Circuit Breakers. Most everyone has heard the term. Any residence built after 1960 has them, power plants have them, commercial buildings have them. But what are they, how do they work, and why do we need them? Wikipedia defines a circuit breaker as "an automatically operated electrical switch...
By: James R. Grey Jr., Engineering Technician (EDT) An engineering technician is, by definition, a professional trained in skills and techniques related to a specific branch of technology, with a practical understanding of relevant engineering concepts. An engineering technician’s duties vary...
As an accident reconstructionist and a mechanical engineer that also has electrical engineer training and experience, I have often been asked to examine a vehicle that has been involved in a collision to determine if its function or performance was different than the way a driver indicates it was...
We have all seen birds roosting on powerlines. Do you ever wonder why they’re not electrocuted? As shown in the picture above, birds come to rest on powerlines all the time and yet we don’t see the ground littered with electrocuted birds. By the way, the word electrocuted is a portmanteau from...
Today’s steel structures are often complex assemblies of components, such as beams and columns. Each beam and column have a unique place in the structural system, which makes the structure function. To ensure that each piece is erected where it belongs, every beam and column is labeled in the...
During the winter months, we see a number of malfunctions of the boilers and furnaces used to heat our homes and buildings. A common malfunction is a phenomenon known as a puffback. A puffback is the result of the ignition of a large amount of vaporized oil or gas vapors in the firebox, thereby...
It’s not hard to understand the motivation behind the surge in solar power installations over the last decade. Whether it’s to offset energy costs, reduce carbon footprint, or just to take advantage of government or utility incentives, solar power holds a lot of appeal to home and business owners...
I’m not talking about the Queen and David Bowie song, or the pressure we all feel at times during our lives, I’m talking about pressure vessels. What is a pressure vessel and why should I care? Well, I’m willing to bet that you have at least one pressure vessel and maybe more in or around your home...
Should you pay more for high-octane gasoline? It depends on many factors, including the kind of car you drive!
As a result of changes in the regulations and restrictions for potable water systems by the NSF Standard 61: Drinking Water System Components Health Effects, the use of lead in brass alloy fittings, faucets, and components was eliminated. It should be noted that lead was used in brass alloys to...
Centrifugal compressors (aka- turbocompressors) though you may not be familiar with them, we need not look far to find examples in our daily lives. They can be found on planes, trains and automobiles in various sizes and shapes. They are particularly popular on aircraft where they are used to do...
Wear and tear, it happens to everything as it ages, including roofing. During the examination of roofing, wear and tear need to be taken into account by the examiner for it can be mistaken for damage resulting from wind uplift. A common form of wear and tear observed to asphalt shingles is granular...
Here’s a challenge for you. What is the definition of time? I’ll give you time to look it up. I recommend using Meriam Webster’s definition. If I were to cut and paste the definition into this blog, it would exceed my word limit. It’s amazing to think that such a small word can have so many...
In 2018, a friend who owns a small strip mall asked me for assistance in dealing with a wetlands issue. A wetland/floodplain is located behind, and abuts, the strip mall property. The floodplain drains via an intermittent stream which runs along the side of the property and crosses beneath the road...
A sixteen-year-old thermoplastic roof installed on a factory roof in Southern Alabama was reported to have been damaged during a hailstorm. The thermoplastic roofing at the facility was manufactured in rolled sheets, which were installed in parallel overlapping rows. Visual examination of the...
