supply any level of government be made and provided in the USA, we are getting close to full employment for the American people. By making all Americans, and all American businesses pay a flat tax, get rid of paybacks and subsidies to private industries we take some of the crookedness out of the system. Now I realize this might mean layoffs for lobbyist, IRS employees, tax consultants, and even lawyers and would not sit real well with those power brokers running the country. But lets say all American workers pay a 15%, flat tax, and all businesses pay a 25% flat tax. Eliminating all other state and local taxes. 10% of individual and 10% of business taxes go to the state from the income in that state and they better figure out how to run it because that is all they get. 1st all American workers would have more money in their pockets or to spend on American made goods. American businesses would not be receiving subsidies that they are lobbying for, thus less money exchanging hands in Congress. Less regulation means even less lobbying because if you take away all the loop holes, and all the subsidies. So instead of businesses trying to compete by playing the politics game, they can concentrate on their bottom line and being competitive. The federal government can then downsize because you will not need all the staff being go between for their Congressman or woman and big business. Local governments would keep their money locally, and I suggest consolidation to a county level with all money staying local. No more unfunded mandates from the feds to the state to the county level, no mandates because no money. Figure out locally what is best for your community.

Ever wonder why when talking about taxing the millionaires of the country instead of trying to sell it as taxing the rich and giving to the pour that our legislators have just said lets institute a flat tax? Because they want the personal and business loop holes, strip that away and make it easy, understandable fair and balanced.

So to summarize: A healthy growing economy means jobs for all that can and are willing to work. Less taxes for all Americans, cheaper energy prices, less regulations, money kept locally, less corruption and less government. Buy American- Build American- Be American

This is my America whats your vision for a healthy growing America?

545 vs. 300,000,000 People- By Charlie Reese

2011-07-17T18:30:00.000-05:00

Charley Reese's Final column!

A very interesting column.. COMPLETELY NEUTRAL
Be sure to Read the Poem at the end.

Charley Reese's final column for the Orlando Sentinel...
He has been a journalist for 49 years.
He is retiring and this is HIS LAST COLUMN.

Be sure to read the Tax List at the end.

This is about as clear and easy to understand as it can be. The article below is completely neutral, neither anti-republican or democrat. Charlie Reese, a retired reporter for the Orlando Sentinel, has hit the nail directly on the head, defining clearly who it is that in the final analysis must assume responsibility for the judgments made that impact each one of us every day. It's a short but good read. Worth the time. Worth remembering!

545 vs. 300,000,000 People
-By Charlie Reese

Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them.

Have you ever wondered, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, WHY do we have deficits?

Have you ever wondered, if all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, WHY do we have inflation and high taxes?

You and I don't propose a federal budget. The President does.

You and I don't have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations. The House of Representatives does.

You and I don't write the tax code, Congress does.

You and I don't set fiscal policy, Congress does.

You and I don't control monetary policy, the Federal Reserve Bank does.

One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one President, and nine Supreme Court justices equates to 545 human beings out of the 300 million are directly, legally, morally, and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country.

I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that problem was created by the Congress. In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered, but private, central bank.

I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason. They have no legal authority. They have no ability to coerce a senator, a congressman, or a President to do one cotton-picking thing. I don't care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash. The politician has the power to accept or reject it. No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislator's responsibility to determine how he votes.

Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what they did is not their fault. They cooperate in this common con regardless of party.

What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount of gall. No normal human being would have the gall of a Speaker who stood up and criticized the President for creating deficits. The President can only propose a budget. He cannot force the Congress to accept it.

The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating and approving appropriations and taxes. Who is the speaker of the House now? He is the leader of the majority party. He and fellow House members, not the President, can approve any budget they want. If the President vetoes it, they can pass it over his veto if they agree to.

It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300 million cannot replace 545 people who stand convicted -- by present facts -- of incompetence and irresponsibility. I can't think of a single domestic problem that is not traceable directly to those 545 people. When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise the power of the federal government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist.

If the tax code is unfair, it's because they want it unfair.

If the budget is in the red, it's because they want it in the red.

If the Army & Marines are in Iraq and Afghanistan it's because they want them in Iraq and Afghanistan ...

If they do not receive social security but are on an elite retirement plan not available to the people, it's because they want it that way.

There are no insoluble government problems.

Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take this power. Above all, do not let them con you into the belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like "the economy," "inflation," or "politics" that prevent them from doing what they take an oath to do.

Those 545 people, and they alone, are responsible.

They, and they alone, have the power.

They, and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses.

Provided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees...

We should vote all of them out of office and clean up their mess!

What you do with this article now that you have read it... is up to you.
This might be funny if it weren't so true.
Be sure to read all the way to the end:

Tax his land,
Tax his bed,
Tax the table,
At which he's fed.

Tax his tractor,
Tax his mule,
Teach him taxes
Are the rule.

Tax his work,
Tax his pay,
He works for
peanuts anyway!

