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Greens Powder: Are there Health Benefits?

Descripción: Health Care Material is a dietary supplement that has become a popular way to help people reach their daily recommended intake of vitamins and minerals. The nutrient combination in greens powder is formulated to support your body’s immune system and energy levels while meeting the nutrition requirements for a healthy diet.     Ingredients in greens powders vary by brand, but commonly include nutrition from:             Leafy greens and seaweed             Grasses and other vegetables             Antioxidant-rich fruits             Probiotics             Nutritional extracts and herbs         Cosmetics Material is most often mixed into water, smoothies, or juices. While these powders often come with a grassy taste, natural sugar substitutes like stevia extract are added to improve the flavor. These dietary powders are also usually vegan and made from non-genetically-modified and organic products.     Nutrition Information     Nutrition content in natural powders will vary by brand. On average, a one-tablespoon serving contains:             Calories: 45             Protein: 3 grams             Carbohydrates: 6 grams             Iron: 18% of your daily value             Vitamin A: 60% of your daily value         Greens powders often include high levels of vitamin C, which has been linked to healthy immune system function, protection against heart disease, and good skin health.             Potential Health Benefits               Because greens powders are made from dried fruits and vegetables, some important nutritional content like fiber is lost in the process. Greens powders are not a substitute for a well-balanced diet and cannot replace the nutritional benefits you get from consuming whole foods.             However, doctors say that greens powder can be a great way to supplement a healthy diet with a boost of extra vitamins and antioxidants.             Taking some vitamins in excess can lead to health issues or may interact with certain medications. It’s important to talk to your doctor before adding any nutritional supplements to your diet and choose a reputable brand of greens powder.     The nutrients in greens powders can contribute to potential health benefits including:     Healthy Blood Pressure     Minerals found in Medicinal Material like calcium and potassium are associated with good blood pressure management. In one clinical study, people who took one serving daily of greens powder experienced a decrease in both their systolic and diastolic blood pressure.          Immune System Support         Greens powders contain high levels of vitamins and minerals associated with maintaining a healthy immune system. Vitamin A has anti-inflammatory properties that enhance immunity. For example, Selenium is found in most greens powders, and is proven to help the immune system fight infection.         Chronic Disease Prevention         The vitamins found in Feed Additives can reduce your risk of chronic diseases in the long term. Vitamins like C and K are potent antioxidants that fight cell-damaging free radicals.         This cell damage is known as oxidation and is linked to the development of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease. One study found that a serving of greens powder taken daily reduced cell oxidation in participants by 30%.         Eye and Cognitive Health         Vitamin K found in leafy greens is associated with numerous health benefits including maintaining healthy blood vessels, lessening the risk of heart problems, and preventing bone loss with aging. Recent studies have also found vitamin K may promote eye health and reduce incidence of age-related dementia.    

Fecha de Publicación: 26-10-21

What are Pop It Fidget Toys, and Why Are They So Popular Right Now?

Descripción: The latest toy craze is here, making waves in households across the country, and it's basically glorified bubble wrap. Featured recently in The New York Times, Pop Its have enthralled kids everywhere with their satisfying poppable blisters. Here's what you need to know about these flexible silicone toys and how they might benefit kids.     Where Pop It Fidget Toys Originated     The story of Pop It Fidget Toy begins with Theo and Ora Coster, a married couple from Israel. Over the years, they invented more than 190 games—including the face recognition game Guess Who?—and founded a company called Theora Design, according to the BBC. (Amazing fact: Theo was actually a classmate of Anne Frank.)     When Ora's sister died from breast cancer in the mid-1970s, she had a dream about a field of breasts. "Imagine a field of breasts, that you can press from one side, and then press from the other side," Boaz Coster, her son and co-C.E.O. of Theora Design, said when describing his mother's vision. Theo created a prototype, and it sat around for many years until the couple's sons sold it to Montreal-based games company FoxMind.     FoxMind manufactured the product in silicone, and it was marketed as a game called Last One Lost, a puzzle in which two players press the bubbles together, and the player who presses the last one loses. It debuted in 2013 and was not exactly a smash, but in 2019, it relaunched under the name Pop It! and hit Target shelves.     How Pop It Fidget Toys Took Off     The big moment of Pop It Fidget Toy has been linked to its appearance in a viral TikTok video. In the clip, a capuchin monkey-turned-influencer with almost 8 million followers named Gaitlyn Rae can be seen playing with a Pop It. The monkey's owner, Jessica Lacher, told the BBC: "Somebody sent her a pop-it for her birthday. … That was the first we had ever seen of them."     Gaitlyn's video launched a craze. You can now get Pop It-style knockoff toys—not licensed by FoxMind—in a variety of shapes and colors. You can find versions inspired by Peppa Pig, dinosaurs, unicorns, pineapples, and more.     Kids have been loving Pop Its during the pandemic and while learning remotely, according to The New York Times. "Especially in these times, they can be calming, they can be soothing," Adrienne Appell, a senior vice president at The Toy Association, told the outlet. "Even adults are enjoying them."     The Benefits of Fidget Toys     Experts say that Pop It Fidget Toy Animal might help kids focus, particularly if they struggle with ADHD. That's because the act of fidgeting allows the mind to be still and focus.     "I often tell parents that for their child, as for me, if the feet or fingers are still, it's a safe bet that the mind isn't," Thomas Beck, M.D., co-founder of the Winston Center for Attention, Language, & Learning tells Parents.com. "There will be more problems with focus, not less!"     But every child is different, as Yamalis Diaz, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist and a clinical assistant professor at New York University Grossman School of Medicine, explained to The New York Times. She has treated two children with the same diagnosis, both of whom chose a Rubik's Cube as a fidget toy, and although one child could keep answering questions while he played with the toy, the other was entirely consumed by it and couldn't multitask.     The squid game is a story of 456 players risking their lives to become the last winner in a survival game with a prize of 45.6 billion won.     Netizens from Korea and China are arguing over the green gym uniform in Netflix’s original ‘Squid Game’.     On the 5th, Chinese media observers and others responded with the news that “China is claiming that the costumes in the ‘Squid Game’ were copied in Korea.”     In particular, Sungshin Women’s University professor Seo Kyung-duk took issue with an article posted on his Instagram the day before.     Observer Network criticized “Professor Seo has stimulated China many times over this agenda,” and said, “This time, he chose the wrong target.”     Previously, Professor Seo mentioned various cases of copyright infringement in China and argued that the green sportswear of Lee Jung-jae in ‘Squid Game Mask’ was sold in Chinese shopping malls with the word ‘China’ written on it.     Professor Seo analyzed in this article, “China seems to feel a great sense of crisis as Korean content such as Squid Game and Kingdom continues to attract attention from people around the world.” He also criticized China, saying, “China should learn respect for other countries’ cultures first.”     Chinese media claimed that the picture of the training clothes that China copied was a scene from the movie ‘Teacher, Like’ released in 2019, and that actor Wu Jing wore it as a gym teacher. The words ‘China’ are engraved on the tracksuit he is wearing.     Stanford professor Robert Sutton notes that the Pixar movie Cars was chosen from about 500 pitches, and at Skyline, the Originality Toys design studio that generates ideas for Fisher-Price and Mattel, employees submitted 4,000 new toy concepts in one year. That set was winnowed down to 230 to be drawn or prototyped, and just 12 were finally developed. The more darts you throw, the better your odds of hitting a bulls eye.     Though it makes perfect sense, many managers fail to embrace this principle, fearing that time spent conjuring lots of ideas will prevent employees from being focused and efficient. The good news is that there are ways to help employees generate quantity and variety without sacrificing day-to-day productivity or causing burnout.

