How To Protect Yourself from Lightning?

Did you know that an estimated 24,000 people are killed by lightning strikes around the world each year and about 240,000 are injured? Knowing how to protect yourself and your property could be the difference between Life and Death. Before we discuss on the different Lightning Protection systems, we share with you simple but effective ways to protect yourself from lighting

A Lightning Strike

What is Lightning?

Perhaps the most basic definition of Lightning: the occurrence of a natural electrical discharge of very short duration and high voltage between a cloud and the ground or within a cloud, accompanied by a bright flash and typically also thunder.Lightning is an electric current. Within a thundercloud way up in the sky, many small bits of ice (frozen raindrops) bump into each other as they move around in the air.

So, this guy can withstand over 300 kV?

All of those collisions create an electric charge. After a while, the whole cloud fills up with electrical charges. The positive charges or protons form at the top of the cloud and thenegative charges or electrons form at the bottom of the cloud. Since opposites attract, that causes a positive charge to build up on the ground beneath the cloud. The grounds electrical charge concentrates around anything that sticks up, such as mountains, people, or single trees. The charge coming up from these points eventually connects with a charge reaching down from the clouds and - zap - lightning strikes!

How Do you Protect yourself from lightning?

In general, it seems quite easy to shelter from the rain under the eaves of a house. And many people believe that they will be safe inside a building. However, when lightning (electrical current) flows through an object, most of the current flows along the surface, with only a little through the center, in what is known as a skin effect. This means that eaves and the sides of pillars can be dangerous.

Here are basic but effective ways to protect yourself from lightning?

1. Avoid using any plumbing during lightning storms. If lightning strikes your home or building, or other nearby locations, it can impart an electrical charge to the metal pipes in your plumbing, which lead to electrocution if you are using the plumbing connected to those pipes.

2. Avoid using your corded landline telephone during lightning storms. If lightning strikes the main phone line in your neighborhood or outside your home, the electricity from the strike will travel through every phone connected to the line, and electrocute anyone using the telephone.

3.Don't use appliances that are plugged into the wall during lightning storms. Appliances that are plugged into the wall and turned on can be dangerous for you to use if lightening strikes your home or the power line it is connected to.Turn off televisions, computers, air conditioners, and other appliances that are plugged in and running during lightning storms.

4.Avoid standing on surfaces in which moisture or water is present during lightning storms. Electrical currents will travel through the ground where water is present, and can electrocute anyone in contact with these surfaces. Examples of surfaces to avoid are basement floors, patios, garage flooring, and other flooring where water and other moisture may be present.

A Beautiful Danger

5. Do not lean on or sit against walls during lightning storms. Sometimes lightning can reach the electrical wiring in walls, which can cause you to become shocked or electrocuted if you are pressed against a wall.

6. If you're caught in a storm and cannot get to a shelter, put your feet as close together as possible and crouch down with your head as low as possible without touching the ground. By making your body as low to the ground as possible and minimizing the amount of contact your body has with the ground, you will lessen the risk of a lightning-related injury

7. Very basic but perhaps most important: If you're outside keep an eye on the weather. Look for darkening skies, flashes of lightning, or increasing winds. Lightning often precedes rain, so don't wait for rain to fall. And if you hear thunder, go inside immediately.Prevention is Better Than Cure, remember that old saying?

In the spirit of prevention in our next article, we will discuss Lightning protection systems that can be installed on your property to protect yourself and your loved ones from this Beautiful yet deadly natural phenomena.

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Kitchen hazards - How Safe Is Your Kitchen?

Did you know that kitchens are the most dangerous room in houses, hotels and restaurants?For many people, the kitchen is a well-loved part of the home. It is here family meals are lovingly prepared and family recipes are passed down the generations.It is also a place where accidents can occur easily if some common hazards are not recognised and addressed. This is pertinent for young children or the elderly and everyone in the household should play a role in maintaining safety in the kitchen. 

A Clean Safe Kitchen

Here are the common hazards you should be aware of:

Fires – This is one of the more obvious hazards since stoves and ovens are always lit with fires and yet, it’s one of the biggest accidents to happen in the kitchen! Long or loose fitting sleeves can catch a flame or perhaps have some drops of oil on the wrist area causing it to become a flammable torch rather than a protective barrier

How Fire Spreads In A Kitchen?