Tax his cow,
Tax his goat,
Tax his pants,
Tax his coat.

Tax his ties,
Tax his shirt,
Tax his work,
Tax his dirt.

Tax his tobacco,
Tax his drink,
Tax him if he
Tries to think.

Tax his cigars,
Tax his beers,
If he cries
Tax his tears.

Tax his car,
Tax his gas,
Find other ways
To tax his ass.

Tax all he has
Then let him know
That you won't be done
Till he has no dough.

When he screams and hollers;
Then tax him some more,
Tax him till
He's good and sore.

Then tax his coffin,
Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in
Which he's laid...

Put these words
Upon his tomb,
'Taxes drove me
to my doom...'

When he's gone,
Do not relax,
Its time to apply
The inheritance tax.

Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL license Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Excise Taxes
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax (currently 44.75 cents per gallon)
Gross Receipts Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Taxes
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Personal Property Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Service Charge Tax
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Tax
Recreational Vehicle Tax
Sales Tax
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Recurring and Nonrecurring Charges Tax
Telephone State and Local Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax
Utility Taxes
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax

STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?
Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, & our nation was the most prosperous in the world.
We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world, and Mom, if agreed, stayed home to raise the kids.

What in the heck happened? Can you spell 'politicians?'

I hope this goes around THE USA at least 545 times!!! YOU can help it get there!!!

GO AHEAD. . . BE AN AMERICAN!!!

The Politics of Energy

2011-05-15T15:36:00.002-05:00

Why are we struggling so much with the question on where our energy comes from? Solar is good but still takes massive governmental incentives and subsidies to function the same can be said with wind generation, oil and gas production. Why not do all and quit trying to put the other out of business. With a national debt that is climbing faster than China's exports why not quit subsidizing all forms of energy and see which one can support it self.

Please take a look and read some opposing views in the links and make up your mind for yourself. Maybe you will join those on the left maybe you will see whats right on the right, or maybe the best way is to just get out of their way and let the strong survive the best ot the best competition at its finest and see where it goes. Why not what we are doing is not working!

The Debt Limit Made Simple by the Heritage Foundation

2011-04-22T12:53:00.000-05:00

If the President and Congress are allowed to increase our Debt Limit it would be like those of us who have credit cards that are out of control and the company raises our credit limit. This must stop now if you agree call your Congressman or woman and tell them we do not need more credit we need less spending. This is not a Republican or Democrat issue it is an American issue. If you want your children and grandchildren to grow up in a better America and a better world then do it now before it is too late.

Your children will thank you as do I!

Illinois Energy 101

2011-02-20T01:02:00.000-06:00

Warming Caused by Natural Cycle, Not Humans | Media | National Center for Policy Analysis | NCPA

2011-02-15T21:31:00.000-06:00

Warming Caused by Natural Cycle, Not Humans Media National Center for Policy Analysis NCPA

Electric Vehicles Not Ready For Prime Time?

2011-01-08T12:14:00.000-06:00

Even Changing a Light Bulb can become deadly

2010-02-16T10:06:00.000-06:00

On a recent trip to KC to visit my daughter, we stopped at our favorite restaurant. While eating suddenly a incandescent light bulb exploded over a table directly across from us. Fortunately the hot glass fragments that were emmitted from the breakage did not injure the occupants at the table. The manager contacted a busboy to cleanup the table and informed him to replace the light bulb. The busboy proceeded to wipe off the table with a wet rag and then started to use the rag to remove the broken pieces of the lamp still inside the fixture. If the exploding lamp did not get the attention of the patrons around us my best dad's voice did. In a stern and loud voice I said son I would not do that if I were you. Well he turned and looked at me with same look my kids give. It was like what are you talking about old man leave me alone I know what I am doing. Actually I hope thats not what my kids are thinking but in his case I believe thats what he as everyone around us were thinking. I then proceeded to explain to him that the broken fragments inside the lamp could still be energized and by using that wet wash cloth he would receive the shock of his life. Well that got his attention as well as everyone around us. He went and got his manager who I then informed of the situation that could have happened. I informed him that he should probably perform this task out of hours when power could be shutoff to this circuit and be safely removed. He agreed and moved the patron's to another table and closed off the table hopefully for the day.

It is important to remember that even changing a light bulb can become deadly in the right circumstances. General safety measures to remember when changing liight bulbs would be as follows.
1. A general knowledge of safe electrical practice comes in handy. If you do not have knowledge of electrical safety even changing broken light bulbs should be left to professionals.
2. Always de-energize the circuit before changing a light bulb. This can simply be done by turning of the switch to the fixture. Light bulbs can have broken screw shells that when turned can break and short out in your hand.
3. Light bulbs should be allowed to cool before removing, a hot lamp can exceed temperatures of 5000' degrees F and can cause severe burns.
4. Never stand on chairs, tables, or aluminum step ladders to do electrical work. Use wood or fiberglass ladders that have been tested and inspected for that use.
5.Inspect the steps and rungs of ladders before use. If they are broken or damaged do not use them, destroy them so that other swill not get hurt should they grab them to use them. More people have been injured by falls when working with electricity than by shock.
6.Never stand on the top step of a ladder and never overextend your reach. Use the right size ladder for the job.
7. When working with power tools make sure they are in good operating condition. Check to make sure that they are not frayed, that the insulation is in tact and the ground prong of the chord is intact.
8. The same goes for extension chords that they are not frayed or damaged in anyway. If they are take them out of service or repair or destroy them.
9. Last but not least always use a ground fault circuit interrupter when using power tools and extension chords.