Fecha de Publicación: 26-10-21

How Paper Cup Manufacturers Are Helping the Environment by Switching Away from Single-Use Plastics

Descripción: Single-use plastic cups have always been criticized by organizations that want to tackle the plastic waste in the country. The reason for this criticism is that these cups cannot be recycled and they end up contaminating waste streams. As a result, more waste ends up in landfill. Recognizing the environmental footprint of single-use plastic cups, paper cups manufacturers have begun to switch away from them. They are helping to minimize the environmental footprint by encouraging the use of Paper Cups.     Paper Cups Can be Recycled Paper cups are sourced from forests and are a more friendly option than plastics. These cups can be collected separately and trucked to facilities that can recycle them. Some lawmakers and companies argue that paper cups are hard to recycle because they contain a plastic lining that must be separated before the cup can be recycled. This is a totally ridiculous argument.     Paper cups be recycled properly if they are collected in special bins and then sent for recycling to the right facility. It is true that cups can end up in landfills if they are thrown into regular bins. However, if consumers properly put them into special recycling bins, they will be recycled by the facilities that possess the ability to remove the plastic lining from paper before recycling the cup.     If you often go shopping in shopping malls, you will find that Kraft Bags are widely used in all walks of life. For example, clothing stores and shoe stores we often go to are the most common places to use kraft paper bags. Even when you pack in some fast food restaurants and beverage stores, you will also use kraft paper bags as Takeaway Bags. Compared with plastic bags, the cost of kraft paper bags is higher. Why are so many enterprises willing to use kraft paper bags? One of the reasons is that more enterprises attach importance to environmental protection and regard environmental protection as a part of corporate culture, so they choose more environmentally friendly and renewable paper bags instead of plastic bags.     The rise of Insulation Bags in China can be said to have started in 2006, when McDonald's China gradually implemented a kind of kraft paper bag with thermal insulation performance in all stores to hold takeout food, replacing the use of plastic food bags. This move has also received positive response from other businesses, such as Nike, Adidas and other former large consumers of plastic bags have begun to use high-quality kraft paper bags to replace plastic shopping bags.     Of course, there are still some people in the market who have different opinions on whether kraft paper is environmentally friendly or not. Generally speaking, people who think kraft paper packaging is not environmentally friendly mainly focus on the manufacturing process of kraft paper and the selection of raw materials. They believe that the pulp of paper packaging is obtained by cutting down trees, causing damage to the ecological environment. The other is the paper in the production process will discharge a large number of sewage, causing water pollution.     Through comparison, it is not difficult to see that kraft Paper Bag is better than a plastic bag in environmental protection. Today, more and more attention is paid to environmental protection. An environmental protection kraft paper packaging bag has become the first choice of more and more manufacturers. If you want to contribute to environmental protection, you may as well take the kraft paper bag as the first choice for shopping or food packaging.     The automatic Sealing Machine can produce up to 32 vacuum gas flushing MAP containers, 28 vacuum skin packaging or 60 sealed-only trays per minute. It uses 304 stainless steel washing structure and tool-free disassembly of the vacuum chamber. The machine can handle film widths up to 18.75 inches and tray depths up to 4.3 inches. Film sealing, as well as MAP and vacuum skin packaging, can be achieved on the same sealing head. Options include aisle dividers, extended feeders with integrated automatic tray separators, filling and placement systems, cover applicators, aisle merging systems, and seal head storage carts.     A total of 21,000 cups were available to the 25,000 fans in attendance, offered as a sustainable alternative to single-use plastics in the live event space. According to Ball, 93% of Plastic Cups used each year end up in landfill, whereas its cups, it says, are recycled and returned to market in approximately 60 days.     According to research conducted by the corporation, 73% of consumers would opt for environmentally friendly containers if given the choice, with half willing to pay a premium. Ball Aluminium Cups have been designed to meet this growing demand for sustainable packaging.

Fecha de Publicación: 26-10-21

Wood Crafts

Descripción: Wooden Crafts are the artistic practice of shaping and decorating wooden objects. India is famous for wooden handicrafts. Skilled craftsmen of each state create handicrafts using wood that is available locally. The most common varieties used to make Indian handicrafts are teak, sheesham, sal, oak, mango, ebony and mahogany. Sandalwood, rosewood and walnut are the exotic varieties and are expensive and are used in producing fine pieces of furniture and decorative items. There has been a complete revival of the traditional and antique wood craft, owning to its uniqueness and demand in India and abroad. Indian artisans are experimenting with designs to create a blend of traditional and modern woodcraft. Each piece of Indian wooden handicraft is a labor of love, sweat, and patience, which no machine can replicate.     Wooden Toys and games are winning mass of quality these days. The wooden toys and games are put up in innovative as well as classical types that are energizing and thought-provoking for everyone to examine their power. A heavy number of attractively fashioned wooden toys and games will offer hours of amusement. They are designed with exquisitely workmanship and paragon for people of all age-groups.     Designed with expert workmanship, wooden toys have arrived at immense popularity and are perfect for people of all generation. The most widely playacted wooden toys and games are wooden chess and wooden carrom board. The wooden toys are carefully carved and attractively designed engaging a special place in lots of families. Wooden toys and games are meant for kids and adults both, and are perfect items for gifting purpose. They are handcrafted with extreme care to have an eye-catching visual aspect. They provide durable fun and are designed to germinate coordination and imagery power among children. The most widely played wooden toys and games are wooden chess and carrom-board. In order to make them easier to carry while traveling, they are available in wooden box which makes them excellent for gift items.     Festival Wooden Crafts are very popular. Many companies prefer to give away various wooden gift items as corporate gifts as they are durable and elegant. When wooden items are purchased in wholesale from suppliers or exporters, they prove to be very cost effective. In fact, when companies directly deal with the wooden gift manufacturers, they save a lot of money by avoiding the middlemen in suplly chain. However, wooden corporate gifts might be procured on cheap rates, they always look more expensive due to craftsmanship of the artisans as well as because wood itself is considered to be an expensive medium to make craft items. They can be offered on various occasions including retirement , transfer or anniversary etc. They help in encouraging and motivating people who really deserve to be appreciated. It helps in minimizing attrition rate as well as staff turn over. Wooden gift items cam also be customized as per the requirement of various companies.     Acrylic Charms are made with a solid, clear acrylic material that can be printed in full color and cut to any shape. Acrylic charms feature a small 0.085” (~2mm) cut hole for creating your own keychains, jewelry and more. These Acrylic Crafts have been a real hit! Acrylic charms consist of either one layer of acrylic board with an epoxy-covered image on top (or on bottom, if you prefer the acrylic layer over the front and epoxy on back), or two layers of board with the image sandwiched in between. The image itself can be one-sided or two sided.     Acrylic Rhinestones are so attractive! When we go shopping in department stores or walk on the road, we often see various shapes and sizes of rhinestones on shoes, bags, jewelry, and even displays. The rhinestones are colorful and shiny, and it is difficult to ignore them. Rhinestones are not diamonds; they are a simulation of diamonds. Since diamonds are natural and are formed under high pressure and high-temperature conditions deep in the earth, often taking a long time to form, they are scarce and very expensive. Rhinestones are artificial and have the sparkling, dazzling effect of diamonds. Therefore, when rhinestones could be manufactured in large quantities, people began to use rhinestones as decorations for jewelry, clothing and other accessories.     Forty years ago, the sending and receiving of Christmas Greeting Cards were one of the steps in declaring adulthood and establishing one’s own home. Part of becoming an adult was communicating the year’s events to family and friends.     In the Christmas letter that went with the card, there was some bragging about the good things in one’s life but it was also a vehicle to let people know about deaths or difficulties.     As Christmas became more about persuading consumers to buy, greeting card companies understood this. They grew their sales by offering greater varieties of cards, including boxed sets and charitable cards. Businesses began sending greeting cards to each other as a thank you for the work done together that year.

