Electrical Basics - Ohm’s Law: A Key to Understanding Circuits

The Foundation of Electricity

Like most things in life, even something as complicated as electricity has simple terminology and parts that it can be broken down into. Understanding these properties and how they are related will give you a deeper understanding of what is going on in a circuit. Ohm's law is the most basic of formulas and can be applied to both simple and complex circuits. It works with AC and DC voltages and with a little algebra it easily demonstrates the relationship between the different properties of electricity.

Simple Shelves are Never Easy

Very often in the maintenance and repair world, the easiest jobs become the most annoying. It's understandable when the pain is caused by some mechanical error. A bolt head sheers off, wires in a box are too short, or someone mushroomed a shaft and now the bearing is stuck. These are normal levels of annoyance that at some point become achievements for fixing, and a point of pride when others ask you to teach them how you've done it. Then we get to building shelves.

Wire rack shelves are not that difficult to build. On a scale of 1-10 on the skill required, I give it a 2 tops. Where they become not so easy, is having to build them for someone else with zero other information provided. If you stay at any job site long enough, it's almost guaranteed you will make these shelves. You may even have some in your basement, garage, or apartment.

Why Proactive Maintenance Beats Reactive Every Time

Fail to plan is a plan to fail

What is the difference between proactive maintenance and reactive maintenance and why does it matter? Unexpected downtime is the great killer. It prevents you from meeting your goals. It prevents your factory from producing your products and impacts profit. A cooling tower or chiller breakdown means your hotel, conference center, or arena will likely have to compensate your guests for the poor experience of being trapped in a hot box.

Never Switch a Neutral

What do you mean by switch?

I am referring to using the neutral as the breakpoint in a switching circuit. A light is the simplest example. When you flip the switch, your light turns on. Normally this is done by having the switch between the hot wire and the light fixture. This is also the safe and proper way. The problem is, that electricity does not care about you, your codes, your safety, or the proper way to do things. It follows the laws of nature, not the laws of man. That being said, it is physically possible to switch a neutral and achieve the same effect, turning a light on and off.