Following these simple steps could save you or your loved ones lives!

Remember TLC

Always be aware of the dangers around you, and your loved ones. Teach what you know, Learn what you need to know, and Care enough to share it with others!

Teach Your Children

2010-01-20T22:11:00.001-06:00

Teach Your Children
Parents, caregivers urged to help protect the smallest among us

If you have small children or occassionally care for them, I urge you to learn about electrical safety and to use that information to teach the youngsters about electrical safety.

At this time of year children are often restless and bored from being cooped up inside during the winter. This might inspire them to be just as curious and adventurous indoors as they are outside. You can help prevent that curiosity from creating a deadly tragedy.

Statistics provided by the National Electric Manufacturers Association (NEMA), support the need for making safety a priority.

In the U.S., an average of seven children per day, mostly boys under age three, are treated in emergency rooms for injuries due to contact with electrical outlets. Typically, these injuries occur at home and are caused by inserting common objects such as hairpins, keys and paper clips. Most victims experience 1st-degree or 2nd-degree burns – but more serious injuries also occur.

Often these injuries are reportedly happening even when adult supervision is present.

Luckily there are some really affordable and convenient ways to make your home less hazardous.

Safe Electricity, a safety awareness program of the Energy Education Council, recommends investing in the following measures to protect your loved ones:

• Tamper Resistant Outlet Receptacles – These receptables have built-in shutter systems that prevent single-pronged objects like hairpins and paper clips from being inserted. Unlike plastic outlet caps, the new receptables are permanent, automatic and reliable. They install just like standard outlets and are marginally more expensive. NEMA estimates that it costs only $50 more per average home to install the tamper-resistant receptacles.

• Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) – These devices are used in interior outlets of the home in rooms with high water use such as the kitchen, bathroom, laundry and basement. GFCIs should also be installed on exterior outlets as well. GFCIs stop the flow of electricity instantly if there is a problem.

• Professional Electrical Inspections – Hiring an electrical professional ensures home safety by making certain home electrical systems and wiring is adequate to support increased electric demands of a growing and active family. An older home may be inadequately wired for today’s electrical consumption, putting your family at risk for fire and electrical shock.

• Make sure everyone in the family knows to stay away from downed power lines and wires and tell children to report any fallen or dangling wires to an adult. Always assume that any power line is fully charged and stay far away.

It’s a good idea to include utility emergency numbers with other posted emergency phone numbers, and instruct children how to call for help in an emergency.

Power from the Sun

2010-01-07T22:07:00.001-06:00

Power from the Sun

Harnessing the sun to heat water, warm homes and provide energy has been around for thousands of year. The ancient Greeks planned whole cities to allow every homeowner access to sunlight during winter to warm their homes. The realized by running the streets in a checkerboard pattern running east-west and north-south pattern every home could face south, permitting the winter sun to flow into the house throughout the day.Throughout the early great civilizations there were fuel shortages. The early great societies did not have the technologies and knowledge that we have today of fuel sources such as coal, natural gas and oil. One fuel was readily available and understandable the sun. Today during vanishing fuel sources we too have returned to the sun to provide hot water, warm our homes and provide energy. The fact that our natural resources are depleting along with the significant advances we have made in technology in solar energy, and the need to decrease our carbon footprint has brought solar energy back to the forefront.

One of those technologies known as photovoltaic (PV) has emerged as a valuable method in meeting the challenge of providing a clean, green, and abundant source of energy. The one question that always has emerged with PV is that what happens on cloudy days? With today’s emerging technologies, net metering of grid connected PV systems and the ability to store the energy generated by the sun this obstacle is becoming more and more nonexistent.