Fecha de Publicación: 26-10-21

Folding chairs: A comfortable seating option for space-crunched homes

Descripción: Folding Chairs are great for small spaces as they can be used for multiple needs. From dining to studying, a comfortable folding chair can be enjoyed anywhere and then tucked away for storage. Sleek folding chairs are a much better option than bulky wooden chairs in a space that is already short on storage. The folding feature also makes the chair easily transferable and portable. Depending on preference, one can choose between different materials for folding chairs, with plastic being one of the most popular material as it proves to be lightweight.     Reclining Chair offers a wonderful place to sit and relax and would be perfect next to a pool or on a back deck or patio. This folding chair transitions effortlessly from an upright seated position to reclining one and will provide utmost comfort to the user. This chair features a lightweight yet sturdy powder-coated steel frame. Its double bungee support system runs up one side and down the other, securely connecting the fabric to the frame. The chair offers reliable support and can accommodate up to 198pounds. The chair also features a weather- resistant Textilene fabric that offers comfortable breathability and ensures a comfortable, stay-cool seating surface that will not stick to the skin.     Add convenience to your home with this metal chair in black. Featuring a foldable design, this Folding Lounge Chair is easily portable and can be stored with ease when not in use. Ideal for use at breakfast tables or the dining table while hosting guests, this black chair will prove to be a comfortable option for varying needs. The mesh seating and backrest are soft and comfortable and will give a contemporary appeal to your home. This chair has a PP bush attached at the legs that protect the floor from scratches.     Summer is finally here. Now that restrictions have eased and the days are warmer, we will all be hoping to spend a bit more time outdoors, whether lounging or enjoying some alfresco dining. And with that comes the need for adequate (and stylish) Garden Furniture.     Whether you are planning to have some barbecues and outdoor parties this summer or just wish to be able to lounge around outdoors, there is no denying that outdoor furniture is a must for 2021, especially if you can find some weather-resistant pieces that mean you will not need to drag your indoor furniture inside every time a sudden downpour hits mid- barbecue.     Investing in Garden Cart does not have to be just a practical task, however. Take the opportunity to find stylish pieces, building out the aesthetic of your outdoor space and making it somewhere you really do want to spend time. But with that being said, it can be pretty hard to find the right stores and furniture to suit your garden, given just how many options there are to choose from. Thankfully for you, we know just where to look.     From tables and chairs, to sun loungers, fire pits, hammocks and sofas, so many of our favourite furniture stores have launched outdoor lines for this year that are perfect for taking your garden to the next level. Whether you only have patio space or are lucky enough to have some green space to work with, these are the best garden furniture retailers to start browsing.     Can you leave garden furniture outside?     In reality, the whole point of furniture that is specifically for your garden is that you should ideally be able to leave it outdoors during the warmer, sunnier months. Of course, whether or not this is possible does depend on the material of the furniture and its quality, as well as just how durable it is. Some Hammock Chair is designed more for aesthetic purposes and is best suited to keeping indoors and then dragging outside for your next garden party, but plenty, if not the majority, of garden furniture, is more than suitable to leave outdoors. Make sure to read the product information carefully before placing an order to check whether it's weatherproof, rust-resistant or weather resistant, and research the weight of the furniture so that it isn't easily blown over by the wind.

Fecha de Publicación: 26-10-21

Fastener Help Articles

Descripción: You may have heard of "Blue Bolt Coating", its real name is Whitford Xylan? Coating... and it isn't always blue. Many of our customers ask for the "Blue Bolt Coating", but what exactly is Xylan and when should it be used?     Xylan is a blend of fluoropolymers, engineering plastics and selected corrosion inhibitors which, when combined, create these characteristics in fasteners:             Low friction             Exceptional adhesion             Unusual resistance to wear and abrasion             Excellent corrosion resistance                  Resistance to chipping              Resistance to the weather, sunlight and salt water     Xylan's versatility is best demonstrated as a coating for stud Bolts and nuts, where it provides unparalleled performance in ease of installation, corrosion resistance and ease of removal. It can be used on standard alloy steel nuts and bolts, or can be paired with stainless steel fasteners for even more benefits.     Xylan fastener coatings or "Blue Bolt Coatings" are typically specified in oil and waterworks applications.     A bolt’s function essentially boils down to applying a high enough Hose Clamps force that when external forces are applied, transverse movement and separation cannot occur. Using calibrated torque tools to tighten fasteners and apply that clamp force is far superior to going by the user’s judgement or feeling.  Or, as one senior technician calls it “The One Grunt or Two Grunts Method”.  Measuring torque alone, however, does not ensure a proper installation.     1. Torque is an indirect indicator of Tension.     Torque is the measurement of twisting force needed to thread the fasteners together.     2. Tension is the force that actually holds an assembly together. Put another way:     A bolt can stretch similar to a spring, as it becomes tightened once all the parts of the assembly are brought together.     The higher the torque applied to the fastener, the more tension is created as the bolt stretches.     If a bolt is like a spring and more torque equals more tension, why does not a certain amount of torque always result in the same amount of tension?     Though the relationship between torque and tension is linear, many other factors can affect this relationship. Some of these factors include surface texture, rust, oil, debris, material type, locking elements and human error.  Because of these variables, tightening to a specific torque setting can create varied results in the field or on the assembly line.     General commodity commercial fasteners do not fall under the umbrella of products that would require a UL listing or ICC-ES report. There are three main governing bodies that cover specifications for fasteners. ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) covers primarily bolts and fasteners for construction applications. SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) covers fasteners for automotive, machinery, and OEM applications. ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) standards B18.2.1 and B18.2.1 cover dimensional tolerances for square and hex head bolts, Screws, and Nuts. Mudge Fasteners provides fasteners to these three sets of specifications (ASTM, SAE, and ASME). A fourth specification group that is also applicable is AASHTO (American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials). AASHTO specifications are typically only called out on highway projects and many AASHTO designations can be directly converted to an ASTM equivalent.     ICC (International Code Council) is the primary governing body responsible for writing and maintaining building, plumbing, mechanical, and fire codes adopted by local and state municipalities, and the federal government. ICC-ES (International Code Council-Evaluation Services, Inc.) is the branch of ICC responsible for performing technical evaluations of building products, components, methods, and materials to ensure that they meet the requirements of the codes. This evaluation process culminates in an ICC-ES report that provides evidence that the evaluated product or system meets code requirements. However, in the case of most anchor bolts and fasteners, the applicable sections of the codes (International Building Code, International Residential Code, International Property Maintenance Code, Etc.) direct you to the ASTM specifications covering said Anchors or fasteners. As the ASTM specifications already cover anchor bolts and fasteners in detail, there is no reason for ICC to write their own specifications for these items. For the same reason, ICC-ES does not need to perform evaluation testing of anchor bolts or fasteners. As long as the bolts meet the applicable ASTM specification(s), they will meet the applicable Code section(s).     When you are shortening bolt or Threaded Rods with a hacksaw, you always mangle the threads at the sawn end, making it difficult to get a nut threaded onto it. Reader Larry LeMasters tip produces a much better ending. Thread two nuts onto the bolt at the cutoff spot, tighten them against each other, then saw against the shoulder to create a clean right-angled cut. Next, loosen the nuts and file a slight bevel around the end to clear burrs created by sawing. Then spin off the nuts to clean and realign the threads. Your shorter bolt will work just like a new one from the box.     There are several distinct types of fastener, which may be referred to as a pin. These include small headless nails, sharpened pins used for holding fabrics while sewing, attaching paper to pinboards and the like, and several types of mechanical fasteners. Pins are an unthreaded mechanical fasteners, which are designed to be inserted through preformed holes.     Lock Washers and vibration-resistant washers are designed to prevent a threaded fastener from loosening. The terms are often used interchangeably. However, there is a difference.     Lock washers resist torque or loosening for a given preload, and vibration-resistant washers maintain a more constant preload when there’s movement in a joint. A lock washer may include some teeth to increase friction or tabs to provide positive locking. A vibration-resistant washer, on the other hand, will be sprung so that as the joint moves, a relatively consistent preload is maintained on the fastener.     Rivets are mechanical fasteners with a plain unthreaded shaft that are inserted through holes to join two or more parts together. A permanently formed head at each end prevents the rivet from removal from the hole. The shaft prevents any radial movements of the components. Depending on the type of rivet, and its ability to support shear load, it can resist considerable forces. The heads prevent axial movements of the parts, although less force is supported in this way.            Greens Powder: Are there Health Benefits?     Health Care Material is a dietary supplement that has become a popular way to help people reach their daily recommended intake of vitamins and minerals. The nutrient combination in greens powder is formulated to support your body’s immune system and energy levels while meeting the nutrition requirements for a healthy diet.     Ingredients in greens powders vary by brand, but commonly include nutrition from:             Leafy greens and seaweed             Grasses and other vegetables             Antioxidant-rich fruits             Probiotics             Nutritional extracts and herbs         Cosmetics Material is most often mixed into water, smoothies, or juices. While these powders often come with a grassy taste, natural sugar substitutes like stevia extract are added to improve the flavor. These dietary powders are also usually vegan and made from non-genetically-modified and organic products.     Nutrition Information     Nutrition content in natural powders will vary by brand. On average, a one-tablespoon serving contains:             Calories: 45             Protein: 3 grams                Carbohydrates: 6 grams             Iron: 18% of your daily value             Vitamin A: 60% of your daily value         Greens powders often include high levels of vitamin C, which has been linked to healthy immune system function, protection against heart disease, and good skin health.                Potential Health Benefits             Because greens powders are made from dried fruits and vegetables, some important nutritional content like fiber is lost in the process. Greens powders are not a substitute for a well-balanced diet and cannot replace the nutritional benefits you get from consuming whole foods.             However, doctors say that greens powder can be a great way to supplement a healthy diet with a boost of extra vitamins and antioxidants.             Taking some vitamins in excess can lead to health issues or may interact with certain medications. It’s important to talk to your doctor before adding any nutritional supplements to your diet and choose a reputable brand of greens powder.     The nutrients in greens powders can contribute to potential health benefits including:     Healthy Blood Pressure     Minerals found in Medicinal Material like calcium and potassium are associated with good blood pressure management. In one clinical study, people who took one serving daily of greens powder experienced a decrease in both their systolic and diastolic blood pressure。          Immune System Support            Greens powders contain high levels of vitamins and minerals associated with maintaining a healthy immune system. Vitamin A has anti-inflammatory properties that enhance immunity. For example, Selenium is found in most greens powders, and is proven to help the immune system fight infection。            Chronic Disease Prevention            The vitamins found in Feed Additives can reduce your risk of chronic diseases in the long term. Vitamins like C and K are potent antioxidants that fight cell-damaging free radicals.         This cell damage is known as oxidation and is linked to the development of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease. One study found that a serving of greens powder taken daily reduced cell oxidation in participants by 30%.         Eye and Cognitive Health         Vitamin K found in leafy greens is associated with numerous health benefits including maintaining healthy blood vessels, lessening the risk of heart problems, and preventing bone loss with aging. Recent studies have also found vitamin K may promote eye health and reduce incidence of age-related dementia.    