Burns – Burns and scalds come as minor and major injuries from every angle you turn in the kitchen. These are caused by boiling liquid droplets, a large spill of bubbling oil not to forget the steam that comes with covered pots and

Hazmats – Certain chemicals kept in the kitchen are hazardous.Some of these products are hand sanitisers, cleaning liquids, certain oils and pesticides that are used in the kitchen for obvious reasons but should they accidentally get mixed with food it could cause serious side effects.

Slips and falls – Oil, water and fat can end up on floor surfaces in a restaurant kitchen, which poses a slipping hazard. In the dish-washing area, water can drip from dishes and slosh from sinks.

Did She Fall? Let us hope not...

Cooking gas - Gas stoves provide cooking flexibility, they emit chemicals that are harming your health. Studies have shown that gas stoves give off unhealthy levels of noxious combustible by-products. 

HOW TO BE SAFE IN THE KITCHEN

We share with you tips which are simple things to do, yet they can go a long way to ensure that the kitchen remains a safe environment for all members of the family.

1.Install non-slip flooring materials and mats to prevent employee or even your Loved ones at home from slipping if the floor becomes wet or slippery. Always clean floors immediately after a spill to reduce hazards.

2.Use sinks and cooking equipment that prevent water, oils and fats from escaping. Also, require employees to wear non-slip footwear designed for kitchen areas. Another hazard involving floors is uneven surfaces.

3.Install a small ramp over the uneven part of the floor to make a smooth transition or paint the uneven part of the floor with brightly colored paint to alert everyone to the danger of tripping.

4.While using cooking equipment with blades, such as knives or food processors, you should always wear cut-resistant gloves that cover your wrists and fit snugly. Warn your children of the hazards of actions such as sticking their fingers into certain equipment or allowing loose clothing to get caught in machinery.

5.Keep safety manuals for kitchen equipment in a designated place so that your loved ones can refer to them if they have any questions or concerns. Post signs to reminding everyone of hazards such as "Turn off machine before cleaning blades."

6.Always ensure that your gas storage facilities are properly turned off to prevent inhalation of harmful emissions from the leaked cooking gas.

7. Always ensure your Fire Extinguishers are filled up. They come in handy incase of kitchen fire outbreak

You can also install Inflammable Gas Detector and Automatic Manipulator to detect and alert you when there is a gas leak so that you can take necessary measures. Click here for more on Inflammable Gas Detector

8. Train your loved ones on various kitchen hazards,how to handle various kitchen equipment and on what to do in case of an accident.

How have you kept your Kitchen safe and conducive? Share with us your thoughts and Help keep other kitchens hazardous Free.

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Need To Put Out A Fire? Here Is How...

Some play with it, we cook with it, warm ourselves with fire, we get rid of our wastes with fire; there is an endless list of activities we carry out with fire. In addition, Fire also occurs from our very own carelessness, accidentally from faults of our day to day appliances, intentionally especially by arsonists and sometimes we play too much with it and you know what happens when you play with fire, yeah?

Let Us Assume He Is An Expert...

What happens when a fire occurs? How do you put out  fire caused by an Electrical fault? In this piece we share with you the different types of fires and subsequent ways of effectively dealing with them. You will stop stumping on fires with your feet, we hope?

Types Of Fire

Fire is classified based on the fuel they burn which basically means the method of putting them out should also be different. We share with you the different classes of fire and the means of putting them out:

1. Class A Fires

These are fires caused burning on solid objects such as trash, paper, wood and plastic. Basically anything that burns to ashes. These can easily be put-off with water and foam.

Class A Fire

2. Class B

These are caused by flammable liquids such as gasoline, petroleum oil or even paint. This includes flammable gases as well. These are well dealt with carbon dioxide extinguishers. They do away with the oxygen element of the fire triangle and the heat because of a very cold discharge. Chemicals such as monammonium phosphate and sodium bicarbonate.

Class B Fire

3. Class C

These are fires involving Electrically energised equipment such as Transformer, generators and Electrical appliances. You should never use water to put off these kind of fires for the fact that water conducts electricity and you may be Electrocuted leading to serious injuries or even fatalities. Once the source of power is put off, you will be able to use any kind of extinguisher to put off this kind of fire.

Electrical Fire

4. Class D

These are fires with combustible metal element such as potassium, sodium, aluminum, and magnesium. How do you put off these kind of fire? These are dealt with effectively with dry powder. They work by smothering and heat absorption.

Class D Fires

5. Class K

Ever tried to fry some of your favorite meals and fire comes out of nowhere? Well, that is a class K fire. These are fires that involve cooking oil , animal fat or grease. These are dealt with effectively with purple K.