So what is Photovoltaic one may ask and how does it work. The word is derived from the Greek word for light, and volt, literally translated as light-electricity. Photovoltaic (PV) materials and devices convert light energy into electrical energy. Sunlight is made up of tiny packets of energy called photons .A solar cell is the main focal point of changing light energy into electrical energy. Solar cells employ materials like silicon. These cells are design with positive and negative layers that create an electrical field just like batteries. Photons are absorbed in the cell causing electrons to be freed and flow to the bottom of the cell and out the connecting wires. This flow of energy is called electricity. One cell can produce an output of one to two watts of energy. A collection of these cells can then be put into a module (panels) and combinations of these modules make up an array. These combinations of modules into arrays will give us our desired output of electrical energy. A PV array needs unobstructed access to the sun's rays throughout the day and year round to gain full benefit. You do not have to worry if you live in an area like Illinois with a changing climate. PV modules are mounted at angles so that snow will not collect on the panels, the snow that does melts quickly. They are also design to resist hail storms. The most common array design uses flat-plate PV modules or panels. These panels can either be fixed in place or allowed to track the movement of the sun. They respond to sunlight that is either direct or diffused by cloudy days. The simplest PV array consists of flat-plate PV panels in a fixed position. A typical small residential starter system would require about 50 square feet of roof space.

Whether you are considering a retrofit to an existing roof, or proposing a system in your new construction plans, solar electricity can be a viable source of energy for your home or office. It is important to remember though that an energy efficient building will require less energy to maintain. Before considering a PV system it is suggested that an energy audit be done of your home or office.

Winter Driving and Live Power Lines

2009-11-25T23:05:00.005-06:00

These pictures courtesy of Rural Electric Coop in Auburn and the Association of Illinois Electric Coops.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Winter driving is upon us, and accidents will happen. If you come in contact with a power pole and downed lines are near or on your car, stay in your car till the power company can determine that lines have been deenergized. Tell others to stay in the car and call 911 for assistance. This is what saved this Ameren employee when his truck was hit by another vehicle and struck a powerpole. Never run to assist a vehicle and its occupants where powerlines are down. Down powerlines can energize the ground around them and the current flow is greater near the downed line. Current flows through the ground like ripples through water when a rock hits it. The only time you will want to leave the vehicle is if it is on fire. Then without touching any metal move both feet at the same time to the ground outside the vehicle. It is important that both feet hit the ground at the same time. Then hop on both feet away from the vehicle and any downed lines. If you are unable to hop shuffle your feet across the ground never picking them off the ground. Current has to have a path to flow, by both feet being on the ground at the same time and not touching anything else you will not complete the path.

Subject: Ameren employee escapes injuries, with an energized power line, by staying in truck...

Here is the story of what happened last Friday, November 20, 2009 at approximately 7:00 a.m.

A woman, was driving a car heading east on Mine Avenue. She ran a stop sign at the intersection of Mine Avenue and Black Diamond and struck a truck. The truck was driven by an off-duty Ameren worker, who was heading north on Black Diamond. The truck flipped over and hit one of our riser poles.

Lou called Tim at approximately 7:15 a.m. and asked him to go to the scene. When Tim arrived, the woman had already been taken by ambulance to the hospital (although her injuries were not serious). Tim disconnected the power from a switching cabinet across the street and then grounded the lines laying across the truck. Within 15 seconds the driver left the vehicle and Tim was able to talk to him (he also was not seriously injured). The driver of the truck told Tim that he thought he heard arcing, so he stayed in his truck for over an hour until the power could be turned off. (Tim reported that one of the lines was, in fact, still energized.)

It took 7 lineman all day to replace the riser pole. Members were left without power for only 2 ½ hours (7:00 to 9:30 a.m.) The lines were back-fed most of the day while the lineman replaced the pole and the lines.

This riser pole was fed by 3 underground lines and in turn it fed members to the north, south and east. After work was completed at approximately 5:15 p.m., all power was returned to normal. The accident effected members on the Farmersville substation, feeder 3 – all 3 phases.

The driving conditions were very foggy that morning.

Other Winter Driving Tips Include:

1. Cleaning off your car in its entirety

a. of course line of site areas windshields and doors

b. clean off bumpers, headlights and tailights

c. License plates

Looking through a peephole is not cleaning off your car!

2. Plan your route and leave plenty of time to arrive safe and on time.

3. Slow down and leave plenty of room between you and the next vehicle.

4. Drive carefully and defensively! Watch for ice patches on bridges and overpasses.

5. If you vehicle does become disabled stay with your vehicle with your flashers on running your engine for short intervals

leaving your windshield cracked to avoid possible carbon monoxide accumulation.

6. Make sure your car is in winter driving condition

a. have your anti-freeze checked to -40 below

b. have your belts and hoses checked for cracks or damage

c. have your tires checked for proper tread depth

d. make sure your wipers are sufficient for winter driving and you have wiper fluid

e. is your battery ready for winter operation?

7. Prepare a survival kit and keep in your vehicle

That kit should include:

Ice scraper/snowbrush
Shovel
Sand or other traction aid
Tow rope or chain
Booster cables
Road flares or warning lights
Gas line antifreeze
Flashlight and batteries
First aid kit
Fire extinguisher
Small tool kit
Extra clothing and footwear
Blanket
Non-perishable energy foods – e.g., chocolate or granola bars, juice, soup, bottled water
Candle and a small tin can
Matches
BE PREPARD AND STAY SAFE!

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Why Have Building Codes?