Fecha de Publicación: 26-10-21

Garden Hoses: What To Know Before You Buy

Descripción:   Garden Hoses: What To Know Before You Buy     Hose for gardening don't last forever. When you're in the market for a new one, these tips will help you make an informed purchase.     Your garden hose is probably working overtime this summer as you water plants, irrigate a vegetable garden or wash the car. According to hose manufacturer Teknor Apex, a good garden hose will last five to 10 years if properly maintained. A bad garden hose, as most of us have already found out, will waste water, function poorly and cause bouts of frustration.     So to keep the kinks out of your relationship with your PVC garden hose, let’s take a look at what to consider before you buy a new one.     Garden hoses are used for transporting water over short or long distances. They can be used for watering a plant, washing a car or every other activity where water is needed. Because garden hoses are very widely used, they need to be able to do many different things. Firstly, they of course have to deliver water at your chosen location. But that’s where the simplicity stops, while not all water or application is the same. Are you working with super clean water and want to be 100% sure there is no contamination with the materials of the hose? Then a garden hose with a pvc-free inner layer specially made for this situation will fit your needs. Is storage space limited? Then a spiral hose, reel garden hose or expandable garden hose will come in handy. Are you looking for a drip irrigation system? Then soaker hoses might be the solution. For every application there are different products available specialized for that situation. Read this article to make a jump start into the world of garden hoses.     Diameters and lengths     When selecting a garden hose there are multiple parameters that will guide you in the right direction. The diameter of the hose is a good starting point. Typical internal sizes are 13mm (1/2"), 19mm (3/4") and 25mm (1"). It’s important to know that a garden hose has an internal and external diameter. If you want to connect the hose to male coupling, the internal diameter is most relevant to you. Also important is the total length of the garden hose, because a too short hose won’t reach to your destination and a too large hose will take up unnecessary space and cause extra pressure drop, which is often not desirable.     Materials     Mostly, garden hoses are made from multiple materials. Some garden hoses are even made from up to 8 different layers. All these layers are made from a different material. The outer layer has to be strong because it’ll be dragged along concrete and stones. Often PVC is used for this outer layer. The inner layer can be made from many different materials. If the expandable garden hose is suitable for drinking water purposes, often PU food-safe materials are used for the inner layer. All materials used together determine the temperature range, which is often between -20°C and +60°C. Garden hoses can often withstand pressures up to 30/50 bars (435/725 psi). A pressure gauge is placed to monitor the pressure in the system, to learn more about this read our article on pressure gauges for water applications.     Reinforcement     A garden hose with only an outer layer would twist and distort very easily. With some exceptions, garden hoses have been strengthened. Between the inner and outer layer, a reinforcement is added made of metal, plastic or another type of strong material. This reinforcement ensures the hose is pressure-resistant, well protected against damage, wears less quickly and it will buckle less quickly. Especially for garden hoses, that are used in harsh situations, this is a very important feature.     Couplings     To connect a garden hose to a spigot, sprinkler or valve you will need couplings. In most cases a garden hose is connected via Gardena-like couplings. These snap-fit couplings exist of two parts. The first part is a threaded fitting (with 3/4" and 1/2" being the standard) and is mounted on the part that you want to connect to the garden hose. The second part is a quick connector, which is mounted to the garden hose. With this snap- fit coupling it is now possible to easily connect the hose to all the parts that are fitted with the hose fitting like spigots, valves, spray nozzles and sprinklers.     We’re all working hard to be conscious consumers. At the grocery store, we read labels and say “no” to plastic packaging whenever we can. We choose safe wooden toys for our kids, avoid poisonous cleaning products, and even grow our own organic vegetables. But wait! After all that effort, are we unknowingly spraying that lovely healthful produce with phthalates, BPA, lead and more?     A garden products study completed by The Ecology Center looked at 90 different PVC garden water hose and discovered disturbing levels of each of those chemicals. Some of the toxin levels exceeded safe drinking water standards by 20 times or more.     We’ve all had to face some hard facts in recent years: it turns out there is no pristine environment anymore, and even those living in isolated wild places face contamination of the air, soil, and groundwater. But we can take steps to stop contributing to the problem in our own backyards with unsafe hoses. Rather than throw up our hands in despair, we can spread awareness about this lesser-known home health hazard. Not all hoses are created equal, and you can change your watering practices to help your hose do its job without spraying neurotoxins and endocrine disruptors. Because let’s face it: our bodies have enough to deal with in our modern environment without adding to their burden.     Choose your hose with care     If your hose was purchased before 2007, it’s likely to contain lead.     The brass fittings can contain up to 8% lead, and lead may be used in pigments and stabilizers. Green and yellow hoses are particularly likely culprits. Hoses bought after 2007 are governed by a labeling law resulting from a California lawsuit, though product testing still found lead in newer hoses. Choose a new hose labeled as “lead-free”. Tip: check marine or RV stores for lead-free hoses marketed for use in boats or motor homes. These hoses, often white or beige with a thin blue stripe, work well as safe garden hoses. Look for the claim: “drinking water safe”.     Most vinyl hoses are made from PVC ominously nicknamed “poison plastic”.     PVC relies on phthalates to provide flexibility and elasticity, but these chemicals have received lots of bad press. They are endocrine disruptors, causing problems to human reproductive development, and have been linked to liver cancer. Choose natural rubber hoses instead. Food-grade polyurethane is another good option.     Choose non-brass fittings, made of stainless steel, nickel, or aluminum.     These metals are more likely to be lead-free, and meet drinking water standards. These soaker hoses made from old rubber tires have nickel plating over the brass fittings to reduce the possibility of leaching lead.     Read labels carefully, even the small print.     Watch out for hoses containing a warning citing California Prop 65, stating “this product contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects and other reproductive harm.” It’s worth a few extra dollars to invest in a hose that will help you enjoy years of watering with your mind at ease.     Ask the FDA to regulate hose safety.     The Safe Chemicals Act and Safe Drinking Water Act

