Contributors
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Shine a light on solar
The basic principles of photovoltaic systems make useful reading for non-specialist electricians installing all or part of a system. Phil Kreveld sets them out. Lots of ... -
CHRIS HALLIDAY: To protect and serve, part one
The Los Angeles Police motto is also a good one for sparkies. In the first of two articles, Chris Halliday examines the more obscure types of ... -
Current concerns
Older houses were wired according to the safety standards of their time. Gary Busbridge calls for more RCDs to bring things up to date. There are ... -
CHRIS HALLIDAY: An acceptable drop
It might have been some time since you learned about voltage drop, so what are the requirements and the calculations? Chris Halliday explains. The voltage in ... -
Feed-in facts
As ‘distributed generation’ increases, there’s work to be done on power quality by electricity suppliers and the solar industry. Phil Kreveld reports. The growth of solar ... -
Chinese panels… they really do stack up?
Solar panels from China are not necessarily inferior, as they often use Western technology under licence. Phil Kreveld draws attention to other important quality and performance ... -
Battery storage for solar installations
Battery storage of solar energy is a reality, and the economics are just about there. Phil Kreveld reports. Storing the sun’s energy, which rates about one ... -
CHRIS HALLIDAY: Test lamps
Many electricians have relegated test lamps to the museum. Should the remaining old-school sparkies update or are the new mob just showing off expensive toys? Chris ... -
DAVID HERRES: All about Wiggy
It makes appropriate sounds and it vibrates to let you know what’s happening. No, it’s not a mobile phone, writes David Herres, but a handy little ... -
DAVID HERRES: PLCs explained
Programmable logic controllers dominate global manufacturing, and electricians who understand them will never want for work. David Herres explains. By the mid-1960s, General Motors was manufacturing ...