Class K.

Everyone is encouraged to take their time and learn the different types of fire and the effective ways of dealing with it. Another easy way of remembering is by use of color code as illustrated below.

Fire Extinguishers And The Color Codes

The best way to be safe from fire is by prevention. You should indulge the services of a qualified person to ensure systems are put in place to prevent fire incidences or at least be dealt with automatically. YOU SHOULD BE CAREFUL AROUND FIRE AS WELL.

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What Is A Lightning Protection System?

Once you learn how to protect yourself from Lightning, how do you prevent this phenonmena from hitting your property or your Electrical equipment? When lightning strikes,everything is in danger including your equipment, appliances, structures and anything matter around the charged area. This calls for a system to be put in place not only to protect you and your loved ones but your  structure, equipment and appliances as well. What is a lightning protection system and how does it protect you?

A Building Fitted With A Lightning Protection System

What is a Lightning Protection System?

This is a passive means of preventing property damage from the effects of a lightning strike. Lightning protection systems act like a Faraday Cage for buildings. Protecting the building and its contents from external electric fields by migrating that energy around the cage instead of through its contents.The low resistant path offered by a lightning protection system is very important as high voltage currents from a lightning strike will always take a path of least resistance to ground. There are four main parts of a properly installed lightning protection system: copper air terminals, copper cable, copper clad ground rods, surge suppressors.

Components Of A Lightning Protection System?

a) Copper Air Terminals

These are small, vertical protrusions designed to act as the 'terminal' for a lightning discharge. The rods can be found in different shapes, sizes and designs. Most are topped with a tall, pointed needle or a smooth, polished sphere.They are strategically sited on a structure to increase the chances of intercepting a lightning strike before it hits the property being protected. The highly conductive lightning rods of a lightning protection system are normally made of copper or aluminium and are designed to emit positive streamers into the air instead of the structure they are protecting. These positive streamers from the rods intercept the negative leaders of a lightning strike drawing the high voltage currents safely into the lightning protection system and away from the building’s structure.



b) Down conductors/Conductor cables

These are heavy cables or copper tapes that carry lightning current from the air termination rods to 

the ground. 

Copper Cable Is The Down Conductor

They should take the most direct 

route from the air termination rods to the earth termination system. Even though, down conductor positioning and distancing is often dictated by architectural constraints, there should be one down conductor for every 20m or part there of of the building perimeter at roof or ground level evenly spaced and distances apart of more than 20m avoided if possible. Reinforcement or structural metal work can be used as down conductors but only after the electrical continuity is ascertained from the air termination system to the earth termination systems

(c) Earth Termination Systems/Earth rods

Long, thick, heavy rods buried deep into the earth around a protected structure. The conductor cables are connected to these rods to complete a safe path for a lightning discharge around a structure. They are vital as they disperse lightning current safely and effectively into the ground. Each down conductor must have a separate earth termination.

Earth Termination System

Moreover provision should be made in each down conductor, for disconnection from the earth for testing purposes.This is achieved with a test clamp.Several types of earth electrode are permissible, but by far the most commonly used are deep driven earth rods. The combined earth rod length of a system should be no less than 9m whilst each individual earth rod should be no less than 1.5m in length.

If deep driving of earth rods cannot be achieved, a matrix arrangement of rods coupled to one another by conductors can be used spaced at a distance at least equal to their driven depth. If earth rods cannot be driven in a parallel line a "Crows Foot" configuration can be used, ensuring that the spacing/depth ratio is still maintained.

(d) Bonding After fitting your lightning protection system in place.

It is standard requirement that the system to be bonded to the building or structure grounding electrode system. This bonding connection is designed to minimize the difference of potential between the lightning protection system and the electrical system, which should reduce arcing/side flashing between metal parts within the building. All metal work, including water pipes, gas pipes, handrails, air conditioning units, metal cladding, metal roofs etc, in the vicinity of the

Equipotential bonding

Lightning Protection System must be bonded to it, to avoid the danger of side flashing. For the same reason, the LPS earth should be bonded to the main electrical earth, as well as any other earthing system present in the structure.

(e) Surge arresters

This is a device that protects your equipment from over voltage transients caused by Lightning. Their installations should be well co-ordinated with the LPS ensure it offers the necessary protection to your equipment as well ensure continuity of its operation.

Installed Combined Lightning Current And Surge Arrester

Do you need a Lightning Protection System?