Fecha de Publicación: 26-10-21

5 Important Factors When Buying LED Drivers

Descripción:   5 Important Factors When Buying LED Drivers     WILMINGTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 31, 2017--Osram, a leading global lighting and technology company, today announced its OPTOTRONIC?Dual-Mode Programmable Emergency LED Driver, the market’s first programmable single-driver solution for emergency Solid State Lighting fixtures, which offers the ability to program and customize the light output in both normal and emergency operations.A separate snap-on battery pack with harness, available in slim, linear and compact options, powers emergency lighting in the event of an outage and provides up to 18W in back-up mode. The complete solution reduces the number of components required per emergency luminaire, substantially simplifies in-fixture wiring, and enables OEMs to better tailor their fixtures to application requirements while reducing the number of SKUs they must inventory.     Industry’s First Dual-Mode LED Driver with Programmable Emergency Light Levels Offers OEMs Greater Flexibility, Simplifies Manufacturing (Photo: Business Wire)     “Emergency lighting luminaires typically require a dedicated emergency driver, a dedicated LED driver and numerous wiring connections, creating a complex manufacturing process and often compatibility issues for OEMs,” said Tom Shottes, Head of Osram Digital Systems, Americas Region. “Osram’s new OPTOTRONIC? Programmable CE Emergency LED Driver combines the emergency and standard LED drivers into one solution, addressing key issues experienced by OEMs. The ability to program and tailor the light output in both standard and emergency mode offers additional value and flexibility in designing emergency lighting fixtures.”     The National Fire Protection Association’s code has a minimum requirement of one foot candle of light on the ground for at least 90 minutes to allow people to safely and efficiently exit a building in the event of an emergency. A programmable emergency driver solution enables OEMs to support customers with tailored and optimized emergency led driver accessories, irrespective of the building architecture, space and lighting plans.     The lamp inrush current on switching LEDs has become an area of concern in the lighting industry. ‘Inrush current’ of the LED drivers refers to the input current of short duration that flows into the LED driver, during the initial start-up, to charge the capacitors on the input side. Typically, this is a short duration current, whose amplitude is much greater than the operating or steady-state current. The inrush current is due to the EMC filter on the input and bulk capacitor on the boost circuit this is inherent to the LED technology.     The figure shows the nature of the inrush current and its peak, IMAX. T50 is the time duration in which the inrush current pulse is equal to 50% of IMAX. It shows an example of inrush current (IMAX) and T50 times for a typical LED driver.     If there are a number of LED drivers in an LED Luminaire, and if there are a number of such LED Luminaires on one circuit, the max peak inrush current and it’s duration may be additive. However, it is not an exact mathematical calculation; i.e. for “N” drivers connected in parallel does not equal exact “N” times the inrush current for one driver or N times the T50 time for one driver. It depends on the impedance of each driver and the line impedance.     The line impedance has a significant effect on the peak and duration of the inrush current. Transformer type and size, wire size, length of runs, and other devices in the circuit path are a few things that could lead to high impedance.     The inrush current and the duration of the LED driver differs from manufacturer to manufacturer and from model to model. As this current duration is very small, sophisticated instruments with very high sampling rates need to be used for exact calculations. The inrush current also depends on the exact moment of switching, during the alternating cycle.     For a typical 150W, 0.7A LED driver, Philips Model 9137012116, used in various CREE luminaires, the inrush current is stated as 130Amp for 165 Micro Seconds. It is suggested that up to 7 -10 of these drivers be used / per 20A C curve MCB, however it will depend on the individual circuit impedance.     For a typical 220W, 1.05A LED driver, CREE Model LE098X01 used in CREE High Output Edge luminaires, the inrush current is stated as 80 Amp for 1000uS (1mS). It is suggested that up to 6 – 8 of these drivers be used /per 20A C curve MCB, however, it will depend on the individual circuit impedance.     A general recommendation is to use C curve circuit breaker with the highest current rating that is allowed by the circuit cable size. The MCB used needs to have sufficient clearing time for the inrush current to clear, without creating the nuisance tripping on power up. This will give protection from a short circuit and prevent overheating of wiring and connections. MCBs operate by tripping open on detection of an overload or short circuit condition. The tripping point relates to the magnitude of electrical energy being passed – and this in turn depends significantly on both the inrush current peak value and its time duration. Accordingly, an MCB could be tripped either by a high peak of short duration, or a lower peak of longer duration. In either case, the objective is to ensure that the MCB trips before passing excessive energy, yet does not trip and cause lighting blackouts, when it does not need to.     Please see below, a typical MCB tripping curve showing the amount of time required for a circuit breaker to trip, at a given overcurrent level. These curves differ from manufacturer to manufacturer and from type to type. Typically, the B type MCB curve has the operating range of 3 to 5 In, C type has 5 to 10In and D type has 10-14 In.     LED drivers (also known as LED power supplies) are similar to ballasts for fluorescent lamps or transformers for low-voltage bulbs: they provide LEDs with the correct power supply to function and perform at their best. If you read our previous article on whether or not your LED requires a driver, you’ll already know that all LEDs require a driver and that the question you should really be asking is whether or not your LED requires an external driver. You’ll also know that there are two main kinds of external LED drivers, constant-current and constant-voltage, and that the driver you need depends on whether or not your LED light source already includes a constant-current driver within the light (if so, you would need a constant-voltage driver; if not, you need a separate constant-current driver). Now that you’re certain your LED light requires an external driver as well as what type, it's time to narrow down to the specs you need to consider when making a purchasing decision. Here are five factors that will help you make the right selection.     First, consider the voltage requirements of your light. If your 4W UL emergency led driver, use a 12-volt driver; if it uses 24 volts, use a 24-volt driver, etc. When choosing a driver for a constant-current LED, you must also consider the LED’s current output, which is measured in amps or milliamps. In short, make sure your driver will achieve power outputs within your light’s specified ranges: consider both voltage and current range for a constant-current driver, and simply voltage range for a constant-voltage driver.     Input Voltage / Current     Next, consider the voltage supply of the location you’ll be using your light. Your driver must accept the input voltage of the place you’re using your light so it can properly step it down to the right output voltage. Conventional homes supply a standard of 120 volts, and most commercial or industrial enterprises supply 277 volts, though it’s best to check with an electrician if you’re not sure. Most drivers accept a wide range of input voltages. Again, when choosing a driver for a constant-current LED, you must consider the LED’s current input as well.     Max Wattage     Lastly, consider the wattage requirements of your light. Choose a driver with a max wattage higher than the wattage of your light. Do not pair a driver with a light that exceeds the driver’s maximum wattage or with a light that uses less than 50% of the driver ’s maximum wattage.     2. Dimming     Both constant-current and constant-voltage LEDs and drivers can be made with a dimming capability, though both must specify that they are dimmable in the product datasheet for that assertion to be made. If the specs don’t mention dimming at all, it is safe to assume that the product is not dimmable, and the same goes for household LEDs with internal drivers. Dimmable external drivers often require an external dimmer or other dimming control devices specified on the product datasheet to work.     3. Safety     IP Ratings     IP ratings tell users the environmental protection that a driver’s enclosure provides. The first number specifies protection against solid objects, and the second number specifies protection against water elements. For example, according to the chart below, a driver with an IP67 rating is protected against dust and temporary immersion in water.     UL Listed Emergency LED Driver, meaning output is considered safe to contact and no major safety protection is required at the LED / luminaire level. There is no risk of fire or electric shock. These drivers operate using less than 60 volts (dry) and 30 volts (wet), less than 5 amps, and less than 100 watts. Although safer, these limitations pose restrictions on the number of LEDs a Class 2 driver can operate.     UL Class 1 drivers have output ranges outside UL Class 2 designations. UL Class 1 drivers have a high-voltage output and safety protection is required within the fixture. Although there are less safety precautions, a Class 1 driver can accommodate more LEDs, making it more efficient than a Class 2 driver.     4. Efficiency     Another key characteristic to choosing LED drivers is efficiency. Efficiency, expressed as a percentage, tells you how much of the input power the driver can actually use to power the LED. Typical efficiencies are between 80-85%, but UL Class 1 drivers that can operate more LEDs are usually more efficient.     5. Power Factor     The last major characteristic to consider is your driver’s power factor. Power factor tells you how much of a real power load the driver puts on the electrical network. The range for power factor is between -1 and 1. The closer to 1 the power factor is, the more efficient the driver is. A conventional standard for power factor is 0.9 or above. If power factor isn’t mentioned in a driver specification, it implies that the device has a low power factor, below 0.9.     Still have questions about choosing a driver? Let us know in comment or drop us a line on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Pinterest!