2009-09-22T19:21:00.001-05:00

Why Have Building Codes?

In my position as an electrical inspector every now and then someone will ask me why have building codes? Why can’t I just build my structure the way I want to? Without just giving the answer because it’s the law, to properly answer this question I ask do you know what a building code is? Officially a building code is the government's statement on building safety. Technically, building codes set the minimum safety standards for construction through a compilation of laws. Building codes are arranged in a systematic manner and (codified) for easy reference. It embraces all aspects of the building construction – fire, structural items, accessibility as well as the plumbing, electrical and mechanical systems.

The earliest known code or law was known as the Code of Hammurabi. The Code of Hammurabi was an ancient law created around 1790 BC in ancient Babylon. It was enacted by the sixth Babylonian king, Hammurabi. Hammurabi ruled from 1796 BC – 1750 BC and decreed that he was chosen by the gods to deliver the law to his people. Wow does that sound like some inspectors you know! Nah! Well at least maybe they come by it genetically. One of Hammurabi’s laws was as follow: If a Builder builds a house for someone, and does not construct it properly, and the house which he built falls in and kills its owner, then the builder shall be put to death. Another variant of this was, if the owner's son dies, then the builder's son shall be put to death, and you thought the Illinois State Plumbing Code was tough didn’t you.

Well we come a long way since then. I know this won’t sound very reassuring but many times codes were developed by trial and error. An example of this is the National Fire Protection Associations NFPA 13 the sprinkler code and NFPA 70 the National Electrical Code. These codes were born out of necessity from our fire history right here in Illinois. It dates back to pre-electric lighting history when Mrs. O’Leary’s cow kicked over the kerosene lantern sitting on the bale of hay. Throughout this history we have learned valuable lessons from catastrophic events such as the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. We learned that keeping ignition sources away from combustibles are good practice and that there was a need for building codes to prevent similar occurrences in the future. The Iroquois Theater fire of 1903 in Chicago was believed to have been started by faulty wiring leading to a carbon arc spotlight. This fire claimed the lives of hundreds of people, including children. Today’s fire, building and electrical codes are developed by architects, engineers, manufacturers, distributors, contractors, insurance companies, testing labs, building and fire code officials and other interested parties in building safety. It’s in the knowledge that they bring with them and the codes that they have developed that could have probably prevented these tragic incidents in Illinois history.

So who needs building codes? We all do! Building codes protect us in our homes, offices, schools, stores, factories or places of entertainment. We rely heavily on the safety of the structures that surround us in our everyday living. The public need for protection from disaster due to fire, structural collapse and general deterioration underscores the need for modern codes and their enforcement. Safety is achieved through proper design and construction practice and a code inspection program that verifies compliance. Did you know that before you moved into your home, office or factory, an average of ten inspections had been made to verify conformity to minimum standards affecting electrical safety, and sanitation as well as structural, fire, and the like? You, as a homeowner or business owner, have a substantial investment which can be seriously jeopardized through less-than-complete code enforcement or compliance.

So why have building codes? Building codes give a standard for contractors to build and bid by putting all contractors on a level playing field. Building codes provide for your personal safety and that of your family and your friends that enter into your home. Building codes ensure the economic well-being of the community by reducing potential fire spread thus lowering insurance cost. They make our homes and businesses more energy efficient and environmentally friendly. They assure and protect future home and business owners that the structures they occupy will be safe.

Danger Lurks Behind Those Walls!

2009-09-21T20:39:00.004-05:00

Danger Lurks behind those walls. Sounds like a bad horror story doesn’t it. But sometimes those things we take for granted in and around our homes can be very deadly. Electricity is one of those things that we usually hardly notice when it is working correctly. When it does not work correctly it can be deadly. Safety Devices like ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) are devices that help to make electricity safe.

If you ever experienced an electric shock it mostly likely happened because a part of your body contacted a source of electrical current and your body provided a path for the electrical current to go to the ground, so that you received a shock. This is called a ground fault. A ground fault is an unintentional electrical path diverting current to ground. Current flow normally travels from the energized conductor through utilization devices and back to its source through the neutral conductor to the transformer completing this path. Ground faults occur when current is leaking somewhere in this circuit and electricity is escaping to the ground. If your body provides a path to the ground for this leakage, you could be injured, burned, severely shocked, or electrocuted. GFCI’s are designed to prevent electrocution by detecting the leakage current, which is typically 4-6 milliamperes opening the circuit in as little as 25 milliseconds for class A devices like the ones used in our homes. A GFCI by the definition in the National Electrical Code is defined as a device intended for the protection of personnel that functions to de-energize a circuit or portion thereof within an established period of time when a current to ground exceeds the values established for a Class A device. GFCIs are intended to be used only in circuits where one of the conductors is solidly grounded. GFCI receptacles in the USA have connections to protect downstream receptacles so that all outlets on a circuit may be protected by one GFCI outlet.