You should contact a qualified personnel to ascertain whether your structure actually needs a LPS after which he should go a head and design a system that suits your need and your structure.
Read, Learn and Share.

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Morocco`s Sahara Solar Power Plant

Morocco recently launched a massive solar power plant project to be done in phases namely Noor I, Noor II and Noor III with the first phase expected to be ready for use in the second half of 2016. Once complete this will be largest he single largest solar power production facility in the world as reported by The Guardian.

A Thermal Solar Power Plant

The concentrated solar power plant, being the largest in the world, is expected to power over one million homes once complete in 2018. The solar plant uses concentrating solar power (CSP) which is more expensive to install than the widely used photovoltaic panels, but unlike them, enables the storage of energy for nights and cloudy days.

The project is being carried out by a Abu-Dhabi Renewables Developer, Marsdar confirms the delivery of the first phase of the plant by mid 2016. The company also reports that it has already installed roughly 9,000 of the 290-W systems, consisting of solar panels and batteries with sufficient storage capacity for three days along with energy-efficient appliances such as LED lamps and a 165-litre refrigerator.

Have you come across any interesting renewable energy stories, kindly share with us by commenting, posting or even by Email. Hope you enjoyed this read.

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What is a PABX/PBX?

Ever imagined how big organisations communicate within their numerous branches and departments? While still at it, you are imagining alot of cabling and cable management systems, yeah? You might be right though. Anyway, we give you an idea of a system used by most organisations and telephone companies.

  

A Sample PABX System

What is a PBX/PABX?

A PABX/PBX system which stands for Private Automatic Branch Exchange or private branch exchanges. This a private network installed im medium and large sized companies for effortless communication between departments and branches from any location. This is more affordable compared to connecting an external telephone line to every telephone in the company. How do they work? What systems were there before PABX/PBX?
Brief History Of PBX/PABX

A company with a manual switchboard was operated by a person plugging cables into sockets. This was known as a Private Manual Branch Exchange(PMBX). They were repalced by electromechanical and finally electronic switching systems(PABX). 

ElectroMechanical Switchboard

How Do PABX Work?

The PABX switchboard is installed at a site(Business premises) and connects incoming calls between extension telephone lines installed. It accept calls transferred from a public switched telephone network to one that is a private network. Incoming calls are transferred through a private switching system to a private number telephone system within the private system. For outgoing calls, callers enter a code to access an outside line. A PABX can connect all business instruments including Telephone sets, faxes,modems and other communication devices can also be connected to a PBX. All these devices are normally connected to extensions.

Components Of PABX System

The outside lines (trunk lines) are available for making and receiving calls external to the site. Companies with more than one site can connect their PBXs together with trunk lines. PBX-like services can also be provided by equipment located off site at a central provider, delivering services over the public telephone network. This is known as a Private branch exchange Hosted PBX. 

What Is The Future Of PBX?

Even though the a manual telephone operator who patched cables on a plug board was replaced, this system has continued to see improvements and developments throughout the years;

Hosted/ Virtual PABX systems is on the rise as a PABX system. This is when a large company, mostly telephone companies, offer PABX like services. After subscription, your telephone lines are connected to the service providers PABX system by internet. The only disadvantage is that your phones will not work without internet but you get rid off the need to install a PABX system.

In addition, VoIP (Voice over IP) known also as an IPBX is one of the  in PBX switchboard development which uses the Internet Protocol to carry calls. Most newer switchboards PaBXs support VoIP.

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Smart Home Gadgets - Philips Hue Light

You have the evening well planned for that movie, Night date`,  or `Dead pool' and once seated you realise your lights are not dimmed and you have to walk all the way to the switch to dim your lights. Not a good feeling, right? or Have you felt you could switch off your lights from the comfort of your seat or bed? Well, Philips might have a product for you. The Philips Hue light. 

Below, we highlight some of the functionalities the hue light comes with;

1.Control your lights from your smart device

Once you lights are installed, you have to download  the free app to your smart phone. The app will search for the hue bridge and it will connect to your wireless bulbs after which you will be able to control your bulbs.

2. Use the timer to set alarms and change your lights over time

Use this to bring you out of sleep in a more calm. quite way far much better than the annoying alarm clocks. You can also set the light to switch off gradually, this might help you sleep off naturally. The lights can also be set to come on at a preset time. Imagine, getting home and finding your lights on. Nice.

3. Set the light on to suit the task at hand

You can set the lights to perfect white for reading, choose the energise setting and all your lamps will to a bright and vibrant boosting your energy levels and the lights will turn to a soft soothing glow.