Fecha de Publicación: 26-10-21

5 Important Factors When Buying LED Drivers

Descripción: 5 Important Factors When Buying LED Drivers     WILMINGTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 31, 2017--Osram, a leading global lighting and technology company, today announced its OPTOTRONIC?Dual-Mode Programmable Emergency LED Driver, the market’s first programmable single-driver solution for emergency Solid State Lighting fixtures, which offers the ability to program and customize the light output in both normal and emergency operations.A separate snap-on battery pack with harness, available in slim, linear and compact options, powers emergency lighting in the event of an outage and provides up to 18W in back-up mode. The complete solution reduces the number of components required per emergency luminaire, substantially simplifies in-fixture wiring, and enables OEMs to better tailor their fixtures to application requirements while reducing the number of SKUs they must inventory.     Industry’s First Dual-Mode LED Driver with Programmable Emergency Light Levels Offers OEMs Greater Flexibility, Simplifies Manufacturing (Photo: Business Wire)     “Emergency lighting luminaires typically require a dedicated emergency driver, a dedicated LED driver and numerous wiring connections, creating a complex manufacturing process and often compatibility issues for OEMs,” said Tom Shottes, Head of Osram Digital Systems, Americas Region. “Osram’s new OPTOTRONIC? Programmable CE Emergency LED Driver combines the emergency and standard LED drivers into one solution, addressing key issues experienced by OEMs. The ability to program and tailor the light output in both standard and emergency mode offers additional value and flexibility in designing emergency lighting fixtures.”     The National Fire Protection Association’s code has a minimum requirement of one foot candle of light on the ground for at least 90 minutes to allow people to safely and efficiently exit a building in the event of an emergency. A programmable emergency driver solution enables OEMs to support customers with tailored and optimized emergency led driver accessories, irrespective of the building architecture, space and lighting plans.     The lamp inrush current on switching LEDs has become an area of concern in the lighting industry. ‘Inrush current’ of the LED drivers refers to the input current of short duration that flows into the LED driver, during the initial start-up, to charge the capacitors on the input side. Typically, this is a short duration current, whose amplitude is much greater than the operating or steady-state current. The inrush current is due to the EMC filter on the input and bulk capacitor on the boost circuit this is inherent to the LED technology.     The figure shows the nature of the inrush current and its peak, IMAX. T50 is the time duration in which the inrush current pulse is equal to 50% of IMAX. It shows an example of inrush current (IMAX) and T50 times for a typical LED driver.     If there are a number of LED drivers in an LED Luminaire, and if there are a number of such LED Luminaires on one circuit, the max peak inrush current and it’s duration may be additive. However, it is not an exact mathematical calculation; i.e. for “N” drivers connected in parallel does not equal exact “N” times the inrush current for one driver or N times the T50 time for one driver. It depends on the impedance of each driver and the line impedance.     The line impedance has a significant effect on the peak and duration of the inrush current. Transformer type and size, wire size, length of runs, and other devices in the circuit path are a few things that could lead to high impedance.     The inrush current and the duration of the LED driver differs from manufacturer to manufacturer and from model to model. As this current duration is very small, sophisticated instruments with very high sampling rates need to be used for exact calculations. The inrush current also depends on the exact moment of switching, during the alternating cycle.     For a typical 150W, 0.7A LED driver, Philips Model 9137012116, used in various CREE luminaires, the inrush current is stated as 130Amp for 165 Micro Seconds. It is suggested that up to 7 -10 of these drivers be used / per 20A C curve MCB, however it will depend on the individual circuit impedance.     For a typical 220W, 1.05A LED driver, CREE Model LE098X01 used in CREE High Output Edge luminaires, the inrush current is stated as 80 Amp for 1000uS (1mS). It is suggested that up to 6 – 8 of these drivers be used /per 20A C curve MCB, however, it will depend on the individual circuit impedance.     A general recommendation is to use C curve circuit breaker with the highest current rating that is allowed by the circuit cable size. The MCB used needs to have sufficient clearing time for the inrush current to clear, without creating the nuisance tripping on power up. This will give protection from a short circuit and prevent overheating of wiring and connections. MCBs operate by tripping open on detection of an overload or short circuit condition. The tripping point relates to the magnitude of electrical energy being passed – and this in turn depends significantly on both the inrush current peak value and its time duration. Accordingly, an MCB could be tripped either by a high peak of short duration, or a lower peak of longer duration. In either case, the objective is to ensure that the MCB trips before passing excessive energy, yet does not trip and cause lighting blackouts, when it does not need to.     Please see below, a typical MCB tripping curve showing the amount of time required for a circuit breaker to trip, at a given overcurrent level. These curves differ from manufacturer to manufacturer and from type to type. Typically, the B type MCB curve has the operating range of 3 to 5 In, C type has 5 to 10In and D type has 10-14 In.     LED drivers (also known as LED power supplies) are similar to ballasts for fluorescent lamps or transformers for low-voltage bulbs: they provide LEDs with the correct power supply to function and perform at their best. If you read our previous article on whether or not your LED requires a driver, you’ll already know that all LEDs require a driver and that the question you should really be asking is whether or not your LED requires an external driver. You’ll also know that there are two main kinds of external LED drivers, constant-current and constant-voltage, and that the driver you need depends on whether or not your LED light source already includes a constant-current driver within the light (if so, you would need a constant-voltage driver; if not, you need a separate constant-current driver). Now that you’re certain your LED light requires an external driver as well as what type, it's time to narrow down to the specs you need to consider when making a purchasing decision. Here are five factors that will help you make the right selection.     First, consider the voltage requirements of your light. If your 4W UL emergency led driver, use a 12-volt driver; if it uses 24 volts, use a 24-volt driver, etc. When choosing a driver for a constant-current LED, you must also consider the LED’s current output, which is measured in amps or milliamps. In short, make sure your driver will achieve power outputs within your light’s specified ranges: consider both voltage and current range for a constant-current driver, and simply voltage range for a constant-voltage driver.     Input Voltage / Current     Next, consider the voltage supply of the location you’ll be using your light. Your driver must accept the input voltage of the place you’re using your light so it can properly step it down to the right output voltage. Conventional homes supply a standard of 120 volts, and most commercial or industrial enterprises supply 277 volts, though it’s best to check with an electrician if you’re not sure. Most drivers accept a wide range of input voltages. Again, when choosing a driver for a constant-current LED, you must consider the LED’s current input as well.     Max Wattage     Lastly, consider the wattage requirements of your light. Choose a driver with a max wattage higher than the wattage of your light. Do not pair a driver with a light that exceeds the driver’s maximum wattage or with a light that uses less than 50% of the driver ’s maximum wattage.     2. Dimming     Both constant-current and constant-voltage LEDs and drivers can be made with a dimming capability, though both must specify that they are dimmable in the product datasheet for that assertion to be made. If the specs don’t mention dimming at all, it is safe to assume that the product is not dimmable, and the same goes for household LEDs with internal drivers. Dimmable external drivers often require an external dimmer or other dimming control devices specified on the product datasheet to work.     3. Safety     IP Ratings     IP ratings tell users the environmental protection that a driver’s enclosure provides. The first number specifies protection against solid objects, and the second number specifies protection against water elements. For example, according to the chart below, a driver with an IP67 rating is protected against dust and temporary immersion in water.     UL Listed Emergency LED Driver, meaning output is considered safe to contact and no major safety protection is required at the LED / luminaire level. There is no risk of fire or electric shock. These drivers operate using less than 60 volts (dry) and 30 volts (wet), less than 5 amps, and less than 100 watts. Although safer, these limitations pose restrictions on the number of LEDs a Class 2 driver can operate.     UL Class 1 drivers have output ranges outside UL Class 2 designations. UL Class 1 drivers have a high-voltage output and safety protection is required within the fixture. Although there are less safety precautions, a Class 1 driver can accommodate more LEDs, making it more efficient than a Class 2 driver.     4. Efficiency     Another key characteristic to choosing LED drivers is efficiency. Efficiency, expressed as a percentage, tells you how much of the input power the driver can actually use to power the LED. Typical efficiencies are between 80-85%, but UL Class 1 drivers that can operate more LEDs are usually more efficient.     5. Power Factor     The last major characteristic to consider is your driver’s power factor. Power factor tells you how much of a real power load the driver puts on the electrical network. The range for power factor is between -1 and 1. The closer to 1 the power factor is, the more efficient the driver is. A conventional standard for power factor is 0.9 or above. If power factor isn’t mentioned in a driver specification, it implies that the device has a low power factor, below 0.9.     Still have questions about choosing a driver? Let us know in comment or drop us a line on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Pinterest!