In the early 1970s most GFCI devices were of the circuit breaker type. However the most commonly used in the USA since the early 1980s are built into outlet receptacles. The problem with those of the circuit breaker type was that of many false trips due to the poor alternating current characteristics of 120 volt insulations, especially in circuits having longer cable lengths. So much current leaked along the length of the conductors' insulation that the breaker might trip with the slightest increase of current imbalance.

In the U.S the National Electrical Code requires GFCIs for underwater swimming pool lights (1968); construction sites (1974); bathrooms and outdoor areas (1975); garages (1978); near hot tubs or spas (1981); hotel bathrooms (1984); kitchen counter receptacles (1987, revised 1996 and specifically excluding the refrigerator outlet, which is usually on a dedicated circuit); crawl spaces and unfinished basements (1990); wet bar sinks (1993); laundry sinks (2005).

If your home does not have GFCI protection in these areas it would be highly suggested that you contact a licensed electrical contractor to install and test these in your home.

Home Sprinkler Systems

2009-08-12T07:26:00.002-05:00

Fire Sprinklers Required in New Homes Effective Jan. 1, 2011 if adopted by code regulating bodies.

The International Code Council passed a building code requirement to include residential fire sprinklers in new homes during a code hearing in Minneapolis on Sept. 21, 2008. The code requires that sprinkler systems be installed in all single- and two-family homes and townhomes starting Jan. 1, 2011. Code proposal, RB64, was passed by the ICC as a result; the following phrase is included in the 2009 International Residential Code: "Effective January 1, 2011, an approved automatic fire sprinkler system shall be installed in new one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses in accordance with NFPA 13D".
This change will not be applicable to existing homes that add additions or remodel.

The ICC is a non for profit membership association that develops the codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings. States, cities and counties can adopt these codes to regulate how structures are built in their communities. The mission of the ICC is protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the communities that adopt and enforce their model codes by creating better building standards.

Earlier additions of the International Residential Code have an Appendix P, which gives local jurisdictions an option to require fire sprinklers by adopting this appendix if they so choose. Why was it necessary to take the sprinkler requirement and insert into the main body of code rather than just leaving it as an optional appendix?
The National Fire Protection Associations estimates that: U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 399,000 home structure fires in 2007. These fires caused: 2,865 civilian fire deaths 13,600 civilian fire injuries $7.4 billion in direct damage and roughly 84% of all civilian fire deaths in 2007 resulted from home structure fires. On average, eight people died in U.S. home fires every day. The ICC membership felt that even though statistically at least one smoke detector can be found in homes with telephones, these detectors did not afford the protection that sprinklers did because in a 1/4th of the reported fires in these homes the alarms did not work. Another study revealed that during a period from 2000 to 2004, 34% of fire deaths occurred in one and two family dwellings with working smoke detectors.

The ICC is hopeful that the January 1st 2011 effective date will give the housing market time to recover. It is estimated that installing a sprinkler system in compliance with the new code requirement and NFPA 13D standard could increase the average cost of a home by $1.61 per square foot. Many insurance companies are offering a 5% to 15% cut in insurance premiums for the installation of these qualified systems. These are cost and benefits that many jurisdictions and home owners will face when weighing adding this life safety installation to their code and their new homes.

* Data referenced from the NFPA, ICC and The Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition

So What"s Wrong With Knockoffs

2009-01-27T20:51:00.002-06:00

What’s wrong with Knockoffs?

Recently my wife and daughter returned from a shopping trip to New York City. They returned so excited with all the great sales and deals they had found. They told me the story of how they were able to find some great buys on knockoff purses. These knockoffs were purses that looked a lot like the designer brands sold for hundreds more. Typically these purses are bought overseas and smuggled through customs then sold on the streets in back alleys and subways. What a deal eh? So what’s wrong with knockoffs? They are illegal, but why?

Robert Jacksta Deputy Assistant Commissioner Office of Field Operations for the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) speaking before the House Committee for Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Terrorism, Proliferation and Trade in May of 2008, stated that the CBP each day seizes an average of $652,603 worth of fraudulent commercial merchandise. The CBP estimates that they seize over $200 million dollars worth of counterfeit products, averaging over thirty seven seizures a day, an estimate that appears to be rising each year day by day.

So what does that mean to us as manufacturers, producers and consumers of electrical products in the United States? We all have to look at the bigger picture. By using counterfeit electrical products we put our family, friends, possessions, and jobs at risk. Counterfeiting threatens our way of life here in the United States.

When counterfeit products and materials make there way into our homes and business they create serious health and safety risk. Counterfeit electrical products have been found to be the cause of fire, property damage and electrocutions. Counterfeit products have been found in fake overcurrent protection devices such as breakers and fuses. These products are marketed under legitimate brand names but have not met the rigorous standards and testing required here in the United States. Many times well known distributors market these fakes unknowingly. Then well intended contractors install them in our homes and businesses unwittingly putting us, our families, and friends at risk.

