Power Generation, Distribution & Protection . . . |
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Chinese Earthquake Imperils Hydropower
Recent earthquakes in China's Sichuan province damaged hydropower stations and reduced the nation's generating capacity by 5.5 GW. POWERnews reports that damages to other dams may further reduce capacity. Emergency repairs are underway to avoid potentially devastating dam bursts which could cause long term outages and downstream disasters.
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Access Thermostats Via Internet
Industrial customers use demand electrical metering to control power use, reduce electric bills, and shave peak demand. T&D World says residential customers of Baltimore Gas & Electric are following suit with air conditioning and water-heater cycling programs. A key component is a programmable thermostat that can be remotely programmed via the Internet.
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How to Test for USB Compliance
Designers of USB connector interfaces must test for compliance with the USB Implementers Forum specification. This article says a correct test setup helps designers hunt down signal quality issues by eliminating curve errors that mask design problems. The first step: configure test limits by selecting the right location for signal measurement.
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iPod Lawsuit Targets Connector
A connector technology used in Apple's iPods is the subject of a patent infringement lawsuit. AppleInsider says that the patent describes flash storage with male and female ends that allow data storage to attach to computers or other electronics through connectors. The lawsuit clearly points to the Dock Connector port.
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Non-Inductive Resistors
EBG, LLC
EBG is a leading manufacturer of high voltage (up to 100 kV), high power (up to 1700 W), non-inductive thick film resistors. Producing with very high stability, low TCR's, VCR's, and tight tolerances with over 200 styles and the in-house ability to produce custom versions while adding new standard series yearly.
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Superior Waterproofing and Washdown Protection
ABB Low Voltage Products & Systems
ABB's Compact Pilot Devices are approved for IP69K high-pressure and temperature wash-downs. These panel switches, lamps, and E stops provide superior waterproofing protection that exceeds NEMA 4X rating. Upgrade to Compact Devices and the protection of IP69K plus greater protection from dust and submersion. Request the details today!
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Easy-to-install Bus Bar and Cable Interconnect System
Methode Electronics, Inc.
The PowerRail™is a pluggable, easy-to-install bus bar, cable, and interconnect power distribution system. The innovative PowerRail™ by Methode offers high-power density and is capable of rapid connect/disconnect — increasing equipment up-time in various applications. Single and double rails are standard in 200, 750, and 2000 amps. Multiple rails, additional amperages available upon request.
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Axial Lead Dry Reed Relays
American Relays Inc.
Rugged axial lead tubular relay. Nickel-plated metal jacket provides magnetic shield. 1.000 center formed leads are available.
Features:
• Axial leads allow various mounting configurations
• Total environmental protection
• Nickel-plated metal tube provides magnetic shielding
• Formed leads with 1.000 x .100 grid pattern are available
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Ultracapacitors to Power Electric Cars
An ultracapacitor is a device that combines the best qualities of batteries and capacitors. This ControlGlobal article says ultracapacitors can store energy for a long time and supply large amounts of power quickly. Such a device could be charged nearly instantaneously, removing one major barrier to using electric power in vehicles.
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Implantable RFID DOA?
The futuristic idea was to inject and implant an RFID tag under the skin of millions of people worldwide. The tag would be encoded with a unique 16-digit ID number which medical professionals could access and tie to a patient's medical history. RFID Update reports that the idea is failing despite FDA approval.
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Can Nanotech Cause Cancer
A recent study calls carbon Nanotubes as harmful as asbestos. The study The Project on Emerging Technologies, found that long thin Nanotubes are dangerous, but not short or curly ones. Long thin Nanotubes are thin enough to penetrate deep into the lungs, and sufficiently long to confound the lungs' built-in clearance mechanisms.
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Top Five MEMS Applications
MEMS are already a multibillion dollar business in autos, printers, and display-projection. This Wired article predicts that within 20 years MEMS will be in every telecom line, computer, and coffeemaker. The story looks at five standout MEMS applications: MEMS megafoundries, hi-res retina displays, micro-gyro sensors, microbots, and terabit fiber optic switches.
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Square-base Relay-type Socket Assemblies
Curtis Industries, Inc. — A Division of Power Holdings
Curtis Industries relay sockets are engineered to produce a perfect result in every application. At Curtis Industries our commitment to excellence and our patented design technology assure consumers of Curtis relay sockets superior performance and reliability.
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High Voltage Relays
Tecknowledgey Inc.
Our products include vacuum relays for RF and hot switching applications, gas filled relays — the best choice for high in-rush capacitive make applications, and high voltage reed relays that are perfect for lower voltage long-life applications. We also offer direct high voltage relay replacements for most Kilovac/Tyco, Jennings, Crydom, Meder, and many Ross Engineering relays.
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Careers & Commentary . . . | |
Re-Engineer Your Career
Dice
DiceEngineering.com offers thousands of high quality engineering jobs at top technology and engineering companies — jobs for Electrical Test Engineers, Board Level Designers, and Electronic Technicians.
At DiceEngineering.com, you can:
• Find jobs in your area of expertise
• Post your resume and let employers find you
Search now.
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The Truth Behind the Headlines
Many media headlines ignore basic facts and statistics in order to stoke visceral fears. This Control Design opinion piece shows how to use the Internet to get the stats behind the headlines. Once data is gathered, the article goes on to show how Excel can be used to run basic statistical analysis that reveals the truth behind the headlines. Can you really use Excel to predict business trends from industry-wide reports?
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Doing Good Through Engineering
Have you heard of EWB-USA? Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) gets all the headlines, but Engineers Without Borders is just as dedicated to providing aid to the impoverished worldwide. Engineers Without Borders is a non-profit humanitarian organization that partners with developing communities worldwide to improve quality of life. Partnerships involve implementation of sustainable engineering projects and training of internationally responsible engineers.
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Share Your Thoughts . . . Join a Conversation About This Month's Topic...
Why Are Engineers Invisible?
The world knows all about actors and athletes, but engineers remain largely invisible. Why are the technology's creators second-class citizens? Will it affect the future of high tech?
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