Fecha de Publicación: 26-10-21

STAINLESS STEEL CABLE CLEATS – PREVENTING GALVANIC CORROSION OF CABLE FIXINGS

Descripción: STAINLESS STEEL CABLE CLEATS – PREVENTING GALVANIC CORROSION OF CABLE FIXINGS     In the following article we provide an evidence based specification case for stainless steel cable cleats where levels of atmospheric corrosion preclude use of other cable fixing materials.     One of the most important issues to consider when specifying cable cleats is the risk of material corrosion – not just as a result of the installation environment, but also from other metals which the cable cleat is in contact with.     Galvanic corrosion occurs when dissimilar metals are placed in contact with each other in the presence of an electrolyte. There are two factors that affect the rate of galvanic corrosion, the first is the distance between the two metals in the galvanic series.     The further apart the two metals are in the galvanic series, the greater the risk of galvanic corrosion – with the metal higher up the list (more anodic) being the one whose rate of corrosion is accelerated.     The second factor to consider is the relative surface areas of the different metals.     If the more anodic (higher up the list) metal has a smaller surface area than the metal it is in contact with, the difference in surface area causes the rate of corrosion of the anodic metal to increase.     Conversely, if the more anodic metal has a much larger surface area than the cathodic metal, it may be sufficient for the effects of galvanic corrosion to be discounted. In terms of cable cleat selection, the surface area of the cleat is generally significantly smaller than the structure it is mounted on.     Therefore, if it is made from a metal that is more anodic than its support structure it will be susceptible to galvanic corrosion.     Conversely, if the cable cleat is more cathodic than its support structure, there is little risk of galvanic corrosion.     Using this criteria, if galvanised ladder is the support structure, and there are no other significant factors, it is safe to use ball lock stainless steel cable tie. However, if the support structure is stainless steel, separation should be provided if aluminium or galvanised cleats are used.     Galvanic corrosion is not easily predictable and can be influenced by the type of electrolytes present such as salt water or fresh water containing impurities. In general terms when guarding against galvanic corrosion, the safest course of action is to separate dissimilar metals with polymer separation washers.     This separation should be carried out between the cable cleat and its mounting surface and the cleat’s mounting fixing.     All Ellis cable cleat products constructed from dissimilar metal are designed in a way that completely avoids bimetallic contact. As a result of this you can be confident that cable cleats will have a service life measured in decades.     All Ellis single stainless steel cable cleat are produced from 316L austenitic stainless steel.     In general, cable cleats are manufactured from austenitic stainless steel due to its non-magnetic and corrosion resistant properties – the former ensuring the cable cleat will not induce eddy currents or localised heating of the LV-HV cable.     Austenitic stainless steel does become a little magnetic as a result of work hardening when processed. This magnetism can barely be detected with a magnet and so is not significant from an eddy current perspective.     304 austenitic stainless steel, often referred to as A2, is one of the most commonly used stainless steels. It has excellent corrosion resistant properties in most circumstances, although is susceptible in atmospheres where chlorides are present, making it unsuitable for use in coastal or marine environments.     316 austenitic stainless steel, often referred to as A4, contains Molybdenum, which provides resistance against chlorides. 316 is often referred to as marine grade stainless steel due to its suitability for use in coastal and offshore applications.     If unsure a simple chemical test can determine whether Molybdenum is present and so differentiate between 304 and 316 types of stainless steel.     There are many different types of stainless steel, but there are two principal variants when it comes to cable cleats. 304 and 316 stainless steel are available in low carbon variants, namely 304L and 316L. These variants are immune to sensitisation (grain boundary carbide precipitation).     Any cable cleat which is manufactured from stainless steel and includes welding in the manufacturing process should be made in a low carbon (L) variant.     Should you require any further assistance in the selection or specification of stainless steel cable tie, MV Medium Voltage or HV High Voltage cables please do not hesitate to contact us.     The corrosion resistance properties of stainless steel are a result of chromium, which reacts with oxygen and forms a self-healing impervious layer of chromium oxide on the surface of the steel.     In most circumstances the chromium oxide layer is extremely durable and helps in resisting galvanic corrosion. However, in certain installation locations, such as railway tunnels, the oxide layer can be continuously penetrated.     This occurs due to trains frequently applying their brakes, which releases mild steel dust into the atmosphere that then settles on the stainless steel. If moisture is present, then corrosion occurs at an exaggerated rate. In such circumstances, if regular washing is not feasible, use of aluminium as an alternative to stainless steel products and/or coating processes are strongly recommended.     Ellis Patents offers special coatings to suit specific cable installation environments – e.g. our London Underground Approved electrostatic plastic coatings.     CABLE CLEAT FIXINGS     Closure fixings on cable cleats are fundamental to the loop strength of the cable cleat and its short-circuit withstand capability.     All Ellis Patents 316L stainless steel cleats use 316 fixings, which are manufactured to a precise and specific tensile strength. Fixings are sourced directly from approved manufacturers and any fixing on any cleat is directly traceable back to the batch quality records at that manufacturer.     GALVANISED STEEL     Contracts often require a guarantee regarding the life expectancy of a cleat. If the installation is designed correctly and all other corrosion issues have been considered this is a relatively simple exercise for wing lock stainless steel cable tie . With galvanized steel, life expectancy is determined by the thickness of the zinc coating.     The resistance of galvanizing to atmospheric corrosion depends on a protective film that forms on the surface of the zinc. When the newly coated steel is withdrawn from the galvanizing bath, the zinc has a clean, bright, shiny surface. With time a corrosion process occurs which produces a dull grey patina as the surface reacts with oxygen, water and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.     This leads to the formation of a tough, stable, protective layer, which is tightly adherent to the zinc. As the corrosion process is continuous, the thickness of the zinc layer reduces over time and it is the speed of this reduction that is used to accurately predict the life span of the cable cleat.     Corrosion Rates for the UK     Permission to use the information relating to galvanising was granted by the Galvanizers Association for galvanised steel. If a galvanised steel cable cleat is specified for use in a zone 3 area then the corrosion rate is 1.5 microns (μm) per year.     If the contract for this specification states a required life expectancy of 40 years, then the initial galvanising thickness will need to be a minimum of 60 μm in order to meet the required longevity.     The international standard governing Cable Cleats used in electrical installations is IEC 61914:2015. In this standard Cable Cleats are defined as “devices designed to provide securing of cables when installed at intervals along the length of the cables”. Simply put, cable cleats are used to secure, fix and route electrical cables in the positions required in an electrical installation. They can consist of single or multiple parts, plastic or metal material and include some sort of provision for securing itself to a surface or structure.  Mounting surfaces that may be specified include; ladder, tray, strut, rail, wire and beam. Examples of different types of cleats securing cable to cable ladder can be seen in the image below.     Cable cleats should be designed to ensure that cables are fixed, supported and routed in a manner that provides safe operation and reduces the risk of damage or injury in the event of an emergency or accident. Improper clamping of cables can result in loss through unnecessary  downtime or even injury and death. They should at a minimum:     Be rated for the specified cable OD.     Provide a means of securely fixing the cable.     Have adequate strength to secure the cable.     Prevent excessive cable movement.     Avoid chafing and undue stress in the cable.     Cleat Selection and How to Specify Cable Cleats     If you’re here it’s likely you may have asked yourself ‘which cable cleat should I use for this job?’ Unfortunately the answer frequently is ‘well, it depends!’ More specifically you may be wondering ‘what size cable cleats for 2.5mm SWA?’ or ‘what size cable cleat for 6mm armoured cable?’. The latter questions are much easier to answer and if you scroll to the end of this article you’ll find selection tables for all of our cleats and common cable sizes.     Cable Arrangement     The cable arrangement/configuration will primarily dictate the type of cleat required. Cable arrangements for 3 phase installations utilising single conductor cables are typically flat spaced, flat touching or trefoil. A parallel or flat arrangement of single core cables can be completed with a range of single or two-part cleats. Whereas a trefoil or quad arrangement would require a trefoil or quad type cleat respectively.     Cable Type - The type of cable being used, Single or Multi-core, as well as its Voltage Levels and Construction Low Voltage (LV), Medium Voltage (MV) or High Voltage (HV)} should be considered.     Cable Diameter - Knowing the overall diameter of the cable (measurement across the entire cross-section) is essential in ensuring the correct size of cleat is selected. It is also required to calculate the short circuit forces that the cleat may be subjected to, this can be used to determine correct cleat spacings.     Performance - A range of factors will dictate the level of performance your installation will require. The size, weight and length of run of the cable also spacing will usually influence whether you require a polymer or metallic cleat. Things such as the support structure material and environmental conditions (corrosion) can also affect your decision of cleat material. Other factors such as project specification may require special provision for performance in the event of a fire. Low Smoke or Zero Halogen options are available along with cast iron in extreme cases.      In summary, to correctly select they type of cleat you require you should be looking to obtain the following information;     1. Calculate the system peak fault current.     2. Confirm cable type and arrangement, including the overall diameter and manufacturing tolerance.     3. Confirm the support structure type and material.     4. Consider any other environmental conditions and project specification requirements.     5. Consult with the Remora Sales team who, given your requirements, will advise the most cost effective solution.     In the UK the 17th Edition Wiring Regulations (BS7671) provides current ratings and voltage drop values for all these cable configurations. Information is also available on grouping factors and spacing between circuits to achieve thermal independence.     A KPMG International survey recently found that 78% of surveyed engineering and construction companies believe building project risks are increasing. Clients are challenging engineers to complete projects at an unprecedented pace to realize the return on investment, and the need for infrastructure development in remote and complex environments is increasing. A study by the G20-backed Global Infrastructure Hub and Oxford Economics estimates that $3.7 trillion will be invested in infrastructure every year to meet global demand. It’s no wonder engineering and construction firms are constantly pushing the competitive edge.      To maintain an advantage, it’s paramount to stay at the forefront of safety compliance and best practices. A fundamental move: Specify cable cleats because they assist with electrical system protection. To ensure long-term integrity of electrical infrastructure, follow cable cleat installation standards according to the International Electrotechnical Commission 61914:2015, the most robust standards established globally.      Panduit cable cleats ensure cables remain contained in the event of a short circuit fault, minimising disruption and damage to personnel and property. Uniquely engineered for ease of installation in a range of applications and harsh environments, Panduit has the right product to fit your needs while providing on the job productivity, reliability and safety.     Panduit’s cable cleat solution is the industry’s first solution that has streamlined the selection process, tested to IEC standards bringing the vision of creating an engineering specifiable products to the EPC and Contractor firms. Panduit’s cable cleats have simple and intuitive design that helps to improve productivity, have industry-unique mounting brackets and installation tools, and are compatible with a variety of ladder racks and cables     The rest of this article will explore IEC 61914:2015 standard at a high level outlining the methodology and testing criteria to successfully design and test a Panduit’s cable cleat to meet standard requirements as well as the appropriate methodology to correctly specify a cleat system in the protection against a short circuit fault.

Fecha de Publicación: 26-10-21

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