The CBP estimates that businesses and industries lose about $200 billion a year in revenue and 750,000 jobs due to the counterfeiting of merchandise. Even more is lost by the manufacturers in costly litigation in chasing down and prosecuting these fakes. This in turn results in manufacturers ever increasing cost that drive prices of legitimate products higher, ultimately costing us the consumer more. In a time when US competition is already stiff, and the economy is struggling we do not need cheaters and fakes.

In some countries piracy of intellectual property and counterfeiting is big business. Some of these countries then use this income to fund activities such as terrorism and organized crime. In fact the act of piracy and counterfeiting is economic terrorism. This form of terrorism eats at the heart of the American way of life and the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness.

So what can we do in the fight against counterfeiting?
Educate yourselves, your family and friends, of the dangers of fake electrical products. You can do so by going to websites like Electrical Safety Foundation International, National Electrical Manufacturers Association, the National Association of Electrical Distributors and the International Association of Electrical Inspectors.

We can remember what our parents told us. If it looks to good to be true it probably is. Cheap does not necessarily mean better. Fakes are sold at usually ridiculous prices versus the real products.

Consumers, contractors and retailers should become familiar at looking for labels of testing labs, like the ones listed below. Labels prove that the products have been listed and labeled to meet the standards required for safety. If they are not labeled don’t buy them.

List of OSHA approved National Regulatory Testing Labs
Canadian Standards Association (CSA)(also known as CSA International)Communication Certification Laboratory, Inc. (CCL)Curtis-Straus LLC (CSL)FM Approvals LLC (FM)(formerly Factory Mutual Research Corporation)Intertek Testing Services NA, Inc. (ITSNA)(formerly ETL)MET Laboratories, Inc. (MET)NSF International (NSF)National Technical Systems, Inc. (NTS)SGS U.S. Testing Company, Inc. (SGSUS)(formerly UST-CA)Southwest Research Institute (SWRI)TUV America, Inc. (TUVAM)TUV Product Services GmbH (TUVPSG)TUV Rheinland of North America, Inc. (TUV)Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL)Wyle Laboratories, Inc. (WL)

Shawn Miller Story

2009-01-13T20:25:00.001-06:00

In an earlier post I told you about Shawn Miller and the miracle that he survived coming in contact with a 7200 volt power line. Here is Shawn and the a 60 second PSA courtesy of the Safe Electricty website. See more of Shawn's story at http://www.safeelectricity.org/

2009-01-13T19:42:00.000-06:00

Is it time for your home’s checkup?

Know the Warning Signs

Our homes are a lot like us. They age just like we do. They begin to creak and moan. They begin to show their age. They like us have aging systems some that can be seen and some that cannot. Just as we need to get checkups from time to time our homes also need checkups. When it comes to the electrical system in our homes it is important to have the doctor do a house call when any of the following warning signs are noticed. If you notice any of these signs you should immediately call a licensed electrical contractor and have an electrician give your home a checkup.

If you experience frequent circuit breaker tripping or fuse blowing.
Breakers and fuses are overcurrent protection devices. They are rated in amperes and protect the wiring in our houses from overcurrent. Overcurrent may result from any of the following three conditions.
1. Overload- overload is the operation of equipment or of a conductor in access of its normal full-load rating, or its rated ampacity. If an overload persists for a sufficient length of time dangerous overheating can occur.
2. Short circuit- a low resistant connection either by accident or intentional between two points in an electrical system. Short circuits can be caused by the failure of the insulation surrounding the conductors of the circuit. They can also be caused by natural sources lightning, wind and from human intrusion.
3. Ground fault- is an unintentional low resistant connection to ground by the system conductors. Ground fault circuit interrupters are devices that protect personnel by de-energizing a circuit or portion of the circuit when the current to ground is six milliamps or higher.

Over sized fuses and breakers can be extremely dangerous when an overload condition exist. A licensed electrical contractor can inform you if this condition exists in your home. It is important to note that a short circuit and a ground fault are not overloads.

If you experience a tingling sensation when you touch an appliance or metal object.
Getting a shock when you touch appliances in your house can indicate a more serious problem. You should immediately unplug the appliance and discontinue its use.
This can occur when you have a ground fault in an improperly protected circuit. Many older homes are of the old two wire circuits. These consisted of the energized (hot) wire and a neutral return wire. These older wiring types can be dangerous in the scenario above because the hot wire has come in contact with the metal frame of the appliance. The breaker will not trip because it does not see the fault. With newer electrical system a third wire is provided with the wiring. This third wire is called the equipment ground. The equipment ground is attached to the metal parts of appliances. When the hot wire comes in contact with ground the breaker or fuse is de-energized. In the National Electrical Code ground-fault circuit-interrupters are required in dwelling units for all 125-volt single phase 15 and 20 amp receptacles in the following locations.