And your lights can be accessed and controlled from anywhere.

Would you consider this in your house? Share with us your views.

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Types Of Shower Heads

Each and everyone of us have their own ways of relaxing after a hard day at work but we all agree that taking a shower is the most popular one, yeah? It has this way of calming our nerves, healing the day`s pains, relaxing our mind and setting us up for that beauty sleep. To this regard, you should put some effort and install a shower head that will suit your needs as an individual. How many types are available for your choosing? 

Would You Love These?

A shower head is the end of a pipe perforated to spray water on someone taking a shower. How many types of shower heads are available for your choosing?

1. Fixed shower heads

These are mounted permanently on the wall at a height of about 2000mm or a height of your choosing. Some are designed to be of adjustable height,  the direction of water and the angle as well.

A Fixed Shower Head

2. Hand held shower heads

Most of them are connected to the wall by a flexible pipe or tube or hose. They hang on a mount bracket of your height depending on your individual needs. There are 2-in-1 options available for you in the market. These combine both the fixed and the hand-held types of shower heads.

Hand Held Shower head

These are the major categories of shower heads under which you will find:

1. Single function shower heads for that gives that straight spray as cleanse yourself off of the days hard work

2. Multi-function shower heads -  this allows you to change the shower sprays depending on your particular needs as at that moment.

There are body sprays, rain heads and even shower heads particularly customised for your personal needs. Was this post enlightening? Have you learnt something. You can also look at the History Of Showers. Read, Learn and Share.

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What is a chandelier?

As discussed in our previous article , choosing the lighting fixture suited to your needs is usually not an easy task and it is quite complicated especially with the many options available for you in the market. Among the options available to you is a chandelier. The next question would be, what is a chandelier? 

A Very Beautiful Chandelier, what do you think?

Wikipedia defines it as a decorative hanging light with branches for several light bulbs or candles. Basically, this a ceiling pendant but with as many lamps/bulbs creating a larger, more dramatic piece. They are generally elegant and for that matter very expensive.

History

Chandelier originates from a french word `Chandelle'. The first ever known chandeliers appeared in the 14th century and they were simply made out of wooden cross, designed with a small spike at each end. Candles, made of animal fat in those days, were attached to each of these wooden spikes and the chandelier was then supported from the ceiling. Since then, there have been several developments and improvements along the way.

An Illustration Of A 14th Century Chandelier

Where should you install a chandelier?

A chandelier is one of those `Universal' light fitting meaning they can be installed anywhere in the house depending on your needs and tasks you intend them for. They can be used as a welcoming piece, above spiral staircases, Lounges, dining areas and even bedrooms but with limited number of lamps depending on how big your room is. Which piece would you choose for these?

In our subsequent article we will discuss on the types of chandeliers and what to expect in future with regards to chandeliers. Read, Learn and Share.

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Safaricom to manage Kenya Power's fibre-optic network

Kenya Power managing director Ben Chumo with Safaricom chief executive Bob Collymore 

Kenya Power is angling to connect 12,000 homes in Nairobi to the Internet through its fibre-optic network in a 12-month pilot stage that has already kicked off.

The firm has identified Safaricom as its partner in the project, and through its subsidiary Kenya Power International, the three signed a memorandum of understanding ushering in the project.

While Safaricom will invest in the fibre business and recover its investment through a lease agreement that is yet to be signed, Kenya Power will provide its vast infrastructure covering 4,000km in length of fibre-optic cable.

“The agreement will promote development and improvement of additional telecommunications infrastructure for effective and efficient provision of telecommunications services to both public and private institutions through provision of adequate, reliable and competitively priced fibre networks,” Kenya Power CEO Ben Chumo said.

Under the partnership, Safaricom will lease Kenya Power’s fibre to roll out a “last mile” network, with the aim of connecting more homes to its broadband Internet services.

DIGGING TRENCHES
Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore said the project would accelerate the rate of connection to homes, and reduce the inconvenience caused by digging trenches to lay the underground fibre-optic cable grid.

Already, Kenya Power is leasing out the fibre to Safaricom, which is its biggest customer. Wananchi Group, Liquid Telecom, Jamii Telecom and Airtel are also its customers.

Read the whole article: http://www.nation.co.ke/business/corporates/Safaricom-to-manage-Kenya-Power-fibre-optic-/-/1954162/3147204/-/37wq7pz/-/index.html

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