1. Bathrooms
2. Garages and also accessory buildings that have a floor located at or below grade level not intended as habitable rooms and limited to storage areas, work areas, and areas of similar use.
3. Outdoors
4. Crawl spaces at or below grade level
5. Unfinished basements defined as areas not intended as habitable rooms and limited to storage areas, work areas and the like
6. Kitchens-where the receptacles are installed to serve countertop surfaces
7. Laundry, utility, and wet bar sinks where installed within 6ft. of the outside edge of the sink
8. Boathouses
By installing properly grounded and ground-fault protection in these areas you can greatly reduce the possibility of shock hazards.

If you notice discoloration or abnormally warm receptacle or wall switch and/or sparks coming from the devices
This could indicate arcing, smoldering, burning happening behind your outlets, due to loose connections, damaged or improperly installed wiring in the outlet, or a problem with the receptacle itself. You should immediately avoid using the outlet or switch and contact a licensed electrical contractor as soon as possible to correct the problem.

A Persistent burning smell coming from a light fixture, appliance, room or area.

This may indicate that a light fixture may have the wrong size lamp for the fixture. Use only the specified wattage and trims indicated by the lighting fixture. It may indicate an appliance that is overheating or malfunctioning. In this case unplug the appliance or turn off the circuit breaker until a further investigation can be made.

Flickering or Dimming Lights
This could indicate loose connections at electrical termination points on switches causing arcing and overheating. Left uncorrected overheating can occur resulting in a fire hazard. It could also indicate a short in the wiring system.

In Summary
All these warning signs can be detected when your home is given its proper electrical checkup! A licensed electrical contractor may recommend the installation of life saving devices such as the ground-fault circuit-interrupters, smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. He may also introduce you to the Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Breakers required in new homes since 2000. These devices are intended to provide protection from the effects of arc faults and de-energize circuits before a fire can be started. He may indicate to you that you get a total rewire of your electrical system. This is also recommended by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the National Fire Protection Association and Underwriters Labs when a home is over forty years old.
Know the warning signs and if your electrical system is beginning to show its age get your checkup to insure the safe and proper operation of your electrical system.

Heartbreak Border

2008-11-13T20:04:00.000-06:00

At the right is four generations of my family. My father who passed away in September 2006. My son married a lovely undocumented mexican girl who gave us our first grandson Miguel that's the little guy pictured there. Not very often do you see pictures with four generations. In April of 2008 Miguel's mother Elsa returned to Mexico and attempted to gain a visa to live legally in this country. We also have a granddaughter Maya a beautiful little girl now just a little over a year old. Miguel is about 2 1/2. Miguel and Poppy (name for my son) stayed with us until we all decided Miguel needed to see and be with his mommy. He left for Mexico in September of this year. Dad, Grandma and Grandpa have been so sad ever since.

Borders

There are some borders that we as humans cannot physically cross. I cannot cross the border to see my father until it is my time. I can cross the border with the right documentation and money to see my grandson. My daughter-in-law cannot cross the border from Mexico into the US without now being banned for life. We are waiting on her visa and hope it is to come soon!

Heartbreak borders are those we cannot cross that break our hearts whether they be physically, spiritually, or emotionally these borders tug at our hearts when we are separated from our loved ones. Some borders like crossing over from life to death are beyond our controls. Some borders like geographical borders for immigration purposes can also be beyond our control. God controls one and Man controls the other. Both types of borders break our hearts. We believe in our hearts and hope in our faith that both can someday be overcome and we can be with our loved ones again. Both borders seem unfair at the time of separation. Sometime we feel so helpless! In both cases all we can do is pray and hope that God unites us all again soon! Life can be so unfair but love endures forever regardless of the circumstances. So when the borders of your heart are breaking and it seems like you are bordering on heartbreak due to the separation of a loved ones, remember these separations are temporary and love endures forever! That's what helps me!

Love ya Dad!

Love Ya Elsa, Miguel and Maya!

We will be together soon!

Meeting a Miracle

2008-11-11T18:40:00.000-06:00

Recently I had the rare pleasure of meeting a living miracle. I met Shawn Miller at a recent Safe Electricity Advisory Committee meeting. Shawn was introduced along with his lovely family during this meeting. Shawn had agreed to be the new face for the TEACH, LEARN, CARE campaign for the safe electricity program.
Teach what you know.
Learn what you need to .
Care enough to share it with others.

The campaign started when the untimely death of Caitlyn McKenzie brought Caitlyn's family to the realization that Caitlyn's death was needless and that more people need to know and understand the dangers of electricity. Through Safe Electricty they were willing to share their loss so others may not have to go through the pain they experienced.

Shawn's story unlike Caitlyn's has a much happier ending but it did not look that way when Shawn almost met his demise by coming in contact with a 7200 volt energized powerline will stringing Christmas Tree lighting.

Please listen to Shawn's and Caitlyn's stories then care enough about your family and friends and share this with them so that they too can TEACH, LEARN, and CARE.

http://www.safeelectricity.org/